"What if the Empress finds you?" Saladorian asked with a worried look. Lyrica gazed off into the distance.

"I remember when she was such a small thing, scared and trembling under my claws. She used to be so fragile, so conforming to everything anyone older ever told her." Lyrica replied.

"Miss?" Saladorian asked.

"The professors at the old Academy just adored her. She was so innocent and young back then. She had everything. Her parents paraded her around like she was a prize. They gave her attention, pushed her to greatness. Of course I was able to prevent her from learning to fly so many times. And she was the one to graduate with honors and she was chosen as an elite soldier for the army of the mighty Naegori the Swift. Yet none of the professors acknowledged my greatness. I was merely put out in the shadow of her greatness, made to be forgotten. It was my goal to snuff her out, that bright shining light that everyone adored." Lyrica said, lost in thought.

"Miss, I've never questioned you once before, but, I was curious what started your feud with her." Saladorian timidly squaked.

Lyrica was dead silent for a whole of three minutes, with a distant stare in her eyes. And then she replied, "I LOST EVERYTHING!" In a deafening howl that shook the cave. Tears welled in her eyes, pouring down her face, and then she said, "But then Celyn took me in. She wouldn't let anything hurt me. She got me into the academy, revealed the lies my parents always told. They told me she was dead. That she was nothing but a figment of my imagination. She took care of me after they died."

"Miss, might I ask who is Celyn?" Saladorian asked in confusion.

"In a way, She is my guardian angel. And yet even I wonder sometimes if she really exists." Lyrica replied. Saladorian shrank back, questioning her sanity a whole lot more than usual.

*****

Footsteps clicked across the marble floor, a slightly uneven gait. The sound was always louder when the left leg hit the floor. The Kapybara paused for a second and tilted her head, listening to a noise off in the distance. Her spines stood on end, a common involuntary response which she was used to by now. As the noise drew closer, she could tell it was just Ravenna chasing after Thorryn. The Kapybara stuck out a hand as the dragon passed and grabbed him by the tail with her lightning quick reflexes. Despite her short stature, she was incredibly strong. Thorryn struggled and squawked in frustration, and the Kapybara let out a mild chuckle. Ravenna caught up to her, panting in exhaustion.

"Thanks!" Ravenna said, grabbing Thorryn around his middle and heaving him up. He was now the size of a full grown wolf and weighed nearly a hundred twenty pounds.

The Kapybara nodded in reply.

"How did you do that? He's so heavy!" Ravenna said through clenched teeth as she dragged Thorryn backwards. Thorryn tilted his head back and affectionately licked her face.

"I suppose it was the work dragging bodies." The Kapybara replied.

Ravenna nodded while still trying to drag Thorryn backwards. "Thorryn, you're fat." Ravenna commented. Thorryn stretched out his neck and leaned backwards, causing Ravenna to fall on her back with him on top.

"Get off!" Ravenna said, letting the dragon go. Thorryn rolled to his feet and shook himself. The Kapybara hesitantly reached out her hand before pulling it back, knowing that Ravenna could get pricked by her spines.

"Hey, it's alright. I'm a paraglisp, remember? I'm immune." Ravenna said, still laying on the floor. The Kapybara narrowed her eyes before offering her hand again. Ravenna grabbed her hand and The Kapybara pulled her to her feet. The two of them looked into each other's eyes for a moment while Thorryn glanced at the door to a nearby library mischievously.

"Wow, your spines are so soft!" Ravenna said. The Kapybara grinned awkwardly. 

"Have you really lived your whole life with hardly any physical contact?" Ravenna asked.

The Kapybara pulled her hand from Ravenna's grasp and stared solemnly at the floor.

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean!" Ravenna said.

The Kapybara muttered something unintelligible under her breath, something black and tar like welling in the corner of her eye.

"Are you okay? Hey..." Ravenna said, gently lifting the Kapybara's chin. The Kapybara grabbed her by the wrist and looked up into her eyes. Ravenna was a head and a half taller than her, but she had only noticed that factor now.

"You're crying!" Ravenna gasped. The Kapybara exhaled shortly through her nose, still locking Ravenna's gaze with a cold stare.

"I am fine." The Kapybara growled warningly.

"Hey, it's okay to let people see you cry." Ravenna said.

"No. Tears are weakness. I am strong. Fear me!" The Kapybara snapped, more black tears welling in her eyes.

"Tears are not weakness. They show that you are strong. Honestly, the fact that your tears are pitch black really makes your face look kinda terrifying and I'd rather you not look at me like I've ended up on your list." Ravenna compassionately replied.

"I floss my teeth with the bones of men! People tremble when I enter the room! My name strikes fear in all who hear my name! Fear me!" The Kapybara yelled

"Hey, It's okay to get a little emotional at times." Ravenna said

"Fear me!" The Kapybara said again, tightening her grip on Ravenna's wrist.

"I can't. You're like a little green spiky bear! And I care about you. You're my friend!" Ravenna replied.

At that, The Kapybara let go of Ravenna's wrist and melted into long loud sobs, crumpling to her knees on the floor.

