Icer slipped down the pathway to the Glen, ice blue gaze drifting over the area as he led the way. Steps measured and precise, his back straight, hair whipping in the breeze. "I have missed my lover for some weeks now. I am deeply troubled over this. You have had no word??"Nae, not a word at all, maybe he has travelled?""I would have thought him enamored enough of me to mention plans to do such." Feigning worry. "There are none who would do him ill, are there" He has no enemies" I would be grieved to learn of such and they would be more grieved they had been fool enough to lay hand on him." "None that I know of, Zion."

He sighed softly, his stomach growling audibly. He had purposely not eaten for several days to be able to appear visibly hungry, and made no mention of this. " Perhaps a light meal" I fear so much of my time this day had been dedicated to seeking information and not to food. Though I did bring refreshment. I could not be rude and eat in front of you, will you join me?" "I do nae see what it would hurt' Oziendis settled himself on the soft ground with a smile, patting the ground beside him for her to join him. He withdrew several smoked salamanders, and some wyvern jerky along with a bit of bread and cheese. "Please, my lady, do sit beside me?"

Icer eased herself down beside Zion, wiggling her snout as she eyed the salamanders, though she nipped up a piece of wyvern jerky. He himself nibbled a bit of cheese, smiling in a way that seemed serene. Though he knew the jerky he would not touch. It contained a capsule no larger than the head of a pin, filled with a very powerful sleeping drug, and the barest hint of dragonsbane. He continued the conversation casually. "And the rest of your brood" They are well, I hope?" Icer would wait until Zion took up a bite before swallowing, she was his guest after all. Swallowing the bit of jerky. They are doing well..." A nod, taking another small bite of cheese.

Hunger was not really a bother for him, but he must keep up appearances, after all. "I am pleased to hear such. And your mate" He is well"Although I must say.."Slightest smile. "I do still envy him such a lovely creature." Flattery was never a bad idea. "Aurthur is well, he's been watching the lair." Another piece nipped up and swallowed, before she started swaying, just a little. Oziendis gently petted her, he needed her to stay calm, and he exerted a small amount of his power to help the peaceful feeling spread as he touched her. "I am glad to hear so. Though still I worry over my bedmate. I had planned on asking him to make the bond..official. That is the other reason I wished to speak with you, to ask your blessing."Lying through those perfect teeth. "Blessing", I'm sure he would like that.." A wince, and she rolled onto her side, ice blue eyes closing.

Oziendis waited several moments, hand still upon her, he had to be certain she was incapacitated. He continued softly, his voice lulling, soft and almost comforting. "And would I have it?" Prompting. Mostly to see how alert she was." Mrhrm..,"Snorting just a little before the snoring started. He smiled, and this time it was no handsome thing though it was genuine. He let out a sharp, shrill whistle and not a moment later a large wagon marked 'Animal Control' hove into view, pulled by a team of eight large Clydesdales, all black. The driver was cloaked and hooded so naught but glittering eyes were seen. He rose and opened the back of the wagon, several lesser demons scrambling out. "Load her in, Quickly!" His tone was no longer the soft silken lull it had been, but a harsh command. Icer was oblivious, still snoring as she was loaded.

His minions surrounded the sleeping beast, heaving and pulling with much grunting, snorting and wicked laughter. She was shoved in none too gently, and would likely awake with bruises from the rough mishandling. He laughed darkly, satisfaction open on his features. "Finally! Mine! And I know precisely what to do with you, my pet." Slapping her muzzle in a mock of a pat. "You will be put through your paces before I break you."

Grunting at the rough treatment, though she'd not awaken, not yet. He climbed into the back with her, as being seen alone would cast suspicion on him, his minions joining them, and the door was tightly closed. The driver clucked to the team, who were chomping at the bit. With a lurch the wagon was jolted forward and away, to a place he had prepared especially for her. The wagon thumped and bumped along, though still the dragon slept, wings rustling a moment, or two. The wheels of the wagon creaked and groaned but held under the dragon's ponderous weight, the journey was surprisingly not a long one, though the destination was well secluded. There was hardly an animal trail, and the wagon crashed through brush, and broke through trees, all were repaired instantly through enchantment prepared for this, to disguise any passage and even the ground bore no track, though the wheels cut the earth cruelly.

There, in the deep of the woods stood a building of thick rough hewn stone, so moss grown it appeared from any angle to be nothing more than a large rock formation. The very design was unorthodox for the sole purpose to resemble nothing. Icer's muscles twitched beneath her hide as the wagon bumped along, though she had no idea that she was even moving. The wagon ground to a halt, and the driver climbed down to open the door, lesser demons scuttling about like the insignificant creatures they were, though the insignificant also had use. Two of them opened the building, the portal imperceptible from the rest of it, well hidden and irregular. Dank stale air wafted out, the smell of moldy straw and dirt. Not good rich soil, but filth and old manure.

