Chapter 5: Moon Elf
The castle was alive with the rhythms of its inhabitants, each with their own roles and stories. Kalryn moved through the days, his perception of time a gentle ripple on the surface of a vast ocean. The passing of seasons was marked by subtle changes—the blooming of spring flowers, the golden hues of autumn leaves—but for Kalryn, these changes flowed into one another, a seamless tapestry of existence.
His days were filled with the routine duties of a knight, yet each sunset brought new awareness and understanding of his true nature. He had rejected the strange voice that had called to him. Refusing to believe what it said was true or reality. He was human and 40 years was nearly more than half of his life. He would be old by then. Clearly, he was falling ill in the head but bad things happened to people who spoke up about such things. They would be locked away in dungeons that no light ever reaches said some of the rumours.
Meorlus Zyphorax, the Eternal One, was a constant presence in Kalryn's mind, always prepared to be there to guide him, teach him. Yet, Kalryn refused. Ignoring the ancient dragon and pretending he wasn't there. He chose to focus on the mundane tasks of a knight, that meant he needed stay alert and present. He had spent the past few days trying to come to terms with his new reality, but his mind was still unwilling to accept it. He thought back to his life before the sword, before the dragon's voice. He had been a knight, a respected and accomplished one, with a promising future ahead of him. Now, everything in the last few days had changed, supposedly.
He was halfway through his patrol duties when he saw a familiar face in the distance. Marina Damaris was walking alone in the gardens, her dark hair cascading down her back in loose curls.
She was dressed simply, wearing a long, flowing gown of deep blue that didn't seem to complement her eyes. She carried a basket of wildflowers she had gathered, their vibrant colors clashing garishly with the greenery of the garden.
Her eyes were cast downward, her brows furrowed in thought, as if she were deep in conversation with herself. Kalryn's heart sank as he saw her. He had hoped to avoid her, to have some time to sort out his thoughts about his dragon situation before dealing with her, but it seemed that fate had other plans.
Marina looked up and saw him, her expression immediately turning cold. Her lips curled into a sneer, and she turned away, walking in the opposite direction. Kalryn hesitated, unsure of what to do. He had a dislike for her too, of her schemingand meddling ways, and he knew that he could not trust her. Yet now there was something about her that drew him to her, something that made him want to understand her better.
He ignored her, continuing his patrol around the grounds, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and turmoil. The castle grounds were vast, and the day was warm, the perfect weather for a stroll. Kalryn walked briskly, his feet crunching on the gravel, his mind racing. He had so many questions, so many doubts, and no one to turn to.
As he rounded a corner, he collided with a woman who was walking towards him, unchaperoned. She was dressed in a simple gown of pale green, her hair uncovered and flowing freely down her back. She looked up at him, her eyes wide, and then a slow smile spread across her face. "Red Dragon, right? It is you?" she asked, her voice filled with excitement.
Kalryn recognized her immediately - it was Anwyn, the mage who had been staying at the castle for the past few months. She had been conducting research on some ancient non-dragon artifacts, and Kalryn knew that she was fascinated by anything related to the countru's history. He couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at seeing a familiar face, even if it was one he wasn't entirely familiar with.
"Yes, it's me," he said, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you coming. Are you alright?"
Anwyn laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Oh, I'm sure you didn't. You're always so focused on your work, so intensely at times. It's one of the things I like about you, Red Dragon." She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a low whisper. "I've heard the rumors, you know. About your... 'red dragon'."
Kalryn's breath hitched slightly, surprised by her forwardness. Elves weren't known to be sexually comfortable never mjnf so forward. He had always been attracted to Anwyn, her fiery spirit and intelligent, sharp wit a stark contrast to the meek and simpering women of the court. He had never expected her to be so... direct. A scholarly mage, talking like this?
He paused before wondering to himself, 'Could mages make fucking better with magic?' Aloud, he just chuckled, "Well, Anwyn, I suppose rumors have a way of making things more interesting than they are."
As he spoke, he looked into her eyes, and noticed how they seemed to glow in the sunlight, like two moons captured in her irises. Her elven features were striking, with high cheekbones and a slender, delicate frame that seemed to defy the laws of gravity. Her skin was pale, almost luminescent, and her hair, a cascade of shimmering purple, seemed to float around her head as if caught in some ethereal breeze. She was otherworldly, a creature of beauty and grace that seemed to belong to a world beyond his own.
"I've always admired you... yet this directness, Lady Anwyn, it is very becoming," Kalryn admitted, his voice softening as he took in her otherworldly elven beauty.
He felt a warmth radiating from her, a sense of comfort and familiarity that he hadn't experienced in a long time. While they had spoken before, this felt different than usual. It more intimate, like the start of a new chapter. It was subtle and uncomfortable so he ignored the feeling and pushed it down.
Anwyn's hand brushed his arm lightly, her touch sending a jolt of electricity through him. "And I've always admired your courage, Red Dragon," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've heard whispers of your great deeds, and I must admit, I'm quite intrigued by the man behind the legend."
Kalryn felt his heart race as her hand lingered on his arm, her fingers tracing small circles on his skin. He swallowed hard, trying to maintain his composure. "Intrigued, you say? Perhaps you should see it for yourself sometime," Kalryn replied, his voice steady despite the racing of his heart. He couldn't help but feel a thrill at her touch, her words. Anwyn's smile widened, her eyes sparkling like the first stars of twilight. "I know it's beautiful," she murmured, her hand still on his arm. "And I would love to see it, Red Dragon. In fact, I've been hoping for a chance to... explore it more intimately." Her words were laced with a primal desire that sent a shiver down his spine. He felt a surge of desire, strong and urgent, and he knew that he wanted her. Badly, he had never been with an elf but he had heard stories from other soldiers that sounded too good to be true. He also knew that he couldn't just give in to his impulses, not here, not now. Not with everything that was happening to him, and certainly not here in the gardens promenade.
A quick glance around revealed that they were being watched by a couple of servants who were pretending not to see them.
Anwyn's lips brushed against his ear, her breath warm on his skin. "Meet me tonight," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "In the old chapel. I want to see your... red dragon." She pulled back slightly, her eyes sparkling with mischief and desire.
Kalryn felt a jolt of surprise and excitement, his heart pounding in his chest. He had never been one to shy away from pleasure, but the thought of being with Anwyn in such a forbidden place sent a thrill coursing through his veins. Yet, he had to be cautious, for both their sakes. He knew the consequences of being caught together, especially in these politically charged times for him.
Yet, the thought of exploring the forbidden with Anwyn was too tempting to resist. His cock twitched at the thought of the stories he had heard, and the chance of sampling moon elf for himself. "I'll be there," he whispered back, his voice barely audible. "But promise me, it's just you and me, Anwyn. No one else." Her lips curled into a playful smile, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "You have my word, Red Dragon. I wouldn't have it any other way. After all, I'm not one to share my toys." They shared a conspiratorial smile, their understanding clear.
Kalryn's hand, as if of its own accord, found Anwyn's waist, his fingertips brushing against the soft fabric of her gown. She leaned into his touch, her breath hitching slightly as she met his gaze.