"I can't keep in the air brother, this is just too much!" Andreas explained as the flew over the trees that seemed to climb endlessly up the mountainside.
"We must keep going, but we need to fin a place to land quickly the pain is almost more than we can bare! and we must keep the child safe" Dalnarian's soul winced in the pain of his brothers still smoldering wings, the residue still clung hungrily to it.
"I--" Andreas began but cut off as he passed out of conscientiousness.
"Andreas!" Dalnarian cried in alarmed pain.
"I'm taking over and hopefully we can land, I'm switching" Saeris stated as they became enveloped in that black smoke once more but this times it cleared to reveal something that closely resembled Dalnarian except for the smooth plates of metals that replaced skin and the obvious clockwork gears. Saeris reached up and grabbed Syndee's arm swinging her down and holding her to his chest. "Hang on tight child, this is gong to be a rough landing" He tried to stabilize himself with his own makeshift wings but it did them no good to maintain altitude and they fell quickly. Saeris braced for the impact and check the girl's safety quickly and then they hit the trees. Their ears were filled with the sounds of snapping wood as the man and the child ripped their way through the forest the momentum carried them through foot thick trees like paper until that is they were low enough that the girth of the foliage became more prominent.
In a split second they bounced off of an old and rather large tree and to his utter horror he watched as the child was taken from his arms with the force of the impact that sent him sprawling into the ground. He finally stopped against a rock and with their last effort changed back into the human soul. They had no strength to continue, they lied there face up in the dirt and leaves of the forest; injured and powerless they lay there hoping to all hope the girl was ok. They then drifted off to a pained and forced sleep their last feelings were of Andreas's wings still burning with that fire, that strange and yet familiar fire.

They lay there for what seemed its own eternity dozing softly and troubled under the shade of the trees. The feeling of Andreas's soul's wings still burning brought them back into reality. Dalnarian groaned as he attempted to sit up. After achieving that tedious task he looked around at his surroundings.
"Where are we?" he asked to no one in particular.
"This region is unfamiliar to me, but first is first: locate the girl, mend any damages sustained by the landing and then we'll take care of Andreas" Saeris's words reminded him of Syndee, they had to find her and fast who knows what could've happened to her.
He stumbled to his feet with Saeris's assistance and they scanned the area again but finding her would prove easier than anticipated for it appeared she had used all her strength to claw her way to him. Dal staggered to her and knelt hoping to anything she'd be ok as Saeris looked her over. "This will not be any minor damage; no bumps or bruises. I see signs of a broken limb maybe some fractured bones, possible internal bleeding. This is serious and we have got to fix it now and I think we'll have to use 'it' hopefully it will work like last time"
Saeris explained in a more worried tone though even when his brother could feel his worry, his voice still had that indifferent metallic tone.
"It's better than nothing, everything is worth its try and besides didn't we hear water?" Dalnarian thought quickly as he stood back up and moved to the sound he thought was water.
It took the man a matter of minutes to stumble forward till he could unmistakenly hear a stream. Upon arriving to the small rivulets of clear and cold liquid he produced a small metal canteen from inside his jacket and filled it. Saeris's soul nodded in agreeance to the man who proceeded to undo his pendant necklace while holding the canteen under his arm. Lowering the shinging pendant infront of his face he kissed it and hoped his plan would work as it did once before. Holding it firmly he submerssed the entire thing in the water which when the stone touched the surface a soft blue light came from inside the opening which made him smile. "Andreas, it's your turn first" he instructed as his brother's soul grumbled and changed places with him so that the dragon was once again in the open; its wings still burning.
"Now I see what you've done and I know what you're about to do, hopefully it works this time" the dragon nodded as he started drinking the water.
What happened next looked like he had just jumped into a lake. The scorch marks began to heal in ripples and what was once burning scale and flesh grew back in seconds. Their strength also grew with every mouthful they swallowed. "Good as almost normal, though I know the precautions that I shouldn't strain myself and all that, blah blah blah. Now the girl's turn" Andreas said as he strechted his now fixed wings with a sign of glee.
"Brother did you backwash?" Dalnarian snickered.
"You know I had to in order for this to have a chance to work, now pipe down and let's go find the girl this is no time for joking around!" the dragon snapped.
They found her where they let her lay, she hadn't moved or given sign that she was still breathing though when they turned her over she gave a pained moan. Proping her up they offered her the canteen, "Drink it girl, it'll help you, I hope" Dalnarian said in an unsure tone as he handed Syndee the oddly glowing water.

