Hot Springs Hustle

A brightly-colored saurian dinosaur rumbled through the pines, his scarf barely wrapping around his neck now. Prospero had sold enough furs that he was comfortable working on the home for a time; The place needed expansions. More room for books, eggs, and furniture. As he mused over the strangest of possibilities, Caliban huffed. Right. Today wasn’t about carpentry. These weren’t expansions for his own home, anyways, but ones for Ezra. Maybe Iapetus by extension. They owned the home in the first place. 

Prospero was starting to understand Iapetus a bit better. While they slept in a terrible excuse for a home, their ‘home’ went far beyond the bounds of the main chamber. The area was its own instance, connected to all the other little pockets of space that they owned or used. A door from the misty forest could lead to a shrine or a pond with a single step. The ‘small’ instance sprawled across the whole island–maybe further. And, despite the pitiful living situation, setting up that many instances would have been expensive. Iapetus wasn’t a metal rider, and as far as Prospero knew, they didn’t have a metal dragon. They were more wealthy than the clandestine priest let on.

The easiest way to get around their home was to use the main entrance on the eastern shore, but that wasn’t the closest way. Caliban knew the springs were closer and made his way there with Prospero on his back. They wanted to meet Iapetus in the middle of the day and had an idea of how to do it. If Kija was right, it would be a simple matter. They climbed down the mountainside until the earth grew warmer and the air smelled sweeter. Spring struck early in this place and lush greenery sprouted from the snow. They struck a stone path engraved with runes and followed it to the familiar hot springs. There was no fox guardian here, but Prospero knew another little spirit they could call on. 

He leapt off his dragon, followed by a certain snake-like shadow, just in time to avoid disaster. Caliban jumped into the nearest steaming pool, lowering his body like an alligator so he could fully submerge himself. A tidal wave spilled across the stone lining. He closed his eyes and wagged his tail happily, sending steaming waves everywhere that his Rider scooted away from. The area where Kolkhis hid had an especially large puddle. Prospero left his carefree dragon and walked up to the spiral stone at the top of the springs, looking carefully for signs of the dragon spirit that had the audacity to steal his mask before. When nothing showed up, he pulled out a polished piece of agate that shimmered in the sunlight. He held it up so that even Caliban could see it glitter from the pond below.

Sure enough, Kija’s suggestion worked. The fat, lizard-like dragon spirit appeared. It gazed at the shiny stone longingly. Hopefully the rest of her info would be just as accurate, if he had to resort to it. It spoke up in a squeaky voice. “The mean one. You come for forgiveness? Throw a shiny rock in my pool, get a shiny blessing, yes?”

The man wanted to remind it that he was the one that was wronged by this thief, but starting off with an argument would get him nowhere. “I came to make a trade with you, majestic spirit. Can you summon Iapetus for me? There’s something important I need to ask him.”

It turned its head this way and that like a begging puppy. “I’ll need more than a little rock.”

Kolkhis reached until their shadows were connected and sapped the warmth out of its toes, making it jump in surprise. 

Why did you do that?

Talking to Iapetus is annoying. Let’s go home. There was more to it than that–Prospero felt as much–but the dragon wasn’t going into detail. He sighed as the spirit glared at the guilty shadow.

“I’m not blind. I can see you and I’ll curse you if I have to. The shiny rock–payment for your dragon’s mischief, yes.” It nodded to itself and flicked its tail. Well, Kija’s other intel would have to be used. Prospero snatched the spirit up while it was distracted by Kolkhis. “Unhand me. Hands off. Curse for you. One thousand years of bad luck.”

Prospero gently squished it. “Kija said you were too weak to phase through things.”

“I’m not weak! I’m grand. A holy spirit of the land. Ruler of the spring!” It felt like talking with Kolkhis. Prospero squeezed it harder. “I’m warning you, mortal. Two thousand years of bad luck, and the shiny rock becomes mine, too.”

“Iapetus can hear spirits in distress, can’t they? If you call them here, I’ll stop. Maybe you’re too weak to shout that loud.” The dragon hissed and wiggled in his hands.

It is calling, Kolkhis said. Prospero could feel the agitation coming through. He loosened his grip, but made sure the dragon didn’t escape.

