Companions, a , a sword, and a purpose

My egg had landed a few hundred feet from a sheer cliff overlooking the narrow sea that separated Cendor from Anduvia. The Veil Sea, they called it, for each Andoran nation seemed content to simply ignore what went on beyond their borders.

There was a slight chill to the air, and the smell of saltwater. I realized I could almost sense, barometrically, impending weather currents, so sharp were my senses. I detected the four people gathered near my location before I regarded them with my eyes. They would wait a moment while I took in the sight of the afternoon sun over the ocean to the west.

Finally, when I was satisfied with the moment, that I had let the sounds, sights, and smells of my glorious arrival form a lasting memory, I turned to face those who had been chosen to meet me first in the world.

Sephillia, the Archdemon of Lust, stood out among them. The buxom demon-bombshell knelt in the front of the group, facing me. A magnificent sword rested on her upturned hands in offering. My due payment from Malgoroth, she and the sword both. "My Lord..." she breathed as my gaze touched her. Her eyes were intense, burning coals of pale orange light in her head. Those eyes, her posture, her deep, excited breathing, and even the acrid scent of her demonic body all screamed the same message. She was horny. Possibly all the time.

Beside her, staring at me with equal—and yet entirely different—intensity was my zealous worshipper, Yolfi. She looked about thirty years of age, and those years had been hard. Not unattractive, but not stunning, she had a certain beauty all her own. One that came from the strength of her bearing and convictions as much as her flesh. She fell to her knees when I looked at her, whispering to herself about beauty and praises and The Chaos Dragon, then more about blood and ash. It had the cadence of a prayer.

The demoness may have been pure sex appeal—enough that I had to take a second look and even felt my own blood stirring in response to her sheer intensity—but the creature standing a little ways behind her was so beautiful that she managed to match the seas and the skies in their majesty. Azralynn, my near-kin. The scaleling mage. I caught her gaze and held it, impressed that she didn't turn away. But then, I knew she had stood face to face with plenty of True Dragons in her time. But I was no mere True Dragon, and it showed in the expression of captivated wonder on her lovely features. She was in awe of me, as was appropriate.

Finally, the last of my group: Ilithyia stood off to one side, looking more confused than anything else. She likely hadn't counted on being whisked away from her home to stand ceremoniously in witness of the Sixth Dragonfall. The foolish girl was dressed in a very thin gown and fine, delicate slippers, not at all suited for travel. She hugged herself as if warding away the slight chill in the air. The girl was a fine gem in my little collection, and I would make good use of her wealth and status, but she meant little to me beyond that.

No one broke the silence as I regarded them each in turn, until the moment was ended suddenly when Ilithyia said, "Seriously? This is the Great Dragon? It's puny. I've watched my guards slay bigger dragons than you for a lark while I have my tea. And who are all you people supposed to be?"

Azralynn covered her mouth in shock, wide eyes darting back to me to see what I would do.

Yolfi jumped to her feet. "You ignorant whelp!" she spat.

Sephillia just smiled and continued to stare at me hungrily, her tail lashing impatiently. I could literally sense her desire in the air around us.

I tilted my angular purple head curiously, tempted to slap her across her mind with Mind Control. It was very tempting, but I resisted. All in due time would I Mark my Companions. For the time being, knowing that any number of Monster Hunters and dragon-haters would have been alerted by the Dragonfall, it would be prudent for my group to clear out sooner rather than later.

"Ilithyia." I said simply, and she managed to look surprised and innocent. "It's not good to play the fool. You know you are here because you wished on my Fall. I chose you to have that wish granted. That makes you a person of significance in this world. A wisher. My companion." I let a small amount of irritation bleed into my tone. "I will not be tolerant of your nonsense again."

The girl gaped at me for a moment before snapping her mouth shut. "S-sorry."

Azralynn spoke suddenly, as if she'd been eagerly awaiting a good time to interject. "Great Dragon, sir... lord?" She eyed the nearly naked demoness who had addressed me as Lord, unsure what to make of her, but quickly recovered to grant me her full attention. She stepped forward and fell on her knees. "Thank you for hearing me. For choosing me. I know it goes without saying, but I am saying it now. I am yours, Great Dragon. If you desire True Dragon offspring, I will lie with you every day and night. Whatever it takes." She ran her hands down her body, biting suggestively at her lower lip as if distracted by her own arousal. In a hopeful tone, she added, "I've been told I am a most skilled consort."

"You are mine, niece, and I will lie with you. But I want you to understand you cannot give me a child. It is no fault of yours."

Her hand went to her mouth again. "No... You're infertile? But how can you be sure? My Lord, we can try—"

"I am sure." I said firmly. It had been a difficult choice, but in the end I knew I planned to live forever among countless adoring mortal servants. Children would just become potential complications. Distractions. No, procreation was the sad longing of lasting purpose for creatures with an end. Not for me.

The scaleling had hoped to be of some special use to me by virtue of her heritage, that much was clear.

I continued, "And from now on, Azralynn, I expect you to willingly produce no offspring for any dragon unless I have specifically commanded it. We will not discuss this again."

She nodded stiffly. "Of course, Great One. I... wouldn't think of it." She was shaken by this; I almost felt bad for her.

I turned my head to the Archdemoness. "And you. ****."

Sephillia perked up. "My Lord. How may I please you? I can smell your need, Lord. It's... affecting me. Let me sate you, please."

I took a moment to appreciate the fact that two very attractive women were competing for a chance to sleep with me. "You will, in time. All of you." I gestured broadly with a clawed hand. "But first, I want to relocate this party somewhere we can get to know each other in peace. Andor is no friend to either of us, yet."

The demoness nodded, and Azralynn said, "Yet? You mean, you would seek to change that? But how?"

Yolfi clenched her fists and spoke from the rear of the group, glaring pointedly at the Cendoran princess. "Burn it all to the ground. Break the backs of these fools who would dare hunt you, Great Dragon. You and your kind are the only ones fit to rule this world." She seemed to regard the half-dragon favorably, but eyed the demoness suspiciously as she spoke.

"Yolfi, my pet," I said, smiling. "That is a very good idea."