He smiled to himself, she was back to normal or at least as normal as this strange little girl could get. He was though more or less taken aback by her bout of blood lust for 'her', as he pondered their situation he accepted some of the food she offered with thanks, "well I'm not sure what we're gonna do, I mean we can always go exploring cause to be honest I won't be flying anytime soon as I'm still a bit sore from our little detour" Dalnarian looked toward where he believed the city was and sighed deeply, "To answer your other question; no we are not going to kill her, I made a promise to her brother I wouldn't and I don't betray a friend no matter the circumstances even if she is a poor excuse for a vampire"
At this he spit on the ground and heard Andreas growling in his ear, "Gone on child let's not doddle on past troubles" he smiled. "Let's see what secrets this mountain has to offer!" and with that he straightened his coat and readjusted his hat. He chuckled to himself that it had stayed on during the flight even though he knew from past experience that they fixed that problem long ago. With that he jumped over some knee high rocks and began walking.

He blinks back at her, "You don't know what a vampire is? well then I guess the only thing you should know about them is they're immortal, or close to it. Though you can still kill them it's not something that's done easily; much unlike killing humans for sure. I hope you don't have to ever fight one" Dalnarian sighed, "Tell you what, we'll keep exploring for the day and when we set up camp for the night I'll tell ya the story of how me and her met. It's late day anyway" and with that Dalnarian walked on listening to Andreas and Saeris's discussion about navigation and future ventures that would need to be made.

He jumped down from a small rise in the rock and helped her down, night was approaching rather briskly by now as the two carried on. "Well they get their reputation for being immortal because there have been people in the past who've sought to kill them and being poor at it believed that using the same methods one would use to kill a mortal person would work. To their surprise it didn't and so they believed vampires couldn't be killed, which is a lie. Everything can and will die eventually either by time or by some other means, vampires are only immortal if you don't know how to kill them" Dalnarian said as he walked on.
"And about your other question no she wouldn't kill us in our sleep because she doesn't know about you and she knows it would be folly to track me down all the way out here and try and kill me knowing full well she can't; we're safe enough for now."
He looked around the clearing they had just walked in and stared out of it towards where the lights of the city began to shine dully. He looked at Syndee and tipped his hat as he shifted with Saeris and dropped the bag he had been carrying still surprised it was intact. "We're going to go gather the correct materials in order to build a flame, for safety sake I would advise you not to follow regardless of your thoughts our swings can go wild and we do not control the trees, may you set up camp child? I thank you" and with that the metallic being's wrists grew to double their size and a long pole came out of each. Once at a length Saeris felt proper the flexed and sprang into two large axes. "We shall return within the hour" he said with a smile and trudged off into the thicker part of the forest leaving the child to her musings.

As they walked off into the forest a tune popped into their head and they started to sing softly.

One thousand battles can tell you who your are...
You find, needing, crying but you don't know what all this is for...
One thousand dollars can protect you from the scores...
They only make you wonder but you not fight them before...

All the honor all the glory...
Let the truth disappear behind the veil...

Hold on, hold on...
Remember a man you used to know, let the veil around my rotten soul...
Hold on, be strong..
I'm not so far away from you, just one more step and I'll...
Be with you...

I'll be with you...

One thousand bottles can wash away the pain...
I wonder if I live my life, in vain...
One thousand sorrows have brought me to my knees...
I'm drowning while I'm looking for a way it'll end up please...

All the suffering...
All the tears...
Scattered memories of broken dreams...

Hold on, hold on...
Remember the men you used to know...
Let the veil around my rotten soul...
Hold on, be strong...
I'm not so far away from you, just one more step and I'll...
Be with you...