"Move her, Quickly!" Barked. Move her they did, into the dank, dark stone structure. He ducked in and watched as she was shoved into a stall just large enough to perhaps stretch. Thick heavy chains bolted to the wall. He did the honors himself, clamping thick iron manacles around every ankle, and a collar around her neck, chains running to either side of the stall to prevent excessive motion. There was a bit of a snort, still groggy, muscles twitched, and sent the chains rattling. The muzzle was applied next, cold unforgiving iron, band and chain, tight enough to prevent slipping but large enough to allow the tiniest bits of food to be taken. The affair was purposely made cumbersome to eventually encourage muscle exhaustion. Nostrils twitched, then flared, horned head lolling, sending the chains rattling again, it seemed as if she was trying, trying to wake from a stupor.

The manacles also were particularly heavy. She would be able to move about, but not freely, and the little she could would be with great effort. He had planned carefully. He even had specially forged restraints for her wings, to make it impossible to fully relax them. They could be spread, but is she attempted to fold them properly she would receive bodily harm to them. The restraints rested against her side firmly held with leather and chain so that they would remain in place, long thin blades lining them. Another snort, and a groan, ice blue eyes opening, finding herself chained and stuck fast, questioning gaze to Zion then. Oziendis crouched before her, dusky eyes glittering.

"Oh...Icer.." Clicking his tongue. "You are in trouble. I must say your middle name is apt."Icer snorted as he crouched nearby, serpentine neck trying to arch back, though the collar and chains prevented much movement.He tapped the muzzle with a dagger drawn from a strap on his thigh, his pant having been slit at the side they had well concealed the weapon. The clank was a harsh cold reality sounding a wakeup call to a worse nightmare. Icer's wings rustled as she tried backing away, ice blue eyes narrowed upon the dagger, a growl welling in her throat. "Let me go!" Muffled by the muzzle, she tugged again, trying to break the chains. He was smirking. "Whatever for?" "Why.., why are you doing this..?" "Why have I always been doing this?" Would she catch on' Icer's eyes widened a moment, tugging back on the muzzle and chains. He gave the softest laugh, scraping the dagger on the muzzle. "Oh my, my, the devil in your daughter's or in your case I should say, son's bed. Although I'll tell you a secret, he was as good as any woman." Those eyes were triumph and he gloated....

Oziendis had spent months in preparation for this victory, but it was not the victory. There was more, oh yes, so much more. Food and water she would be denied, and fresh air would soon become nothing more than a frail memory. The chains would hold, he'd been assured of that having tested them many times before and often with larger, stronger beasts.

He gazed down at the now finally slumbering beast, a cruel twist of that sensual mouth in a mockery of a smile. His next action was sudden and harsh, as he threw a bucket of scalding water onto her. "Wake up." His voice was glacial and callous. "I did not give you permission to sleep." He knew the heat of the water would pain her as it did no other, for her nature created sensitivity to it.

"You will not sleep, you will not eat, you will not drink until you are mine utterly. When I am through with you, you will beg to call me master." His dusky eyes were steely as he watched the beast writhing in agony. "And, my pet, we have so very much to do, in very little time." His smirk was not at all reassuring, rather it would incite nothing but stark terror that would claw the pit of her stomach. He whistled sharply, and immediately A small, twisted creature appeared.

"Yes, my lord Oziendis?" Came the rasp. It was impossible to discern gender, not only were the robe worn loose but the servant so disfigured no traits could be made apparent. "See to it, she does not sleep. Have the fire pit made ready and keep a cauldron of oil heated at all times." Oil would be far worse than water, as it had a nasty tendency to cling as it ran, and retained heat longer.

"If she so much as nods, you will correct her. Do you understand?" He was given a bob in answer, the entire body of the wretch swaying in obedient subservience. "You will not speak to her either. If you do, You will be dealt with." With that he gave the pained ice dragon a cruel smile. "I will tend to you later my dear. I believe I have an appointment to keep, and you..well, you will be busy enough, won't you?"

With that he turned without so much as a backward glance and left the servant to follow out his commands. He now had another target in mind, and he meant to find her this very night.

Ghostly eyes slid open as the strains of music drifted to her sleepy ears. The iridescent young dragon roused herself groggily and stretched. She knew that music. Her brother's friend played a flute that made pretty sounds. Even momma had told her it was alright to go and listen.

She rose to her feet, slowly and with some effort, as she was badly crippled. She had only one wing, and it was a sorry sight. bent at odd angles and hanging slightly askew. Her hind legs were little better as the tendons had been cut and forced to heal back wrongly, twisting her legs so that she would never be able to run. A crawling hobble was all she could manage.

She made her way to the mouth of the lair, looking back at her sleeping father and siblings. Momma had not come home yet, but she assumed she was perhaps out hunting or visiting. Their family was large and there were many relatives to visit. She exited the lair, and was now unprotected by the shields and wards raised by her sire.

She might as well be naked. She had no claws, no ability to fly or flee, and as the enchantment of the music ensnared her, no sense. She was pulled and lulled at the same time, compelled to follow the music. It was sweet chaos, enticing her into the waiting arms of a man she thought was a family friend. She smiled, purring softly and placed her front feet on his leg, looking up at him in adoration, completely bound by the spell.

