forum Romance?

Started June 22, 2020 by @ElderGodSwimwithGamers group

tune

Sebastian was about to come out from behind the rock and attack the nearest creature when he heard the whistle. That was definitely a human sound. What were they thinking? He stayed down, watching the man step out and try to talk to the beasts. Had the man gone mad? He scowled.

A rumble passed over the crowd of beasts. Archer could feel their wariness. “I’m not here to hurt you,” he repeated. “May I speak to you? Do you have a leader? An alpha?”
There was slight pause, then the drakes parted. The drake walking between them was slightly larger than the rest, with dark stripes running down his back. Those fiery eyes were intelligent, observant, yet inhuman. The creature stood before him, then he opened his mouth, a deep growl escaping from it.
”You shall address me as the Zenpiri, human.”
Before Archer could say anything, the drake thrust out his forearm, pinning him between his claws. Archer tried to stay calm. Sometimes dragons needed to have the advantage. “Of course, Zenpiri.”
Though dragons couldn’t make facial expressions, he felt like the creature was frowning. ”If you say you don’t intend to hurt us, then why do you bear weapons?”
“These?” Archer jerked his head to the crossbow and shield at his back. “They are not to be used to hurt you. They are used to protect me. And besides, I can’t use them now, can I?”
”No, human, that is true,” the Zenpiri hissed. ”But then the question arises. What are your true intentions?”

Sebastian watched the scene unfold, scowling. This man was going to get himself killed. He quietly made his way around the rocks, thinking it would be possible for him to save this isn't before that beat killed him. He was obviously spouting nonsense, thinking he could talk to the things. As if they could understand.

Archer thought he saw something out of the corner of his eye. But he couldn’t dwell on that now. “My intentions are to protect you and your pack, your subjects, whatever you wish me to call them. There are humans out there that wish you and all your kind dead. Let me take you to a safe place. But first, I must ask you something. Do you consider humankind your prey? Do you consume human offspring, or weaker humans that pass by?”
He had gotten used to using language like this in his travels. It seemed to be the best way to talk to dragons.
The Zenpiri seemed to consider his words. Then, surprisingly, he lifted his forearm, freeing Archer from his grip. ”No, humankind is not our prey. You are not to our liking, and you aren’t large enough to satisfy us.”
Good to know, Archer thought. “The humans nearby believe you are responsible for preying on them. There may be one coming here to kill you.”
The drake huffed. “Why should we worry? We may not have the power of flight or fire, but we are many, we are strong. Do not underestimate us.”
“I wouldn’t underestimate humans either, Zenpiri,” he said. “They bear weapons much more fearsome and deadly than mine. I know a place near the mountains where you will be safe. There are caves to shelter your subjects, and plenty of prey.”

This man was definitely insane. Why the creature had let go, Sebastian had no idea. But that just meant he had more than enough opportunity to get this loonie out of here and kill the dragon like creatures. He was almost to the man, weapon out and ready to strike at the creature in front of him. He just hoped the man wouldn't be crazy enough to give him away.

The drake looked as if he was about to respond, but he stopped. He stared out into the forest, somewhere just beyond where Archer was standing. A hissing noise escaped his throat and he flicked his tail. At once, two of the drakes sprang out of the crowd. Archer turned to see a man in armor, his sword drawn, just before the two drakes tackled him.
A knight.

Sebastian cursed as the smaller creatures tackled him. He struggled against them, managing to wound one before his sword was knocked away from him. There went his advantage. And probably his life too. Oh well. He'd kept struggling to get away, not giving up. He really wouldn't until he died.

Archer could only watch as they fought, before the drakes managed to hold him down. The knight still struggled, even though it was clear that such efforts were futile. Somehow, Archer found it amusing.
“I would stop doing that if I were you,” he said. Then he turned to the Zenpiri. “See? Let me take you to a safe place. But please, spare this human’s life, as I value it as much as yours.”
As much as he hated meddling knights, he saw an opportunity before him.