He smile at this and continues on. It isn't ling before he finds a tree he likes and feeling the edge of the axe flex and thin out he takes a swing. The tree stands for a couple of seconds before succumbing to gravity and falling over cleanly. The chains wrapped around his chest slither and grip to the tree but becoming slightly spiked. The three begin to walk back but stop suddenly to a deep growling. Turning they come face to face with a large silver-white wolf who had just emerged from behind a tree. The end of the log made a thump as it hit the ground and the chains wound themselves up again.
"Silver"! Dalnarian shouted and the other two smiled.
At the mention of his name the large wolf panted and walked over allowing Dalnarian to stroke his fur. "My friend it's been ages, I've missed you so" he said as he hugged the wolf's neck who in turn licked his face.
The wolf sat down and lifted his head, which showed the studded leather collar that held a rolled up piece of paper in it. "She sent us a note did she? well then I hope I'm not in trouble" he smiled and began reading the note.

Dalnarian, where the hell have you been? I've been on your trail for a year now and I finally found you, this time you are not getting away from me. If you left because of some gild then I swear I'll take pleasure in killing her before I kill you.
Sincerely Tyaera

The three of them laughed, "so she still thinks we're cheating on her? hell if she was so mad at me near other females she would've killed off half the town" they looked at the wolf "should I tell her I'm seeing someone else, just for fun?" Dalnarian asked to which the wolf's response was a wide eyed look of playful fear. "You're right I wouldn't want a great beast as yourself in any harm"
He took out a pencil from his pocket and wrote on the back side of the letter:
I hope you are well, and damnit I wish you'd stop following me and I wish you'd stop shooting at me with your fire it's becoming an annoyance. Oh thank you for sending Silver rather than one of your 'intimate' friends, brightened my day. Don't go burning down the city, you won't have your brother to protect you from what ever laws they got here. Better yet just go home, I've got a mission to finish.
Yours Truely Dalnarian
P.S. Andreas says screw off
He took his letter and slipped it snugly under the wolf's collar. Stroking the fur softly he tells the wolf, "I wish you luck and I hope to see you again Silver, you are a welcome sight if ever your want to seek me out again and keep my company with my new friend Syndee. Before you give me that shocked look I'm not with her, we're just friends and traveling companions, she's also easily three of four times younger than me so yeah"
The wolf cocked his head to the side but seemed to understand before bounding off and disappearing into the shadows once more. The three smiled and once again picked up the log with the chains and began to dragon it towards camp.
It took them a few minutes to maneuver the tree back to their clearing and that song started in his head again, but they made it back and stopped to see the little girl dancing to some song of her own. "What are ya doing?" Dalnarian said in all hopes to startle her as they dragged the tree over and began to cut it into burnable logs. They smile as they waited for the answer, but they didn't know why they were so happy just after being shot down and stranded here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iJyg02vvLg The song he sings.

He let Saeris cut the wood as his shade explained it to her, "Well right now Saeris is the present soul and I know he's easy to tell apart from the human side since he is made of metal where as when it comes to me I'm well, just human".
Saeris picked up as much of the wood as he could fit in his arms and carried it over to the fire and then after setting it down he switched with Andreas who started stacking the wood in such a way so that it would burn easier. Dalnarian's shade watched the dragon build the fire and then light it with a quick shot of fel green flame.
"It does get more in depth to explain Andreas's form though, I mean he is a dragon yet in some ways he isn't. So while he works on this I'll tell a sort of summary of the dragon history. You see way back in a more ancient time dragons flourished and were greatly revered by many cultures. In time some of the nations grew jealous of them or just got power hungry, something of the sort but no matter the reason they began assaulting the dragons' nations which began a small war. Not wanting to cause further blood shed and hostilities for unknown reasons the dragons sought with the leaders of their lands and over much argument the decided to disappear.
This started The Great Dilution which is when all dragon split into three distinct groups. The Pure dragons who sought to brave the hard ships and remain how they were. There are also the Unpure dragons who chose to manipulate themselves to take different shapes in order to hide themselves, either by magic or by permanent astral projection. Pure dragons do use some cloaking but choose to remain away from mortal lands, some Unpure dragon's use of cloaking deformed their pure forms making them any degree between either animal and dragon or mortal and dragon. Andreas is an Unpure dragon, one of the few who left their body to let their spirit drift and find its way to a mortal being usually at their birth. Andreas was different though, since most dragon represent one of the six elements: fire, water, wind, earth, metal, and wood; his dragon side spit with his elemental side which became Saeris. and to my reckoning that is the whole story, so far" The shade finished with deep inhale of the night air and looked down at the child.