Too late, that adoration would turn to shock as she was scooped up and suddenly felt cold iron on all four of her ankles, and her muzzle instantly bound that she would not alarm her nest mates. Shock melted into horror and terror as he whispered into her ear softly. "I promised you would be collected, should you betray me, Shiva." She knew instantly who he was, and could only struggle ineffectively as she was whisked away into the night.

Writhing as the boiling water hit her scales, still the dragoness fought against her bonds. Ice blue gaze narrowing upon the form of Oziendis as he returned.

"Ye still awake, precious?" She was not happy, snarling and tugging on her binds, not allowed to eat, drink or even sleep, she was getting cranky.

"Now now, don't you know its rude to growl at your host". Oz's arms were crossed over hischest as he leered at his prize."Shall we perhaps play a game."

She didn't want to play a game, darting for the door, though her restrants pulled her back. I hate you!, it was snarled at Oz through her muzzled jaws.

"You will change your tune, that I promise" Oziendis pulled the reins and bit from behind his back.He knew she detested them.

"I brought you a gift, you should be more grateful".

He slid the bit through the side of her muzzle, attatching the reins to either side, a violent jerk then to try and get her to open her jaws for the bit to fall into place.

She had other things in mind, trying to maneuver around her small prison.

Oz gave a sharper yank upon the reins."Be a good girl now and open your mouth, or I will have to use other means to convince you." "Means I doubt you'll like."

She snarled, yanking her neck back once again.

Oz gave her jailor a meaningful look, the disfigured creature rushing then to gather a pail of heated oil.

"You force me to do this." Oziendis snapped up the pail, sending the heated contents flying her direction.

Screeching as the oil hit, and slid down her scales, her jaws open as wide now as the cursed muzzle would allow.

He yanked the reins again, the bit slipping into her open jaws."Now then, thats better."

Oz's eyes slitted, and he practically purred."My dear, you make the loveliest sounds, I will remember them when I bed your son."

Even as the oil burned, and scalded, she snarled out. You will do no such thing!

"And who is to stop me", You?, You don't seem to be in the position to be doing anything."

Her tail snapped out then, trying to trip up her captor, instead, she had sent her jailor flying, not that it did much good, the crippled form lay still a moment after having hit a support beam, before pulling itself back up.

Oz frowned then. "Seems I will have to do something with that tail of your's dear, perhaps some excess weight."

The jailor moved closer then, clamping an iron shackle onto that tail.

There was snickering then from Oziendis."We'll see how improved your attitude is once you have been without nourishment, or sleep for awhile.

Turning on his heel, Oz moved back for the entrance to her stall, pausing only to give the jailor a razorwire whip.

"Just don't bleed her too badly..I don't want her bleeding to death, If she dies, you will suffer a fate worse then death itself. Opening the door then, he slipped out into the night, leaving her with the disfigured little jailor.

She sat upon the butcher's block, as though it were the most natural thing in the world as though comfortable. Nothing was further from the truth. Terror welled within her, a storm of horror and loathing as she sat quietly. She could not believe she had spoken her compliance, confirmed she would not struggle or cry out. Her body was paralyzed, not by fear, but by the collar she wore, that controlled her every action.

The bastard had thought of everything, she could not make even the slightest of sounds, it was if she had no throat, no lungs, though she still drew breath. She watched as Oziendis took his time, examining knives, lifting one, then setting it down in favor of another. Eventually he chose a pair of pliers, opting to first remove claws and teeth. He lifted her paw, and she offered no resistance. She did not so much as flinch as he clamped them onto the first claw, brutally ripping it out, blood spurting hot on his bare chest.

She made no indication of the agony that shot through her nerves and assailed her brain, she merely sat. One by one those claws were ripped from their places, bits of flesh and vein clinging to the bone. Muscles torn and jagged now bled openly from those paws,. This he repeated, taking his time, savoring the agony he knew she was feeling. He noted the glaze in her eyes, and knew what it was. And it was plain he enjoyed what he did. Her pain was his exquisite pleasure, he savored her agony, reveled in it.

Sheer force of will, his will kept her awake and sitting as he tore the last talon from her feet with a violent jerking twist, snapping it as the sinew tore. She watched in silence, and allowed him to open her mouth. Teeth that might have easily done him harm were kept at bay, and she did not so much as twitch as the first jolt of blinding torment shot through her. One tooth pulled...only thirty or so to go...

It had only been an hour, though it seemed an eon. Blood poured from her muzzle, dripping down her chest to mingle with the blood from her feet. Her feet had begun to coagulate, the bleeding slowing, though the pain was still nothing short of excruciating. Her heart beat wildly as though it might burst from this sensory overload, but her breathing was steady. Her eyes had a hollow glazed expression in them, but she was aware of everything. So very, very aware.

