Alptraum walks in silence for a time beside Lilith. His expression is distant and a bit haunted, as if he's trying to work something out as the two are escorted back to the bedrooms. When they both enter, Alptraum turns to Lilith and says, "She isn't anything like I expected, Lilith." Alptraum looks a bit agitated, worried, and confused at the same time.

"Well, you should see her when she does the full Dark Powers thing to impress the Gallisians," Lilith says, and then puts a hand on Alptraum's shoulders. "Still, you shouldn't be so jittery. It's not like she's going to throw you in a dungeon or anything."

"No, I don't feel that way at all," Alptraum says, brow furrowed. "I'm not quire sure I can explain it. She and I … are not so different."

"And I must say you behaved very well," Lilith notes. "You didn't even ask her about those cursed soldiers you'd mentioned before, or really question anything you think she's done."

"I considered it, but … after meeting her, I understand better. She's just trying to do the best she can in a situation she didn't want," Alptraum says as he sits heavily on the bed. "Like me. Like how I didn't destroy the Yodhblakat, but trying to reform them in a fashion. It's easy to say what someone should have done … when it's not you making that decision."

"That's why I'm happy to just be a spy," Lilith says, grinning. "I just give people what they need to make their decisions."

"That's not always enough," Alptraum says as he looks at the floor. "And if something happens to her … that's the end. The end of Draco County and possibly the end of Sylvania."

"There's no one left in her line," he adds.

Lilith sits down and nods. "Yeah… that's not something we want to get around though, you understand? She could still give another two or three hundred years after all."

"Or she could die tomorrow if she has to stop a massive assault," Alptraum points out and sighs. He rubs his forehead, and then says, "I have to do something, Lilith. For her. For everything she gave up and suffered through for the people here. I want to give her hope, a future."

"You think you can become another dracul for her, then?" Lilith asks, serious.

Alptraum looks up. "It doesn't have to be me. I won't lie that I don't find her beautiful, but … it's not what I would want that matters. It's giving her that future, be it with me, or be it with someone else," he says, equally serious. "I have access to dragon spirits and some of their knowledge and we know that the Shadow of Amena is a bound Shadow Dragon. There has to be something I could do. Some spirit I could find that could be used to form another dracul. She said something about surviving the bonding process … how bad is it, do you know?"

"I only know that it's really traumatic," Lilith says. "When I asked her about it long ago, she said it was like… giving up yourself. Like being eaten alive and reborn."

Alptraum nods and rubs his neck. "I … I would do it. For her and for Sylvania," he admits.

"Well, there are other things to worry about first," Lilith reminds him. "But you'd better come to grips before going back out to talk to the others, or they'll all get scared."

"I know, I know," Alptraum says with a nod. "I need to get a course planned out. That will calm me enough that I can focus on Dack and dealing with him. I think I should talk to Kaira and ask her if she can at least put a few questions out for me on those who can read languages and more information on Shadow Dragons themselves."

"Well, just don't bring her out without some warning," Lilith advises. "Having a dragon – even a little one – suddenly appear in the castle would cause a mess."

"Do you think I'm crazy, Lilith? I've just met her and I'm already willing to risk everything to help her," Alptraum asks and looks up to the other Eeee. "And I wasn't planning on bringing her out. I was going to go in."

"Nah, you aren't crazy, just inspired," Lilith says, grinning again. "She's like that. It's her job to inspire people!"

"Want to come in with me?" Alptraum asks the Eeee. "Or would you prefer to stay here? It's pretty strange inside a changing world of spirit, soul, and cranky immortals."

Lilith seems to consider it, then sighs. "I'd love to, but I have to bring Tulani in next. I shouldn't risk being tardy."

"Another time, then. Just remember that the people that look like Ravenia in there aren't nearly as nice as Ravenia. I should have asked if the Countess would want to go … but she's too busy right now and I doubt she would," Alptraum comments and lays back on the bed. Idly, he draws the knife and looks at the dark blade.

"I'll leave you to it then," Lilith says, and leans over to give Alptraum a kiss on the cheek. "Just be careful."

"Hey, I'm always careful, right? It's not like I taunt Yodhblakat or anything," Alptraum says with a grin. "Be gentle with Tulani. I'll be back shortly… " And with that, the Eeee pricks his finger on the blade.

The room spins and gets sucked away down some drain, taking Alptraum with it. When things stabilize, he finds himself sitting on a whicker chair on a long porch, looking out over an expansive lawn. He's dressed all in white, including a wide-brimmed hat, and for some reason sporting a goatee. The air is warm and humid, inspiring a sense of lethargy.

