Father and Child Bonding Time (Cygnus/Sul and El)

The Pride of Kryo hated the sweltering heat of the desert. It was far better than the suffocating atmosphere of the fire dragons, however. How the people of Gynaikes were able to survive there was beyond him. Maybe that was why the women came to Kryo in search for a husband; what they really wanted was a reprieve from their fire-y home. Svad stopped his horse at the top of a sand dune. Below was the tent city of Ammos. A 'city' of refugees and outlaws, Ammos was home to those who had none. The only permanent structure to be found here was an armory in which everyone's weapons were locked away. It was to ensure Ammos remained a peaceful, crime-free place. It was hard to believe it had been almost a decade since Svad was here last. Then, he had just been passing through with Nari Taloe, a fellow assassin and Svad's greatest rival. That had been the plan, anyway. A legendary Manticore had been attacking Ammos and the two assassins stayed to help.

As Svadilfare coaxed his horse into moving down the dune toward the camp, he looked down at the small figure seated in front of him. His youngest son, Cygnus was sound asleep, partially covered by a cloak. It was a tradition of the Kryoan to take one of his children with him on a trip. He had done it with his eldest children and continued it now. It was a nice way for father and son--or daughter--to bond. And it gave them an opportunity to see their world before they went out on their own into it. Svad had decided Cygnus would be the first of his five youngest children to go. On these trips, Svad never conducted business. He refused any job offered, no matter how much it paid. Usually, he never had any specific reason for choosing the place he and his child traveled to. This time, however, he did; he was going to visit a friend.

Sul Iolar was an expert marksman, rivaled by few with bow and arrow. Though he was often away, Sul called Ammos home. Svad hadn't thought to find out beforehand if the marksman was here, so he hoped he was. By the time they had reached the bottom of the dune, Cygnus had awoken. "You should take your human form now, Cygnus. We're almost there."

Cygnus' eyes slowly opened as he awoke, beginning to look around before hearing his father tell him to shift into his human form. He quickly shifted, his blue hair in a mess, before seeing the tens in the distance. The young hybrid turned his gaze up to his father, asking him "Are we camping, Papa?"

Meanwhile, within Ammos itself, Sul Iolar and his daughter Elizabeth, better known as El, walked through the camp-turned-city's market area. The marksman was looking for some food to prepare later, as well as any loose lipped trappers that would give up any keeps or camps they had. The girl, meanwhile just looked around at the various stands, messing around with one of her dragon figurines.

Sul smiled as he watched his girl happily run around the street. He had often worried that she would eventually hate the small place, but El always seemed quite happy in her home. It was then that he heard a fiddle's tune, and felt his daughter tug on his hand so they could go see. "Ok, El. I'm coming."

Svad chuckled at the question. "No, son, we aren't going camping. This is Ammos; we're going to see a friend." A few minutes later, father and son made it to the camp. Svad lowered Cygnus off the horse before jumping down himself. "Well, let's see if we can find him. Markets are usually the best place to start, especially if you don't know where the person lives." The warrior took hold of his son's hand and began making his way toward the market area. "I came here once with your mother. It was back when we first met. She didn't accompany me here, though. She stayed on the dunes and watched from a distance."

”A friend,” Cygnus asked. He looked around at all the people. This was different then Kryo. Everyone back home kinda dressed and talked the same way, but everyone here looked and sounded different. It was cool to the young hybrid. Once he and his Papa got to the market, he listened with a curious gaze as Svad told his short story. ”Coow.” The little boy looked back at his dad. ”Papa, what’s your friend look like?”

Meanwhile, Súl and El had found the source of the music. The musician appeared to be a woman from Gynaikes, yet, at the same time, not a warrior or assassin. She was playing a viola with a fidder style, filling the market with a nice, less high-pitched tune. El could help but smile hearing the unique song. “It’s beautiful,” she remarked, then decided to have some fun and dance along. The marksman just smiled at his daughter, clapping along to the beat as he watched her dance.

"Let's see... Well, it's been a few years since I saw him last. I'd imagine he'd still carry his bow and arrows about with him. Perhaps he still wears that brown cloth around his mouth..." Svad looked round the market, amazed at how at home the people were in the hot desert. He let Cygnus' hand go after a bit, let him have a little freedom to roam, but kept a close eye on him.

Cyg looked walked a short ways, looking around the market before hearing some music. It only entered his ears for a moment before the playing ended. He looked around, trying to find the source of the music. The young hybrid couldn't figure it out though.

Meanwhile, Súl smiled as the woman gave a bow. El clapped some as the music finished, but her father soon stopped when he noticed a familiar face. The marksman couldn't help but chuckle as her told his daughter to follow him. Once close, Súl smiled and said "Long time no see, Svad."