He finally allowed the little dragon to succumb to the shock, her body having been cooked externally and her innards were becoming so as well. His satisfaction was not complete, no not yet. He withdrew from his pocket a fist sized stone, easily mistaken for a ruby had it not pulsated with a deep red light. His fingers caressed it lightly before he spoke the final incantation, drawing out the little dragon's soul as she took her last faltering breath. The timing had to be precise or he would miss the window, but he was skilled at this, and Shiva's innocent soul was drawn from her lifeless body and into the waiting prison.

He chuckled in dark satisfaction and tucked the gem back into his pocket. His attention was now on the roasted dragon. He was hungry after hours of diligent work and did not hesitate to rip a chunk of tender cooked flesh from the spit and taste of it. Sweet juices filled his mouth as he savored the wild flavor of his favorite sustenance, not food, but revenge. Icer had crossed him too many times, had gathered her allies against him and defeated his last shell. Now he had her daughter, dead before him. He ripped another chunk of flesh free consuming it, relishing it. Perhaps Icer would accept a tidbit, she must surely be hungry.

His smile was nothing less than cruel as a chunk was ripped from a hind leg and he stood in front of Icer's stall, leering at her, 'food' in hand. "Oh precious.." He held up the morsel where she could see and smell it...

Oziendis stood outside the dragon's stall, still blood slick,and leering at her, the scent of cooked meat wafting from the pit nearby.In his hand, he held an offering, a morsel.

Ice blue gaze flicked from her jailor, to her captor, a sneer upon her snout. Stomach gurgled at the scent, though she refused, she had fallen for his trick before, and look where it had landed her.

"Not hungry.., pet." He took a bite of the meat in his hand, still leering at the dragoness."It is not drugged, I already have you and drugging you would serve no purpose."

Snorting, straining, horned head shook, if she could have, she would have used her icefire, and frozen him, or at least spit, the muzzle and bit prevented either.

"Perhaps a story then, to while away the time" It must be frightfully dull sitting there all day and night with no company." "I know Frienze is not much of a conversationalist." Oz motioned then to the jailor who still sat there, smug as ever.

Let me go!!, serpentine neck and back arched, sending the lash in her flank stinging again. She muttered something under her breath as well, about wiping that smile from Frienze's face if she ever got loose.

"I think not, you see, you are a bargaining chip in larger affairs." A thin smile twisted those cruel lips, dark eyes glittering.

"But I would hate to ruin the surprise, I just detest the game being given away."He stepped closer to the dragon, knowing she could not do him any harm the way she was restrained.

He deftly reached arou behind her head tightening the muzzle anyways."I have a story I think you will quite enjoy.."

As that hand came down, she reared her neck back, the tightening of the muzzle forcing her to bite down uncomfortably on the bit.

'A rather special story.." He suddendly gripped her head, exerting a far greater strength than even she thought he had.Eyes locked with hers and his voice dropped low. "This story requires no words.., pet, but images, memories, specifically.., mine."

He chuckled softly, gripping tighter, forcing her to look into his eyes as he began transferring the memories of just this morning's work in every detail.

Every moment of elation he felt as he rent Shiva's body, torturing her, and finally the sweet taste of her flesh, the very flesh he had offered her.Waiting, watching for it to sink in.

She writhed, growled, eyes widening before giving a look of disgust. He forced her to feel what he felt, taste what he tasted.it seemed like eternity, but only lasted minutes.

She was sickened, nauseated, shaking her head, trying to get the taste from her jaws, she wouldn't weep, no, instead trying to gouge him with a horn.

"Whats wrong, pet.., don't care for stories." "Personally, I love a good tale." He laughed as he released her, taking a step back.

I am nae your pet! He was grazed, but it was shallow, healing almost immediately."I don't suppose she told you about her, bargain, did she."

"She was to deliver you to me, she knew her fate if she didn't keep up her end."When she failed to deliver, I knew I had to collect."

I do not believe your lies..really, she had no idea. "I have been dealing with Shiva almost as long as you, fool.She was quite the little actress till she turned traitor on me." "I found her robbing graves to feed. Tell me, did she not consume people when you first found her."

She snarled, still tugging on her bonds.

"You think on that awhile.., I have a new hide that needs tending to, I think I shall make her into a belt. And Midnight would appreciate me bringing home dinner, I'm sure." "What do you think?" an evil grin given to the mother.

She snarled, and lunged, trying to gore the bastard before her, but the shackles tripped her up, sending her back into the smelly straw of her prison.

A smirk as he tightened the shackles as well, couldn't have his pet hurting herself..

"Perhaps dragon ala king,"laughing as he turned and left, locking the stall behind. Soon he was gathering up a good portion of Shiva and her pelt, leaving the dragoness with her jailor.

Muscles tensed, twitched, she was seething, and powerless to do anything about it, tail twitching, thrashing against it's shackle, if only she could reach Frienze..

