The guards were everywhere, companies that were forming up into tight groupings as they left the main capital buildings and began to spread their way down into the city. The sound of riots forming were distant, but Ralik was still listening to them keenly as he glanced back at his fellow Council members. There was a flash of wings as one of the dragons lifted his head up high and sniffed a little bit, his eyes showing flashes of color that were dancing around the pupil. The expression one of distaste while the female was settling herself quite close to him and one of the wings were spread open to lightly drape over his haunches as the chaos in the chambers grew worse.

The body guards had formed protective barriers in front of their charges, the tension growing thick enough that one could cut it with a knife. He could almost feel how close they were to going against each other, which made him glance at Tigiera nervously and pulled his ears back. They couldn't just fall apart and behave like the rest of the city, not when they were the ones that were supposed to be able to take the lead. They were supposed to be the ideal, and the way it was, they could hardly enforce peace with the rest of the city.

“We are going to regain peace the city." Thorne spoke up from his position of Speaker. “This is unacceptable, there are reports of fires and riots down in most of the public squares."

-Probably humans.- _ One of the gryphons said, turning his broad head to one side with an angry hiss. _-We can send some of our wings in to handle things.- “No!" Ralik broke in, stiffening up a little bit. “We have a city guard for a reason, they are set as mixed species for a reason. We can put a curfew in effect, get people off the streets for now."

“And have military rule?" One of the humans said, stiffening up with outrage, while Edimere glared from the other side. The merchant diplomat looked as if he were ready to join the riots himself.

“No, no.. nothing like it." He said, trying to placate the conversation, using his voice as soothingly as he could.

“It certainly sounds like you expect our citizens to go hide in their homes while soldiers control the seats." Edimere said and shifted around behind one of his body guards.

_-Are you hoping that you can have the men running through the streets causing more havoc?- _ Neragard growled with his words, his wings flaring a little bit open.

The growing tension was useless, but even Ralik found himself growing angry, the rage roiling at the city being turned into a near warzone while those here were still arguing and petty. They should have immediately began to draw together to form a united front, instead, they were all too busy acting on their own behalf. His tail began to fluff out behind him as minx did his best to control his temper before one of the dragons let out a sudden roar, the male's head dropping down and the great jaws parted open to show rows of sharp serrated teeth. Bits of spittle actually came out from the parted jaws, splattering a few of the closest delegates that were scrabbling backwards away from them.

The female stood above him, the curl of his ram-like horns half hidden as her crest roused upwards with agitation and she moved to place a forepaw firmly against her mate's shoulder. The press wasn't hard enough to stop him, but the male snapped his jaws a few times. His head swayed back and forth a few times, his eyes angry looking and sweeping over all of them so that Ralik felt an instinctive urge to run, especially when there was a flash of electricity that was crackling between the parted jaws. The sharp snap of it sending a rush of ozone filling his nostrils.

-You sniveling cowards.- _ Tarrbin's words were thick with his scorn. _-Even a common stallion would protect his herd, you are too busy fighting for position to think about anything else. Perhaps I should go put an end to the rioting?-

_ _

“No, Storm Lord, that is not necessary." Thorne spoke up, his voice sounding nervous and rather shocked. “I'm sure that our colleagues are only stressed."

-If they cannot handle stress, than they cannot handle their position.- _ Tarrbin responded scornfully, throwing his head back in irritation. _-Mother Anara never founded the Pillars for you to squabble.-

_ _

-I would suggest, that you go to your own people, speak peace and reason.- _ Ushara said slowly, with a more moderate tone to her mind-voice. _-Tensions are high, and they must see that you are all forming a united front with them.-

_ _

“A good plan." Ralik agreed, trying not to watch the more aggressive male who drew his head backwards. It was something to see such a massive creature threatening them, a visceral fear that rose up and made him want to flee.

-Sithen and Anara set the laws of the Pillar Cities that will allow a Storm Dragon to take control if it cannot rule itself. Do not make me rule over your short lived lives, you would not enjoy it.- _ Tarrbin stated, his mind voice laden with disgust and irritation. _-We will break up any truly violent uprisings.-

“That sounds fair, this session is adjourned, all of those that need help see the city guard, but see to your own people. You need to calm them, not add fuel to the fire." Thorne spoke slowly, firmly, his eyes roving around the table. “I don't need to tell you that it would not be good for anyone if the dragons are forced to intervene."

_-It might be good for me.- _ Tarrbin growled out, his anger palpable, which caused Ralik to lick his lips again.

He began to gather his things and gestured towards his fellow diplomat. They would have to get down to where he knew most of the minx had shops and worked, it wasn't a large section of town, but it would be a start to gather people together to try and calm things down. The fact that nearly half the city had spots of riots going on spoke of tensions breaking over to the point of danger, there would be deaths and injuries after all of this, and there was every likelihood that innocence would end up being caught in the crossfire.

As he began to exit the council chambers, the sound of the bells began to sing out across the city. Not the light sweet sounds of the normal bells that rang to mark special events, but the large deep toned ones that signaled a state of emergency. They sounded dark, and threatening as they rang across the city, ominous and he was left speeding up his pace as a burst of wind crashed around him as the female dragon jumped up in the air. He didn't follow the movements, instead he sped up with their guards coming up close behind them. The city could not fall.

