Storm clouds rolled overhead as he moved through the darkened and hazy sky.  Though he couldn’t tell, he could feel that it was neither day nor night where he was.  The falling rain pelted him in the face, but he never felt the rain touch him.  The ground passing underneath him seemed to be dead; nothing could live there.  Sharp rocks jutted out from every which angle and direction, as if warding off any unwanted company.  When the rain touched the ground it was instantly swallowed into the thirsty soil that was beneath the rocks.  He watched the horizon as the storm shot bolts of lightning at the ground.  They never seemed to make a loud thunder clap even when striking close by.  Just a silent roar resounded at each bolt.

A strange force was pulling him through the sky.  He knew not where he was going or where he was, all he knew was that this place couldn’t have been real.  He looked around to the sky where the storm was, to the ground where the rocks were, and to the horizon where an unceasing haze and a curtain of lightning bolts gathered.  All he had seen thus far were rocks and dark bottomless canyons.  It was all dreamy like and frightening, but when he came to a hill of large sharp rocks pointing their tips into the ranging clouds, the presence of fear became more apparent.  The rocks towered above his head as he passed under their shadows.  He then noticed that they were all pointing in the shape of a circle.  They all seemed to be protecting something in the center of the ring.

He cringed as he looked from the center of the rock ring, where high above the storm clouds spun in a spiral.  On the ground he saw what the rocks were protecting, two huge doors leading into the ground.  As soon as he saw the doors the unknown force started pulling him to it.  More sharp rocks jutted out from either side of the path, as he moved in front of the doors.  When he came to a stop his eyes went up as he examined the many intricate carvings and designs on the doors.  Looking at them, he felt that the carvings were familiar to his eyes, though he knew for sure that he had never been to this place before.  The carvings seemed to depict some kind of creature, one on each door.  He couldn’t make out any of details of creatures, but both had similar features.

Just then the doors swung open revealing a dark passage leading underground.  Cautiously he stepped into the passage.  The walls were riddled with cracks and dripped water from the storm.  The cold moist smell made its way into his nose as a gust of wind came from the bellows of the cave.  Curling around his ears the wind raced out the doors then forced them shut.  He couldn’t see anything in the darkness.  He could only hear the wind howling outside in the storm.

Just as the sun rose above the mountains that surrounded the valley, Ison woke from his nights sleep.  The first rays of sunlight made their way into his eyes as he stood up on all four feet.  Pushing his front legs forward he stretched then doing the same for his hind legs.  He was a small dark blue dragon no taller then half a full-grown man’s leg.  He knew it was going to be a very nice day, unlike yesterday, which started off with the most unbearable sandstorm Ison had ever been in, thankfully it was a short lived storm.  Looking around from his vantage point atop the clay and brick building, Ison saw that the wind had blown a considerable amount of sand through the streets of Neppuu.  (The village name meant warm wind, but the winds were far from just warm) He had never been in such a place where the winds where known for their violence as they came soaring down form the high mountains surrounding the valley.  The winds always had sand in it, which made it unpleasant to travel in.  Ison grumbled a little to himself as he shook as much sand off his dark blue scales.
It was Ison’s first time in the village of Neppuu, let alone the Urzan desert valley.  His master was always cautions about where he took his dragon and he never liked to travel far from his home village of Tor, where his mate and family lived.  Tanka, Ison’s master, knew of Neppuu’s infamous black-market, but preferred to stay in the Southern Region of the Flenord Desert for his business.
Ison knew his master would be awake and that he should find him soon.  The dragon then walked the perimeter of the flat-topped roof, looking down the edge seeing if there was anyone.  Having not seen anyone, he learned over the edge of the building just above one of the porches to a room.  Then he used his nose to push open the curtain that was spanning the passage that lead inside.  His hind claws were anchored into the roof to keep his from falling and used his front claws to move about.  Looking into the nearly dark room, he noticed a small ledge bed on one side, but no one inside.  He’s not in here, I wonder where he could be; Ison pondered where his master could be.  He then fell onto the porch just as he heard someone yell out his name.  The next thing he heard was a chuckle coming form beneath him.  Very funny, Ison though to himself, rubbing his neck, what a way to start my morning.

