1524
Views
Views
63
Favorites
Favorites
Category
Artwork (Traditional) / Fantasy
Species Western Dragon
Gender Multiple characters
Size 927 x 1280
File Size 400.1 kB
See more from Clostridium
Listed in Folders
Spring, 1423
The gryphons idly watched as Mera descended from the red sky of sunset onto the aviary at the Palisades. The dragon was a familiar sight to them and most simply acknowledged his presence.
Rerterssk, they called him, “The Offering”. Eighty years ago, already a hero of the Great War, Mera had been seriously wounded and captured fighting bravely in battle against the eagle-lions. However though previously neither gryphon nor dragon took prisoners, in this case the aviary leader happened to be a female named Fetati- now Haffsterk, “The Peacemaker”- who Mera had saved during the Other Man invasion and who now decided to spare the dragon’s life to pay that debt. The Dragon Queen had offered the aviaries their own prisoners and a truce in exchange for her wounded savior’s safe return, a deal that was accepted, finally bringing peace to the two great races. Since then, with a few vicious exceptions, an uneasy peace had maintained between the dragons and gryphons. After the bulk of the surviving dragons had withdrawn to the fringes of the Northern Mountains, Rerterssk remained in the Southern Ranges, but continued to honor the truce, even during the rise of the Miscabbards, even after the death of his mate and his ensuing madness and disappearance from the wider world.
Meratezatgh first showed up at the Palisades Aviary itself twenty years ago. A massive, aging, scarred hero that many gryphons knew from sight during his extended captivity, the dragon immediately aroused fear and suspicion. However, the dragon was a broken creature; some spirit was lost inside him and he neglected to even confront the gryphons, satisfying himself with sulking around the edges of the aviary like a vulture or coyote. The gryphons were immensely confused by this; a few parties of made of the young and the brave occasionally went out to fight the dragon, but they were defeated each time; perhaps in deference to his past captivity the dragon spared the attackers and let them slink back to the aviary with their tails between their legs and lick their wounds. Otherwise the creature was simply content enough to hang around. Though they were still suspicious of his motives, the gryphons eventually learned to leave him be.
Finally, after two years of this, a couple of young gryphons whelps let their curiosity gets the best of them and, stealing from their nest, headed out to confront the dragon. Alone. A panicked search by the entire aviary quickly occurred, then abruptly ended when they found the group peacefully curled up in sleep with the dragon. After that the aviary- with only a few noticeable exceptions-, began to welcome Mera, who eventually acquired some of the gryphon language, though outside with playing with the fledglings the dragon mostly kept to himself. It was nightfall though was when the dragon would come back to life. With gryphons whelps piled around him and the illuminated by the lights and shadows of an open flame, the dragon suddenly became animated again, singing and laughing and drawing out glorious stories of the legendary heroes and creators of Nalbin in the dancing embers of many a night’s fire.
Mera had forgiven the gryphons for taking his father and for taking himself. He had not forgiven the humans for taking his mother and brother and mate.
***
Dinner was done and twilight was falling when Mera arrived and a small crowd of young gryphon whelps had assembled for tonight’s story time near the old hearth the dragon had established himself on a cliff's edge near the namesake palisades. As he walked over and ignited the night's fire, the young ones were already clamoring for the new story. Dragon, gryphon, human, Sabine, Duregaren, Mera had assembled a impressive collection. It didn't really matter. The beats were always the same, the hero journeying out to fight the great evil pervading the world, vanquishing it and returning in triumph or dying gloriously in battle. Stories to impress, stories to discuss, stories to emulate. A thousand stories, a thousand faces, a thousand themes, and one question: what is one's place in the world?
^Uncle dragon! Tell us the story about Kazzur and the Southern Spires again!^ One of the gryphons clamored.
^Tell us about the time that you saved the dragon matriarch!^
^Tell us again about the minotaurs Sarangay and Tau!^
^Tell us about how Aunt Haffsterk kicked your butt!^ One of the young gryphons cut in.