~ ~ * ~ ~

“Those are the emergency bells." Valia said as she crouched down beside Frostscale in the shade of some over hanging trees, turning her head towards the city. “They're locking everything down."

_-Lovely, looks like there are riots.- _ The young drake said, stretching out as far as he possibly could, his mind voice flavored with irritation and anger that were roiling together.

She worried about him, by the time they got to the shore he had been panting with his tongue hanging out and head all the way down to his forepaws, his eyes glazed over while he had been struggling with each wheezing breath. It was obvious that carrying her had taken every bit of energy that he had left and he had immediately gone to a bit of shade to flop down. He was recovering quickly, but she felt guilty that he had had to snag her up and carry her away. He had over extended himself, which made her do something she normally would have never thought about. She had slipped down to the fisher huts and raided a few of their nets.

The dragon had been disgusted by the fish offered to him, but he had eaten them none the less, making her feel a little better. But looking at the city, she was mortified and frightened by the sounds coming from the city, the smoke that was rising up in several areas as the bells continued to ring with warning that people were to go back home. It also meant that the shore was now emptied out of people, the boats were dragged up onto the shore and there weren't even a hint of people in the little huts that they used to repair nets. She had seen many going back to the city, probably to check on their family.

“Well, we are at least safe out here." She pointed out, leaning forward with a slight flush. “I'm sorry I panicked earlier, did I hurt you? I think I may have kicked you…"

-Hurt me?- _ Frostscale let out a short bark of laughter, his eyes twinkling a little bit. _-Hardly, you're barely a little bug! I just am not big enough to carry so much weight yet.-

_ _

“Are you saying I'm fat?" She asked, putting a little accusation into her voice, trying to make a joke. The young drake snorted and snapped his teeth at her leg mockingly.

-I'm saying you are well fed.- _ He temporized easily enough and tipped his head up as there was a faint explosion that made him pull his crest back flat to his head. _-Nothing good is happening up there.-

_ _

“Maybe we need to go back." Valia said slowly, feeling her stomach give a strange lurch before licking her upper lip. “This was a stupid idea, it's not like we can actually expect to be able to run away from our problems."

-Why not? You're not happy there, you're not happy at the idea of going to the Council, and I'm not going to be able to stay here.- _ He said firmly and gave his wing a small flip against his back. _-We just need to wait for things to calm down.-

_ _

“And hope that it doesn't set the pier on fire." She muttered to herself as she watched the glimpses of people running back and forth on the mob formed at the pier.

_-Don't worry about that, we're going to find a ship out of here. We can see any number of places together!- _ He exalted and let out a deep purring sound from low in his throat.

She was relaxing a little bit, leaning back against the edge of his shoulder, doing her best to simply not think any more. It was too hard to dwell on it, instead she concentrated on how good it felt to have the dragon at her back, an awareness of him that made her feel safe, secure. As long as he was there, there would be hardly any reason for her to feel afraid. Frostclaw was a match for nearly anything in the world that might come after her and she was sure that she was secure. She kept repeating that to herself whenever her thoughts turned to darker things, her hand reaching back to press against the line of one of his forelegs.

It wasn't until the small row boat was near the shore that either of them noticed it, with Frostscale being the first to alert her as he swung his head about and made a noise. It wasn't a very large boat, just large enough to have a pair wielding the oars and another was that was guiding it from the back. The ones rowing were smaller, and she nearly thought they were minx from a distance, but it became rapidly apparent that they weren't. Instead, she could see the naked ears, the tails that jerked up slightly in the air that weren't fur covered at all.

Ratatosk. The smaller ones she remembered were of the mus clan, a subspecies that were nearly half the size of the true Ratatosk. They were dark colored, one nearly black and the other a mix of black and reddish hues that were working hard on the oars. It was the bigger one that had her attention, a towering sleek brown colored male that had a flecking of paler colors scattered through it to give him a more classic rodent coloration. He was well fed looking, wearing a brilliant deep blue silk shirt and a hat that was tipped forward along the length of the slender muzzle.

-Ratatosk?- _ Frostscale said and sat up with a little rumble in his throat, spreading one of the wings open. _-They're not allowed in the city.-

_ _

“No, maybe they're here to loot." Valia said and she felt a bit of fear rising in her while the row boat picked up speed towards the shore. “They'll be armed."

-They're rodents, that's hardly something I need to fear.- _ Frostscale commented with easy confidence. _-They won't get far into the city coming in like this, though.-

_ _

The boat rolled further up and the taller Ratatosk stood up and took off a broad hat, sweeping it upwards with a wave directly towards them and his muzzle parted in a smile. His buck teeth flashing in the light slightly as the bow of the boat ran up the shore and one of the smaller rodents jumped out to grab the front and dragged it forward as the one in command stood up and stepped off into the water with an easy grace. The length of his naked tail twitched behind him, curling just a little bit to show off a set of bone cuffs that decorated it.

He waved his hand again, it was such a familiar gesture that she was taken aback and moved backwards further beneath the length of the wing. The shadow of the storm dragon gave her some protection as the Ratatosk stepped up the beach towards them and Frostscale let out a low growl and moved forward. His shoulders hunched a little bit as he narrowed his eyes and lifted up his crest to put on a display meant to make the rodent step back, but instead, the stranger only grinned wider and whistled between his buck teeth.