“Come on Ison, it was only a joke,” Tanka chuckled innocently “I need to meet our next client so I suggest you make haste and get down here little one.” Tanka was a tall green-scaled Kaerghir with two silver horns on his head, green a long tail, and two wings on his back.  The middle-aged mercenary stood there in his light clothing as he watched his dragon jump down from the porch and land beside him.  Ison may have been his dragon, pet, and subordinate, but he considered the dragon to be a friend.  He even gave Ison a partnership as his fellow mercenary.
As for the Kaerghir, a proud worrier race, though most of the common folk never saw war or heard of such things.  They looked fierce, since most were born with horns on their heads and all had scaly skin and two wings.  You could almost say they were dragons, but the differences between each are staggering.  The Kaerghir had a vast empire that expanded into other stars systems, diverse cultures, and they walked on two legs.
The two made their way into the main street of the village.  It was a crowded marketplace with many shops sold food, weapons, mounts for transportation, and even slaves.  Tanka never liked the idea of having slaves, but it seemed that many Kaerghir would pay a handsome amount for a few.  He went only as far as having pets for help, since they cost less and seldom ran away or turned against you, that is if they were raised well.
“Here we are Ison,” Tanka said as read the sign hanging on a brick and clay building.  The sign hung above the main doorway displaying the name Kara’s, it was Neppuu’s tavern.  When Tanka stepped into the building he saw the many Kaerghir were gathering for breakfast and would soon for off to work.  “Adu!” Tanka nearly shouted as he walked over to his old friend who was the owner of the establishment.  He held out his hand to the copper scaled Kaerghir.  “I’ve come here on business with a client.”

“I would have expected you here sooner or later Tanka my friend, of course only for business,” Adu smiled as he shook Tanka’s hand firmly.  “You don’t seem to so excited, I remember when you jumped at every opportunity for a job.  That was before…”

A grim look passed over each of the Kearghir’s faces as that thought passed through their heads.  Adu and Tanka were once partnered mercenaries.  For both of them the eleven years since then was a long time.  When Adu’s mate had died he took over her tavern.  He couldn’t think of life without her since they both truly loved each other.  Adu had always hated his mate’s tavern, but he never wanted to forget about her, so he became its manager.
“It’s been a long time Adu,” Tanka broke the silence with some small talk.  “I see you’re still taking care of this place.  I don’t think you’ve met my dragon, Ison.” He pointed down at the little blue dragon that taken a seat on his haunches at the side of his master.

“One of those animals, huh? I’ve heard about such creatures, but never believed a word I heard until I saw one with my own eyes.  The governor of the Southern Region was passing through and he had one.  They all say it’s she, but who really cares.  It was orange skinned with two wings, just as yours has, and it had two horns and little ears.” Adu looked back at Ison then started to wonder.  “How did ever get one for yourself Tanka.”

“That’s a very good question my friend, but first let’s have a seat.”

“Aye, I’ll bring the drinks,” Adu agreed as he went behind the bar to get the drinks.  Tanka had taken as seat at a table in a secluded corner of the dinning room.  The waitresses started to clean the tables as the crowed in the building started off back to work.
Ison again was beside his master, this time he had curled up comfortably near his chair.  He hated it when they went to taverns, people always stared at him with their critical eyes and they often didn’t like having a “pet” inside.  Ison let out a light grumble as he sat his head on his forearms.  He felt Tanka stroke him along the neck and comforted him through both thoughts and words.
“I know that you hate the way others look at you, but Adu will not put you outside or allow any ridicule to be said.  Please my friend, you will be rewarded soon enough.”

Ison wasn’t sure what eased his anger; the though of being rewarded or was it that Tanka’s trusting voice and thoughts always soothed him.  He had never forgotten the first day that he met Tanka, nor would he ever.

“You were going to say about your dragon?” Adu urged their conversation on as he sat down and handed Tanka cup of Aran, a red beverage that tasted as fierce as it looked.

“Yes about Ison.  Well, let me think a second,” Tanka hesitated as he recalled the memory.  “I’ve had him about six years now.  I found him in the hands of a foolish subject of the Southern Region governor.  I noticed him when his slaves dropped his cage.” Tanka let out a little chuckle.  “The man was so mad at them that he hadn’t noticed that his dragon was escaping.  I was watching the little guy as he struggled out of the cage to vainly.  I then seized the opportunity to free him and then I convinced the man to sell the dragon to me for next to nothing.” As Tanka finished informing his friend of the event he took sip of his drink.  He then reached down starting to gently rub behind Ison’s ears.