Sebastian stilled a moment to look at the crazy man.
"As if you're talking to them will get either of us out of this alive," he said, tone disheartened a little. Absolute lunatic, but at least he was trying to save Sebastian's life.

“Well, he hasn’t killed me yet, has he?” Archer muttered.
”Do you know this human? Is he your friend? Why did you lead him here if he clearly meant to harm us?” the Zenpiri’s eyes were hard.
“I don’t know him, Zenpiri, and didn’t lead him here. He is one of the humans who wish to kill you.”
He paused for a moment. Then, “I see. Let me discuss this ‘safe place’ and you with my subjects.”
He turned to the other drakes, and they began murmuring to each other. The two drakes holding the knight down let him up and joined the others. Archer turned to the knight.
“Okay, while he’s talking with them, let me talk to you.”

(it's alright, I understand!)

Sebastian was surprised when the creatures let him go.
"How did you do that?" He asked, getting to his feet as best he could. "I've never known a dragon to let go, let alone… Whatever these are."

“That’s because you come in planning to kill them.” Archer smirked. “Of course, being able to communicate with them helps. These are drakes. Despite not being able to fly or breathe fire, they can be just as fearsome as any other dragon. Anyway, who might you be? I’m Prince Archer.” He wanted to say this casually, but he thought it might not come across that way, being the prince.

Sebastian blanched. Oh crap. He'd thought there prince was crazy. Shit. He did his best to salvage his honor, kneeling a little.
"I'm sorry, your highness," Sebastian said quickly. His family wasn't in very good standing with the royals, his father having married a foreign peasant of all people. He could feel his father's shame of him now.
"I am Sebastian Goldheart, your humble servant."

Despite his best efforts, Archer could feel amusement creeping up on him again. “Hey, don’t worry about it. Just Archer is fine. Nice to meet you Sebastian, despite the circumstances. I understand I may look funny, waltzing into a drakes’ nest. But don’t worry, I’ve had practice waltzing.” he winked.
“Now. I have a proposition for you. A crazy one, but hear me out.”

Sebastian hesitated, slowly standing back up.
"I… What is the proposition… Archer?" He was still hesitant to use the prince's first name. And- he got winked at?! This entire situation felt like a haze dream.

Archer took a breath. “Despite what you may believe, dragons are not as terrible as you might think. They are only terrible because humans were terrible first. At least, that’s simplified version. Killing these creatures would have terrible repercussions for the world. I believe we must preserve what’s left of the population. So. Would… would you travel with me? I.. I think I could move dragons to safe place, and maybe speak to people and convince them that…” he trailed off, looking away from Sebastian and at his feet instead.

Sebastian, at this point, was staring at Archer. He quickly stopped though. This was the prince. One did not simply stare at the prince unabashedly.
"I…" Sebastian hesitated a bit. "I'll do whatever you desire me to. If you want me to come with you, I will." Even if he thought it was completely crazy.

Archer looked up in time to see Sebastian look away. He couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you. I mean that. Maybe you knights aren’t all that bad.”
He turned to see the drakes looking at them expectantly.
”Are you finished?” the Zenpiri asked. ”We’ve made our decision. We shall go with you to the safe place.”
Archer cleared his throat. “Um, yes. Wonderful! Do need time to prepare to leave?”
”We need only to call up the young mothers and the elderly.” He flicked his tail and stamped his foot of the ground. After a few moments, more drakes joined the existing group. Archer noticed some of them had large cheeks, like a chipmunk carrying nuts.
The Zenpiri looked over the group, as if he was doing a head count. Then he looked to Archer.
”We are ready. Do you need time to prepare as well?”
“Um…” Archer checked his supplies. His shield and crossbow, check. A small bag of food and water, check. Some rope, check. A knife, check. A notebook, check. “I’m ready. Uhh…”
He looked to Sebastian. “They say they are ready to leave. Do you have what you need? Are you ready?”

Sebastian watched the drake carefully, still very wary of it.
"I have everything I need with me," he confirmed. "I'm ready to go…"