“Well look at ya! Bigger than I imagined, an' just as fierce as one of the big'uns!" The Ratatosk announced when he came within speaking range. “I thought m'scouts were making up tales when I heard there was a dragon ashore."

-There are no tales being told.- _ He answered shortly and his wing helped tuck Valia in closer beside him. _-What are you doing here? Ratatosk are forbidden in the pillar cities.-

_ _

“Aye, such a shame too, just kicked out of the city because I was born the wrong side of the species line." The stranger said with a mock pitying voice, and the dark eyes moved to look at Valia. “And with a human, greetin's lass!"

“That doesn't answer anything about what you're doing here." She responded, trying to sound firm, but the Ratatosk seemed utterly comfortable. He stepped in just a few lengths away before dropping down to sit on a lobster trap. “And what does it matter that he's here?"

“First, introductions! Always time to be civil, even with scum like me." He said and gestured at himself. “I'm Captain Vychik of the The Black Hound, one of the finest vessels that have ever sailed these waters, albeit, hardly welcome in this port."

_-I'm Frostscale.- _ The dragon answered, his mind voice filled with suspicion and his body tensed, but Valia felt a shock run through her.

The Black Hound was a ship that she had heard of when she had been going through recent incidents at the guard's reports at the university. It was a pirate ship that had made a reputation when it came to smuggling and taking over smaller trading vessels. They weren't renowned for pure violence, instead, they were a high prize operation that had routinely slipped through the navy and had a heavy price on their heads. Especially by Craig Island, the pillar city had lost one of the treasure vessels earlier in the year that hadn't been found since.

Vychik looked the part of a captain, dressed with enough wealth that she was a bit daunted. He wasn't the greasy looking Ratatosk that she had been led to believe he would appear, instead, he was clean and well cut. His coat glossy with good health and one of his ears were laden with piercings of what looked like pure gold. He was animated and his eyes were bright, interested, intelligent enough that it was a little daunting as he watched her expectantly and she had to give him an answer.

“Valia, I'm Valia. I.. was a student from the university." She answered awkwardly and the large rodent lowered his head in an elegant looking bow.

“Valia and Frostscale, a pleasure to meet you both." He murmured, his whiskers bristling delicately. “You must be quite the talk of the town, dragons aren't all that friendly to other species' I've heard. But I've never seen a young drake."

~ ~ * ~ ~

-I enjoy the company. I enjoyed the school as well.- _ Frostscale answered coldly, feeling the distrust coming from Valia. _-There's nothing strange about wanting new experiences.-

She was tense, not afraid, but the tension made him wary as he kept his eyes on the Ratatosk that was smiling at them so amiably. He was friendly seeming, though what he knew about the species were limited to the fact his mother had told them that they were sneaky beasts that had once tried to steal eggs. That story had always made him imagine giant rats that sat up on two legs, not the rather amiable person that was sitting in front of him and holding his plumed hat his hands. He didn't try to get closer, and he didn't pick up the scent of any others on the air, it was casual meeting.

“I agree! New experiences!" Vychik said with a brighter smile at him as if he had something smart. “That's what missin' with most of your kind, so bound up in that mountain."

“He's a fast learner." Valia offered, her tension still thrumming through her.

“He got into the university, he was probably picking up things quicker than I was."

“And still planning on staying in that school?" He asked with interest. “Are you studying to be a historian? Specializing in anything?"

“I… hadn't got that far." Valia said and glanced up towards Frostscale slightly. “We were leaving, actually."

-I've seen what I need here. We're going to see the rest of the world.- _ He answered and shifted his wing back as he felt the human relaxing just a little bit, but he moved just enough that his body was more between them. _-We were looking at the ships on the pier before all of that happened…-

_ _

“Pity that, but not unexpected. Put a buncha savages in a city, and it's only a matter of time. It's unnatural." Vychik said and shook his head slowly, almost like he was pitying them. “Smart of you to get out while you still can, but, I hope I'm not being forward, but you don't seem ready for a long journey."

“We have enough, it's not like a dragon has bags to pack." Valia said, managing a slight laugh. “And I don't have much."

“If he had bags to pack, I'd have all sorts of questions!" The Ratatosk answered, grinding his teeth in an odd bruxing laugh, whiskers twitching forward slightly. “Still, it's good ta see two different species gettin' along, a rare thing, even in these so called Pillars of Society."

Valia felt a little more relaxed beside him as they talked and the Ratatosk was genial, and charming. It was hard not to feel comfortable with him as he offered such an open smile. He folded his wings once more and he took more interest in the conversation. He'd never actually met a Ratatosk, he had expected it to be a poorly speaking sneaking creature, not the eloquent looking rodent. He had a rather fascinating set of jewels and gold on him, and Frostscale had to admit that he wondered what it would look like to have such decorations on his own horns or neck.

“So, what's the plan? Adventures? Recreating Sithen's Tales? Going to the old battle grounds?" Vychik asked and propped his chin up on his folded hands.