“That’s very interesting,” Adu then looked down at Ison noticing that he seemed to asleep.  “You seem to be very fond of him.  I don’t see what this creature could mean to you.  They seem almost worthless.” The idea of Tanka having a “pet” as friend never entered Adu’s mind.

Ison lifted his head form the ground.  He didn’t like the sound of Adu’s voice.  I wish could give him piece of my mind, Ison thought to himself.

“You never seen one this close up to this day.  How could you think they’re worthless?” Tanka defended his dragon.

“Can it even speak?”

“Why not ask him yourself, Adu?” Tanka countered in mischievous tone.
Adu hesitated for a moment, not feeling it to be normal to talking to an animal.  He looked at Ison for a second then spoke.  “Can you speak, dragon?”

“Yes I can speak,” A voice came from Ison’s muzzle as he looked at Adu who was socked.

“Why haven’t you said anything before now?”

“I rather not speak to your kind.” Ison glanced up at Tanka as he watched Adu’s expressions.

“He’s had many masters and very few have been kind to him,” Tanka justified Ison’s harsh words.

“Why then is he loyal to you, Tanka?”

“I’ve been more lenient to him then his other masters were.” Tanka felt this was the best time to break the news to his friend if he was ever going to.  “As a matter of fact I’ve been so lenient that I’ve made him my partner, as I was once to you.”

Another expression went across Adu’s face.  It conveyed a very confused and shocked Kaerghir.  “Y-you what! You’ve given this animal a partnership.  It’s a pet!”

“I’m not a pet, I’m a dragon!” Ison growled at the one word he hated.

“Calm down, Ison.  There’s a lot more to dragons then you will ever know, Adu.  I’ll prove it to you that he is more then just a pet.  That is if you’re willing to join in one last job?”

“I don’t know, Tanka,” Adu leaned back as looked at his friend, still disappointed by what Tanka’s action.

“It’s been a long time since the last time we worked together, but this will also be my last as well.  And there is one more thing I want to say before I get an answer.” Tanka looked down to his dragon.  “Can you sit up here Ison?” Tanka then pulled out another chair at table offering Ison a seat.  Ison hesitated before he then jumped onto the chair.  He looked at his master with confusion.  “Ison, you’re not my dragon anymore.  You’re free to go where you want.  I don’t expect anything from you anymore.”

Ison sat there staring at Tanka, even more confused after what he just said.  “I don’t understand.” Ison said as he revealed his confusion.

“Ison, I want you to be on you own now.  You are your own master now.” Tanka confessed his full intentions ”But I want to ask you something, not as your master, but as your friend, do you want join me for this last job?”

The dragon hesitated as he let the though settle into his mind.  Of all his masters not one was as kindly as Tanka, who had never beaten him or spoken harshly to him.  The idea of wanting to be free and independent had never approached Ison’s mind.  The idea was nonexistent to him, but now to be his own master and never have to listen to anyone, that idea was now profound.

Ison sat silently still for a minute as he cleaned his mind then spoke.  “Yes I will join you mast-, Tanka.” Ison stopped himself from using Tanka now gone title.  He looked up with excitement at the green-scaled face of Tanka’s.  The dragon’s ears were perked up and his tail tip was flicking behind him.

He could see it, but how could he get it.  The bag was lying on the ground beside a red Kaerghir who happened to be the owner.  The Kaerghir didn’t know he had dropped it, since he was too engrossed in his conversation with a friend.  The bag was filled with what seemed to be small gems of many colors and types.  One gem had fallen out and caught Ison’s eye.  He wanted the bag now that he knew of it’s content.

The dark blue dragon had been exploring Neppuu since he had left Kara’s several hours ago.  Nothing about the town fascinated Ison, but he had always liked exploring new places.  One time through and he knew just about what every building was and where they were.  He used this advantage many time, helping Tanka with mapping out towns and make accurate plans.  This time he didn’t have that in mind since he was looking for something, and he found it.