Icer was trying to take in the bit of fresh air that was seeping in, till the prod was pressed to her flank again, this time, a screech tore from her parched throat as her legs trembled, giving way to send her back to the straw. "Tsk, tsk. And only on five, too. What would your dear mate say if he saw you so easily defeated?"Icer sent her captor another hatful look. "Or your mother" You know I have had my eye on her as well. Her whelps would make excellent guard beasts.."He taunted her mercilessly. "Of course I could always leave them be perhaps if I were offered something worthwhile..."His tone darkened. "Speak the words you know I wish to hear...Acknowledge me as your master and I will spare your unborn siblings.." "Never! She snarled through her fangs.Oziendis shrugged. "You will call me master by your will or not." The prod was deactivated and set aside. And he reached into the black velvet satchel slung over his shoulder. What he pulled out was a collar unlike any he had ever before crafted. It was beautiful scrolled silver, and looked as though it might be easily broken by the slightest mishandling, though looks were deceiving indeed. Beset with sparkling gems; it was a work of art. This was the very same work that only this morning had been clamped on Shiva's neck and swayed her. It had the unique capacity for change that it now might fit the mother. "Beautiful, is it not' I think you will greatly appreciate my generosity once you try it on." Icer eyed the collar, it looked as if she could easily break it. "Why would I want to try it on?"Oziendis Feigned hurt. "I thought females liked pretty jewelry. Here, Let me adorn your neck and then we shall see, Hm?" Before she could argue he had moved forward and clamped it onto her neck,the clasp closed and sealed magically. any outside tampering would result in her agony. The collar itself once in place would influence her almost instantly, her feelings for him would even be altered, though how well she responded remained to be seen. Icer didn't even have time to blink before the collar was clasped and bound to her neck, and she swayed a moment. Oziendis watched her an open smirk on his face. Icer's blue eyes held a bit of a glaze to them, as though she were in a daze, jaws still clamped upon her bit. He smiled and watched still, it was not unusual for the newly collared to be disoriented at first. but that collar would exert power over her she would not be able to deny, bending her thoughts on him to the point of borderline obsession. She would desire to obey. Icer shook her horned head, sending the chains rattling again. "And how are we feeling, my dear?" He asked her softly. "Thirsty." She rumbled through her muzzle."Thirsty, yes I am sure you are, my pet." His voice was soothing. "And how do you ask politely' Remember manners, always manners. It does not do to be rude.?"Thirsty...Master..? Her mind was railing against the power that swayed her, though the collar proved stronger. He praised her lavishly, reinforcing the magical sway of the collar by making what little of her conscious will feel she had been behaving poorly. that her good behavior would result in reward. Why had not this thought occurred before would become less and less clear.

Curled up in her new stall, beneath the fleece blanket, the dragoness slumbered peacefully. Her mind occasionally railled against the power of the collar locked upon her neck.

Though it never woke her, exhausted as she was, having been denied sleep for days.

Finally ice blue eyes drifted open, was it morning?, she couldn't tell, the stone walls of the pit kept sunlight out. She didn't even know how long she'd been captive.

Though unlike before, she was behaving, no chains to rattle or clank, no muzzle, or bit, they had been removed.

Now it was just her, and the power of the collar that held her in sway.

She didn't even think thoughts of trying to wipe the smile off Frienze's face.

Slipping out from beneath her blanket, she moved back to the trough, dipping her snout in to take a long drink.

The water was cool, and clear, not cloudy at all.

Slaking her thirst, she moved and sat at the stall door, patiently awaiting the arrival of her owner. Oz had promised her a bath.

"Hello, pet" Oziendis grinned as he arrived, unlocking the stall door and opening it wide. "I see you are ready for your bath."

The dragoness stood there, obediently awaiting her orders, ice blue eyes on the demon that had swayed her, holding her in thrall against her very will.

Her mind still rattled, trying to break free of the control, but it seemed the more she fought, the harder the collar pushed back.

Yes master..."Thats a good girl, come with me."

He led her through the pit to another stall, this one held chains, and ropes, and what looked like a drainage hole.

"Inside my pet, go'

Following orders, she slid inside the stall, though this time she wasn't restrained, Oziendis took up a large bucket of soapy water, and a scrub brush.

"Lower your head pet." Doing as bidden, she stood still as he started to clean her head, and snout, flinching only as some of that soapy water hit the whiplashes, or a sore spot.

Oziendis worked over her scales, from head to tail, as promised, until she almost actually gleamed.

Moving again, this time to a storage area, the demon selected one of his best saddles, and bridles, returning with a smug grin.

"I need you to lower your head again, pet, and open your jaws."

Another rail, she hated being encumbered, but the collar forced her will, snout lowering and jaws opening.

Oziendis gave a genuine grin then, placing the bridle around her head and snout and the bit within her jaws.

"You can close them now."

Ice blue eyes blinked as jaws shut, biting down again on the bit, this time though, willingly, if only to please.

Soon enough he had placed a light saddle blanket upon her back, topping it off with the ornamental saddle, only his finest leather one would suffice for this.

Reaching under her girth, he strapped the buckle of the saddle beneath her belly scales, making sure it was snug and secure, though not too tight to be uncomfortable.

She stood still during all of this, making not a sound, ice blue gaze on the floor of the stall.

Taking up the reins, he smiled assuringly to his pet, leading her back to her own stall. He had matters to attend to first.

