Cas' Memories

This guy’s house is about what she expected. Worn cabin nestled in the darkest shadows of the wood, a norg howling and straining at its chain until Octis barks back at it to shut up. The gruff old drake is as burly as Kadoren if not more so, but as far as expression goes, they’re total opposites.

Kadoren’s off pounding away at that ballista, and Vela booked it here so fast she’s not sure how much convincing she even spent on the blacksmith.

Well, it’s not like she knew how to convince a cantankerous drake to help fight a battle against a horrifying aberration anyway. But Vela’s sweet, smiley way of diplomacy has so far done nothing to penetrate Octis’ permanent scowl.

“We need your help,” she pleads for about the eighteenth time. “Without you… The whole town could be destroyed.”

“Not my problem, kirin.”

This isn’t working. He’s already moving to slam the door in their faces when Cas catches it, her claws gouging out the wood. “How about this?” she says acidly. “If you let this thing wipe out Aberdeen, it’s coming for you next.”

He huffs, clearly not convinced, but eyes the two small, slender spellcasters with a new gleam in his eye. "You really want my help?"

Vela looks incredibly relieved. "We would appreciate it."

He smirks, the first sign of so much as a slight smile to grace his maw. "Beat me in a round, then. Knock me down and I'll help you."

Vela stares at the drake towering three feet over them and looking like he could give their champion a run for his money. “Um – ”

Before she can do anything sensible like suggest they go get Kadoren, Cas cuts her off, narrowed eyes blazing. “You’re on.”

Five minutes later, they’re standing in his backyard with Slate and the norg cheering them on as Octis cracks his neck and stretches out the weapon on his tail. One of his opponents looks ready for blood. The other looks terrified.

“Are you sure about this?” Vela hisses to Cas.

She doesn’t take her eyes off the drake. “Positive.”

“Ready?” he barks across the short, stubby-grassed field.

“Waiting on you,” she calls back.

He mutters something to himself, but wastes no more time. Before they can react he’s charging across the field, crossing it in a few bounds. Vela’s already dashing out of there, but Cas stands her ground.

Flame tears through his shoulder as the axe slams into her. Hurts like hell, but she stays on her feet.

He turns his attention to Vela, just in his range, but his axe goes over her head. Last mistake.

Leaping at him, she slams into his side and rebounds off, the momentum of his still-swinging tailblade and the force of her shove pushing him to the ground.

As he’s still struggling, lightning gathers beyond his felled body – in that moment bathed in blue arcing glow and with her eyes burning bright, Vela looks terrifying – and tears through him with a massive crack of energy.

As Cas prepares to lay into him with more fire, he quickly waves his paw. “Alright, alright, enough! I’m beat.”

Vela prances like she can’t believe they actually won. Cas rolls her eyes.

He lets them inside and shoves them both a healing potion, before agreeing to show at sunset and sending them quickly on their way with an obvious bit of wounded pride.

Once they’re back on the forest path with the cabin a safe distance behind them, Vela sighs, relieved. “That went well.”

Cas snorts, but doesn’t respond. That would have been child’s play with Kadoren, but likely impossible on her own.

She hadn’t expected much help. Except for a few fancy bursts of starlight, Vela didn’t show off her offensive spells much, and seemed reluctant to fight dragons. Frankly, she was expecting to get pounded to a pulp and wasn’t sure why she’d even agreed to come here... But maybe it was good that Vela caught up with her after all.

For once, she decides to voice her thoughts. “I’m surprised you agreed to that.”

She looks a little surprised at herself. “I would have preferred something more, um, diplomatic… Even if he did kind of deserve it,” she mutters under her breath. “But, whatever got him to help Aberdeen.”

“Oh, right, Aberdeen.”

Vela shoots her a weird look but chuckles, prancing on ahead between spots of sunlight and shadow.