Captive Hearts: a Celtic Dragon's tale. (closed for Mairu.)

[Ravenloft]

The sun rose upon a cold mid November morning as the families of the secluded clan of Celts who lived in the shadow of Avisetreyenoreau's lair prepared their young virgin daughters for the offering and brought them before the clans chieftain, one to be picked from amongst them as tribute to the mighty, ancient beast, to avert his wrath.

What only the chieftain knew was it was all a lie. No sacrifice was ever needed to appease the Dragon, no, it was needed to keep him trapped, bound by magic, imprisoned within his lair, unable to oust the greedy chief from his rule over the clan.

The fear and hatred of the poor virginal "sacrifices" sustained the prison holding the Dragon, keeping him from bringing swift justice down upon their leader and restoring rulership to its rightful place, the clans people as a whole.

The virgin daughters were presented to Chief Garland and he circled them, appraising their blossoming beauty and the way they held themselves. One, the daughter of a farmer, caught his attention, she was lovely in her white, ceremonial gown and stood with her chin held high, seeming not the least bit worried despite her poor parents silent, anguished tears for her.

"You, what you your name, child?" The chief asked her as he stepped up to her, squaring his broad shoulders. He was a large, burly man with a thick, dark beard, bronze skin and one sharp blue eye, the other missing and covers by a thick leather patch. The flesh above and below the missing eye still bore a savage trail of scarring.

He lowered his gaze to examine the swell of her breasts and hips as he waited for her answer, wetting his thick, ruddy lips.

 

[Mairu]

Sasha was calm until the chieftain called her out, however she remained a calm front. "Sasha Sir." Sasha held the chieftain's gaze with her own, at the moment cold, blue eyes. She didn't like the chieftain one bit and maybe holding his gaze was like a challenge but she didn't care, she held no loyalty to him and was unafraid of going to the dragon. It would actually free her in a sense from the bonds of the chieftain, even if she were to die by the hands of the dragon. She wasn't so sure though how such a magnificent creature such as a dragon though. With thoughts like this she fell from the present, not paying attentionn to the chieftain much.

 

[Ravenloft]

Sasha was calm until the chieftain called her out, however she remained a calm front. "Sasha Sir." Sasha held the chieftain's gaze with her own, at the moment cold, blue eyes. She didn't like the chieftain one bit and maybe holding his gaze was like a challenge but she didn't care, she held no loyalty to him and was unafraid of going to the dragon. It would actually free her in a sense from the bonds of the chieftain, even if she were to die by the hands of the dragon. She wasn't so sure though how such a magnificent creature such as a dragon though. With thoughts like this she fell from the present, not paying attentionn to the chieftain much.

"Sasha... Do you not wish to do honor to your parents by bearing their last name,title one?" Garland asked in sharp bemusement over her boldness to look him in the eyes. "You certainly do put up a convincing show of will, little Sasha, I am sure the mighty Avis will savor every... last... inch... of you!" Garland went on as he leans closer to her ear, his voice dropped to a whisper for only her to hear. His hand touching her hip for but a moment before stepping back. He looked to his men at arms and nodded toward Sasha. "Take her, bathe her and make her ready for the Dragon!"

With that, the chief turned and walked out leaving the unchosen and their parents to sigh in relief while Sasha's loved ones wailed and begged uselessly at his decree. The armed men circled Sasha, preventing her parents from approaching her. "Come with us." The leader of the troops commanded grimly as his fellows kept her father at bay while both he and his wife cried out their love for her with stained and shaking voices.

Sasha was then taken to an open pool, scented with leaves of lavender, Fed by a natural waterfall a short walk from the village. "Undress now, if you will, please, chosen one." The leader commanded with a strange sort of reverence and respect for her in his voice. After all, it was because of her sacrifice that everyone he knew would continue living on in peace for another generation.

 

[Mairu]

Sasha was silent and lost in her thoughts until he said something about the mighty Avis savoring every last inch of her, shocking her back into the present. Her eyes widened as he talked and she glanced at her family before the armed men surronded her, blocking them from her sight. Solemn now she turned toward the commander, holding back her tears as he ordered her to come. She would not break. She was strong. She could do this, for her family and the village.