Ravenna kneeled down beside her and patted her back. "There there. It's okay."

The Kapybara hiccuped and continued to sob.

"Do you need a hug?" Ravenna asked

The Kapybara whimpered, and Ravenna pulled her into an awkward embrace.

"Hey, it's alright. That's it! Let it all out." Ravenna said soothingly. The Kapybara curled up and placed her head on Ravenna's shoulder. She had never been hugged in her entire life, and she wanted it to last forever. She latched her arms tightly around Ravenna's waist and continued to sob into her shoulder. Ravenna tried to ignore the thousands of tiny quills prickling her skin as she pulled the Kapybara to her feet.

"Let's go get you a handkerchief." Ravenna said, loosening her grip. The Kapybara clung to her like a little spiny green koala. Ravenna sighed and started walking down the hall into the nearest room, The Kapybara still clinging to her waist.

"You can let go now. It's alright. There. Feel better?" Ravenna said. The Kapybara nodded, still holding tight around her waist with her feet dragging on the ground. Ravenna's tail swished in amusement.

"You can come to me for free hugs any time. It's not like anyone else will take em'." Ravenna sighed. The Kapybara nodded again.

"Um...It's alright. I said you can let go now." Ravenna said, wincing at the spines prickling her side.

The Kapybara loosened her grip, let go, and then slowly backed away. Ravenna looked down at her red shirt and noticed that it was permanently stained with The Kapybara's black tears.

"Tell no one." The Kapybara said firmly.

"It's alright. I wasn't planning on it. Your secret is safe with me." Ravenna said. The Kapybara smiled with gratitude, wiped her eyes, and walked off in the opposite direction.

After The Kapybara had left, Ravenna sighed and looked down at Thorryn. Thorryn looked back up at her, trying to look as innocent as possible.

"Come on. How about we go downstairs." Ravenna sighed. Thorryn slumped his shoulders and gave her a reproachful look.

"Oh, shut up. We haven't talked to the Empress much lately, and since she isn't up here she might be downstairs." Ravenna replied.

"Feed me." Thorryn said indignantly.

"You just ate a half hour ago!" Ravenna groaned.

"But a half hour is really really really really..."

"No." Ravenna said.

"But!" Thorryn whined.

"No." she snapped.

Thorryn pouted and dilated his pupils, making the most pitiful face he could muster.

"No! I'm not falling for that again!" Ravenna said.

Thorryn whimpered.

"Come on. We're going downstairs." Ravenna said.

"But I'm hungry!" Thorryn cried.

"Oh please no, not the baby face!" Ravenna said, as Thorryn's pupils grew even larger.

"Just a little snack?" Thorryn begged.

"Ugh! Fine!" Ravenna groaned. "But after we go downstairs and talk to the Empress."

"Why not now?" Thorryn asked.

"Because I said so." She replied, grabbing the young dragon by his tail in a futile attempt to pull him down the hallway and towards the stairs.

"Ugh! Thorryn you're fat!" Ravenna groaned. Thorryn rolled his eyes and got to his feet, deciding for once that maybe he would comply to her demands. As Ravenna and Thorryn neared the bottom of the stairs, Ravenna overheard a broken line of a conversation.

"...What if he comes to visit?" Ivy said with a smirk.

"Who's coming to visit?" Ravenna asked.

At that, The Empress shook her head and placed a paw to her forehead in embarrassment, and Ivy replied, "The Empress here met this studly male dragon when we went outside for a bit the other day and we were just talking about him."

"Oooh, so you've actually found a boyfriend, eh, Leif?" Ravenna said, her interest peaked.

"For the last time, he isn't my boyfriend. He probably doesn't even remember me. And he is just some male dragon that stopped me on my way flying back. My duty is to ruling this world, not mothering a clutch of...of...of...children!" The Empress replied in exasperation.

"Naw, c'mon! I bet he was really cute!" Ravenna said.

Leif narrowed her eyes and said, "I'm staying single. I have enough on my claws as it is, and I'd much rather be writing letters of correspondence with Vaskin and Manx about their progress than looking all googly eyed at a male."

"What's so bad about boys?" Ravenna asked

"Have you met my brother?" Leif grumbled

"Good point..." Ravenna trailed off.

The door to the main corridor opened, the guard wyverns heralding the arrival of a visitor. Instantly, more wyverns swarmed around the Empress, Ravenna, Thorryn, and Ivy forming a circle of protection against possible assassination attempts.

"I had to wait in line for six hours to see you." The male dragon announced.

"Ascaris?" Leif replied in disbelief.

"Y'know, for a dragon he is HOT!" Ravenna whispered to the Empress. Her comment was returned with an icy glare.

"This one's a keeper!" Ivy whispered back.

Leif shushed the two of them and tried her best to stand tall.

"Um...What are you here for?" Leif asked Ascaris nervously through the heads of multiple wyverns.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm here for you." He replied, licking his claws and running them over his horns in an attempt to shine them. He raised his eyebrows and winked at her, and Ravenna stifled a squeal of excitement. 

"Let's leave them alone together." Ivy whispered to Ravenna.