"Another Story hey"? Dalnarian asked as he changed back into his physical self; though he didn't need an answer he asked with a grin knowing how she would respond, "I know another story, it's a true story and I guess my brothers are going to let me tell it to you cause you should have knowledge of what you're up against; to a point". Dalnarian cleared his throat and then began his tale...


“’A few years back while I was still making my long journey to Tallendon, I decided to take a rest in a nearby town for a few weeks; the town was called Brollerstone. The town was situated near many farming lands and was widely known for its market which would have something for your every need from fresh baked bread to newly picked fruits to fine cuts of meat. The entire place was well kept and run by a man named Alexandros Mahnaire, he was a tall man and kept himself presentable at all times when he was out and about in the public eye; also he was believe it or not a vampire and before you go on about the darkness thing I’ll point out that over his many years he acquired the ability to day walk without incident.
Now the town did know about their lord’s secret and they benefited greatly from it for there was no real crime and if the town was ever assaulted then one could bet that Alexandros would be the first one out to meet the assailants along with his much younger brother Chrystian. Chrystian wasn’t much like his older brother in the sense he was sort of reckless and known to cause trouble from time to time and even then he’d watch his actions for he would never cross his older sibling. Out of three siblings that lived in that town there was in fact one female and her name was Tyaera.
Tyaera was somewhat like her younger brother except she felt there was no problem in crossing her older one and for that the two didn’t get along much. She was tall about six foot or so with long blonde hair that seems to be ashen black on the tips. She liked to wear black a lot mostly as she told me to be stealthier so as not to be seen. She was attractive beyond belief and enjoyed using that to toy with some of the more well built men in the town. Well that is till she met me that one day in late summer as I came walking through on my travels.
The air was crisp and you could smell the changing of the season was fast approaching; we had been travelling south for about almost two years when we came across the town of Brollerstone. The country side was well kept and the farmers were taking in what would soon be some of the last of their crops. Being courteous the three of us would tend to stop at farms here and there to lend a hand in exchange for a hot meal. We became known to tell interesting stories of our travels to ears eager to learn about life beyond their area. Something else that became known fast was our soul switching abilities and that gained us the title of Shifter in those parts.
It was more of an accident you see, well not our fault but we did the right thing cause one day while we were helping an elderly man who’s sons had all moved on to their own farmstead. So while we were helping him harvest the lasts of his field five riders came swiftly down the road and hopped his fence. The leader or so I believed rode forward on his horse to the man whom I noticed was filled with dear at the sight of this rider. Things went in my favour for they all didn’t notice me standing behind a stack of hay. When the leader of the group drew his sword and started demanding of the man I knew I had to act, but to my annoyance I noticed my swords weren’t on my belt.
To further that annoyance I realized I took them off so they wouldn’t be a distraction while I worked and sat them on a stump. One of the riders saw them as the leader was making his demands and jumped off his horse to pick up my blades. “I wouldn’t do that if you know what’s good for ya” I said and it caused all five to jump in surprise which they really didn’t like for the moment I walked out from behind the pile of hay I had an arrow buried in my chest and fell backwards with a dumb struck look on my face. The leader laughed and congratulated the archer on my supposed death, but the thing about me is I don’t stay down for long which they were also surprised about. I propped myself up on my elbows laughing as three more arrows flew and bounced off my chest which Saeris was reinforcing as he began switching with me. “You’re gonna have to try better than that” I laughed as the rider who was about to pick up my swords ran at me with his own drawn. He drew up momentum and then slashed which I countered by bringing up my own arm and stopping his blow in mid strike. I took his chocked state to my advantage and grabbing his blade I took it out of his hand, swung around and cleaved him in the side of the skull to which he crumpled at my feet with the look of surprise still on his lifeless face.