There was a difference between someone simply running in your direction, and someone running after you. Svadilfare was well aware of the difference; he could almost feel it. And to him, it felt the same as being followed in the dead of night. The assassin couldn't know, however, that the hurried steps coming up behind him were that of a child. It was not something one took the time to consider when being run down. So when the footsteps got just far enough away for the person to not have time to divert their course, Svdilfare stopped and turned sharply, suddenly, as he drew one of his swords and held it outward. At the same time, he'd grabbed Cygnus by the back of his shirt with his right hand and pulled him to stand behind his back. And then he saw his would-be assailant... a girl of about 11 years old. As quickly as he had turned and drew his weapon, the Kryoan warrior simultaneously lowered his blade and lifted his right arm, outstretching it. His palm collided with the girl and stopped her in her tracks, likely to give her a brief coughing fit.

And then Svad heard a familiar voice. "Sul. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

El let out an "Oof" as she ran into the palm. It did get a slight chuckle out Súl as he kept his daughter from falling over. He then looked back up at Svad, who would notice the brown face-cloth was pulled down around the marksman's neck. "It has been a long time. So, how've you...." Súl then looked down and noticed Cygnus, who stayed close to his father now. El waved a bit at the young boy, who waved back. "And who's this here?"

"I'm extremely glad not to now have a child's death on my conscious. And I've been well. Since we last met, I've remarried and had more children, one of which is this one here. This is my youngest son, Cygnus. Cygnus, this is the friend we came here to find, Sul. And..." Svad trailed off and looked at the girl. "Should I assume this one is yours?"

Súl smiled at hearing that Svad had found love again, and had more kids. It was always interesting to see the Kryoian with his kids. He was also a little surprised to hear that he had told his young son, and probably other younger siblings, about him. Svadifare then asked about El. The marksman just smiled. ”Yep. This is Elizabeth, but she prefers to be called El.” El looked up at the man, though she stayed quiet. Súl then spoke up again. ”Well, why not we head to my home. Get out of the sun. Can’t imagine either of you are too comfortable out here right now.”

Cygnus meanwhile had begun to look around, looking back at his father, Súl, and El a few times as he did. Once he heard the idea of going the hooded man’s home, the boy smiled and looked excited. ”Can we, Papa?”

The Kryoan looked at the young girl and smiled. "Hello, Elizabeth." He then nodded to SuI. "We certainly aren't. Kryo may be cold, but it is home and the most comfortable for us. I don't know how you could live here." Svad looked over at his son and nodded with a smile. "Yes, Cyg, we can. Come and say hello to El."

Súl couldn’t help but chuckle. ”And I don’t know how you stand the cold in Kryo. Come on. It’s this way.” As Súl began to lead the way, Cygnus walked up to El and smiled.

”Hi! My nomes Cygnus.”

”Hiya Cygnus. I’m El.”

After some walking, they would come to a larger tent with a door. ”Here we are.” Súl and El then went in, and the marksman laid his bow to the side.

The Kyroan followed the Marksman of Ammos to his home. The large tent they came to reminded Svadilfare of the time he came here to carry out an assassination. It was after he had met Celestia. Svad removed his shield and one sword, propping them up beside Sul's bow. He looked around the desert dwelling. "This is a nice place you have here, Sul."

Súl smiled at Svad's comment, quickly saying "Thanks. May not be a permanent yet, but hopefully it will be some day." As everyone walked in, El looked back at Cyg. "Wanna see my dragon figures?"

"Sure!" El soon led her new friend to her quartered off room in the tent. Inside was a kukri sword, some scattered toys, and a small collection of dragon figures. She was happy to show off the little collection, which was something she loves. She began to show Cyg some of the figures, even saying where some of them came from. He was interested in all of them. They seemed more... they... looked more like dragons than most dragon toys he'd seen. Cyg soon got so excited by the cool figures that he nearly let his powers slip.

Meanwhile, Súl offered Svad a seat before speaking again. "So, you said Cygnus is your youngest. Have you had anymore kids since we last met?"

Svad glanced at his son before sitting. "Yes. Three girls and two boys. Aurora, Andromeda, Elara, Jericho, and Cygnus here."

Súl smiled at his friend, chuckling a bit. ”Sounds like you and your wife have your hands full.” Súl sometimes had enough trouble with El, let alone caring for four other children. He the looked over at Svad. ”Good to see you taking time to focus on one of them.”

Meanwhile, Cyg and El were looking at the rest of the figures. ”Have you ever seen a dragon before? You have a lot of figures.” The girl smiled.

”Yeah. A long time ago. Wish I could see one again.” The little hybrid thought for a moment, before speaking.

”Maybe you could see one now?”

”How?”

Outside with the adults, Súl was about to tell Svad something before hearing a yell. One that sounded like El. Súl quickly got up and went to look before seeing an... interesting site. There was El fawning over Cygnus in his hatchling form. ”El! Where’s Cygnus? Where’d that hatchling come from?”

Svadilfare might have gotten up before Sul did. They heard El scream, and for Svad, that could only mean one thing. He had hoped it wasn't the case. But there was his son, in his dragon form. To his surprise--if surprise were the right word to describe what the Kryoan was currently feeling--El was hugging Cyg. "Cygnus! I told you the rule, didn't I? I was very clear: you are not to change in the presence of anyone that is not family!" He picked up Cygnus and held him up to his face. "I've told you that almost every day. Why would you do this?"