"Well, I've never had a goatee before. This feels odd on an Epee," Alptraum comments as his senses slowly return. He's gotten used enough to the odd places he lands in here that it really doesn't phase him. He gets to his feet and stretches a bit, then looks around for the familiar blue-scaled nag, his friend Kaira.

A familiar dragon sits on a porch swing nearby, dressed in layers upon layers of frilly skirts and holding, for whatever reason, a parasol. "I do declare," she says in an odd accent. "The summer is just crawling along like a June bug on a rotted log."

"Have you been dipping into some wine, sugah? This reminds me of a few odd dreams I've had while drunk," Alptraum drawls as he heads over to the porch swing to join the dragon. "Miss me?"

"I've been keeping busy," the dragoness claims. "Good to see you are still alive though. What brings you to this quaint neck of the woods?"

"Things always get more complicated," Alptraum says. "What would you say if I told you there is a way to ensure I live a long, long, time? How much would you feel that is worth to risk?"

"That depends on the risk," Kaira comments, rocking the swing lightly. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well, there's a situation in Draco County that I may be able to help with," Alptraum begins and looks out across the lawn. "But, it may require that I bond with a shadow dragon or something similar."

Kaira turns her head halfway to look at Alptraum, her eyes unreadable. "Are you asking for my permission, or for something else?" she asks.

"I want to understand the risks and what concerns you would have," Alptraum says flatly.

"You know far more about dragons than I do," he adds.

"Ah, well, the risks," Kaira says, warming up again. "Basically, you could lose your soul. If it's the sort of 'bond' I suspect, it means taking on a part of the dragon's Name. The danger is of the dragon being the more dominant will."

"Okay. I have a way to obtain the dragon's true name and hopefully use that to keep it in check," Alptraum says with a short nod. "But what do you mean about losing my soul?"

Scaly brows rise up at the mention of having access to a dragon's Name, but Kaira addresses the immediate question. "Such a bond is done at the fundamental level. Your soul is altered, as your own Name is rewritten to include part of the dragon's. Just as I have the Name of my creator and Vorgulremik's. Because I am a spell, there wasn't a battle of wills to overcome, so I'm not controlled by the Steel Dragon."

"Then that follows from how I heard the experience described that Countess Draco underwent, about being devoured and reborn," Alptraum says with another nod. "Now, let me explain why I'm asking. For a long time, a ruler of Draco County has always shared a bond with a shadow dragon. The last bonding was with a woman. But, the bonding happened before she had a child and because of the bonding … now can't have children. When she dies, it's the end of her family, which means the end of Draco County. Draco County is the only major power standing in the way of the Gallisian army."

"If there were another dragon-paired Eeee, it would be possible to continue the line," he adds.

Kaira rocks in silence for a bit. "I can see how such a bond would solve certain issues, so long as the offspring were male," she finally says. "I've no way of knowing if your Barsunala tag-along would survive or not. Spirits in your world follow rules I'm not fully aware of. And I'm assuming that you don't intend to bond to the same Shadow Dragon as the Countess?"

"No. Here's one of the problems. The Shadow of Amena is, or well, was, a shadow dragon. I have the device that was used to control it … which has its true name inscribed on it," Alptraum explains. "Which, well, I also need to find someone who can translate it."

"And I'm not saying this even has to be me. If the Countess wished someone else, it may be possible that he bond with it instead," Alptraum adds.

"Ah, now that is a trick," the dragon says. "And I doubt anyone else could manage a forced bonding, since the Shadow is unlikely to be willing. I think you're talking about the double-headed torc you found in the Well of Souls, correct?"

"Correct. Countess' Draco's ancestor had one similar when he defeated the shadow dragon and bonded with it," Alptraum explains, "So that's how I know what it is now."

"I couldn't read the inscription on that thing," Kaira says. "But I'm not fey. The Shadow Dragons are creatures of faerie, like most immortals. You'd need someone similar to transcribe the Name into your mind. It's not just a matter of reading it off: it isn't just a word, but a deeper… hmm… flavor."

"I would need to try and allow a Fay to share my body and 'read' it to me?" Alptraum asks next and rubs his chin in thought. "Is that even possible?"

Kaira considers it. "Well, yesssss… maybe. We know Ravenia can be a suitable medium, and be able to use magic to some degree while possessed. However, I doubt she'd be up to a task like this. You've dealt with immortals and souls on a more intimate basis, and have the ability to work the transfer yourself."