She went with them as they led her to an open pool, the smell of lavender calming her senses before the commander told her to undress. She did so slowly, taking the gown off and folding it neatly and then her panties and bra. She was unashamed of her body but if any of the guards tried anything, they would regret it. She then took out her ponytail, her long and soft brown hair flowing to the middle of her back. "I would ask you to be gentle. I know men that have military duties might be rougher and I don't want my skin all bruised and scrapped when I meet the dragon." Sasha said it in a calm smooth voice, hoping she didn't offend the commander.

Then Sasha heard her little sister and gasped.. "Big Sis!" Before the commander could react Sasha went in front of him. "Please she is young." Then her little sister got to the guards and Sasha motioned for them to make room and they did her little sister running and hugging her. "Natali, what are you doing here?" Sasha asked, happy and bewildered. "I heard about the bsth and since this will be the last thing I could do for you I followed." Sasha got the idea and turned to the commander and he nodded. "Well let's go then." Sasha led the way with her sister following and sank into the pool, her sister kneeling on the edge behind her. Sasha and her sister talked as sasha got clean and when it was over her little sister sniffed, tears welling and Sasha smiled. "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine, now go." With that Sasha watched her sister go and got her clothes back on and turned to the commander. "Where to now?"

 

[Ravenloft]

Only the commander kept his gaze upon Sasha as she shed her cloths, all the others stood around the pool with their backs to her. "On my honor, I pledge I shall be most gentle with you, little one. You do the village the greatest of favors, miss, I salute you." The commander promised, Although he kept his hands to himself, he clearly appreciated the sight of Sasha's nakedness and would have been the one to bath her had her sister not come running to say her final, heartfelt goodbyes.

The commanders hand went to his sword the moment he heard Sasha's sister calling out to her but let it fall away at her urging. He nodded for his men to let the younger one pass. Seeing the two of them, in these last moment together, the commander allowed them to proceed, even turning his back to let them bath in peace.

After they were finished he sent a man back with Natali to keep her safe then turned toward Sasha, hard pressed to cover up the quiver of emotion in his voice. "To the lair."

He led her there in just less then an hour, his men hanging back the moment they were within a hundred feet of the lair's massive maw-like entrance. Their fear and apprehension of this place written on their faces. The commander was the only one that escorted her on and even he could not bring himself to go more than half way. "Go, lass, and may the gods have mercy on your soul." He said softly, averting his eyes from her in shame.

 

[Mairu]

When the commander answered her, one tear slipped down before she reminded herself that she was doing this for her family and she needed to be strong. She followed after the commander, becoming more calm with each step. Her life before this replayed i her head. The good moments and the bad, cherishing them all for one final time. At least she thought it was her last time.

Suddenly the commander came to a stop and she knew that she was to go the rest of the way to the lair. Sasha took a deep breath and gathering up her courage she nodded to the commander and then went on her way, not afraid and at peace now.

Finally she ended at the end of the place but didn't see the dragon and tilted her head. Then she sighed and sat down on her knees and closed her eyes, waiting patiently for the dragon, and then began to talk. "I don't know why you are hiding dragon, you obviously have the advantage here, but then again it might just be fun for you. It doesn't matter, all that I ask is that when you kill me that you would make it quick and that I hope you keep whatever you made about not destroying the village. I am not afraid of you and I do not hate you, so you will not get enjoyment of just watching me dragon." With that Sasha fell into silence, looking almost as if she were sleeping.

 

[Ravenloft]

The silence carried on for several tense moments before there was the echoing sound of movement deep in the darkness of the cavernous lair. "Bold words, I have not heard the likes of them in soooome time. However, What makes you think I wish to kill one so fair as you?"

Another echo of movement rang through the lair, this one sent up a light breeze of wind as if a set of massive wings buffeted the air. "I do not hide, I only rest, there is little else for one such as I to do to while away the time in this... Prison cell..."

At that, the massive head of a gold Dragon entered the dim light cast into the lair through the entrance. Avisatreyenoreau was like a melting pot of all the world's great predators all rolled into one being. Feline, reptilian, avian, aspects of each type of beast could be seen in his visage. It was impossible to look upon him and not tremble, yet, there was sorrow in his large, gleaming eyes, sorrow and softness as he stared, fixated upon Little Sasha.