"Wait here, pet, I will return shortly for you." Again that smile was genuine, but he still locked her stall, there would be no chances taken in losing her, not now.

She slept for days, waking only when thirst had hit. Not even when Oz had returned would she wake, though she flinched in her slumber, only slightly as she felt him rubbing the salve onto her serpentine neck, where the whip had bitten in just days before.

He would let her sleep, knowing that she would need it before the journey ahead in the coming days. She did not see his pleasant smile.

And now even her dreams had died down, along with the fading voice in her mind.

No longer did her thoughts rattle against the strength of the collar.

Now she slept peacefully, and soundly, even with the saddle and bridle still attached.

No longer did she seem to fight the instruments that encumbered her.

Oz reached his hand out as she slumbered, and brushed it along her bridled snout."Thats a good pet, you just rest now."

Before he left, he refilled her trough, then reached down, moving the blanket, just a little, to cover her a little more.

He was doing all he could to keep his pet comfortable.

He did give a bit of an evil grin as he pulled another bit of meat out of his satchel, leaving it where she could find it should her hunger return.

The stew smelled delicious! It was now done, the meat was so tender and rich it fairly melted in the mouth, and the veggies were just right. The surface of the broth glistened with little pools of fat. He chuckled darkly as he separated some for personal consumption and for Midnight and perhaps a few select others. The rest he took to the local orphanage. He was using and act of 'kindness' to be yet more twisted. He was going to feed a child, to mere children.

He watched as the stew was distributed by the nuns, who in good faith thought the gift wonderful. They had no idea. He could hardly contain wicked glee as he watched the little urchins eat, greedily consuming and going back for seconds, and thirds. He was silently gloating as he took the empty stew pot home.....Oh, the Inhumanity..

He had thoughtfully saved some of the little dragon's skin and decided he could use a new belt, and perhaps a money pouch. The hide had already been cured and now all he had to do was cut and sew. Easy enough. He took his measurements, and measured out a goodly strip of hide then made it five inches longer than his measurements to give plenty of room. The hide was hemmed and a buckle sewn into one end. The other end he used an awl to punch holes in, and inserted eyes, carefully using a hammer to join the two bits of metal together to keep the holes from ripping. The process took less than an hour.

Next the coin pouch. Simple, really. He cut the remaining hide to shape, and flipped it inside out. He then sewed the edges together and hemmed the flap so it would not be ragged or easily damaged. He slit a hole in the front and slid a smaller strip through, sewing it on the inside and also sealed the slit. He flipped the pouch right side out, attached a buckle, and put a hole in the extended lip of the flap and put an eyelet in it as well to make it sturdy. He now had a new money pouch to match his belt. He would be the envy of Rhy'din.

Ice blue eyes drifted shut again, laying curled up on her right side, the blanket she'd been given still stretched comfortably over her bulk.

The scent of the straw she lay upon almost seemed comforting, she had no reason to stray, not that she could, even if she wanted.

The only thing that had been missing, was time outside, but she was not allowed out of the pit.

So the dragoness dreamed, she dreamed of gliding in the breeze, of cool water against her scales, she dreamed of pleasant things.

Star slipped quietly through the back alley humming a soft tune to herself...She was on her way to the inn, to see if there was anything interesting going on there tonight, Or maybe to see if there was anyone there that she knew. Plus,, She was basically trying to avoid the lair...Since Elektra was being rather....huffy with her. Oziendis seemed to melt out of the shadows, soft voice and beguiling smile. "Well, hello, there..." Star blinked, before she turned to face him, a brow perked curiously. "Hello Zion." she said softly, nodding slightly, eyeing him quietly. "What are you doing out here" It's dangerous. rumors are flying of kidnappings" "I know...I'm just on my Way to the inn right now...I'm trying to avoid Elektra...She's getting rather huffy at me." she mumbled tsoftly. "So, you are alone, then?" Quirking a brow "And you think this wise?" "Mhm...But I'm moving pretty quickly...Or was." she said, before she shifted a bit, and glanced around, thinking about his last question. "Not really....No." Oziendis stepped closer, offering his arm "May I escort you, then, My lady?" She paused a moment, before she nodded slightly. "Absolutely. If you can take care of my brother...I'm sure you won't let anytihng bother me." she mused a smile playing on her features, before she linked her arm in his. Oziendis smiled. "But of course. Only the finest care." He placed his other hand atop her hand. On his thumb he wore what at first had seemed to be a decorative piece, but he now used it to scratch her hand, the tiniest of nicks, hardly noticeable, really. But it had been covered in a powerful poison that would induce sleep. It would easily have passed for an accident. "Thank you." she said softly, before she waited for him to lead. Oh. And the scratch was felt, but it wasn't really noted...because it brought her hardly any pain at all. It was just a tiny scratch. " Of course, My Lady." He replied graciously. "Anything for one of my beloved Midnight's kin. after all I hope to soon be an in-law." Lying so easily between those perfect teeth, that smiling mouth, those...cold eyes. She Blinked at the words In-law..."You plan to ask Midnight to marry you?" she asked him curiously, before she grinned slightly. He's gonna be ecstatic." she said nodding, before she bounced lightly on her heels, beginning to feel sleepy...and with in a few more moments, she went limp where she stood. Oziendis caught her slumping form easily enough and hefted her rather light body. He removed his cloak, and draped it over her, and carried her to where he had been keeping Icer. She would sleep for several hours, plenty of time to secure her in a stone cell without bother.