"So, I would have to transfer to myself," Alptraum concludes with a small frown. "That sounds dangerous."

"Oh, the dangerous part will be holding the Name in your head without succumbing to it," the dragon points out. "So, I wouldn't suggest you even try it until you're ready to use it."

"Ah, okay, so at the moment of bonding," Alptraum says with a nod. He turns a bit to look right at Kaira and actually reaches over and takes her hand. "It sounds like of the Eeee in the world, I'm the prime candidate, then … so I guess the question I have for you is, then … do you think this is a stupid risk? Honestly? I made an oath to help you, and I intend to keep it. I had thought this may be a way to better help if I could not only assure a longer life, but have a land and allies as well."

"The risk is there," Kaira says, "But I wouldn't call it stupid. It would resolve several issues in one stroke. My main concerns are with the process itself, and finding someone I can trust to transcribe the Name to you and nothing more. I'd like to get a closer look at this corrupted Shadow Dragon as well."

"Well, we will be going to the shadow soon enough," Alptraum says and takes his hand back. "I could also arrange a meeting between you and the Countess, who has already bonded with one, if you wish to examine how it affected her?"

"You can ask her, and I'll come if invited," Kaira says. "A Shadow Dragon would not exactly find me impressive, even if I were flesh and blood again. The fey can be like that. What else can you tell me about this Countess?"

"Well, honestly, she's a lot like me. She's about ten years older, but had to take on the roll when she did not wish to. It's … part of the reason I want to help her. She's not perfect, but then neither am I," Alptraum explains. "Physically, she's solid black with irises that burn like fire."

"And the other part of the reason is that you find her attractive?" Kaira asks, hiding her smirk behind a fan.

"There is a part of that, I will not lie. But if she wished someone else, I would pursue trying to find a way to complete the bond for that person instead. This isn't about me. It's about her and the future of Sylvania," Alptraum says quite honestly. "It's … meeting someone like me, I want them to succeed. I want to help Sylvania survive."

"I doubt I would trust anyone else with the power of a Shadow Dragon," Kaira says. "How are things otherwise? Have you found anyone you'd like to kill yet?"

"The guy going for the shadow, Dack," Alptraum says, again quite honestly. "What can you tell me about a shadow dragon? What are they? And … why do you trust me? I'm grateful … honored. I would like to understand how I earned that trust."

"I've seen you use power, that's why," Kaira says. "And the Shadow Dragons are nominally part of the Unseely Court, more so than any other dragon kin are. That makes them unusual, as dragons generally don't form long-term alliances like that. They're non-corporeal, manifesting as darkness and shadow, but can still manipulate physical objects if they need to. They don't like unicorns, I recall."

"So, they're basically amoral? Or are they more evil," Alptraum asks next. "The one the Countess is bound to once ravaged Sylvania until it was subdued. Now its power defends the lands."

"They're dragons," Kaira says. "Greed, amorality and throwing your weight around are considered dragon virtues you realize. Ideas of Good and Evil will just confuse the issue."

"Right, sorry, I forgot," Alptraum says with a grin towards his draconic friend. "You must be the black sheep of the dragon kin, as you are generally good, you know. Of course, yes, I know you're a spell, but."

"My kind aren't considered true dragons for a variety of reason," Kaira says, waving her fan. "But I'm dragon enough to handle the rest of them. Any preferences for who or what you want to help you with the Name?"

"Well, preferably something that doesn't try to take over my mind, of course," Alptraum answers. "It may be worthwhile that I take some time to make a few visits in here and we can go meet more of the various groups, perhaps. I don't want to run into this. This is dangerous and would change me forever. I'm more than willing to be careful."

Alptraum then, in a fit of feeling silly, waggles his eyebrows at Kaira and comments, "But, are you dragon enough to handle me?" He grins.

"Haven't I been so far?" Kaira shoots back, with a sly look.

"Point made," Alptraum says with a nod, still grinning.

"How different do you think I would end up if I bound to what you would consider an average shadow dragon?" Alptraum asks. "And I'm guessing you would still be comfortable dealing with me?"

"I didn't have a problem with you wanting to bind to your Barsunala half more, and this is essentially the same thing," Kaira notes. "Except that I understand dragons better. It's also possible that this particular one doesn't have much a mind left at all, which will play in our favor. And I've never been comfortable dealing with you, to be honest Alptraum. My needs put you at a lot of risk, and I don't exactly feel great about that."