-I want to go to the Merdira Isles, we both do. It's full of history and a place that all sorts of things are still being discovered.- _ Frostscale offered, finding little reason to hide it. _-There's a ship up at the pier I'm going to go on, well, we are going to go on.-

_ _

“That old cog the Seaspear? You'd be taking half a year to get there!" The rodent said, grimacing a little bit before turning towards Valia. “And you'd be stuffed in some corner of the hold beside barrels of salted fish."

“A passenger ship won't be here for ages, and they won't be going anywhere besides other pillar cities." She answered and glanced towards Frostscale.

_-And I'd prefer not to linger here where two old dragons try and send me back to the mountains.- _ Frostscale snarled a bit with that comment, his tail lashing with a thud against the ground.

“Well now, why not get on a ship that's swift as the north wind and has room to offer proper accommodations to such a lovely scholar?" Vychik asked and gave a bow towards Valia, one that made Frostscale bristle slightly. “And a dragon, you'd be the most fearsome creature the sea has ever seen since the serpents of old glided on the currents! The Black Hound would be perfect for you both and we are heading to the Isles."

“That's a generous offer.. but.." Valia started and swallowed, her throat bobbing slightly while she glanced up at Frostscale.

He blinked slowly, but he did enjoy the imagery, even as he felt Valia's jolt of pleasure, and dismay at the offer. He could feel her mind roiling and he carefully reached out towards it, uncertain as to why she would be torn with what was being offered. It was strangely easy to truly touch her mind now, it was very like reaching to touch the thoughts of another dragon, though her thoughts weren't quite so well put together. It was something that he had to work to sift through, but her thoughts were a little more clear when he sent her a wordless question.

_They're pirates, they're not normal sailors. _ She thought at him and he tipped his head to one side, giving the Ratatosk another long look.

_-You want us to become pirates?- _ He asked and his tail gave a slow curl up and down and shifted his head to look at Valia carefully.

“Oh, well now, young storm lord, that's a harsh name!" Vychik said and his grin widened even further. “I prefer to think of us as free agents, after all, we're not doin' more than takin' what jobs they'll offer Ratatosk and making money where we can."

“Legal and illegal." Valia said and shifted a little bit. “They take other ships, Frostscale, they fight on the sea, I've heard of a treasure ship they managed to sink."

-Fighting on the sea, that must be something to see.- _ Frostscale mulled over and tipped his head to one side. _-Valia is not a warrior, not like one of your crew.-

“That's just bad pubilicity!" Vychik protested and widened his eyes a little bit. “We never sink where we can get them to strike a surrender. And this run, well, we're pickin' up perfectly legal goods in the Merdira Isles, and a few stops in the Opal Empire."

“That's…" Valia started and froze, her face actually paling and flushing a bit. “No one goes there."

“I have my ways, I don't think there's ever been a scholar there, actually…" He trailed off and then shrugged. “But that is up to you. We're going to be setting sail at dawn."

The Opal Empire, he knew something about it, not much, only that the people that were in power were not welcoming of outsiders. They had absolutely no tolerance for attempts at treaties or diplomacy, the few attempts that had been made had been violently repulsed from their shores. Not even the Storm Dragons went there often, those that did only did so because there was a mountain range there that were rich in gems that were set up to reflect lightning during a storm dance. They didn't interact with anyone, and that's how the people there wanted things.

Valia reacted with a surge of interest, real interest and excitement, the first that he had felt from her since he had found her again. He reacted with a little thrum of pleasure and roused his crest up higher in the air, parting his jaws a little bit to give her a gentle nose against the shoulder while he watched the Ratatosk put his hat back on and move towards his small boat. So, he was a pirate, but perhaps that itself could be something interesting. He was big and powerful enough that he could make sure they didn't do anything that she would object to.

-It might be interesting to be pirates for a time…- _ Frostcale murmured to Valia alone and gave her a wide smile. _-And you could see an Empire that has never opened itself to travel before.-

_ _

“It sounds dangerous." Valia murmured softly, but there was little fear in her thoughts as she watched Vychik leap gracefully into the small boat. “Exciting, but dangerous."

_-Exactly what you need, I think.- _ He responded and gave her another affectionate push of his nose, feeling her hand sliding up to brush along the bridge of his muzzle.

He liked that touch, he liked it a great deal so that he flicked his tongue out and gently licked the tips of her fingers. He was growing more entranced by touching her and being touched, stirring emotions and instincts deep inside of him. They were unfamiliar, and thrilling, and that strange stirring caused him to push his nose a bit more firmly and his tail snaked out to curl around her protectively and looked out to where the little boat was being rowed towards one that was sleeker and larger. The Black Hound Perhaps he would insist that Valia be given a hat like the Ratatosk's. She would have to look the part after all.

~ ~ * ~ ~

“GET BACK! STEP BACK NOW!" One of the guard's roared out, moving forward with the staffs drawn down to form a block to keep the gathered minx were shifting. “Come on, get back!"

Ralik felt his heart pounding in his chest, trying not to feel the urge to step back as he faced his own people. He knew them, he knew that they were just angry and afraid as the riots that had gone through the city had grown to the point that several of them had ended up having to be broken up by the dragons. There was a section of town that had sustained real damage, but at least the more violent demonstrations hadn't grown out of hand, and that left him to take care of his own people. They were angry enough about the situation that he could nearly feel it.