"Aw, but I wanna watch!" Ravenna whispered back. Ivy shook her head and tugged Ravenna by the arm, leading her and Thorryn out of the circle of wyverns and back up the stairs.

"Do you have some time to spare?" Ascaris asked. The wyverns surrounding the Empress hissed in indignation at his flirtatious attitude.

"Back off you lot!" Leif muttered to the wyverns, as they had started getting into her personal space. She then sighed and said, "I don't have much on my schedule but sitting around waiting."

"I'll wait with you, then." Ascaris replied, his forked tail twitching in excitement. He stalked forward like a lithe jungle cat with his chest out and his head held high and took in a deep breath of the Empress' scent as he walked around her. She felt her heart rate quicken, unsure of what to do.

"Um, okay I guess?" Leif said in return.

"You want to have a bit of fun outside? I noticed this amazing garden out in the back of this place while flying over." Ascaris said. The wyverns bristled.

"I'm not that kind of dragoness." Leif replied as his tail slid under her chin while he walked another circle around her. She felt like a fish being eyed up by a hungry shark.

"Oh, I didn't mean that kind of fun. Or at least not yet. Not unless you want to." He said hopefully.

Leif looked over her shoulder and noticed Ravenna making a gesture of her finger going into her fist and then a thumbs up.

"NO!" Leif yelled, utterly mortified and aghast at the motion Ravenna had just made.

"Oh." Ascaris sighed, looking a bit hurt.

"I mean, I don't even know you. And I would never...I have never...um..." Leif said awkwardly, shaking her head at Ravenna in disgust as she made goofy kissy faces. Leif growled under her breath and said, "At least going outside will maybe clear my head."

"Then let's go!" Ascaris said with a playful grin, taking off in a playful run. The wyverns guarding the back door waited until the last second to open it. Leif chuckled silently to herself as he had to halt for fear his momentum would cause him to crash. She followed with a more dignified gait, taking in a deep breath and summoning all the courage she had. She was grateful that Hadrix had decided to spent the day somewhere else.

"So what do you do out here, sit and smell the flowers?" Ascaris asked.

"Actually, I watch my friends throw blackberries at each other and I hang out with them. That is of course, when Vaskin and Manx are around. The Kapybara often tries testing new legs, although I think she's finally found one that works. Ivy tends the garden and grows the fruit, and Ravenna provides emotional support and her and Thorryn provide comic relief." Leif said, gazing wistfully off into the distance.

"So you sit and watch your friends throw fruit?" Ascaris asked.

"Well, actually that was only the one time. And I probably sound crazy when I talk about them, but they are really amazing. It's a shame I haven't been very present lately because of...never mind." Leif replied, gritting her teeth at the thought of Lyrica. 

Ascaris snagged a large peach from a nearby tree and bit into it, his eyes growing wide.

"Mmmm! How does this stuff taste soo good?"

"Ivy does all the hard work and preparation." Leif replied, looking over at Ivy's silhouette in the window.

"I bet there might be something more delicious than the fruit in this garden." Ascaris said with a sly grin.

"And what would that be?" Leif replied, clenching her jaw as he touched his nose to the soft spot under her chin.

"You." He stated. Leif held up a paw and pushed his muzzle away, saying, "I still hardly know you."

"Well then, let's get to know each other." Ascaris replied.

"Um, okay, fine. But keep your paws off of me." Leif said in annoyance as his persistent advances.

"Are you really as young as they say you are?" Ascaris asked.

"What do you mean? I'm a legal adult now." Leif replied, somewhat offended.

"You look younger. I'm surprised that we are so close in age." Ascaris contemplated.

Suddenly, a wyvern came speeding towards the Empress with a parcel clutched in his jaws.

"Urgent message from the questing party you sent out!" The wyvern gasped.

"I have business to attend to. Maybe if you write me a letter we can arrange to talk later." Leif said. Ascaris looked somewhat downtrodden at this development, but he nodded and the guard wyverns hastily escorted him out. Leif watched him go somewhat relieved, and somewhat curious about a relationship was really like.

She shrugged and shook her head, opening the mail and reading the soaked parchment. The ink was bleeding over the page, but she still could make out Vaskin's scratchy handwriting.

Dear Leif,

I apologize for the inconvenience of the wet paper, but hey, we're now a few days ahead of schedule. And then we got this setback. We met this massive old fart of a dragon in the swamp who made a bit of an earthquake and uprooted a bit of forest, but we are okay. (despite Manx still being mad at me about all our soaked supplies, even though it was that dragon Taa's fault.) We met the dragon before the setback, and well, he dropped us off next to a nearby village. Manx got injured a bit so we're taking it easy. (I really really really really didn't mean for my tail to slip!) We had to restock on stuff in the nearest market. Manx is still mad at me for practically everything, but at least she's okay. No developments yet on the 'L' word, and we might need a new map because I think we lost it in the swamp. The pigeons here are harder to wrangle than any I've ever seen, but at least we got a good laugh over the bird wrestling. I'm hoping all is well.

Sincerely,

       Vaskin

Leif rushed to her office and grabbed a quill, eager to write back and praying her claws wouldn't slip.