Dragon's Garden
A static sun hangs overhead in a cloudless blue sky, shining down on grass, flowers and trees with colors that seem just a bit too vibrant to be real. The babbling brook nearby tends to repeat itself, and the grass is a bit overly cushioned and even. The center of the garden has a picnic laid out under the shade of a large apple tree, its limbs burgeoning with golden fruit.

"So what did you find out?" Kaira asks Alptraum once he returns from Vorgulremik's cave. "Did he sneak into your head or not?"

"He claimed I either brought him there myself, or you did it," Alptraum answers as he walks over and collapses into a pile of bat under the tree. "That it was not in his best interest to torment me, so he obviously wouldn't have done it."

"He would use logic to deflect any suspicion," Kaira grumbles, and sits next to Alptraum with her wings to the tree. "But… he did admit to having a part in the dream then?"

"Yes. It admitted freely that he was there," Alptraum says, "And we have a bit of a yelling match."

The dragon blinks at this. "Reeeeeally now? He lost his temper?" Kaira asks in surprise.

"He did when I chided him for being rude to me and noted that even after he helped us, we had done nothing to make his existence, such as it is, any better. I have to admit there he has a point. We may jail him, but we probably don't need to be torturing him," Alptraum comments, looking a bit glum before he closes his eyes. "What really made him angry was hearing about Ravenia marrying Arkold. I never thought Vorgulremik actually … cared about anyone. He does about her."

"Or he's just jealous, or putting on an act," Kaira notes. "Dragons don't wear their hearts on their sleeves, as the saying goes. They lock up then in vaults of bone. Then again… he could be getting worried as time grows short."

"Well … if he wasn't chained to that cave, could he escape that world? What is the danger if we at least allowed him the freedom of movement in that world and quit causing him pain?" Alptraum asks. "As for jealousy … maybe. He actually collapsed part of his cell because he was so mad."

"Let him move?" Kaira asks, aghast. "That… You have to understand, Alptraum, that it isn't a matter of him being dangerous or not. His victims here had to relive their own deaths at this hands millions of times over. It doesn't matter what his fate is; they want him to suffer as much as possible before he's destroyed."

"Then how does that make us, or them, better than him?" Alptraum asks. "If we want to have the moral high ground, as it goes, we can't just be out for revenge."

"What?" the dragon asks. "What moral high ground? Half the immortals here that qualify for release are still, by mortal standards, evil."

At that, the Eeee shrugs slightly. "Then why aren't we torturing them too? How is the decision made on who will suffer or not? You do have to realize by now that part of me fears becoming like him. I get wary anytime I'm an active participant in something that is overtly cruel," he comments with a sigh.

"He is tortured because he tortured his victims, and they are now the ones in control – by proxy," Kaira notes. "He's being punished, just as the inhabitants here who cause trouble are being 'punished' now by Verminous' minions. It is exactly about revenge."

"And no act of help on his part now earns him any reprieve?" Alptraum asks next.

Kaira sighs. "Well… how much of a reprieve do you think he's earned, then?" she asks. "If a mass murderer in your world were locked up, would he be set free because he helps catch another murderer, or… more fittingly… tells the guards how to prevent an upcoming riot?"

"I'm not saying set him free. Gods, no, I do not want him free," Alptraum comments as he brings up his hand and just covers his eyes. "Just a little more movement or a little less pain. I honestly don't know it just… feels wrong to me to not at least acknowledge he did try to help. And yes, I know he helped just to benefit himself. I already yelled at him about a few things, including having no concept or understanding of doing something without thought of how it benefited himself."

"But I'm not going to argue with you over it. If you do not wish to grant anything, so be it. I'm just telling you how I feel. And yes, I know I'm a mortal, innocent, and stupid," the bat comments tiredly.

"He's playing on your sense of fairness," Kaira notes, crossing her arms across her chest. "I suppose I could ease up on the torment more than I already have," she admits. "I mean, it's not like I'm having him flayed alive anymore. But even if I let him roam the Echo of his old world, it will still only be temporary: he'll have to be locked away before any major release of souls can be done. Remember that my power weakens when we do that."