Meratezatgh laughed at that comment. ^Why are you hanging out with a loser like me, Seisyllt?^ He replied in heavily accented gryphon to the maple brown whelp. ^Go home and listen to your Aunt Fetati.^
Seisyllt hmphed at Mera’s reply. ^Because you’re better at telling stories, uncle dragon.^
Seisyllt was a relative newcomer to the aviary. He was originally from the Blue Cliffs, the aviary of Fetati and where the dragon had spent his time in captivity. Seisyllt was also Haffsterk's nephew, and when the whelp heard that Rerterssk of the stories was nearby, he took the opportunity to meet up with the legend, scrambling away before first light and taking the two day flight to the Palisades. Fetati was not very thrilled about her nephew's little adventure, but the matriarch of the Palisades Aviary, Jetatoi, eventually managed to welcome the cub in and smooth things over with his aunt. Now Seisyllt frequently showed up at twilight like the others to hang around with the dragon.
The dragon laughed again, scooping Seisyllt into the crook of his arm. ^Well you do know how to make these old bones feel useful, kid. Now, tonight I think I'll tell you all the story of How Eefewei the unicorn saved the Mwelian Forest from the humans and became the queen.^ Throwing his free arm into the air, Mera began this night's tale for his enraptured audience.
***
Hours later, the embers of the fire had died down and all of the gryphon whelps were curled up around the dragon, sound asleep. Mera was still awake however, and gently picked up a dozing Seisyllt from off his belly and placed him besides the others, watching the little ones rest for a few minutes, before quietly getting up and leaving.
Jetatoi was watching from the edge of the aviary. She was an old, wise gryphon, gentle in demeanor but apt in her diplomacy. Jetatoi was a good friend of Fetati and one of the reformist faction among the gryphon council, though she had opposed her more headstrong friend during the course of the Gryphon-Dragon War. Her ability to keep the Palisades Aviary together and peaceful in the face of the war with the dragons, the Miscabbard Raids, and now human expansion greatly impressed the former Dragon Lord.
^Another wondrous tale, Rerterssk. You're starting to get good at this job.^ Jetatoi quietly chuckled. ^Your language skills aren't too bad now either.^
^I would dare say that it is enjoyable, den mother. In another life perhaps, I could have been happier as a storyteller or a shaman.^ Mera replied with amusement, before a slight hint of sadness crossed over his face. ^Thank you for your hospitality for all these years, Jetatoi.^
The matriarch looked up. ^Are you leaving Rerterssk?^
Mera nodded. ^I am, and there’s a good chance that I will not be able to return.^
^This journey may be to your death, yet you have decided to go.^
^My mate is passed and gone; my children have grown up and are gone, my old friends have left this realm and gone, my people are going; I am left. There’s no reason for me to fear death.^
^What are you doing that is so dangerous?^
^I will try to help a child, a granddaughter of an old human friend of mine, find her destiny.^
Jetatoi walked over to gently touch Mera's snout. ^The humans have done you great ill, old wyrm. Stay with us. You can help to raise the children. The Palisades Aviary can continue to support you in your sunset years.^
Mera smiled, but shook his head. ^I believe that. But this human child raised up some old ghosts that I had long forgotten, and I should exorcise them.^
The matriarch sighed. ^I won’t begin to try to understand your ways, Rerterssk. But if you must go, than go. You were never a prisoner here. If you do come back though, know that our hearth is always welcome to you.^
^I thank you, den mother.^
The two figures lowered their heads and touched them together in courtesy. After a minute, the dragon broke contact and began walking over to the edge of the palisades.
^The young ones will be disappointed.^ The matriarch suddenly stated. ^What should I tell them?^
Mera stopped for a second. ^If I don’t came back, tell them I went to visit old friends and to fight for great deeds, like the heroes of yore.^ He finally replied.
Jetatoi nodded. ^I will honor your request, Rerterssk, and I bid you care. As you dragons say,^ The matriarch switched over to Draconic. *May you forever fly above the fickle winds and changing tides.*
Mera reached the edge of the cliffs, and spread his wings before the moonlight. ^May your feathers forever catch the sun’s rays, Jetatoi.^ He said, and took off.