Súl looked gave Svad a shocked look, while El looked a bit sad. Súl was trying to figure out how in the world the hatchling could be Cygnus. That... that wasn’t possible, right? El on the other hand was sad at herself for kinda being part of getting the younger boy in trouble. Cygnus, meanwhile looked at his father, not able to see much else really, before nervously saying ”B-but El said she liked dwogons and h-hadn’t seen one for a long time.” El the jumped in.

”He’s right. When he changed I thought about mentioning you stopping tra.... Súl still looked confused, trying to understand what just happened, but when he heard El, he gave her a crossed look.

”El! I told you not to talk about that.”

”I didn’t say anything.” The Marksman of Ammos just rubbed his temples.

”You almost....” Súl sighed a bit, then looked at Svad with a hint of a smile. ”Ok, let’s start at square one. What’s going on here, and how is Cyg a hatchling?”

"I don't care what she said, Cygnus. You're never to show this side of yourself to anyone!" He set Cygnus down, wordlessly expecting him to change back. He then stormed out of the tent, ignoring Súl's question. The Kryoan walked until he was nearly half way back to the dune he and Cygnus had gone down to get to Ammos. By then, he had calmed down enough to realize he shouldn't have left Cygnus, even if in the care of a friend. Svad turned around and began to walk back.

Cygnus quickly changed back once he was put down, look about as guilty and sad as he could get. He almost didn't notice his father storm off. But he was honestly to sad to say anything. Súl quickly told El to pick up Cyg and they went after Svad. The Marksman of Ammos still didn't quite understand what was going on, but he hoped he could talk to the assassin about it.

As they walked out, Súl noticed the Kryoan walking back. He let out a sigh of relief as he approached him, something small in his hand. Once he got to the man, Súl quickly began to speak. "Svadilfare, before you storm off again I want to show you something." El looked surprised when he said this, while Cyg just looked confused. The archer then opened his hands to reveal a glassy white dragon scale. "I may have lied when I said I learned to speak dragon from my mother. And don't worry. This is just a shed from the dragon that taught me." He then looked out across the dunes. "I also may not be a mercenary first."

The Kryoan, though calmed down, seemed disapproving of the Marksman's decision to follow him. He looked down at the dragon scale and listened as Sul explained its origin and how he was able to speak the dragon language. He was already looking at his son and El when Sul mentioned something about his work as a mercenary. Without a word or change in his expression, the warrior-assassin continued walking back to the tent. Once back, he retrieved his swords and found a place to sit. He removed a whetstone from his satchel and began sharpening the blades.

Súl gave his friend a nervous look as he walked back. It was clear Cygnus looked a bit worried too. This couldn't be good if his Papa wasn't speaking. The three followed Svad back to the tent, where Súl quickly told El to head to her room so he and Svad could talk. She only got as far as the door, but at least it was something. Cyg also watched from where El was, not wanting his Papa to be too mad. The marksman then sighed, and looked at his friend.

"Look. I know I lied about things Svad. How I learned to speak the Dragon's language, being a full time mercenary, but.... My daughter, my mentor, and one other person know what I actually do, cause if everyone knew.... I don't want what I do to get them killed." Súl pulled out the scale again. Having a serious look on his face. One that showed he was looking back to his past. Almost a hurt look at times. El and Cygnus both walked up closer to listen in, with Cygnus walking up to his father. "Papa? Pwease don't be mod." The boy, having already shown his abilities, shifted to give his dad big dragon eyes.

The warrior assassin didn't look up as Sul spoke. He didn't look at his son when he approached. The Kryoan simply sat there in silence, sharpening the edges of his swords. He paused only to inspect his work then continued at it. When he finally finished, he turned his attention to sharpening his knives. When that, too, was done, he retrieved and began polishing his shield.

Sul seemed to get even more nervous, but sighed and continued. "My mother was, indeed, a dragon keeper, but she didn't teach me to speak their language. I didn't want to follow in her footsteps so she felt it was a good idea to throw me in a keep to 'teach me respect.' Well, thankfully the dragon in there, Fulax, the dragon who's scale this was, took a liking to me. He taught me the language, and how to speak it. After a few more years I freed him and the others my mother kept. Took my grandfather's bow too. And I didn't stop there. Barski taught me how to be a mercenary, but that wasn't all I was doing. I... I couldn't just let dragon trappers keep on capturing more dragons when I learned just how much like us they were. I ransacked camps, destroyed traps, freed captured dragons, you name it. I did sell-sword work for money, but that was far from my job. So that's why I lied. That's why I keep it from so many that I trust."

Svadilfare listened in silence, almost indifference, as the marksman told his story. By the time it was over, the Kryoan had finished with his weapons. Still refusing to speak, he stood finally from where he'd been sitting. He gathered his things and began walking out of the tent, beckoning Sul, El, and Cygnus to follow. He walked until they reached the stable. Svad retrieved his horse and put Cygnus on it, climbing on after. Then he waited for Sul. After, he led the way as they traveled to Kryo.