"You also realize that my sense of fairness is what made me good for this job, right? I mean, if I didn't have that I would have no problems with using the souls in here as he did for improving my own position in the world," Alptraum points out as he tilts his head back and looks at Kaira upside down. "My sense of fairness is what has kept me from becoming a monster. It's what has driven me to try to help others even though there may be no benefit in it for me."

"Yes, but… well, you can't expect immortals to live up to mortal standards," Kaira explains. "At least, not these ones. Vorgulremik had a taste for those that pursued power, after all."

"Because truthfully, how does helping those trapped here benefit me?" Alptraum asks quite honestly. "I have to deal with a lot of ungrateful snobby immortals, take insults from allies as well as enemies, and take on risky situations to do a release. And what do I get when this is all done? I lose a friend. At the end of this you die too. There isn't a single happy thing about this job, Kaira. Outside of those few moments I try to find something pleasant in getting to meet new races, or at least something amusing. But … I still do it because ultimately it's the right thing to do, at least by my standards."

Kaira remains silent for a while, before saying, "Well… there might be a small reward at the end." She adds, a bit begrudgingly, "How badly do you want a crystal heart for Melusine?"

"I really don't know. She actually makes me more nervous than Vorgulremik does," Alptraum admits, "But I have to keep her happy if I want to have a smooth relationship with the Countess. Well, as smooth as any normal one. No interfering insanely powerful, shadows."

"Would it be easier to just eliminate the Shadow Dragon then?" Kaira asks.

"Not until the county is secure. Her power is what helps protect it," Alptraum explains. "It's a symbiotic relationship. Each benefits. So … I just have to accept that by proxy, I'm her male shadow consort. Fun as that might sound, it's dagh scary!"

"I can imagine," Kaira says. "I hear that dragons are very demanding mates."

"You kinda were when we were on the beach," Alptraum teases and flashes a grin. "And speaking of Melusine, I should probably look in on her. I need to do something regarding the broken heart to show that I am trying to help her."

"I don't know that there's anything you can do with that," Kaira says. "She probably knows the only real source for a replacement is the dagger itself."

"Well, as long as I show I'm trying she'll at least believe she has control of me," Alptraum points out. "I'm not entirely clueless to knowing when someone is trying to use me. I can play the game." Quirking a grin, he adds, "Maybe that's something I did get as a benefit of all this, a little of the shadow dragon's own suspicion and subtlety. I mean, on some small level, I am part shadow dragon from that merge."

"But you have none of its mind or spirit, luckily," Kaira says. "Or else you really might be tempted to follow the path of power and become more like Vorgulremik. And for the record, I don't like Melusine at all. I think you should kill her as soon as you get the chance. It'd be easy, with her locked up in that cave… "

"A difficulty there is I share the same vulnerability she does. Iron hurts me as readily as it would her," Alptraum points out. "I do intend to keep an eye on her and make sure she remains helpful and not a threat. The moment she starts to significantly endanger people … I will deal with her." His ears titch, and the bat adds, "And I also think part of the reason you don't like her is you have to share me with her. Sharing is not a draconic virtue."

"And be honest, you enjoy it on some level that I made a dragonish form I use sometimes when I spend time with you," Alptraum says with a playful, fangy, grin.

"It's nothing to do with sharing," Kaira notes. "I'm not the jealous type. I just don't want her to hurt or damage you somehow."

"Because I would be useless to you, or because you care about me?" Alptraum has to ask, brow arched. "And really, what is the worst she could do to me?"

"Steal your brain," Kaira suggests. "And while I do care about you, I can't deny that the first reason matters too. But I'm still your favorite dragon, right? The only one you trust?"

"Out of all the dragons, you are the one I trust the most," Alptraum agrees and nods his head. "Which is why you will have to accept when the time comes, I will try to find a way to save you from oblivion."