“Do you think they’ll get here before I squish you?” he mused.

The dragon stopped squirming and looked down near Caliban. A familiar voice popped up from below. “I’m already here. Now put the spirit down.”

Prospero released his grip on the dragon, held the stone out to it, lingered–and as soon as the dragon gazed at the rock longingly again, set it in its little claws. It scampered into the mouth of the Springs. “Wish granted. No bad luck. Go away.” Prospero obliged and turned to greet Iapetus.

The Rider was atop a glowing kirin. Its eyes had pointed slits and a stream of color ran along its back. Thick fur wrapped around its neck like a cross of a horse’s fur and lion’s mane. It lowered its antlers in a threat display as Iapetus dismounted. “This better be good,” the lizard said grumpily.

“Forgive me for being rude. Kija said I could call you with a spirit or ghost or something. I figured this one would work.” Prospero’s own instinct led him now. Iapetus was partial to her and should forgive him if it was Kija’s idea. 

Iapetus sighed. “You’re an adult and Kija doesn’t know any better. I expect more of you.” Prospero shrugged and the lizard continued. “I happened to be nearby. Any further and I wouldn’t have heard. Don’t do it again or I’ll actually be m–” they paused, looked at the spirit’s hideaway at the top of the springs, and decided not to finish the sentence. “I’ll tolerate you only because Kija thinks highly of you. I also have a favor to ask when you’re done with whatever nonsense you thought was important.” It seemed nothing on the island was free. 

Caliban snorted out some water at the pair and then made a grumbling laugh. The kirin stepped daintily forward until its antlers were aimed towards the much larger dragon. The dragons locked eyes and Caliban saw the five spokes of its pupils focus on him. He looked from the eyes to the antlers to the colorful feathered tail and said, “Pretty!” The kirin’s eyes widened and it flicked an ear. Its lips curled into disgust, but that did nothing to deter Caliban. “A rainbow! Prop, a rainbow!”

“I’ll tell him to hold his tongue later,” Prospero said sheepishly. 

Iapetus nodded. “Well, he is an earth. You can’t expect much brains out of them.” Caliban sent a tidal wave their way and the two Riders darted away. “Come on, let’s sit down. Might as well cleanse while we’re here.” Iapetus disrobed quickly and hopped into a smaller, dragon-free pool. There wasn’t a spectacle to see; They were lizard-like through and through. 

Prospero took off his sandals and pulled up his pants, letting his legs hang into the warm water. He didn’t feel like taking off his clothes after his last visit. “Anyways. Those fish before got me thinking…”

Iapetus peered at him suspiciously. “You feel like being religious suddenly?” When Prospero shrugged, Iapetus looked proud of themself. “Both you and Marshasp had that lost lamb look. Well, I’m here to talk, if you want to turn away from your wicked ways.”

“I wouldn’t call them wicked,” Prospero replied. He felt at the screws that tied the mane to his skull mask. “But they’re not perfect. I don’t expect any way is.”

The lizard laid back and stretched out their toes. “So what do you really want to ask about?”

Kolkhis emerged from the shadows to soak in the warm water. “Raising the dead.”

“Well, sort of. It’s…a lot.” Prospero did his best to ignore the splashing and angry kirin noises behind him. If Caliban was flirting, he was having a bad time of it. “How much do you know about me and Ezra?”

“Who?”

“Marshasp.”

“Ah. I know you could have built another house by now, but you choose to stay as roommates. Now you’re using nicknames. What else is there to know?” They crossed their arms and flicked their tail. “You’re both just too stupid to admit your feelings.”

“Well…not me,” he replied quietly. 

Iapetus let a smile stretch over their lips. “Oh? Did someone confess finally?”

“It’s not that simple. The question before–how much do you know? About the other Prospero?”

“Oh, that, right,” Iapetus said. They squinted up at the brilliant blue sky. “On the verge of death, isn’t he? Stuck in a limbo. Maybe even dead already. And you’re not him–or, at least, you have no memories.”

Prospero blinked. He hadn’t considered amnesia–but that seemed unlikely, since he didn’t have his dragon from before. 