Whatever Zion had used to maker her sleep, kept her so while he came back in dragging her brother to put him in there with her. And she had stayed knocked out for a while, before the poison had wore off finally, allowing her to awake. This was done slowly. A shift here....A wiggle there, before she finally opened her eyes, and groaned softly...Ooo. Her head hurt, immensely...And her tongue felt thick...fuzzy. There was a paused, before she sat up, pausing to glance at the shackles that were around her wrists that were attached to the wall. Then she leaned against the wall as her head spun, and hurt even more.

"Oh god....Where am I?" she mumbled softly, eyes scanning the room, flickering over the water trough in there, then to the unconscious sleeping form of someone else. Blink Blink....Was that...Midnight' After a moment of staring, she decided that it was him, and sighed softly. "Midnight...You awake?" she hissed softly. After she got no reply, she sighed, and let her eyes close.

Shortly after her eyes closed, several images, short clips...memories flashed through her mind. Zion finding her in the alley. Offering to take her to the inn himself. The slight scratching on her hand...Then after that...Nothing but blackness, untill she woke up. Once again red flecked Ice blues drifted about the room, before she moved to her knees and slipped towards the water trough...The least she could do was keep hydrated, Right' Once she reached it, she first attempted to cup water in her hands a drink it that way. When that failed, she huffed, and leaned down letting her lips touch the surface of the water enough for her to drink her fill.

Once done, she pulled back and flopped down onto the ground...How long had she been in here" And Just how long was she going to stay here" She had no clue...She just wanted to get out of there soon. Where ever 'Here' was.

Her Darling was in a bit of a funk. And no one liked a usually cranky dragon when he was in a funk. The reason' Shimmerscales. Or rather the lack of useful information on where to find them.

In an effort to try and coax him into a better frame of mind, Pearl was taking a stroll through the flesh market, hoping to pick up a tempting little morsel of fae, or perhaps a mermaid. Mermaids made excellent cake.

And then she saw them. In a pen by themselves. Such a pretty little pair.

"Ssshimmerscales..." It was an exultant hiss from the serpentine dragon. "Just the thing."

She looked around for the broker, eager to know how he had come across such a treasure.

He smiled, though it was nothing like the warm smiles of kind or good men. "I see you admiring my pets...I happened to endear myself you see..shells being such useful things. They never for a moment realized who I was until too late. " His laugh was cold. "The price on this pair is steep however, the male did me some injury, though.." Offhandedly gesturing to the male's obviously crippled leg. "He reaped his reward for his foolishness."

He leaned against the gate, with a smirk playing on his handsome features. "So...what say you, my Lady' Perhaps you might be interested in this pair? I'm afraid the mother has already been made a gift of to my Lord Travanix, but these two are vaulable nonetheless"

"I had not anticipated them to be used for eating, but seeing as I am in rather a hurry to dispose of them, I might accommodate you." He chuckled softly. "I may be able to get more, though not at present, it seems certain people have become aware of exactly who I am and I must cast this shell and in rather a hurry.."

Malevolent eyes glittering darkly at the pair. "Make me an offer.."

He smiled and offered his hand. "I accept. They'll sleep a bit longer though not much. You'll want to move them quickly. Will you be needing the keys for their bonds or will you merely be removing the limbs?" He spoke as though he were speaking about any other livestock, cows, pigs or chickens.

He gave up the keys and chuckled softly unlocking the pen. "A pleasure my lady. I hope to do business with you again soon. Though I fear you may not know me after this." The keys dropped heavily into the newest pair of hands and he took his payment and turned without any further word onward home. His work this night had been done

Oziendis had just finished ridding himself of any solid evidence of star and Midnight's capture by selling them at the slave markets and was now carefully destroying evidence of the pit he'd kept those pathetic Shimmerscale scum in. It had served him and now he no longer needed it. The pit itself remained but he had used magic to change the landscape to confuse any who had been there before save himself.

Behind Oz a swirl of shadows would start to form, before they took the shape of the one and only Dark Brooding Bastard himself. Golden eyes locked on the male in front of him, before a slow fanged smirk appeared in the hood of the cloak. " Hello Oz. "

Oziendis would slowly straighten, smiling a secretive smile to himself before turning. "Ah..the fabled Darkmere, I assume. I was wondering when they would call in the help. I have been waiting and I consider my self fair minded but this..tsk tsk..Late. Bad form. I thought you and that silly clan of yours would have had the wits between the group of you to figure it out already. Seems I was wrong.

" Oziendis was sneering. Darkmere's right hand snapped out to grab Oz by the throat, in an attempt to lift him up while slowly squeezing. " And you are still the cowardly pissant that you always were. " The words spoken whether or not the grab landed. Oziendis wasn't -that- slow. He had moved aside though fingers would graze his throat. "Perhaps, but a pissant as you so quaintly put it, who managed not one but three of your beloved clan members."

