CW: [No content warning]

  The two unlikely friends woke to the dawns light sparking across the river's surface. Zephyria stood up and stretched like a cat, as she got up she heard a thump and a curse. Looking back she saw Asher groggily rubbing his eyes and looking around disheveled. "Zephyria!" She whipped her tail a bit in amusement and walked off to the river to take a drink. Staring at her reflection she considered her honor bound hunt, I'm too weak. It is an uncomfortable truth, but it is true. Even if this mortal can bring me to them tonight It would be foolish to rush in. She considered the wounds she received while ambushing the heroes the first time. If that deep spear hadn't hit my rear but my chest? It might have punctured my heart and killed me right away. I must take my time and plan my revenge long term, to do anything else would be to commit an elaborate suicide. She took one more drink and slunk back towards Asher

  Regrouping, the two unlikely friends faced each other with a bit of uncertainly. Asher spoke up first, "We need to talk about whatever comes next." Zephyria nodded slightly, letting him continue. "As we agreed, I'll go to Ironwood again and try to learn what I can from a few of the nobles that are still sympathetic to me. I've got some old friends I can get in contact with. I can't say how long it will take me. As short as a single day if I'm lucky, at most three if I'm not." Zephyria nodded along, responding, "The wait is more than acceptable." Asher looked surprised as if expecting her to be angry at him. "Do not look at me like that mortal, I may be a dragon but I'm not stupid. Even if you took me to the Heroes right now all I would do is die. They had the strength to kill my mother, and wounded me badly when I killed one of them."

  Asher's Jaw dropped, "You KILLED one of them? One of the heroes..? Already..?" Zephyria snapped her fangs at the air between them in annoyance, "Of course I did! What do you take me for, an amateur? The only reason I didn't get the others was their absurd armor and that damnable pyromancer. I could barely bite through their support's armor at the time. She was the one I killed." Asher looked at her speechless. "Lilly was her name, I believe. The only other name I gathered was 'Wolf'. Their ranger and quite notably a human and not a wolf. A silly name."

  Asher continued to stare at her in pure befuddlement. For a long moment Zephyria looked at him expectantly while Asher processed this information. "This changes SO much Zephyria! SO. MUCH." He began to pace back and fourth on the grass, "I knew you said they killed your mother, but you didn't mention actually fighting them. You also didn't mention killing one of them!" He paused a moment to collect himself. "I will admit I doubted you. You're strong, and dangerous. But the heroes. Everything I've heard paints them as monsters. And your mother, I heard stories of a massive red dragon guarding these woods. Nothing could be done but avoiding her territory." Zephyria interrupted, "She was a fine woman, strong. Fierce. What's your point?" Asher glared at her for a moment and continued, "The point, is that you are much smaller than she was and the Heroes.. They hurt her. I was going to encourage you to give up this quest, honestly. I wanted to see you alive and happy, and dying to an unstoppable force isn't how that was going to happen. But if you've KILLED one already? That changes everything. Not only is this possible, but its not that long a shot."

  Zephyria digested that for a minute, simply staring at the man. "You were going to tell me to give up?" Asher responded without hesitation "Yes. I was. I've come to rather like you in our short time together Zephyria. You've been kinder to me than most mortals have, and you seemingly just don't care that I'm not a good fire mage. That's a first for me. Magic is everything among mortals, the best are made up of exclusively mages, even if some try to hide it." He sighed, "The point I'm trying to get at, is that despite the fear and the… rather disgusting aspects, I've enjoyed our time together and It would sadden me greatly to learn you had rushed off to your death and died meaninglessly."

  Zephyria beheld the man, the dawn light cast across them and the gentle sounds of the river filling the silence. She opened her maw to speak when Asher interrupted her, "Let me come with. After the city I mean. I'll find out what I can, get some traveling supplies, and set off with you. I can go into cities where you can't, keep finding information and supplies while we track them down."

  Zephyria almost rejected him like a needy hatchling, but the more she considered it the more helpful it sounded to bring him along. It's not like I don't enjoy his company. "I'm not against the idea, but I have an issue with this plan." Zephyria flared her wings and flapped them demonstratively. "I can fly. You, little mortal, cannot. How do you plan to accompany me long distance?" Asher looked truly embarrassed by the question. "I.. I hadn't thought about it. A horse maybe? I don't know how fast you can fly." Letting out a draconic scoff, "I could out fly a mortal horse since I was a hatchling. I don't see a way for you to accompany me." Asher looked at her more contemplatively for a moment, Zephyria could see the flames burning in his head. "No.. A horse wouldn't work. But.. I have an idea but you have to promise to not kill me over it." Zephyria looked at him with surprise, "I wouldn't kill you over a mere idea, I'm not that sensitive." Asher shot back immediately, "You have to promise." With a huff and an eye roll, "Fine. I promise not to kill you over your idea."

  Asher steadied himself, took a step back, eyed Zephyria, took another step back, and finally said, "A horse wouldn't work… but a saddle might." Zephyria tilted her head at him so he continued, "I can't ride a horse and keep up with you… but I could ride you?" Zephyria snarled and growled loudly, snapping her fangs at the air between them. Asher quickly took several steps back and shouted, "You promised!" Zephyria turned around and sunk her claws deep into the soil still growling in fury. "I. Am. Not. Your. Pet."

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Asher slowly walked towards her, clearly unsure of how safe it was but still trying to not hide in her presence. "I didn't say you were, you're a strong.. Woman? Dragon? Your not a beast for me to tame, for anyone to tame. I said it before, and I'll say it again. I'm sorry for calling you a pet during the ambush, I never believed for a second it was true." Asher gave her a moment to digest his words, "But it would work, wouldn't it? If I rode- If you carried me, I could join you on a flight." Zephyria hissed at him through her fangs but at least she considered it.