Kolkhis spoke up on his behalf. “Ezra likes the other Prospero more, so Prop plans on getting him back.” Iapetus looked at him quizzically, but let the dragon finish. “Is there a way to prove they are the same, or make them the same? Reincarnation, soul summoning, memory stealing…you’re familiar with dark magic, and you can afford metal magic.”

When his dragon paused, Prospero quickly added on, “Or resurrecting the other one, if he’s dead.”

Iapetus scratched at their chin. They closed their eyes and seemed deep in thought. The only thing to break the silence was the occasional splash of the other two dragons squabbling. The kirin was no longer scowling and seemed to enjoy dodging the waves. Caliban might just be successful. At last, they opened their eyes and said softly, “The two of you are so stupid.”

Prospero nodded sternly. “I won’t deny–”

“That’s what I’ve been telling him!” Kolkhis hissed. “If you resurrect him, you’ll lose your sweetheart to some other man, and if you steal his memories, you won’t be you anymore. I bonded with you, not some weakling that can’t handle a little blood loss.” 

Even Iapetus could feel the anger in his voice. They waved their hand for the serpent to calm and he dropped his snout beneath the water, still hissing, but not venting the rest of his thoughts to them. “It’s as your dragon says. Even if it was possible, none of the options end well for you, unless you happen to have amnesia. It’s more likely that you’re some alternate version and have nothing to do with the other fellow.” Prospero frowned and Iapetus added, “But we can assume you have amnesia and work on getting your memories back. Don’t be disappointed if it isn’t the case, and don’t blame me if you unlock some weird alternate personality to go with those memories.”

“It’ll be fine,” Prospero chirped happily. “How do we start?”

“Metal magic. You don’t happen to have a metal dragon, do you?”

He shook his head. Kolkhis started blowing bubbles as he glared at the two Riders. If you go through with this, I’m leaving. I can leave whenever I want. Prospero ignored the threat.

They sighed and scratched at their chin again. “I’ll figure it out, then. I can afford to hire one, or a metal Rider, or something of the sort. Maybe I’ll manage to hatch one before we figure things out. Oh, wouldn’t that be a cost-saver…but as it stands, I can’t do all of that for you for free.”

“I wouldn’t expect as much,” Prospero agreed. “What do you need?”

“Before I go into the details, I need to thank you for helping Kija. She’s been ranting and raving about it. I didn’t expect you to be a reader.”

“Of course I’m a reader,” Prospero replied with a grin. “That’s part of my wicked ways.”

“I don’t really care why you read, I’m just thankful you helped her pick a story and act it out. It seems her friend really enjoyed the play, and–”

“So that’s why she was particular about it! Boy friend or girl friend?”

“Girl friend. But she is at that age. It’s quite possible…” Without any discussion, the two seemed to be in agreement. Kija wouldn’t befriend an ordinary person, let alone talk about them to others or try to impress them with a fantastic performance. “She won’t invite them over. I think it’s because there’s no place adequate for them to meet. Normally I would use the hatchery, but…” They stared at Prospero expectantly. 

“I don’t think Kija would invite her friend to hang out in a room full of eggs, even if we weren’t living there,” he replied. “I can make them their own place. A tree house or something. When do kids stop liking tree houses?”

They shook their head. “I don’t know. But a growing girl like her needs more than some blankets to sleep on, and it would cost as much as a house to hire a Rider capable of memory manipulation…”

“I can take a hint.” Prospero leaned forward and clasped his hands together. “Tell Kija to make a list of things she wants, tell me where to build, and I’ll make it happen.”

Iapetus sighed with relief. They stepped out of the water and shook off their scales, reaching for their robe and using it like a towel. “Then it’s settled. I do think your idea is a terrible one, and I’m not going to stop you, but you need to talk about it with Ezra. He doesn’t dislike you. If something unexpected happened to you, he wouldn’t handle it well.”

“Certainly,” Kolkhis piped up. Surely Ezra would put a stop to things. He slipped back into Prospero’s shadow as the Rider fastened his sandals. 

“Unity, what are you–?” The kirin from before was now neck-deep in water beside Caliban. Its eyes were closed in relaxation, but its ears were sharp and attentive.

“Very pretty dragon. Beautiful.” Caliban had stopped tossing water around and focused on what the light dragon really wanted. Iapetus called Unity away and Prospero could only smile at the happiness radiating from his dragon.