Jed Whedon (Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog) - So They Say
Beautiful work as always from
chickenzaur
The gryphons idly watched as Mera descended from the red sky of sunset onto the aviary at the Palisades. The dragon was a familiar sight to them and most simply acknowledged his presence.
Rerterssk, they called him, “The Offering”. Eighty years ago, already a hero of the Great War, Mera had been seriously wounded and captured fighting bravely in battle against the eagle-lions. However though previously neither gryphon nor dragon took prisoners, in this case the aviary leader happened to be a female named Fetati- now Haffsterk, “The Peacemaker”- who Mera had saved during the Other Man invasion and who now decided to spare the dragon’s life to pay that debt. The Dragon Queen had offered the aviaries their own prisoners and a truce in exchange for her wounded savior’s safe return, a deal that was accepted, finally bringing peace to the two great races. Since then, with a few vicious exceptions, an uneasy peace had maintained between the dragons and gryphons. After the bulk of the surviving dragons had withdrawn to the fringes of the Northern Mountains, Rerterssk remained in the Southern Ranges, but continued to honor the truce, even during the rise of the Miscabbards, even after the death of his mate and his ensuing madness and disappearance from the wider world.
Meratezatgh first showed up at the Palisades Aviary itself twenty years ago. A massive, aging, scarred hero that many gryphons knew from sight during his extended captivity, the dragon immediately aroused fear and suspicion. However, the dragon was a broken creature; some spirit was lost inside him and he neglected to even confront the gryphons, satisfying himself with sulking around the edges of the aviary like a vulture or coyote. The gryphons were immensely confused by this; a few parties of made of the young and the brave occasionally went out to fight the dragon, but they were defeated each time; perhaps in deference to his past captivity the dragon spared the attackers and let them slink back to the aviary with their tails between their legs and lick their wounds. Otherwise the creature was simply content enough to hang around. Though they were still suspicious of his motives, the gryphons eventually learned to leave him be.
Finally, after two years of this, a couple of young gryphons whelps let their curiosity gets the best of them and, stealing from their nest, headed out to confront the dragon. Alone. A panicked search by the entire aviary quickly occurred, then abruptly ended when they found the group peacefully curled up in sleep with the dragon. After that the aviary- with only a few noticeable exceptions-, began to welcome Mera, who eventually acquired some of the gryphon language, though outside with playing with the fledglings the dragon mostly kept to himself. It was nightfall though was when the dragon would come back to life. With gryphons whelps piled around him and the illuminated by the lights and shadows of an open flame, the dragon suddenly became animated again, singing and laughing and drawing out glorious stories of the legendary heroes and creators of Nalbin in the dancing embers of many a night’s fire.
Mera had forgiven the gryphons for taking his father and for taking himself. He had not forgiven the humans for taking his mother and brother and mate.
***
Dinner was done and twilight was falling when Mera arrived and a small crowd of young gryphon whelps had assembled for tonight’s story time near the old hearth the dragon had established himself on a cliff's edge near the namesake palisades. As he walked over and ignited the night's fire, the young ones were already clamoring for the new story. Dragon, gryphon, human, Sabine, Duregaren, Mera had assembled a impressive collection. It didn't really matter. The beats were always the same, the hero journeying out to fight the great evil pervading the world, vanquishing it and returning in triumph or dying gloriously in battle. Stories to impress, stories to discuss, stories to emulate. A thousand stories, a thousand faces, a thousand themes, and one question: what is one's place in the world?
^Uncle dragon! Tell us the story about Kazzur and the Southern Spires again!^ One of the gryphons clamored.
^Tell us about the time that you saved the dragon matriarch!^
^Tell us again about the minotaurs Sarangay and Tau!^
^Tell us about how Aunt Haffsterk kicked your butt!^ One of the young gryphons cut in.