His friends were smarter, upon seeing their comrade fall they turned tail and fled as fast as those horses would carry them. “Well sir looks like you get yourself a new horse” I laughed noticing that the bandits left the dead man’s horse with us.
The old man seemed to snap out of his own shock at my words and gave a quick chuckle, “I guess I do, thank ya sonny for teachin’ them bandits I don’t think our lord would’ve gotten here in time if it wasn’t for ya. By the way what was that little trick you did?” he said as casually as if we were talking about the weather; this somehow bothered me.
“This?” I asked as I finished my soul shift with Saeris and stood there gleaming metallically in the sun light. “I’m a soul shifter, I can change between my brother Saeris’s soul of a metal elemental or my other brother Andreas’s dragon one” I took a gamble and explained to him and hoped it would not be met negatively as it most times did.
“Aww don’t worry about it sonny we folks around here are used to abnormalities and odd things like that, but we put up with them because Lord Alexandros watches over us and keeps us safe” He spoke with a toothy grin and I felt at ease.
“Good to know my people see me in such high esteem, am I right there Gregory?” came the voice of a man as he came strolling across the field towards us.
The old man smiled and waved to the new comer as he leant on his pitch fork, “good to see you out and about there Alexandros”.
“I can say the same for you, how are you today?” he asked to which the old man nodded “After I heard word of bandits in the area I thought I’d be in my people’s best interest to scout the area, I have Chrystian on the south side scouting though I wouldn’t be shocked to hear that he’s been sleeping in a tree somewhere” Alexandros smiled and looked at me with a deep red eyed stare.
“Well I’d be doing fine sir, though I have to say you are a bit late, if it wasn’t for Dalnarian here you might’ve found me makin’ friends with the crows” Gregory smiled.
“Dalnarian you say, I’ve been hearing good things about you as you’ve passed through my lands. You’ve made a lot of folks happy during this harvest season and for that you have my deepest thanks” with that Alexandros extended his hand to which I took and shook it genuinely. “Might I invite you back to my manor and provide you with a hot meal, for I wish to listen to one these stories I’ve heard so much about”.
“I’d be honoured to be in your company sir, I have heard many good things about you as well but I must say that first I’d like to help mister Gregory with his field first. I wouldn’t wanna leave a job half finished” I stated and got back to the tasks I was doing before the commotion started.
“Well then I don’t suppose he would mind an extra set of hands” announced Alexandros as he took off his over shirt and hung it on a fence post.
Within the hour we had everything done and bid Gregory farewell before walking down the road towards town. I thought it strange that Alexandros had the dead man slung over his shoulder though I offered to carry it myself. He refused my offer and walked briskly onwards as if the man had weighed little more than a grain of sand. The whole trip took us about thirty minutes to get from the old man’s farm to Alexandros’s manor which though he was lord of the town wasn’t an overly big house and the word ‘manor’ didn’t seem to fit the description. He told me that he built it himself with the help of some of the local workers that needed the pay most.
When we walked in the house he turned a corner and walked down some stairs into the cellar which is where he told me he did autopsies to determine where this man might’ve come from and find any of his comrades. I suspected he was a doctor of sorts and left it at that without question. I made my way into the dining room and almost ran into a young looking woman with golden brown hair whom at first I thought was the maid and apologised for my carelessness which she laughed sweetly at and told me not to worry. The thought of her being a maid was rapidly thrown away as Alexandros came into the room and gave the woman a kiss and introducing her as his wife Dainna and with that I felt more foolish by my clumsiness. “Have a seat Dalnarian” he offered me at the large oak table to which I sat down at.
“Thank you sir, you have a lovely home though not one I’d expect from the ruler of a town” I stated.
“You would think that but I’m not greedy like most and I helped build this house with my own hands so as to accommodate my wife and two other siblings, I paid the towns people who helped me a good wage for their dedicated work so that their families would be fed for many nights to come since they’d been without work for some time already” He stated proudly as he lit a pipe and leant back in his chair.
It was then that another voice made its appearance and thus I was introduced to Chrystian; the youngest of the three siblings. He gave me a mischievous grin as he sat down across from his brother and put his feet upon the table while he waited for his sister in law to finish cooking. Me on the other hand sat back down and pulled my hat over my eyes as the three of us sat there in our silent musings.