Ison landed silently as he jumped from the roof of the building opposite the red Kaerghir.  The street was clean with very few travelers.  Trying not to be noticed, he slowly raised himself up on his feet then walked over to the bag of gems.  Glancing at the Kaerghir, he made sure that he wouldn’t be caught.  With a swipe of his claws, Ison took the bag in one hand and the only fallen gem in the other.  All he had to do now was make off with the prize.  With a leap into the sky, the dragon was soon in the air with both wings outstretched.  Not that bad if you ask me, Ison complimented himself as he landed on the same clay building he jumped off.

He then dropped the separate gem into the bag.  When he looked down he noticed his shadow, then he looked up at the sun.  It’s past noon.  Tanka said he was meeting his client around this time he thought to himself.  Holding the bag tightly Ison then jumped back into the air, this time he flew high into the sky, flapping his wings vigorously against the wind.  His arms hung closely to his belly as he fought the pounding winds.  A layer of clear lids protected his eyes from the sands.

His eyes moved from building to building as Ison flied over the village.  A few workers constructing a building pointed up at the little dragon as he moved over them.  Ison landed on the roof of a building near the tavern and then looked over at the workers with one eye.  They seemed to be staring at him and one was point.  Ison shuddered then quickly jumped off the roof and glided down to the doorway of the tavern.

As soon as Ison walked into the tavern, more eyes glared at him from their seats.  The dragon’s eyes dashed around the room, looking for Tanka.  Tanka saw Ison walk in, he called the little dragon to come and join him.  Tanka and another Kaerghir were seated at the same lonely table from the morning, but the other wasn’t Adu, this one was brown in coloring and had gut that one could call him fat.

“Ison, this is Mathis, he is our latest costumer and I think his offer is quite nice for such an easy task, “ Tanka chuckled to Ison as the little dragon jumped onto a seat. “He just wants us to get something for him and you know what that means.” Tanka winked to his friend before chuckling again, this time it was more apparent to Ison, Tanka was drunk.

“I think the beverages here have gotten to your master, little dragon.” Ison looked at the brown Kaerghir, disregarding the use of the word master. He seemed to be too dumb to really notice he was talking to a dragon, which most Kaerghirs looked down on. “I dare say that this once happened to me… I was about nineteen years of age when…”

“Now where were we?” Adu come back in time to save Ison from the horrible fate of having to hear Mathis’ story.  The little dragon absolutely despised stories from ignorant persons. “Tanka my friend take a deep breath and calm down. Do we not have business to discuses with Mathis?”

The green Kaerghir close his eyes then took a very deep and soundless breath. Ison nearly thought Tanka was going to suffocate, since held his breath for a minute or two.

“Okay!” Tanka said as he exhaled. “Let’s go on with this?”

“The person I represent has asked me to find a jewel for him,” Mathis went on; Ison felt the tone and the use of words from his maw where different. “But do not have the time to waste on such a petty task. I’m not saying it’s worthless, but I do have bigger matters to attend to. I will pay you up front and if I am satisfied, I will reward each of you with something else.”

As Tanka thought about this, he gave a glance to see Adu’s expressions. His eyes met with Adu’s then he leaned over to his friend’s ear as he whispered something. Ison watched all three of the Kaerghirs closely as they talked.  With a grin and a chuckle to himself, the little dragon swiveled his ears so he can eavesdrop on them, taking every word said to thought and.

“Adu, I don’t like the sound of this guy so far. I’m not sure if we should take the job. He seems too… “

“Aww… come on Tanka! I see no problem with him. He seems to be a desperate man in a tight position. I think this will one those easy jobs we used to always go for in the days of past. How about it?”

Tanka thought for a moment, thinking back to the past days he was with Adu before he left. He remembers the time they had taken a job to look for a runaway cat. He chuckled at the thought, but he knew it wasn’t going to be that simple. Then the thought of the time they had to acutely go buy stuff for a client’s mate. He had suckered them into a bet they lost and added the list of jobs he wanted them to do.

“Sounds good to me,” Tanka leaned back on his chair then sighed. “What do you say Ison, think we should help him?”

The blue dragon nodded. “I hope so since I’ve already prepared for tonight. A nice storms going to be coming tonight.” Ison has happy blissful grin on his face as he thought about the weather coming.

“That’s my little dragon!” Tanka looked back at Adu for one last approval to go forward. The bronze hide Kaerghir nodded slightly. “We’ll take the job Mathis. Now tell us the details and we will have everything taken care of this very night. Is that good enough?”

“Aye, yes it’s perfect.”