Tigiera had been tackling more of the high born rioters, citing her own birth clan as the reason she would be more well received, it left him with the merchants and tradesmen. They were worked up, especially since there had been an outright fight between themselves and the kobold earlier. He twitched his ears up in the air a little bit as he moved between the guards and tried his best to look like he was a voice of reason instead of another face of authority they wanted to stand up to.

“Please, quiet…" He called out and raised his hands, stepping up onto a stage that in happier times were used for puppet shows. “My friends! This is not helping us get anywhere!"

“You're letting them go free?!" Someone yelled out and he saw an angry face glaring up at him before another voice joined in.

“No!" He answered, the guards moving further out, their staffs drawn down to create a makeshift fence rather than something more menacing. “We are tearing our city apart, the very fabric of trust that makes us able to survive, thrive, the Council is aware of what is happening."

“And has ignored it!" Someone else said, the voice a little angry hiss, the faces mostly white furred with the coming cold season, but some were still as mottled as he was. “Do you want us to just let them ignore us until more are violated? Killed?"

“They called me a Ratatosk!" Another voice snarled out from the group. “They want to treat us as pariahs!"

“I assure you, that is not true." Ralik said, keeping his voice even, but loud enough to be heard. “Tempers are running high, but we need to remember who and what we are. We are minx and have been a part of this city since it began. Our artisans worked on this capital, we helped build the very bones of the city. The Bru Clan, Chi Clan, Ser Clan, Mro Clan, every clan and subclan are a part of Diurnal. We are a life blood that keeps this city running and we take pride in that!"

There was a shifting, but at least people were listening and he felt his shoulders relax slightly. Minx were always joined together by various clans, tightly linked together by their names, and he counted on that. They took pride in their work and their clan names, which gave him a point to start in as he moved along the stage. The guards remained alert and he did his best not to think about the scent of smoke on the air or the surrounding buildings that had windows cracked out. The violence of the day contained finally, but it was still everywhere.

CRACK-BOOM!

The distant sound of explosions made him wince, and he did his best to not allow himself to be distracted. The crowd formed in front of him were mostly young males that were willing to have a good hard fight. A few of them showed that they had already been involved in some of the scuffles, the smell of blood and smoke on the air. He was only glad that things hadn't gotten too far in this quarter, instead, they had been trying to push into one of the legal brothels on this street, which he had been able to stop before it had gone too far.

“We formed this city and we need to put faith in the city, and in those that are your voices." He gestured towards the shop behind him. “These are your neighbors, no matter their species, you can't simply allow yourself to take the law into your hands. We have the city guard out, we need you to return to your homes, tomorrow the Council will be meeting in the city square. You have jobs, families, I recommend that each clan head send a representative to me with concerns tonight."

“And you'll listen to them?" A burly mostly white male snapped out, looking doubtful.

“Yes, I'll listen to each one, I'm going to create a list of what needs to be covered by the Council." Ralik made himself look more earnest as he spoke, leaning forward. “You will be heard and changes will be made. We don't need to reduce ourselves to violence to make sure changes happen."

One of the guard's glanced back at him with a look that caused him to offer a sympathetic smile. There was no way this was going to be an early night for them, but it would rein things back into a manageable situation. He needed to make sure that he addressed what he could in the council session tomorrow. If not, he had no idea what was going to happen, but it would be nothing good.

~ ~ * ~ ~

It was so late that it might as well have been dawn by the time Ralik made his way into his suite of rooms and tried to not feel as exhausted as he really was. He couldn't believe the amount of complaints that had been handed to them, varying so much that he could believe that there was going to be every chance that their revolution wasn't even close to coming to an end. It was only going to come to a head, which meant that the next council session was going to cause any number of problems, especially when he knew that his fellow council member was going to have her own list of problems to bring attention to.

He shut the door with a twitch of his ears, flattening them down and grateful that he couldn't hear any hint that his wife was awake. She was in her own set of rooms which meant that he wasn't going to have to go through the motions of being an attentive husband. It wasn't that he didn't care for Nerilla, but it was an arranged marriage, something that had lifted his status, but that was wearying at the best of times. Especially now that she was pushing for children when he had other worries on his mind and he didn't think he could have dealt with that today along with the riots.

She's probably angry that I sent so many guards around the house. _ He thought with a sigh and moved up the stairs that led to his own room. _Tomorrow she'll be back to wanting kits.

_ _

He was halfway up the stairs before he saw the open door that led to his study and the flicker of firelight that caused him to stiffen up. She wouldn't go to his study to ambush him, not when he made it clear that he needed his own space in their home. It was one of the conditions of their marriage, just like he wouldn't invade her rooms without her invitation. Still, if she were sufficiently angry at being forced to remain in lockdown most of the day, she might just take it out by going into his own private retreat to take it out on him. He found his muscles tensing up and his jaw clenched as he stepped into his study and readied himself for an assault.

“Rough day?" A warm voice greeted him and his tension relaxed slightly as he saw a cream and tan colored form sprawled out on the low couch. “Ya look like someone drugged ya through the dirt."

“Dragged." Ralik corrected automatically, but offered a smile to the Ratatosk waiting for him. “How'd you get in here?"

“Roof top." Lasol answered and stretched again, stretching in a way that showed off his handsome sleek features.