"The risk I put myself in is my choice," Alptraum says and reaches over to tap Kaira's nose. "You asked. I was who accepted the danger. It isn't like you're forcing me."

"No, but I can be insistent, and there are those here who would force you if given the chance," the dragon replies, rubbing her nose. "And those are the good ones."

"I find your insistence sort of charming," Alptraum tells Kaira. "I consider us equal partners in this. I couldn't manage much of it without your knowledge and I give you hands in the outside world."

"Where I really shouldn't be meddling in the first place," the dragon notes. "But I owe you whatever help I can give, especially for something that might conceivably bring you some happiness at some distant future point… "

"So … if I merge with this dragon … how much of me will be left? Or will it really be as if a new person is born?" Alptraum inquires. "With the Countess, she seemed as though she was still mainly who she used to be, I think."

"The bond was mutual in her case, and probably is just enough to let her tap into the dragon's power," Kaira says. "I'm not sure a mortal could really take a deeper bonding without burning out or having to become a full immortal. Now, you don't need the same kind of bond, really, and it probably won't be mutual. Safest thing will be to defeat the Shadow's will, if it has any, first, then swoop in and take it over."

"And you have an advantage that your Countess didn't," the dragon adds.

"Which is?" Alptraum asks.

"A dagger that can suck up a soul, even that of a Shadow Dragon," Kaira says, with an altogether draconic smile. "You can try to do the bonding in here, and if something goes wrong, the dragon will still be trapped."

Alptraum blinks. "I didn't think of that. Could it really suck up the Shadow of Amena?" he says, wide eyed. "I think … I would also want the Countess present if possible, just to have someone who has been through this before nearby."

"Well, unless you plan to bring her to the Shadow, sucking it up is probably the best option," Kaira notes. "And you should be able to… it just means tapping into one of Vorg's abilities again, unless you feel you can manage it on your own with the Barsunala powers."

"Well, I intend to try and improve my powers before going. I'd rather not use his if I can avoid it," Alptraum says with a shiver. The Eeee then leans back in the swing and comments, "Some days, I wonder if I've just gone completely insane."

"If you have to wonder about it, then you probably aren't yet," Kaira notes, then whispers conspiratorially, "The key, see, is to go functionally insane."

Alptraum has to snort at that. "It's just that here I am talking about willingly altering myself for a woman I barely know, in hopes of helping her and our land," he explains with a small shrug. His brow furrows, then he asks, "And, there aren't any shadow dragons already in here, right? Or are there? It might be worthwhile to meet one."

"There might have been one or two, I'd have to check the census," Kaira admits. "But they'd have gone with the others when you channeled them through Hekat."

"Did all the dragons go out then?" Alptraum asks with a frown. "Gah. If I had known beforehand… "

"Of course I got rid of them as soon as I could," Kaira notes. "Otherwise they'd be harping on me worse than the others. There's a reason dragons don't socialize together very much."

"So, we won't socialize as much after the bonding?" Alptraum asks, brow raised a bit.

"Oh, I meant with other dragons," Kaira says. "I doubt I'd pal around with your dragon, if it was capable of it, but I'd still want to see you."

"Good. I would miss our chats, as odd as they are," Alptraum comments, "And the weird games you always get me to play with you."

"Oh, the games," Kaira notes, and glances at he lawn. "Ever played croquet?" she asks.

"No, I can only really play the recorder," Alptraum admits.

Kaira laughs, flapping her fan. "No, it's a game. You knock big wooden balls through hoops stuck in the lawn, using mallets. Or flamingos if you're daring. And you drink mint juleps and comment on what the common folk are doing."

"In this place, I wonder what is counted as common?" Alptraum wonders as he stands up and stretches a bit. "What's a flamingo? It sounds like a dance."

"A big pink bird that poses on lawns for some reason," Kaira says, then struggles to her feet amidst the heavy skirts and holds out her elbow for Alptraum to take.

Alptraum slips his arm into Kaira's. "Interesting. Can … can we hit the flamingos with the mallets? That sounds like more fun… " the Eeee asks with a grin. "Or hit the balls through the hoops, with the mallets, at the flamingos?"

"That would make more sense, I think," Kaira says, leading down to the lawn. "It's almost romantic, you going off to subdue a dragon to impress a princess. Just like in the olden days, before they invented cars… "

"What's a car?" Alptraum has to ask as they walk across the lawn. "If it's anything like cards, well, we already have those. Cards can be fun, but generally it requires a lot of drinking, which then causes a lot of burping. Women don't seem to like burping much. So, hmm, I guess they do ruin romance… "