Meratezatgh laughed at that comment. ^Why are you hanging out with a loser like me, Seisyllt?^ He replied in heavily accented gryphon to the maple brown whelp. ^Go home and listen to your Aunt Fetati.^
Seisyllt hmphed at Mera’s reply. ^Because you’re better at telling stories, uncle dragon.^
Seisyllt was a relative newcomer to the aviary. He was originally from the Blue Cliffs, the aviary of Fetati and where the dragon had spent his time in captivity. Seisyllt was also Haffsterk's nephew, and when the whelp heard that Rerterssk of the stories was nearby, he took the opportunity to meet up with the legend, scrambling away before first light and taking the two day flight to the Palisades. Fetati was not very thrilled about her nephew's little adventure, but the matriarch of the Palisades Aviary, Jetatoi, eventually managed to welcome the cub in and smooth things over with his aunt. Now Seisyllt frequently showed up at twilight like the others to hang around with the dragon.
The dragon laughed again, scooping Seisyllt into the crook of his arm. ^Well you do know how to make these old bones feel useful, kid. Now, tonight I think I'll tell you all the story of How Eefewei the unicorn saved the Mwelian Forest from the humans and became the queen.^ Throwing his free arm into the air, Mera began this night's tale for his enraptured audience.
***
Hours later, the embers of the fire had died down and all of the gryphon whelps were curled up around the dragon, sound asleep. Mera was still awake however, and gently picked up a dozing Seisyllt from off his belly and placed him besides the others, watching the little ones rest for a few minutes, before quietly getting up and leaving.
Jetatoi was watching from the edge of the aviary. She was an old, wise gryphon, gentle in demeanor but apt in her diplomacy. Jetatoi was a good friend of Fetati and one of the reformist faction among the gryphon council, though she had opposed her more headstrong friend during the course of the Gryphon-Dragon War. Her ability to keep the Palisades Aviary together and peaceful in the face of the war with the dragons, the Miscabbard Raids, and now human expansion greatly impressed the former Dragon Lord.
^Another wondrous tale, Rerterssk. You're starting to get good at this job.^ Jetatoi quietly chuckled. ^Your language skills aren't too bad now either.^
^I would dare say that it is enjoyable, den mother. In another life perhaps, I could have been happier as a storyteller or a shaman.^ Mera replied with amusement, before a slight hint of sadness crossed over his face. ^Thank you for your hospitality for all these years, Jetatoi.^
The matriarch looked up. ^Are you leaving Rerterssk?^
Mera nodded. ^I am, and there’s a good chance that I will not be able to return.^
^This journey may be to your death, yet you have decided to go.^
^My mate is passed and gone; my children have grown up and are gone, my old friends have left this realm and gone, my people are going; I am left. There’s no reason for me to fear death.^
^What are you doing that is so dangerous?^
^I will try to help a child, a granddaughter of an old human friend of mine, find her destiny.^
Jetatoi walked over to gently touch Mera's snout. ^The humans have done you great ill, old wyrm. Stay with us. You can help to raise the children. The Palisades Aviary can continue to support you in your sunset years.^
Mera smiled, but shook his head. ^I believe that. But this human child raised up some old ghosts that I had long forgotten, and I should exorcise them.^
The matriarch sighed. ^I won’t begin to try to understand your ways, Rerterssk. But if you must go, than go. You were never a prisoner here. If you do come back though, know that our hearth is always welcome to you.^
^I thank you, den mother.^
The two figures lowered their heads and touched them together in courtesy. After a minute, the dragon broke contact and began walking over to the edge of the palisades.
^The young ones will be disappointed.^ The matriarch suddenly stated. ^What should I tell them?^
Mera stopped for a second. ^If I don’t came back, tell them I went to visit old friends and to fight for great deeds, like the heroes of yore.^ He finally replied.
Jetatoi nodded. ^I will honor your request, Rerterssk, and I bid you care. As you dragons say,^ The matriarch switched over to Draconic. *May you forever fly above the fickle winds and changing tides.*
Mera reached the edge of the cliffs, and spread his wings before the moonlight. ^May your feathers forever catch the sun’s rays, Jetatoi.^ He said, and took off.