"You truly don't fear me?" He asked, sinking down to rest upon the ground before her, curious about her lack of fear and hate toward him.

 

[Mairu]

After a few moments Sasha heard movement and opened her eyes, keeping her chin up as she heard him talk. She listened, not saying a word, letting the breeze that blew keep her calm. She listened to him talk and then gasped as his large head came into view. "Wow." He was as magnificent as she had heard, beautiful and strong. "Sasha then remembered his question. "Why not kill me? Isn't that what I'm here for? I also was told about you savoring every inch of me." Sasha remembered what the chieftain's words then. She had no anger towards the dragon, the chieftain however was a different story.

Sasha had looked away from the dragon as her anger flared up but looked at him again in surprise. "Of course not. More amazed than anything and if you do kill me in the fashion I asked there will be no pain and it will keep the village safe. Also I may respect you but it doesn't mean I fear you." Sasha then stood up, smiling. "The dragons in all the books I read were kind and gentle, protecting people rather than killing them." Sasha then walked to the dragon, standing very close and touched his cheek with the tip of her fingers. "I have half of a mind not to believe a word the chieftain says, but I saw a girl go before and she never came back." Sasha felt a tinge of sadness and then anger again at the chieftain but quickly shook it off. "That means you must kill them or something, or they would've come back."

 

[Ravenloft]

"Why would I wish to kill you? you are but a pawn in the bastard Garland's efforts to keep me imprisoned. You are an innocent who's been manipulated by the political machinations of a very greedy and power hungry mad man." Avis paused at the mention of savoring her, for a moment he smirked at the thought but said nothing.

"I share your hatred for the one that calls himself chieftain. You see, he perpetuates the lie that I have some sort of deal with him or the village to justify sending young women to their "doom". No, I do not demand tribute, it is the fear and anger the young women he sends that keeps me trapped in here, all that emotion feeds the enchantment that locks me in my home. It would appear that he made his first mistake in years, sending you to me, oh fearless one."

Avis did not move as Sasha spoke to him, telling him of the books she read in her childhood and what they told her of Dragon kind. Then, she touched him... and her life's experience washed over him, filling his mind. It took him a moment to gather his thoughts after that. "I... let them go, unfortunately the only way out of this prison is through a portal to a distant land in a holy place where they can start their lives anew. It is the best I can give them. The only thing I can do for you now. If you wish to leave, I can take you to the portal."

 

[Mairu]

As Sasha listened to the dragon speak she grew sad for him, while her anger for the chieftain grew. She was surprised when he said he let them go and then said he could take her to the portal. She shook her head and smiled. "I actually don't. I want to try and help you, in any way that I can. I feel sad that you have had to stay here this long and I don't wish for you to have to stay any longer." Sasha really wanted to free this dragon, badly. She wanted to see him when he wasn't cooped up here, to see him in all his glory. "Afterall it's the only excitement I'm probably ever going to get and I hated my boring life from before anyway." Then Sasha yawned, the stress of today having weared her out and she sighed, not looking forward to the rock hard and cold floor.

 

[Ravenloft]

Avis lifted his mighty head, blinking in surprise, doing a double take at the lovely young woman standing so close to him. "Pardon? You wish to stay? He was shocked for a moment. "Oh, I see, it's out of pitty then?" He had been scorned by all the others it was hard to believe this one. He fixed her with a sharp, critical look in his eyes. "Or is it just for the thrill of it? I warn you, woman, a dragon is not one you aught to toy with. If you truly wish to help, it will take time, perhaps, if a thrill is all you seek, it would be best for you to take the portal." Avid really didn't want her to go but he felt he needed to test her resolve, if all it would take was a firm warning not to play games with him to convince her to leave, it was clearly not meant to be.

"If you choose to stay though, I can see to your every comfort." He added after another long, tense moment, lifting one great, clawed hand and snapping his thick fingers with a sharp, sparking click.

