The sun cascaded over the white towers of the Water Dragon God Temple. Zel sat quietly on the valley edge, watching the sun set over the soft contours of the hated building. It had been half a year, and he still couldn't believe it. She had betrayed him. She had left him. How could she have done that? He had chosen to come back only for her. Otherwise, he would have chosen death over this cursed life.
Zel lowered his eyes, trying to fight the tears and looked back at the white towers, marveling that a people responsible for such atrocities that had occurred in the past could live in such a pure white building.
"They are a lot like us, ne? Beautiful on the outside with ugly dark secrets on the inside."
Zel turned to the intruder of his silent vigil. He looked at the priest, his slitted eyes full of pain, "the only thing I have in common with either one of you is the dark inside. I do not have the beautiful exterior to hide it."
Xelloss' expressing shifted slightly, showing mild irritation, but was quickly replaced with his always-secretive smile. "I came to find out why you are still here. Why you still come even though it puts you through nothing but pain? She will never be yours."
Zel turned to glare at the priest, "I know. You take great pleasure in reminding me of that. But, I need not worry about you. She won't be yours either. " Zel sighed turning his head to stare back at the tower and muttered, "Where did she get the idea to get married in the first place? Did she do it just to keep me from chasing her?"
Xelloss' familiar expression didn't even twitch, "I have no idea where she would get such a manipulative idea from."
Zel glared at the priest, his mind going over many unproven accusations, but put those thoughts aside for the moment.
Xelloss sighed slightly and calmly walked up to the sitting general and sat beside him. He stared quietly for a moment at Zelgadiss, who continued to ignore him, staring back at the temple, now darkened by the night sky.
Xelloss, finally tired of being ignored, reached out and grabbed Zel's chin, gently turning Zel's face around so he could look into his eyes. "Why don't you go home," he whispered, almost compassionately. "Don't stay here. You are a mazuku and you should be feeding off the pain, not feeling it. She will not be yours. Realize that and you will be better."
"So, you can have her." Zel growled, jerking his head away, "You can't. She was to be mine. That's why I chose this life. But, I can't have her, when she's all I ever wanted. But, at least I'm glad you can't have her."
Xelloss' eyes darkened as he opened them to glower angrily and the young general. "Do not misunderstand. A silly dragon marriage means nothing to me. If I wanted her, I would take her, but I do not wish to at this time." Xelloss suddenly stood up, his cape flapping behind him as he walked away from the dark general.
"You had best find something else to live for." He called back, " She won't be yours, no matter how much you mope. So get on with your life."
Zel sat a moment, then turned his head, revealing an evil smile and slightly parted slitted eyes. "Maybe, or maybe I should run with your idea."
"What?" Xelloss head whipped around to look at the general.
"Maybe I should ignore that "silly dragon marriage" and just take her."
Xelloss' eyes opened dangerously, "You may not wish to do that. If it is known that she had an affair with a "filthy" mazuku, she might come under condemnation by the "righteous judgement" of her people. That could cause your beloved dragon some harm, ne?" He smiled raising and eyebrow, "Besides, you are the servant of Xellass Metallium, the Beastmaster, and one day you may have to fight against you own beloved dragon. You had better be over her by then."
Zel turned his head away, as enigmatic priest silently disappeared. Now, Zel was left in his misery again.
The sun had set, and it was time for the changing of the guard. Ceilon quietly walked down the stairs along the exterior of the temple spires. His job was done for the day and he had to return home to his wife and adopted son. He walked amiably along, smiling and greeting the late night travelers along the street.
He stopped at a shop, his mind remembering a small chore he needed to do. But afterwards, calmly walked home. He smiled somewhat embarrassingly at the young gold females, who smiled at him, calmly pointing to the chain around his neck, the symbol of his marriage vows. The girls would blush shyly and go on their way.
Ceilon had always been told he was a handsome dragon. He also had been described as exotic. He wasn't sure he believed them. He could slightly understand why they called him exotic. His green eyes stood out in the predominately blue and gold eyed population. But handsome, he wasn't sure. He did have a good human build, tall, lean muscled: a warrior's frame. A frame that could easily carry the smaller gold spears that was the trademark weapon of his people. Even though the spear would be dagger size in dragon form, most dragons found it too difficult to handle in their human forms. However, Ceilon did prefer them. The shorter spears designed for dragons in their human form didn't have the reach he wanted. He was also afraid that they were made much weaker and lighter.
He sighed, walking home, his spear balanced over his shoulder. The opposite shoulder had his long gold braid hung over it. Ceilon believed in few vanities. But, he was proud of his hair. Even in a braid, it came nearly to his knees. It was the only thing he allowed himself fret over. But then, most would say that he didn't need to worry about anything else. It just came naturally.
He walked quietly into his home, and sighed at the usual caterwaul that assaulted his ears. Val was now in his terrible twos and it could be a real battle to get him to do anything. He watched, mildly amused as a naked Val came running through the hallway with a slightly ruffled Fillia chasing behind him.
"Val, you need a bath. Get back here, right now." Fillia cried, nearly in tears herself.
"No, not take bath. No want be wet." Val screamed back, as he careened passed Ceilon, who bent over, scooping the protesting Ancient Dragon up, before he could get much farther.
Fillia came up to him, panting, "Thank you, he's been a real trial all day. I haven't got much work done."
"No problem dear," smiling gently at his wife, and handing her the package he'd bought. "If you wish, I could take care of him. Today was pretty uneventful, so I still have some energy left."
"Thank you," smiling gratefully at her husband, then giggled, "You may not have that energy after your done."
"Probably," he smiled, "But, I bet he'll not have a lot of energy either, when I'm done."
Fillia smiled and looked down at the package in her hand, as she heard the Val's caterwauling start up as she heard the water run. Fillia pulled out the bottle and looked at it. "Ceilon dear, what is this?"
"Well, it's metal polish. You were complaining you were out and needed more. I thought I'd save you the trip."
Fillia flushed, "Thanks, that was sweet." She quietly walked into the bathroom, only to giggle at her husband sitting in the bathtub, playing with their son. "Well, now I know why you get along so well with Val. You never grew up yourself."
Ceilon looked up, smiled broadly, cute little fangs and all, "Nope!"
Fillia laughed, "I can't believe that you are the Captain of the Guard sometimes." She smiled slightly, quietly walking away," How was work, you said it was uneventful."
Ceilon frowned for a split second, but immediately beamed back at his wife. "No, we didn't have any problems today."
"You sure nothing happened," she called back.
"No," he called back again.
"O.K., I'll go work on some of my pottery before I have to go to bed."
"O.K. dear." Ceilon sighed. He hated lying to her. It went against his nature to lie, but he didn't want to upset her. The last time he'd mentioned the blue mazuku positioned along the valley rim, just watching the temple, she had had a slight panic attack and had cried for days. He didn't know why she would respond that way, but he didn't want it to happen again. He'd leave the subject for now. But, he would have to ask her later what it was all about. He sighed, and went back to playing with Val.
Part 6 | Fanfiction