Of Friendship and Love, II

Vesper..

City of Bridges and Canals - City of Industry
a place of modest nobility, if such a thing might even exist, operating as one of the most respected trading communities in Sosaria's--or also called Britannia's--reaches.
To the north it is supporting the small mining settlement Minoc and from the sea it allows shipments of arcane supplies to fill the magicians stock all over Britannia.



Vesper was her home.

Mara idly played with one of the two braided tails that held her red golden hair together while her feet followed the trail along one of the many bridges that led into the city. Her nose picked up the different scents saturating the air, and she found comfort in the mix of familiar smells. Be it of freshly baked goods or the more pungently tang of the alchemy shop nearby-Mara had known them ever since she had settled down in Vesper. This had been several years ago. Several long years full of joys, miseries and most importantly: changes.

A shadow crossed the sun's path above her as she reached the cobblestone plaza that was laid on one of Vesper's many islands. Its dragon shape brought a smile to her lips. Caith, regardless of his formidable size, was as stealthy as a cat as long as he held to the skies.

He angled his flight over the island until finding that one, wide open spot right next to the shore. To slow himself down, the dragon allowed his wings to give four mighty flourishes that made the air vibrate and the peasants turn their head's. He touched down with a gentle THUD as he completed a perfect, soft landing.


Due to its commercial importance, Vesper was one of the more frequented cities. On this particular island - which held the bank, the alchemist shop and the mages outlet - Mara had to avidly push her way through the evening crowd to reach Caith.  She held a steady, calm smile on her lips as she dodged a few burly warriors in their glistering armor and nodded her head once in a while when she recognized someone… or someone recognized her even though she couldn't quite recall having ever talked to them.

Her hands were stuffed in the rear pockets of the midnight blue slacks she had changed into and with one eye she always watched out for potential pickpockets who may try for her pouches. This was particularly easy for the young woman, seeing as she knew the tricks of their trade better than they did themselves. Sometimes.

Changes… Yes, Vesper had brought changes.

"So darling," Mara said gently and touched the dragon's cheek as he lowered his head to meet her height. "I do bet you want to get out of here quick and get back to your Kahlan?"

Caith growled a soft agreement. A truly love struck dragon… Mara couldn't help the stupid grin that spread on her face each time she thought about it.

"Good. All I want is clean up my vault, get in some coin, and collect me some gossip as I do so. You be a good boy in the meantime and wait here."

The dragon lightly rubbed the bridge of his long skull against her shoulder, but even as he was about to apply a stronger nudge, he froze. His body went rigid, strong muscles tensing under the thick, red skin and he growled somewhat unpleasantly. Mara turned to see what her companion had fixed his stare on.

She was instantly torn between mimicking Caith's stance or scolding him for being so obvious. As it was her nature, Mara tried to find something in-between the two and simply tapped the dragon's nose while smiling faintly. "Be good."

"Hail Mara. What a fortunate surprise to see you here" the cause for Caith's discomfort called out. The voice belonged to a young woman - in truth, not even a woman yet - who rode a blood red forest ostard into their direction. She was clad in very much the same leather armor Mara had worn earlier, but looked more so inclined for a fight than the young tamer. A massive halberd was swung around her back, the stainless blade flashing in the evening light and she had a rusty looking helm squeezed underneath her left arm.

"'lo Mercury" Mara returned the greeting, putting the welcoming smile back on her lips.  Somehow she didn't really want to know why it was so fortunate for her to be here. "Haven't seen you for a while." She walked a few steps towards Mercury and the forest ostard came to a halt. The creature cackled a greeting towards Mara and wrung its long neck against the reigns holding it.

Mercury-the girl with the fierce fighting spirit of a grown up warrior princess-was the right hand of Mara's husband. She helped the seasoned merchant, as well as miner and smith, gather and trade the goods he was known for.  And her husband was known to take his occupation very seriously. Sometimes, so she thought with a slight frown, too seriously.

Too old, he called himself. Too old for picking up weapons himself. And most certainly too old for some other-more personal-duties as well. Mercury was there to make sure his business was flourishing and she certainly did a good job at this. She had indeed been quite an… addition.