  "Asher. I will allow you to ride on my back as we fly. However, I will not tolerate a saddle like some common animal. If you cannot hang onto me on your own, you can tie yourself down with a rope. But you will never get a saddle on me." Asher nodded enthusiastically, "We'll have to try a practice flight first, make sure the idea works before we entirely settle on anything. Who knows, maybe I'm secretly afraid of flying and I just don't know it yet?" Asher joked. Letting Asher lighten the mood Zephyria gave a small Draconic laugh and said in an equally light tone, "Nonsense, there is nothing better than flying. The feel of the wind rushing against your scales is like nothing else." Asher smiled at that, "I don't have scales, but I'm willing to learn! I'm rather excited to fly, honestly. Its every child's dream to sprout wings and take to the skies like a bird. Or a dragon, I suppose."

  Asher glanced at the position of the sun, eyeing how much time they had spent chatting. Dawn had passed and it was the early morning now. "Would you be willing to let our test flight be now? A short flight closer to the city shouldn't cause any issues and would tell me if I need to go buy a rope or something of the sort in the city." Zephyria paused for a moment, apprehension written all over her draconic features. "Its alright if you don't. I understand I wouldn't want to make you feel like a-" Zephyria cut him off, "No! No. It's alright. I will manage. My concern now is with you, a fall would be disastrous." Asher gave her a slightly nervous grin, "Then you'll just have to catch me." Zephyria looked at him like he was twisted in the head, but crouched down anyways. "I guess you can climb on, then?"

  Asher walked to her side, and studied her. She had no spikes to grab onto, nor a mane to pull himself up on. Her laying down helped, but that's still as tall as a smaller horse. Simply resolving to try his best he gave it a small running start and swung his leg up and tried to grab her scales the best he could. Failing to gain a perch, he fell on his ass and laid there gasping for breath for a moment while Zephyria began to roll around in the grass in laughter. Catching his breath he muttered, "Stupid fucking dragon, void dammit this is harder than it looks. Smooth scales do not make for an easy mount." Raising his voice properly, "Zephyria! Quit laughing at me and get back over here so I can try again, I think I have it this time."

  Zephyria still grumbling with draconic laughter, laid down once more in a approachable position. This time she swung her tail around to try to give him a step up. Asher waved her tail away and then taking a moving start, almost parallel to her, he grabbed onto the base of her wing and flung himself up. Hooking a leg around her broad torso he pulled himself the rest of the way up and finally he sat upon her back. Shifting slightly his legs on either side of her neck and held onto it. With mirth still in Zephyria's deep voice, "Are you steady, Asher?" Asher adjusted slightly and then nodded. After a moment and with a slight blush he said, "I'm as steady as I will ever be. Are you comfortable yourself, Zephyria?" She flared her wings and gave them an exploratory flap. "I am. Then, let us fly!"

  With a running start, Zephyria leapt into the air! Flapping her wings hard she almost didn't clear the trees, the weight giving her more trouble than she expected. She channeled some mana through her heart-flame and channeled it into her wings, strengthening the wind mana supporting them. She lacked the skill or ability to do much more than a minor reinforcement. But it was enough for this short flight. Asher let out a scream as they took off, but by the time they had steadied out and were soaring above the trees fairly slowly by dragon standards he quieted down. "Are you alright back there, Asher?" Asher let out a delighted laugh, "Am I alright!? I'm better than alright! This is incredible! Is this as fast as you can go?" Zephyria grumbled in amusement and picked up the pace. Traveling almost twice as fast while the wind was whipping at the pair. As Asher's delight grew he laughed and laughed. I'll never admit it, but Asher's laughter is wonderful. I dreaded how he might be using me, but this? I think I can get used to this.

  The pair soared towards the city at a pace that a horse couldn't even dream of. They neared the edge of the forest and Zephyria touched down, far out of the sight of anyone potentially watching. Asher dismounted, and landing with shaky legs, he dropped to his knees and stopped himself from face planting with his hands. Zephyria nudged him with her muzzle worriedly, "Are you alright, little one?" Asher was breathing hard, too hard. Zephyria nudged him again, more worried. "Little one, is something wrong?" Asher held a finger up, Zephyria wasn't familiar with the gesture but figured he was asking for space. Sitting back she hovered over him like a worried mother with a sickly hatchling. Eventually Asher spoke "Sorry.. Sorry. The excitement, it- The excitement. It all got to me a bit more than I thought it would. That landing was terrifying and thrilling. For you it seemed routine, but for me it felt like I was falling to my death while clinging to a dragon. A dragon! I rode a dragon! I FLEW!" Asher rolled onto his back, facing the sky and slightly hysterical. Unsure of how to help the man, she sat there awkwardly while he calmed. "I'm sorry, my heart was pounding and my thoughts were darting like lightning. I'm well now, I think." He sat up, dusted himself off, and then stood.

  Zephyria spoke up now that he seemed calmed again. "Given the flight seems to have gone as well as it could have we need to discuss something else before you go, little one." Asher nodded at her and responded, "Meeting place, right? That spot by the river is memorable and not too far from Ironwood. I can hike back there with my supplies after I gather everything. Meet me there at sunset?" Zephyria nudged him with her muzzle affectionately, "That works for me, Asher. I shall hunt and grow my heart-flame while I await your successful information and supply gathering. I will return to our spot by the river at sunset each day until I see you." Asher and Zephyria held each others gaze for a moment, neither wanting to part for potentially days so soon after after becoming friends.

  "Good hunting Zephyria." With these parting words, Asher walked off towards the city.

  Zephyria took flight back into the forest in search of prey. Asher was going to be working hard, she couldn't slack off. It was time to hunt once more.