He was taunting him now. "Do you know dragon makes an excellent soup" And Midnight and Icer both agree, as the both of them ate that pathetic crippled daughter of Icer's"Darkmere lowered that hand, "And just like a coward...You attacked when I wasn't around. " Watching the male move. " Now stop prancing around and fight like a man...That is if you ever concidered yourself one. " Oziendis Chuckled darkly "What, and just let you have what you want' how like a Shimmerscale affiliate to expect whining to get you what you want"

Darkmere shrugged. " Very well...If you want to play hard ball. " Now lifting his right hand up, allowing that hidden energy to start running around his form. A mix of a black and green glow, before he leveled it at Oz's head. " Unlike them...I don't play fair either. " There was a cackle of energy flowing around the brooding one now...Seems he was about to start letting loose with some of his more powerful tricks. "Magic, is it?" Laughing.

He didn't seem to mind that the blast had caught the side of his face, or the fact the flesh had both burned and in some places melted the hair stinking as it singed. The effect was rather disturbing. "Well now Who ever said fair was part of the deal?" Deft fingers flipping a small throwing star at him to perhaps distract him for a moment before a torrent of stinking black flame erupted around Oz burning everything within a ten foot radius, preventing much else from getting close The brooding one smirked to that as he lowered his arm, the glow still wrapping around him.

" Such childish tricks. "Just as the fire seemed to wash over him, leaving behind a good side pile of ash in it's wake. Yet one with a keen eye would note something was very wrong...As a head size ball of green and black energy came from above. Aiming to explode upon impact. And the impact would be terrible indeed. the collision of Dark's attack right into the center of his own flame-barrier would cause both to explode. Black fire and Dar's energy attack scorching everything in range as though a meteor had struck. Oz's flames might possibly do some damage to Dark as they spread that direction.

But it was ground zero; that was gruesomely the center of attention. No skin, most of the muscles dripping off in a putrid goo that hissed as it struck the ground Like acid. Internal organs black with decay were exposed where muscle was clearly missing in places, and his extremities were now mostly bone with charring. He was laughing maniacally. "You think you can kill me, boy?"! "That laughter was just wrong."This shell has been dead for months! I suppose that would make Midnight a necrophiliac of sorts...I'm sure he'll love that! Too bad I won't see his face as I did when I told him he had eaten his sister!"

Darkmere growled as the fire managed to slam into him, causing him a few burns all over his frame. Before a thin smirk crossed his lips. " With ease. " Mocking Oz as he dusted himself off. " Now...how to finish a whelp such as you off" " One hand coming in front of his face. " Do me a favor...Say hello to Satan for me. " Smirking as Oz might wish he would of picked on another family. As a white glow erupted from Darkmere, a hint to the other side of the brooding one. Holy magic.Four white orbs appeared around Oz, then started to split. First to eight then to sixteen, before shooting out to surround Oz.

As the brooding one smirked like the devil himself, as he jerked his hand down. Forcing the balls to shoot inwards towards the center. The target' Oz of course. Oziendis slung his arms forward, might as well make this interesting. He knew what was coming and had planned on it, but where was the fun in laying down and dying" No, he slung decaying flesh-goo at Dark just as that light converged on him. If his aim had been on and he'd hit, Dark just might end up with a nasty scar from that acidic stuff and a stench that would cling for a week.

The attack he himself had be a target of would strike and he would feign horror and perhaps a (weak) attempt to escape before the shell he inhabited was completely destroyed and this time there was no taunting. The little energy that he had left was used to sink his living essence into the ground so deep it could not be detected. The body was reduced to ash, and amid the char and the soot was half buried, a strange red gem

This time the tossed attack was noted as Dark snapped up that barrier in time, letting the goo stop a few inches from his face. Thought the goo tried to eat through it, in the end it didn't quiet do the job. " You might fool others, Oz. Yet I know you will return..Rest assured that next time..You will deal with me. " Once he watched Oz's body destroyed into a pile of ash. He then moved over to pick the gem up, and tucked it into his cloak. " One deed done..now it is up to Drake and the others to find Icer. "

After blindly searching for her brother for a while, Starlight finally sank into a curled up ball and emmitted a soft whimper of despair. Not only was she scared, but she was hungry, thirsty, groggy, and rather lost as to what was happening at the moment. She had no clue where she was. Where Midnight was...

Quietly she thought back on how long she thought she had been away from home, first in the cell Oz had put her in, then here in the blackness. A couple of days" Weeks" Months" Star hoped that it had been only a couple of days, but she didn't know, due to the drugs.

Was Athena worried about her" Was she searching desperatly for Star right now" Absently, her mind came over the one, most prominent thought in mind. Would she ever see Athena again? Her family' That thought, the unknowning terrified her. For the first time since she had nearly been 'sold' for food, by Aunty, she was absoluterly terrified. Intresteing Irony, Eh?