A More Accommodating Form

The two Dragons looked around for several seconds more before their bodies crackled with energy, a blue light surrounding them as they began to shrink. Sylvia squinted, trying to see through the glow as it grew smaller but more concentrated. The shape of the light twisted as it took on a more humanoid form and, when it finally faded, Sylvia marveled at what was left behind.

Standing in front of her and her mother was a barrel-chested, thick armed, hulk of a Dragon in the basic shape of a man. Sylvia had seen dragons in this form before as well, usually so they could better move about the town and interact with the people when they visited from their caves in the mountains. He was dressed in weathered steel breastplate, tied to his torso with leather straps and a simple grey loincloth covering his lower body. His face was still Dragon-shaped but in this form a row of spikes ran across his lower jaw as if it were a small, white beard.

For a moment, Syllvia found doubt running through her. This had to be the one she was to be promised to and would have to challenge for her freedom. If he was this powerful looking in a humanoid state, did she stand a chance?

"I am Orgon," the Dragon said, his voice deep and gravelly as he bowed towards Camilla, "I thank you for welcoming us, Queen Camilla."

"Welcome, Sir Orgon," Camilla replied with a formal curtsy, "I hope this visit will be productive for our continued alliance."

Orgon nodded... and then tilted his head to the side at the Queen curiously. "Camilla..." he muttered, "I do believe we have met before. Though you were quite a bit smaller then."

Camilla blinked in surprise and then a memory struck her and her jaw dropped open as she gasped, "You! You were the one who came for my sister! If you are here now, in need of another mate, does that mean..."

Syllvia felt her stomach turn in knots as her nervousness grew. Mother had not mentioned Dragons needing multiple mates in one life time. How rough was their treatment? And how much more important was it for her to win?

"Eh?" Orgon grunted in surprise, "No no no. I am no longer capable of such a duty and Riana had asked me to see which of her siblings had taken the throne. I suspect she will be surprised that it has reached as far down as you were in succession."

Camilla gasped, "You say she still lives?! Then why..."

"She lives but is not capable of providing any more heirs either," Orgon replied, "So now that a new Bloomer has come along..."

"Then why have you not returned her?!" Syllvia suddenly interjected, "If she can no longer fill your needs, at least let her live out the rest of her days with her family!"

"Syllvia," Camilla barked, "Please leave such matters to me."

Syllvia grunted and took a step back from her mother's steely gaze. Orgon looked at her as well, an oddly sympathetic look coming to his face as he calmly replied, "You must be the chosen Princess. There are two reasons we cannot, my dear. The first reason is we are grateful for her sacrifice and will show appreciation by caring for her as best we can. The second is... more difficult to explain but you will understand once you experience it yourself."

"I doubt that," Syllvia grumbled, causing Orgon to look at Camilla questioningly.

"There are... terms we must discuss before the choice can be finalized," Camilla said, "but let us discuss such things after dinner. You and this... Bloomer must be hungry after your trip."

"Yes," Orgon replied with a nod, "We appreciate your family's repeated hospitality in the face of this situation."

"Wait," Syllvia spoke up again, "If you are not the one I am promised to, then who...?"

She suddenly remembered the second, jet-black colored Dragon. He too had transformed so he should have been right next to Orgon but when she looked around, no other Dragon was in sight but Orgon.

Orgon looked around as well, his jaw hardening and eyes narrowing in clear annoyance as he shouted out, "Branagon! Where have you wandered off to, boy?!"

Turning back to the humans, the dull-green colored Dragon said, "My apologies. He's young and because of his nature he's never been allowed to leave the caves before now. Something must have caught his attention and he's gone off to gawk at it."

"I'll alert the guards," Camilla said, "And Syllvia, you help too."

"What?!" Syllvia yelped, "Why, Mother?!"

"I said you should speak with him kindly before we discuss the terms you desired," Camilla replied, "This may give you a chance to do so if you find him first."

Syllvia grunted in disguised, "Fine."