"Even if it means somehow attaching you to me," he adds.

"You just have to trust me, Alptraum, and everything will work out," Kaira insists. "I… I promise."

"That sounds like the words of someone who expects to die," Alptraum has to point out. He rolls over and climbs up Kaira, then sits in her lap. "And I have a suggestion to make regarding Vorgulremik."

"I am always ready to listen to your suggestions, Alptraum," Kaira says, smiling.

"Well, how about if I go back to their world and make it appear that only I were the one who eased his torment. You could then blame it on mortal foolishness, should the other immortals complain," Alptraum suggests. "I don't want my concerns causing you problems."

"It might also make Vorgulremik show his hand, should he believe I am easily manipulated," he adds.

Kaira chews this over. "Hmmm, it would also imply that you had some control over this world then also," she notes. "Everyone who wanted something would try to bypass me and go straight to you then if word got out."

"Well, I do have some level of control over this world," Alptraum points out, "But I do see your concern there."

"And you don't believe I could deal with the others, do you?" he asks with an impish grin.

"I don't want your time wasted by millions of bitter immortals trying to get their enemies on the 'do not release' list," the dragon says. "Let Vorgulremik stew for a bit more. Once he's realized that he's made it worse for himself, you can go in and 'rescue' him."

"That seems a reasonable suggestion," the Eeee concedes. Still grinning, he asks, "So, before I leave this world … would it be a problem if I dropped back into that bubbling bath for a bit?"

"With those elves?" Kaira asks. "What for?"

"They seemed … playful," Alptraum comments with a shrug.

"After what you've been through… " Kaira says, and just shakes her head. "Very well, just say when you're ready."

"I won't stay long," Alptraum claims, "I just want to ask them a couple things about any missing dark elves, or ones spared by Vorgulremik… "

"And they'll more likely answer me when they're being playful than when they're feeling sadistic," he points out.

"Being playful and being sadistic are the same thing for those types," Kaira warns. "Maybe I should come with you… "

"Just make it so I can flee quickly. I'll be fine with that," the bat says.

---

Once more, Alptraum finds himself in a hot-springs bath with several willowy dark elves. But it seems that the men have managed to chase out the girls, or else they had just finished their bath. Alptraum has a chance to notice that the men have golden eyes, where the women had blue. "Hello there," one of them says, looking the bat up and down.

Alptraum waves a bit sheepishly. "Hello. So, the girls have gone? Well, that figures," the Eeee notes, trying to not seem too … nervous. "Interesting eyes. Is it common for the color difference between genders?"

"Yes, the women have… the wrong color eyes," another of the men notes. At least this bunch doesn't appear to be actually bathing, so much as lounging around.

"How is blue the wrong color?" Alptraum has to ask as he settles down into the water to look as if he's perfectly comfortable with a bunch of really dangerous immortals. "And I hope you don't mind a demon just dropping in," he adds.

"Because it isn't gold," the first man notes, causing a chuckle through the bunch of them. "Demon, eh? Lost your mistress? If you hurry you might catch her; they just left a few moments ago."

"I'm a free demon," Alptraum comments with a smirk. "No Mistress. Before I go, mind if I ask a few things?"

"That depends," the spokesman notes. "Are you a spy for Verminous?"

"Bah. Verminous has no power over me," Alptraum insists, "I know exactly how to avoid his traps."

"Bold words for a minor voyeur demon," the elf says. "What is your question?"

"A simple one. I have heard rumors that Vorgulremik had quite an interest in your kind. To the point that he took fancy to some. What I am trying to discover is … did that dragon spare them this fate?" Alptraum inquires as he leans his head back and looks towards the ceiling. "Such an act betrays weakness, you know. Useful if I ever need to barter."

"Hah!" one of the men barks. "Vorgulremik never spared anyone he could enslave. That is a silly question."

Alptraum's lips curl. "Shows how little you know of him, then. I know of a few he spared," he comments as he now stands and stretches, the water running off his body. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll seek out the women to inquire of."