The pattern of the lighter tan against the cream coloring gave him a clean appearance, the only color was a trail of blue that had been dyed down the length of his back. It was a long serpent that was carefully designed to make sure that it looked nearly alive as it moved and rippled as he rolled over to easily spill off the couch. The length of the naked tail glided down to the ground and he watched it, smiling just a little bit as the rodent stood up to greet him, entirely and completely nude. There was no hint of shame, he was flaunting himself so that Ralik flushed a bit and reached back to shut the door behind him.

“You know better than to come here." He admonished as the Ratatosk came closer and bruxed his teeth together, the whiskers bristling a bit further forward. “It's dangerous."

“Do ya think anyone would see me if I didn't want 'em to?" He asked, sliding a hand forward to cup right against the minx hip and the heat of the body pressed against them. “Besides, all them fires, I worried so I got the Cap'n ta let me come to shore."

“You worried, mm?" Ralik said, his ears flushing a bit deeper as the larger male leaned down to brush his nose against him. “It's still dangerous."

“I'm goin' back ta sea tomorrow… Did ya just want me to leave?" He asked, the brows furrowing a little bit, almost looking hurt, but he knew it was an act.

“My wife is right downstairs, you could have gotten us a room." Ralik protested, but he was relaxing as the lips pressed forward against his own in a sudden kiss.

It was hard to resist the rodent, especially with those clever fingers gliding over him and pushing up beneath the line of his shirt so that it was pushed up beneath the fabric. The fingers spread open wide, dancing with just enough play that he sucked in a breath and found it hard not to respond to the touch. His body flushed with a wave of heat as he moved his hand up along the other furred cheek, gliding with a slip as his other hand wrapped around the nude body. He tried not to think about the fact his wife was below, he tried not to think about the fact that this was a pirate, all he felt was a flush of raw arousal that came with the Ratatosk rubbing along him.

Lasol had been in his life for years now, they had never allowed their relationship to come to light. It wasn't quite illegal to be in a relationship with another male, but it was enough to turn him into a pariah, and likely would have led to the pirate's death. The Ratatosk didn't tolerate such things, they were a harsh race, brutal in what was acceptable, so they kept it a secret. A pleasure that they shared only when The Black Hound was in port, and he had to admit, that he had felt a pang that he was going to miss out on his time with his lover.

“You took a risk." He murmured softly, sliding his fingers up the smooth furred back.

“I thought you might rather end your day with somethin' pleasant." Lasol said and grinned in a lopsided manner. “Besides, Cap'n is headin' down ta the Opal Empire, and that means long lonely nights."

“A shame.." He sighed out, and meant it as he felt the fingers sliding down the edges of his pants, pushing just a little bit to edge it down to either side of his hips.

The smooth movement pushed down along the line of his ass and he let out a guttural noise as the larger male loomed forward. Lasol was nearly twice his size in weight, it was only his lean body that gave him any height, and he loved being reminded of just how different their bodies were. The rodent licked down along his lower lip with a dart and trace inwards. His own tongue swirled out slowly, tasting a salty edge to the lips from the sea while he started to lean forward with a jolt. His body tensed up just a little bit and he allowed the pirate to push him backwards onto the couch. His pants were pushed downwards, slipping away and he laughed a little bit at the eagerness.

“You should… tell him to stick around.." He breathed out as his pants were stripped off, and he was dropped backwards, moving to pull his shirt off. “It could be lucrative."

“Ya just want to put me up in that inn near the pier. The one with that fine sweet wine." Lasol commented, grinning down while the hand slipped forward with a gentle rub of a finger beneath his chin.

“Rrrmmm god yes…" Ralik drawled out while he looked down that cream colored belly and towards the line of the furred sheath. “A nice long stay… nothing but the two of us…"

“And no worries, no council.." Lasol drawled out while Ralik leaned forward and saw the glistening dark length of the cock starting to emerge. “Just us naked in a room… with good wine… good company…"

He couldn't help himself. From the time he was a child he had known that he preferred males, and that desire hadn't left him even as he grew older, got married, had aspirations. He moved his fingers forward with a slide that ran down along the length of the heavy balls, rubbing upwards with a gentle stroke. He licked out with a dart of his tongue tip, sliding with a slow smooth caress that ran along the glans with a gentle curl that made the Ratatosk suck in a breath. His entire body stiffened up as the hips ground forward before drawing backwards, just enough that the heavy girth pushed forward.

The length of the long tail curled around his body, draping against the line of his back with a caress that made him groan out a little bit as he slowly pushed his way further down. His shirt was pulled off entirely, the larger male leaning above him as fingers stroked through his mottled fur and he forgot about the day. Forgot about how he had grown frustrated and frightened, he forgot it all as his lover plunged in deeper and he ran his tongue about. He caught and swirled in circles, sliding his fingers around the cream colored waist.

“Gods of serpents, I've missed you.." Lasol panted and then drew backwards, a slow drag that slurped a few inches free with a messy trail.

The next thrust forward drove deep into the depths of his muzzle, pushing down the length of his throat. He tightened his mouth down again, the tightening grip caressed upwards and there was a slow pull backwards. The glistening trail of precums pilled out along the length of his tongue, oozing to either side while he pulled all the way back. The stiffened length engorged, heavy and bulging while the cock tip trickled down a messy trail that ran downwards along the stiffened length.