A grand bed formed from the ground up, as if sand poured into its shape. It was a four post bed with curtains all around it, a good seven feet tall. It was appointed with rich burgundy silk sheets and mounded three feet high with pillows. "Only the best for company in my home." He said with a self satisfied smile.

 

[Mairu]

Sasha listened as the dragon spoke once again, waiting for him to finish before he spoke. She was a little hurt that he thought she was just playing games with him, but it was understandable. Then he said about comfort and he snapped his fingers and Sasha's jaw dropped. "Oh wow, you really didn't have to do that much, really. Also I may have said this would be my only excitement but I'm not doing it because of that. I genuinely want to help you, so please let me." Sasha's eyes were filled with determination to free this dragon as she looked up at him, wanting to actually learn more about him.

 

[Ravenloft]

"It was nothing, really, merely a simple conjuration spell, I am glad you are so pleased by it though." Avis waved his mighty hand in modesty, although he seemed quite happy with her reaction. "Oh? Then please accept my apology, I have been trapped here and scorned by your predecessors for so long I forgot my manners and gave into suspicion. For that, I am truly sorry. I will not let it happen again, I assure you. Now..."

Avis reached out and scooped her up in the palm of his hand without warning and placed her with surprising gentleness and care in her bed."Rest your weary body, fair lady, there is time enough on the morrow to learn all you wish to know. I shall wait for you until you wake." He gently drew the heavy, warm blankets over her with one clawed finger as he spoke.

 

[Mairu]

"Nothing? That bed is huge. I am grateful for your hospitality." It truly was a big bed and Sasha was still trying to get over her amazement as he spoke. Sasha then smiled and shook her head. "There is no reason to be sorry, I would've probably reacted the same." She could totally understand his suspicion, he had been here for a long time and it seemed all the others had feared and hated him, so of course he would be suspicion of someone different.

Then he suddenly scooped her up in his hand. "Woah!" Sasha was a bit scared now but not of but of falling, but of course that did not happen and he set her down in the soft and comfortable bed. Sasha smiled and looked at him with heavy eyes as he told her to rest and drew the blankets over her and fell asleep.

Next thing Sasha knew was she was looking at a scene of a group of people trying to capture, wait was that a dragon?" As Sasha looked closer she could see it was Avis. What in the world? Was she seeing when Avis got captured? Sasha took a few steps forward, her heart aching as she watched, tears filling her eyes. How could people be so horrible to such a magnificent creature? Then the scene went black and then she saw the group of people with Avis, standing before a younger, but still fat chieftain. Sasha grew angry now, her face red and in anguish and anger at the chieftain saw what the chieftain did. Why did this have to happen to Avis? Why? Sasha cried as she watched, but that was not the end. Next she saw some of the girls who had come, their faces showing great fear and hatred, Avis's face growing more sad and lonely as the time grew on, every girl the same. One even cursed him and Sasha felt so bad for Avis. Then everything went black once again and she drifted off into more peaceful dreams.

Sasha awoke later, not knowing how long she slept and when she saw Avis she immediately started crying, not because of anything he had done but because of what she had seen, and that if it was true what she had scene, he had such a horrible life.

 

[Ravenloft]

Avis lifted his head and tilted it to one side, finding Sasha's sudden burst of tears quite troubling. "What is it that makes you weep so, my young lady?" He suspected that she may have dreamed something of his past just as he had seen hers the moment she touched him. "I think I know... hush now, fair lass, what was done was done, nothing can change that now, far worse could have befallen me than captivity. The life of a dragon is long and fraught with dangers. The price my kind pays for being what we are, I suppose."

He rose and stretched his wings with a yawn. "You must be hungry? What do you like to eat? I can conjure whatever you like for you if you wish. Then perhaps we could while away the time with a game? Do you know chess? Or perhaps you could teach me a game of your people?"

 

[Mairu]

Sasha heard the dragon but before she could answer he spoke and with what he said it seemed he knew and Sasha wiped away her tears before looking up in surprise and then blushing. Well I like shrimp ramen a lot, my mom even used to make it for me. Also I'm not very good at chess but I like the game." Sasha smiled at Avis then thought of a question. "Um this varied in some of the books I read but can you transform into a human? I was always curious about that."