"He toyed with that mortal Xardeth female though, remember?" notes one of the others. "I was conjured to attend to her once."

Alptraum pauses. "Xardeth?" he inquires. "A species I am not familiar with."

"Elaborate, Rylddrin," the spokesman says. "Few of us where 'lucky' enough to be pulled from our Echoes to serve the dragon."

"It was years back, when he had escaped the sword of Kainudy," Rylddrin recites. "He was still trapped in a dream world, for fear of incarnating and facing his foe's wrath. But he managed to seduce a visitor to that world, a Xardeth. They are a lesser breed, like us in form but not truly immortal. He made her his pawn in a play at attaining the favor of a local god, I think. He likes mortals for pets, and us as slaves."

"Mortals do make amusing pets," Alptraum points out and smirks fangily, "And are usually so naive when entering into binding agreements. I can see the allure."

"I was placed in his medium once," Another elf volunteers. "She was… unusual. Familiar and different. Perhaps one of these mortal elves then? I recall a name… something nearly forgotten… "

"What was this name?" Alptraum asks, brow arched a bit.

"Hmmm, I think, perhaps… Brizquarra afae'G'eldavin," the man says, the name rolling off his tongue with a musical quality.

"A priestess' name," one of the other men comments, nodding.

"And a traitor's name," another says.

"A rather complex name. Any thoughts on a priestess of what?" Alptraum asks, crossing his arms over his chest. "Perhaps if she deals in demons I could use that to my advantage. Ah, a traitor you say? Even better."

"Well, the first name fits a medium," the spokesman says, and translates for Alptraum; "Graceful Host."

"From what language?" Alptraum asks. "What a name means in one language is different in another."

"Faerie, of course. The second is surely a label, it would mean 'Slayer of the Spider Guardian', an unforgivable sin," notes another.

"All Fey speak the same language," the spokesman says. "How could a demon not know that?"

"Then perhaps she was banished for that act and found by the dragon," Alptraum muses and rubs his chin. "All of this existence, perhaps. There are others," he says and waves his hand. "I never make assumptions because of that."

"What's wrong with making assumptions?" another man demands.

"You end up in places like this," Alptraum answers quite plainly.

"Hot water?" another asks.

"A slave," Alptraum counters. "But metaphorically, hot water, yes."

"That sounds ridiculous, demon," the spokesman says, and waves a hand. "Your amusement value has faded, so move along."

"The truth can sear," Alptraum comments and shrugs. He doesn't bother to wave; he just turns and walks towards the exit. "Maybe we should send them to ob … no. They're just jerks." he decides.

Once out of the pool, the 'quick retrieval' kicks in and Alptraum finds himself back in the garden with Kaira.

"How'd it go? You aren't smiling," she points out.

"A bunch of obnoxious men," Alptraum remarks. "I can accept obnoxious as long as it's good to look at, but … I haven't taken on that aspect of my Babel heritage." Now he smiles, adding, "But, I got a possible name. Brizquarra afae'G'eldavin. They claimed it was the name of Vorgulremik's medium."

"Ravenia?" Kaira asks, and then nods. "It fits. A renegade priestess would not be killed, but exiled. If she ended up on Sinai, her memories would have faded over time. In a few decades, she'd have forgotten everything about her past life."

"Right. And … I am not sure if I will pursue it beyond that. I will ask Ravenia herself if she wishes to know more about where she came from and who she is. If she does, then perhaps I will seek further. If she doesn't … well, she has a new life, and I hope a happy one. There is no real need to pull up old memories," Alptraum notes. He now peers a bit at Kaira, then grins. "Ah, right, I was forgetting something," he says as he approaches her. Fur ripples and flattens to scale. Ears stretch and shape to horns, and head hair rolls down into a mane. When he's right next to Kaira, Alptraum stands as an ebony dragon, the same form he used on the beach. "I still owe you that massage," he explains and pops his knuckles. "So … just relax."