Aftermath

While Ryoniya had drifted away, heading back homeward, Nullawhy joined Lygawa as they soared the other direction, ready to intercept this newest dragon.

Appearing out of the bright blue sky, Mai squinted to see a dark object coming their way.

{Mai, I believe it is a... Knight Dragon?}

A Dragon Knight you mean? It does look like there is a figure on its back...

[So this is another who allows a passenger?]

Nullawhy drifted closer to Lygawa's left.

The gap closed, and true enough a metal clad man was perched on the back of a black dragon, smaller than Lygawa, but rougher looking than Nullawhy, nearly entirely a dark black, apart from some faded underbelly.

"Hello there."

[Greetings.]

They arrived politely at least.

"Hello."

Mai replied, but the other rider already was shouting orders their way.

"Please follow us; we need to have a few words with you."

The black dragon turned about, so the others followed on, keeping a safe distance behind.

With a short flight, the other pair set down along a tidy road, and as the silver and red reptiles descended, Mai caught sight of some approaching horse riders, that also came their way.

On the ground, the man levered off his dragon, and landed on the grass beside the road in a single leap, while Mai delicately slipped down Lygawa's smooth side, and waited till all the dragons changed to their humanoid forms.

"Oh, hi!"

Mai returned a wave from the familiar face of the black haired dragon; Kline.

"Hello Miss Misaki, Miss Lygawa... and Miss...?"

"Nullawhy."

Mai swept her palm back to the red dragon-lady, who remained quiet.

"Hmm, Miss Nullawhy... - this is Knight Allan Gillian Floyd."

Kline smiled at them as his 'rider' came over.

"Good day ladies. Miss Misaki, I believe you have met Kline here."

Some blonde hair appeared from the man's removed helmet, as he smiled their way, patting Kline on the shoulder.

"I believe you may know a bit about this already, but I am on a task to find a... rouge element, that has been causing some trouble in these parts."

The man with the brown eyes and strong chiselled features drew closer, but stayed a few steps away after Lygawa slipped partly between him and Mai, with a little smile on her face.

"We were heading toward that group, when a quick report was relayed back that a dragon had been engaged..."

His expression turned to a serious one, as he explained their presence, then Mai interrupted him.

"Yes... I'd like to complain; as it was Lygawa who they attacked - unprovoked too I'll add."

"Oh really... how unfortunate for them."

He looked at the silvery-girl that stayed still, but watchful of the new man.

"I believe we didn't claim a single life, just all their fancy weapons are totally wrecked, yes."

The Knight appeared quite impressed as Lygawa stood proudly, while the horse riding reinforcements arrived behind him.

"So they've..."

"All scattered, but unharmed."

Mai reported, as truthfully as she knew.

"Well then, leave them to us; we'll catch the leaders... because that's our job..."

The smiling Knight turned away to confer with the other riders that had all arrived.

"Hum, he is so rugged..."

The red reptile suddenly said, quietly behind Mai and Lygawa.

"That one?"

Mai smiled slightly as she saw Nullawhy watching the male dragon closely.

"Yes..."

Nullawhy approached Mai, with reddened cheeks.

"I... feel... I am attracted to him... - what should I do?"

She indicated toward the dark suited dragon in human form, who now stood alone watching Allen.

"Yeah? Well why not go hit that..."

Nullawhy smiled, and then promptly marched over, still blushing, before levering a strike at the 'rugged' dragon, who took the unexpected hit on his chin fairly well.

Uh - oh no! I didn't mean literally...

Then they each grabbed the others hands and shoved their strength at each other, pushing against the other while staring at their 'opponent's' eyes intently.

"You are quite bold - and strong I see..."

Kline grinned, while Nullawhy replied in kind.

"You are not... so soft either..."

Mai fretted; worried she'd started a confrontation through her joking words, but kept clear with Lygawa, who merely watched on curiously.

After their brief tussle, they let go, but continued to closely gaze at the other.

"But I cannot..."

He spoke up, giving a slight frown, but Nullawhy didn't retreat.

"Why good sir?"

She grabbed his clothing, preventing him from turning away.

"I am... bound to my rider..."

"I care not!"

Her instant reply caught him off guard, leaving him slightly stunned.

"You don't?"

"I have a... similar arrangement here, but it does not mater..."

She drew her face even closer to his with a smile.

"I prefer your well meaning and handsome self over any circumstance!"

He was a little taken aback with her forwardness, and speed, but obviously shared an attraction.

"Oh! I would be so blessed with such an intense lady as you!"

He tenderly took her arms that still held him and gave a small smile back.

Wow! Is this how dragons court each other...?

Mai watched on, now with curious bewilderment, feeling a slight blush come over her.

"I would like to... get to know... more of you..."

Kline flicked a glance at Allen, who seemed about ready to wrap his conversation up.

"I must sadly leave now, but..."

Nullawhy's hand moved to his face, while he returned the gesture.

"Then shall we meet... later... sometime?"

"I will track you down - for sure!"

Nullawhy proclaimed as she didn't take her keen eyes off his, even as they reluctantly let the other go and walked off.

Gosh, that was so... wow! Now I'm sure I'm blushing...

Lygawa still had a curious smile, but said nothing, as Nullawhy returned to them, and then sighed gently.

"Do you think love at first sight lasts?"

"Sure."

Mai put her hand on the slightly trembling red dragon's own, with slight nerves, but happy ones.

Without any more words to the women, Allen went back to Kline, and after some brief words with him, he allowed some space as he transformed again.

The black dragon reverted to a dark, rough and thick scaled form, as his rider quickly scrambled behind his shoulders.

"We'll need a witness's account of what had gone on today... so please accompany me back to the capital, ladies."

Floyd waved for them to follow.

[Please follow us...]

A few wing beats of his bat like wings and they were away, before swinging about and returning the way they'd come again, while all the horse riders galloped past, off to round-up the rouge army officers ahead of them.

Mai was left in a slight cloud of dust, with the two dragons, who looked to her attentively.

"Didn't sound like we have much choice..."

Nullawhy was quite keen to trail after the black dragon, turning back into her prickly red self in a hurry, and taking off after them, while Lygawa and Mai took their time about it, knowing they'd not lose sight of the others.

{It sounds simple enough... we just tell them what we saw and go our own way again... right?}

Lygawa once again aided Mai onto her smooth back, before making sure she was secure and they took to the sky after the others.

Mai had a slight uneasy feeling though.

"Let's hope so..."