He licked in small darting touches, dancing downwards and then started to move back up again, knowing just the way to get Lasol to let out a groan and then brux with a grinding of his teeth. His body was tensing up and the sleek muscles beneath his pale colored fur rippled and moved, thrusting forward with a series of slow movements. They were building up just a little bit faster when the tip pressed between his lips a little bit before Ralik sucked in a breath and moved his free hand down to stroke himself ever so lightly up and down.

He laughed breathlessly as his own body responded as he wrapped his hand around the widest point of the base and squeezed. Lasol sucked in a breath before the fingers slipped behind his ears playfully. He found the sensitive area just behind them, the claws lightly dragging downwards to make sure that he reacted with a jolt and he closed his eyes almost all the way shut as he panted out a breath and leaned backwards. The rodent's cock throbbed slightly, the size always impressive when compared with his own curved shaft.

“C'mere, handsome.." Lasol drawled out with pleasure and reached down, looming above him. “I need somethin' to take to sea with me."

“Hedonist." Ralik laughed, feeling more of his worries fade away as he was turned and the rodent slid behind him.

The far larger furred body pressed against him intimately, the length of the glistening cock pushed right up against the curve of his ass and one of the hand drew his leg upwards. The minx wriggled a little bit, panting out a breath as the blunt buck teeth nipped against the nape of his neck and he heard the pirate let out a rough sound of pleasure before there was a slow drag backwards. The cock tip pushed forward right beneath his tail. Ralik pushed backwards with a sharp sensation of desire as the cock tip pushed right up along the pink puckered opening. The little nudge pressed forward and the heavier male gave a grind and then pushed into his passage with a steady strain that caused him to tense up and squirm in place.

He moaned and his walls tightened down around the glistening length that was starting to push in deeper, spreading his walls wider and wider, straining the taut O all the way down him. His own cock was twitching against his stomach, the tapered tip soon caught with one of Lasol's hands as the Ratatosk teased him, massaging gently up and down. It made him push backwards while the pirate muffled his own moan of pleasure, pushing forward with enough force that the rodent had to use the other hand to grab his waist to hold him in place with the greedy plunge.

“Almost.. thought.. you'd not see me… this time…" Ralik managed, his eyes squeezing shut with a shudder as he felt a spill of precum oozing out of the cock tip.

The dribble was starting to ooze backwards into the passage, smearing through the passage, making it easier to thrust inside of him as the length began to work in and out slowly, steadily making room and pushing at just the right angle to be sure to rub up against his prostate. Ralik was no longer a diplomat, he was no longer someone that he would think of as being in control of himself, he was falling further into he heat of lust as he bucked upwards. His hips ground and moved back and forth, pushing all the way back as he felt the heavier balls pushing up against his own.

The breath was hot against him, tickling playfully as the tongue darted out with a little slide that moved downwards. He was gripped tightly and he rolled his hips to one side before the heavy swollen cock began to saw its length in and out of him. The sharp drives forward plunged all the way into his belly and then drew backwards again, making him tighten his walls with a squeeze. The gripping hold molding around him before the minx let out a guttural moan and his head tipped backwards again. The hand on his cock rubbed around the very base, rubbing upwards with a little glide to help get him closer to the edge.

“Not gonna.. leave port… yet…" Lasol growled out and his hips began to move faster, deeper, the impact of flesh on flesh loud sounding.

He moved his hand back to slide along the nape of the Ratatosk neck, curling a little bit while he moaned out again. He wriggled his hips and began to push backwards, bucking higher up in place while the powerful movements were rocking against him, making his ears flatten down tight against his head. The powerful cream and tan form pushed over, rolling and pinning him on his belly with a playful laugh before the tongue swiped along the curve of his shoulder and his hips were drawn up higher. He drew his knees upwards as he let out another gasping cry.

His cock jerked upwards against his stomach, his pleasure building itself up while he could feel his balls tightening up. It had been too long since he'd had real relief. Trying to mate with his wife wasn't like this, that took effort, work up, trying to fantasize of anything besides a female, this was so easy. It was gloriously perfect and he moaned out again while he started to lean backwards again against the hips just as the Ratatosk let out a rough moan before the fingers slid along the tip of his cock and began to pump lightly.

The gentle touches making sure that he was put on the edge, his muzzle tucked down close to his chest while he arched his back just a little bit. The teeth bit down against the nape of his neck again, squeezing just a little bit so that he felt another shudder rush through his body and he was lost in the heat of it. He was thrusting his body backwards again, moving and trembling just a little bit as his balls drew up tight before sending out a hot wet eruption of seed spilled out. The hands were rubbing, kneading and pumping, squeezing while Lasol milked him, held him on edge, made his ass clutch along the cock inside of him greedily.

The dizzying waves of pleasure kept falling over him, surging and making him feel the heat flushing along his cheeks. He gave another push backwards again just as his lover let out a guttural moan and pressed deep inside of him. The heavier shaft twitched and swelled open wide, the throbbing twitches that soon sent up a hot gush of seed that poured into his passage. The hips were shuddering a little bit while he was pinned in place, keeping him held backwards as rope after rope flooded into him and left him calling out with little whimpers. The shivers trembling through him again while there was another slow smooth grind upwards.

