a collection of tales [[ chronocompass writing ]]

The person he had spoken to wanted more things beyond just the death of a target. Tenoch hated when there were extra things he had to do. It wasn't like anyone paid him more for it. And yet, it had been several weeks since his last good meal. He was willing to do whatever it took to get another one. So when his contact told him to kill a wizard and take the life saving plants she was carrying... it didn't take much deliberation for him to agree.

Dian and Hestia greeted him at the bottom of a cliff. His magic had shown him his quarry in the area - all there was to do was find them and put an end to things. Simple. Or, it was supposed to be. But wizards were tricky. He was expecting a good fight. Dian and Hestia had sensed his caution, and had prepared themselves accordingly. Their magic was shining, brighter than ever, and the flames that erupted from their scales were purposeful, ready to lash out. Begrudgingly, Tenoch offered them a satisfied nod. Perhaps they would actually be helpful.

Anonymous was, oddly, nowhere in sight. Tenoch reached out with his mind and saw the dark dragon near the top of the cliff, hiding. Waiting for them. *You'd better get up here quickly,* Non said mentally to him. *I don't know how long I have before I'm spotted.*

Tenoch looked up at the sheer cliff face. There was no climbing this, especially not in the dim light of a crescent moon and a few faint stars. The dark grey clouds above covered most of the sky. Thankfully, he had wings of his own. There was no way he would let himself be carried by one of the two fiery siblings. Tenoch made sure all of his gear was attached and took to the sky. First one wingbeat, then two, and before long he was making his way up toward the top of the cliff. Hestia followed, as did Dian, the two wheeling about him like sentries.

When they reached the top, Tenoch landed behind several well placed bushes. The tall, green things were perfect for keeping him hidden from view. As for Dian and Hestia, their flames might draw some attention. But they crouched low behind the shrubs, and waited.

Not thirty seconds passed before a loud clap of thunder echoed across the area, accompanied by a blinding flash of lightning. The clouds above, which obscured more and more stars all the time, began pouring rain down. It was all so sudden, and when they heard Anonymous's voice they knew that something was wrong.

Tenoch brandished a knife and hopped over the bushes. Anonymous was currently dodging attacks from the wizard, an elderly, but clearly powerful woman who held sparks in her hands. Had she brought about this whole storm? Incredible. Dian and Hestia roared in protest, their fires dimming slightly in the onslaught of the rain. Still, both of them surged forward as one and ran for the sorcerer.

The elderly wizard whirled around and waved one hand. More rain fell from the sky, an almost blinding amount. Tenoch slowed down to not slip on the muddy grass below him. Clearly a surprise attack was out of the question, now.

Four versus one - it should have been easy. In many past hunts, it often was. This wizened woman was an exception, but Tenoch didn't like losing. He wasn't going to fail now. Anonymous clawed a misty hand over her eyes to obscure her vision while Dian sent a long streak of flame toward her and Hestia yowled a warning. She spewed lightning and water in every direction, and it seemed only Non was able to get close enough.

'Seem' wasn't enough. As the sorceress tried to get Anonymous to let go of her, she paused in her attack, and Tenoch saw the moment to strike at hand. He lined up a shot, and threw his knife. Shockingly, it hit. The wizard went off balance, and Non took the moment to push her to the edge of the cliff. 

Apparently her magic didn't include preventing falls from great heights.

Non grabbed her bag and the four wanderers sat down right on the damp grass to take a look at the contents of it. The rain was quickly slowing, and although the clouds in the sky still blocked much of the light, the flames of the fire siblings were bright enough to illuminate everything around. Tenoch unlatched the satchel and opened it up.

Inside, there were various potions, several tattered pages of spells, and - thankfully - a small collection of clearly valuable plants. Perfect. Mission success. Tenoch took the potions and the spell pages, put the plants and herbs back in, and stood wearily. Fighting in rain was never fun.

Dian tilted his head. "What are those spells about? Dragon magic? Your magic?"

Tenoch shook his head as he folded the pages up for later. "No, thankfully. It seems to be a list of potential new ways to utilize her lightning powers. A shame she had to die, she could have done some incredible things."

Hestia nodded. "If she didn't want to die... she should probably have stayed out of our way."

Tenoch shrugged. "I suppose." He never liked to ponder too much about the philosophy of his fights, of his contracts. He was just doing his job. Trying to live in this world where so much was wrong. But that trip he and his dragons had taken to Salvus... he knew there was another option. If only he didn't need to fuel his magic so constantly.

"We're going, " Tenoch said abruptly, to end the conversation before it could go too far. He walked to the edge of the cliff and looked down. The portal back was close, but up here, at the top of everything, he felt that his wandering could be a little bit more special than just a constant hunt. There was beauty in the universe. Perhaps, along his journeys, he should take the time to appreciate it.

He adjusted his hat on his head, spread his wings, and glided down to the ground. "No comment this time, Anonymous? No deep thought to try and confuse me?" he asked the dark dragon by his side. Non merely laughed.

"You're thinking enough for all four of us. I'll say something next time, when you're not in the mood for it." With a little smirk, Non vanished into smoke.

Dian and Hestia followed behind. It had been ages since they had hatched, ages since the two had come into his life. Oddly, he was beginning to enjoy their company. He was supposed to work alone, but - it was nice to not be lonely. Even if his only companionship was with three lesser dragons, he supposed they were alright. At the least, he could trust them to not kill him, and having that reassuring thought in the back of his mind meant he slept soundly at night.

He would ponder everything later that night, when the group arrived back in the caves that made their home. But for now, Tenoch had a rare plant to deliver and a profit to make.