Truth be told I didn’t even here her come down the stairs, I just sat there dozing softly; but Saeris heard her. I could barely comprehend what was happening till it was over, one second I was dozing quietly in my chair the next moment I a smooth and strong hand flew over my mouth as my head was yanked back and through my left eye I saw her pretty face lean towards my exposed shoulder. In the next moment though I felt my elbow tingle and the face was gone with a last look of dumb struck shock. Springing to my feet I came face to face with a very attractive lightly blonde girl about my age, though there was two things I came to realize quickly: one was the metallic spike that embedded into her mid section, the second was the look of pure rage on her face and in that moment I remember thinking to myself ‘oh shit’.
I rambled on with apologies thinking I had mortally wounded her, but she seemed perfectly fine except her obvious annoyance. I grabbed the metal spike and watched as it melted back into my skin. Once her feet were on solid ground she knocked the wind out of me with a strong punch to the gut to which I asked, “what was that for?!”
“This!” she yelled pointing to the hole in her midsection that upon looking through to the other side I saw Chrystian lean over to look from the opposite end of the hole and wave to me grinning. “You’re lucky I’m immortal” she snapped.
“You’re lucky I didn’t know that” I grinned.
“Oh shut up and give me your arm” she barked to which I reluctantly obliged.
Quick as a flash she leant over and sank her teeth deep into my upturned forearm and I could feel the blood draining and though I wanted to pull away Andreas held me steady. I remember him telling me that this was how I apologise to one such as her, and I quickly realized why. Her flesh and organs began to rearrange themselves as they repaired the damage and within seconds the only evidence of what Saeris had done was the hole in her shirt.
Not long after supper was laid on the table and I spent most of it answering questions from Chrystian and Alexandros about my soul shifting which I demonstrated for them afterwards. I did however find it hard to avoid that maliciously icy stare that Tyaera gave me for the rest of that night. Before long though she fell in love with me and I with her in some awkward twist of fate that I never understood the meaning of, the whole affair lasted through the winter until spring when I had to leave her in pursuit of my life’s mission. She didn’t like this one bit and became hostile at every advance I made to leave, to my dismay it usually involved her little pyro abilities.
It was Alexandros who came to my aid in late spring when with the help of Chrystian and Dainna. His younger brother helped me sneak out of the house while Tyaera slept having unknowingly ingested a sleeping drug. When we found Alexandros and his wife she had a pack waiting for me full of rations and supplies. I thanked all three of them for their help before two of them walked back to the house and left me with Alexandros , who wanted a quick last word with me.
“I wish to thank you for all the help you’ve given to my town and to my home, for that you have my blessings. You shall always be welcome in my home if ever you decide to return to us.” He began then grew solemn. “About my sister, now if I know her she might try and follow you and for that I can’t stop her. I don’t know if her finding you again will be in good spirits or not but I ask you this Dalnarian. If ever you both encounter each other again you must promise me no matter what that you won’t kill her. We might not see eye to eye but she is family and I care for them all greatly; understand?”
I nodded, “I swear upon my souls that if we ever do cross paths and it becomes hostile that I will not kill her, no matter what”
“Thank you Dalnarian, it pleases to hear that and I wish you luck on finishing your life’s task. You are like family to me so I wish you only the best, now it is time for you to be off before the effects of the drug wears off. I advise you travel by air at least until the next town so she won’t pick up your direction as easily.” He advised with a proud grin. “Good luck my friend”
“And to you Alexandros” with the goodbyes spoken I shifted with Andreas and we took off from the town of Brollerstone. Pleasantries and fond memories aside we continued on South and eventually after a year or so of travelling we boarded the ship that we came in on.’”


“And that’s the story of how I met her, sorry if this is all too much to handle there Syndee but I thought you would like to hear that tale before you fell asleep for the night”. Dalnarian said as he smiled at the child sitting on the opposite side of the fire. “Tomorrow is a new day, let us hope it brings us much promise, now for me I need some well needed rest; good night!”