"How come you're so happy to see me?" Mara asked while tickling the ostard with the tip of her fingers. The creature cooed with glee.

"I'm always happy to see you, Mrs. Levis" the girl sounded almost offended. "But more so today."

Mara tilted an eyebrow. "Is that so? Then please, get straight to the point and don't take up my habit of beating around the bush for hours."

"Will do" Mercury laughed quietly - a rare thing from the girl as far as Mara knew. "There's something I need to get done and you and your friend are just the right kind of help I needed.
Four hours ago an associate of mine took it on himself to bring me some wyvern hides, but I haven't heard of him since then. So I thought I'd go and take a look. See if he is doing well or in need of a spirit healer."

In the pit of her stomach, Mara could feel a slight knot forming. "And you need me to dodge some wyverns?"

Now Mercury looked at her with an impression to her eyes that was torn somewhere in-between innocence and straight out mischievousness.  "Uuuh… not the wyverns, but the dragons and drakes. He thought it smart to crawl into Destard without taking the right kind of assistance."

(Detailed explanation on what "Destard" is will come later. For now: it's a dungeon filled with dragon kin and snakes)






Mara felt safe and sound with Caith. When he was by her side, she knew that any assailant would first have to meet the dragon's fierce rage and confront the sharp fangs, arcane magic, and not to be disregarded mass a full grown dragon had to offer.

Sometimes that knowledge led her to fear for Caith as he was as steadfast and noble as the true dragon kin dictated it upon his brave soul. They never gave in until they either claimed their victory, or died trying. Their heroic hearts made them special and unique amongst Britannia's creatures.

Safe and sound with Caith - yes indeed. But how could one describe the feeling of having Kahlan with them?

Her huge brown wings twitched with excitement as she stood next to Caith, all the time vigilantly watching her surroundings out of a pair of young, amber eyes. She had the air of an oversized drake… playful and filled with energy that just waited to be unleashed. The young female dragon was eager to constantly prove that she could stand her ground next to her loving mate and help him protect their mistress with utmost loyalty.

Mara looked up at Caith, who had his head proudly lifted high. His mate nuzzled his skin for a moment before tilting her head to curiously peer down at Mara. They were, simply put, the most beautiful couple the tamer had ever seen in her life.


"Happy to take her with you, Caith?" Mara smiled and grabbed the reigns of her midnight blue frenzied ostard. The mount was fittingly dubbed Nightstalker, although right now he was far from stalking stealthily.  He nervously swung his head from left to right and pranced on the spot with excitement. Ostards were, as far as Mara was concerned, a very fidgety breed. She didn't bother calming him, but instead swung herself on the animals back even as he continued his private bragging show.

Caith looked at his mistress and gave an affirmative growl.

"I'm sure you'll protect the two of us well enough, but please, keep an extra eye out on Mercury if you don't mind. I don't want her harmed, okay?" Her request was answered with a not so pleased grunt, but Caith seemed to briefly nod his head. "Thank you darling."

"No need to look out for me, Caith. I'm ok. I'll just follow you around and keep those small beasts off your skin, so don't mind me." Mercury threw in as she rode her ostard next to the tamers side. "Are we ready then?"

Mara nodded. "So eager to die?"

"Just itching for a fight" the girl's voice sounded muffled through the helm she had just pulled over her head.

"Well then, off to Destard we go. Prepare for a bumpy ride once inside."

With a thin smile, Mara whispered the words VAS REL POR. She casually let her right hand hover over the reagents pouch at her hip, and closes her eyes to the feeling of magic flowing through her veins. The mystical power consumed a small amount of the precious reagent energy.

Her eyes darted upwards to Caith as she moved her hand from the pouch to the rune book dangling from a short strap fastened to her belt. This was more a gesture done out of routine than necessity-the shimmering, blue moongate had already formed in the air in front of her.

Mara bit her lower lip. She didn't like how her stomach made a lurch the moment she tipped her thighs against Nightsalker's flanks to urge him into the blue mass.