The pair panted, shuddered, their bodies pressed so tight against one another that Ralik didn't think about anything except his own delight and his muscles went lax. He tipped his head back, resting against the curve of the pale shoulder while the Ratatosk panted in his ear and gave him a light nuzzle. The whiskers teased back and forth, the light touch sending a shiver racing down the back of his spine. He panted out a little bit and shifted his weight, adjusting while he moved his hand back further, gliding his touch with a gentle tease that stroked back and forth. He let himself relax, his entire body throbbing in the afterglow as Lasol let out panting breath and ground his hips forward. The small movement stimulated him, making his eyes slide shut again.

“Ever think of givin' up bein' a filthy diplomat?" The Ratatosk said with a soft sigh. “Take up wit' us, be a pirate, life is easier that way."

“I don't think I'd fair well on a ship for a week, let alone months." Ralik laughed softly and leaned backwards. “Plus, your captain would run one or both of us through."

“In my dream I'd be the Cap'n, our own ship." He persisted with a slide of fingers, rubbing along the spread of the chest, the belly, dancing delicately. “Gotta admit, it'd be simpler."

“Far simpler than what I'll be dealing with tomorrow." He answered and tensed up slightly. “It's going to be damned brutal."

“So says you, I've got a dragon that I've got to make room for on the Hound." Lasol responded and then began to nibble down his neck again. “And somehow convince the crew he's not going to eat them."

“A dragon?" Ralik answered rather slowly, his body starting to respond to the gentle touches, relaxing all over again.

“Rrmmhmm… But those are worries for tomorrow…" The cream and tan rat churred those words as he moved, his length dragging free of his ass slowly. “We have more important things to spend our night with…"

Ralik laughed softly and relaxed as he was pushed onto his back and the Ratatosk sprawled out on top of him, sliding his hands delicately. The gentle touches keeping him relaxed while the whiskered muzzle began to kiss down the line of his chest. He really did make piracy sound like a good idea compared to what was waiting for her tomorrow.

~ ~ * ~ ~

Saltwater swept up along the front of the ship, splatters of it hitting up against Frostscale's nose as he leaned forward and curved his head upwards. He moved his forelegs up to brace directly against the front of the bow, the angle of his head making him look like some barbaric carving that was ready to face the world. His crest was up and his wings tucked back and Valia grinned a little bit as she kept herself seated on one of the boxes that were set beside him. They had been told that they would be comfortable here while the Ratatosk loaded up the ship around them.

They had spent the night sprawled out on the beach together, and once more, her dreams had been strange. Not quite as strange as the night before, but they had been intense, strangely realistic and she had not been a human in them. They came when her dreams turned dark, changing fear and shame into the feel of wind flowing beneath wings and the way the world spread open beneath her flowing body. It was a dream that she had woken up from and felt rejuvenated and strange to look at small skinny fingers and a two legged body. It kept infringing on her thoughts, even as she watched their new home being made ready to sail.

She had to admit, the ship was clean and well maintained, it was so carefully loaded that there was space for everything that they wanted to bring up. The smaller Ratatosk were clever in how they stacked and stored, and she found herself rather impressed with all of it as she rested her back against the dragon's foreleg. She had expected it to be little more than a sloppy stinking pirate vessel with maybe a few clean areas, but this place was so neatly done that she couldn't even pick up the scent of bilge.

“It doesn't smell bad." She said and tipped her head back towards the dragon. “Just smells like the ocean."

“That's because the bilge pumps work, lass!" A cheerful voice called and she glanced up to see the pale cream colored first mate balancing on the railing of the ship. “If a ship sinks, it's because it's poorly maintained."

-I can smell some stink, but my nose is better than yours.- _ Frostscale commented and lowered his head to give a nudge against her shoulder again. _-Are we nearly ready to shove off?-

_ _

“Just about, the Cap'n is just settin' the last of the load." The first mate responded, dropping down with a thud. “We won't be back here for about ten months, maybe more. Ya might as well enjoy the view."

“That's quite some time.." Valia said, but as she looked back at the city, she only felt a small pang of guilt at leaving her father. She had left a note, he would know she was safe.

-And we can start our adventures..- _ Frostscale teased and licked the back of her hand lightly before lifting his head up again. _-I think we'll be rather good at it, don't you?-

_ _

“I really do, too." She answered and rubbed her hand lightly where he'd licked it.

“LASOL! GET THE SAILS READY!" She heard the captain roar out from the ship's wheel, the towering Ratatosk striking a rather dramatic pose as the young drake huffed out an eager noise.

Her thumb rubbed over a spot that felt warmer, the skin a bit reddened right up towards a spot between her fingers. It was like an irritating bug bite and she rubbed a bit more firmly, nails digging down just a little bit until she caught a rough patch that was irritating her. She kept her eyes on the distant pier as she itched, her dry skin parting until she could reach the sensitive area beneath. As the first mate left, barking out orders, she glanced down to see a discolored greyish area on her skin where she had itched. She dropped her hand down onto the rail of the bow and did her best to ignore the urge to continue itching the spot. There was so much more to see and take in on the ship.

“No turning back now." She whispered to the wind, excitement starting to overcome her other emotions, especially as one of the sail was released with a loud snap as it greeted the wind.