 

[Ravenloft]

"Ah, a simple dish from my homelands, the orient." With a snap of his fingers, Avis conjured a steaming bowl of ramen noodles for her, garnished with shrimp, pickled ginger and wasabi paste on the side as well as a small sampling of sushi and an egg roll to round out her meal. "Oh, but I almost forgot, it won't be a complete meal without some tea. That, I must make by hand, it loses meaning if I just conjure it, after all."

While she ate Avis went about preparing the tea and setting up a chess board for them to play. "Naturally? No, of course not, but I do know a spell that will let me change my form for up to an hour, as long as I maintain my focus on the magic. It can even become permanent if I chose it to. In fact, I could turn you into a dragon with it, if you did not resist that is." He smirked a little. "Why do you ask? Does my form not please you?" He asked back, teasing her mildly.

 

[Mairu]

Sasha smiled as he made the meal and she began to eat, not touching the wasabi but eating everything else, saving the ramen, which was her favorite, for last. Sasha listened to him talk but shook her head at his last question. "No, your form is beautiful. I-I was just curious." Sasha began thinking that he would probably mate with a female dragon once he got out and felt a stab of jealousy but shook it away. Sasha then tried to hide what she felt and regain her composure. "The food is very good, thank you."

 

[Ravenloft]

Avis was not immune to flattery and took great pride in his appearance, so was pleased that Sasha thought he was beautiful. "Curious? About what exactly?" He asked, sensing something akin to jealousy in her voice, the subtle scent of arousal on her skin. "The board is set and you seem to have finished your meal, here is your tea. Please, do make the first move, as you are my guest." Avid indicated the freshly brewed tea and newly set chess board before her.

 

[Mairu]

"Just curious if you could transform. That's all." Sasha then saw that the board and tea was ready and Sasha moved a middle pawn up 2 spaces and then took a sip of her tea, something about this dragon enticing her, feeling like she wanted to be his but told herself not to be stupid. He was a dragon and she was a human. It would never work even if she wanted it to.

 

[Ravenloft]

It was at that moment that Avis determined that if Sasha took any of his pieces, other than a pawn, he would change for her, let her see him as a man. And if she won... He would bed her. The though made him smile as he moved his right knight over the line of his pawns up two and right one. His right. He was grinning as he motioned for her to play before picking up his cup of tea, making it look so tiny in his fingers, he took a careful sip and sighed, pleased with its strength. He watched Sasha as she considered her next move, admiring her youthful beauty, unsullied by fear or hatred.

 

[Mairu]

Sasha bit her lip and then, moved her right knight, making the same move as his but up two and to her left, thinking she was probably going to be beat quickly, cause she was horrible. "You know you are probably going to beat me right?" Sasha asked this as she took another sip of tea, reminding her of when her mother would make her tea. The memory made her smile fondly and sip the tea more, loving the taste.

 

[Ravenloft]

Avis casually moved his knight again, up one, left two, giving her a knowing look. "Perhaps, we shall see. Are you enjoying your tea?" He asked, her enjoyment of it mattering more to him than weather he won the game or not. He felt the years of isolation begin to slowly melt away in Sasha's company. "You seem lost in thought... memories? Nice ones, I see."

 

[Mairu]

Sasha smiled and nodded at Avis. "I love the tea and the memories are about it actually." Sasha went to focusing on the game then and he took 3 pieces of hers and she 2 of his but she somehow one the game. "Huh. I won, that was weird and interesting at the same time." Sasha then sighed. "The one thing I do miss is being able to see the sky but oh well." Sasha smiled at Avis, almost forgetting he was a dragon, but she didn't thankfully, even though for some reason she longed to be close to him.

 

[Ravenloft]

"Really? Tell me them, if you would, please? Anything that makes you smile like that interests me..." avis urged her to talk on while he examined the board, finding he had been trapped in a corner. He chuckled, pleased by her win. "Oh, well, I can do something about that!" He boasted, casting yet another spell. This one caused the cavernous ceiling to become a panoramic view of the night sky, complete with moon and stars. It was an image of the last night he saw the sky. "There, how is that, my dear?" He started to put the chess pieces away. "So, what would you like to do now?"