Jed Whedon (Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog) - So They Say
Beautiful work as always from
chickenzaur
Category Artwork (Traditional) / Fantasy
Species Western Dragon
Gender Multiple characters
Size 927 x 1280px
File Size 400.1 kB
Listed in Folders
Dragons can sure be great story tellers! Those birbs look like they're in for a good one!
Cute picture. Though, what does Mera mean by his people are going? Hope it doesn't mean what i think it means. :(
Thanks!
Yes unfortunately during his life the dragon population has dropped from about 1000 to about 300; by the time of this scene most of the surviving dragons have begun to migrate deep into the uncharted Northeast away from the path of human expansion.
Yes unfortunately during his life the dragon population has dropped from about 1000 to about 300; by the time of this scene most of the surviving dragons have begun to migrate deep into the uncharted Northeast away from the path of human expansion.
I see. Will their numbers recover? What are they going to do next?
I must know.
I must know.
Well, this is so close to the end of my story that the short answer is I don't know, the longer answer is that the granddaughter, Jayna, matures some and to honor Mera's sacrifice during the war she decides to protect the remaining dragons in the new republic, and also personally vows that her family would defend Mera's offspring against any and all future threats.
Hope this spoiler helps :P .
Hope this spoiler helps :P .
As long as the dragons don't all die at the end, i'm happy. Hate it in stories where all the cool magical creatures die out, leaving the frankly uninteresting humans to inherit the world. That's why i dislike the ending to Dragonheart.
Anyway, thanks for answering me. I get a little too invested in the lives of dragon characters.
Anyway, thanks for answering me. I get a little too invested in the lives of dragon characters.
Lol. Well I'm glad you enjoy it!
Dragonheart was actually the original impetus of this story back in 2001, though the population dynamics are based more on the people and animals of the American West (all my stories have a vague Western theme...), so some creatures go extinct, some go critically endangered but slowly recover. Bob's story https://www.furaffinity.net/view/30967487/ technically takes place in the same universe, so some dragons survive somewhere to the modern day.
Dragonheart was actually the original impetus of this story back in 2001, though the population dynamics are based more on the people and animals of the American West (all my stories have a vague Western theme...), so some creatures go extinct, some go critically endangered but slowly recover. Bob's story https://www.furaffinity.net/view/30967487/ technically takes place in the same universe, so some dragons survive somewhere to the modern day.
Yes the American bison, also my oc the bighorn sheep, bears, wolves, several species of birds.
Bob is sweet if a little proud and self-righteous.
Bob is sweet if a little proud and self-righteous.
I don’t see that lasting.
Dragons in your world are depicted as being “too stubborn to live” especially since dragons also inflict a high mortality rate with the local human population, and abhors communication or diplomacy with humanity so much, that it is considered a mark of shame to know the human language https://www.furaffinity.net/view/41310010/ and staying in “close” contact (like in Mera’s case with Stanton) with the humans can mean getting ostracized by the other dragons.
Dragons in your world are depicted as being “too stubborn to live” especially since dragons also inflict a high mortality rate with the local human population, and abhors communication or diplomacy with humanity so much, that it is considered a mark of shame to know the human language https://www.furaffinity.net/view/41310010/ and staying in “close” contact (like in Mera’s case with Stanton) with the humans can mean getting ostracized by the other dragons.
Mera is a reformist, and the fact that he brought (temporary) peace to between the dragons and humans is a step forward. His peace with the gryphons is in fact another step forward. The reason that Mera became a Dragon Lord was precisely because other dragons belatedly begun to recognize that fact, and is a third step forward. Finally, there are also two additional plot points important to this final part of the story that I have not yet touched on at this point, one of which involves Jayna, the other the Imperials.
Incremental improvements to the situation through constant struggle, subtle enough to be largely missed in any specific arc but massive enough to be major drivers down the line, is one of the major themes of this story.
Incremental improvements to the situation through constant struggle, subtle enough to be largely missed in any specific arc but massive enough to be major drivers down the line, is one of the major themes of this story.
Well, writing 3 years late, lol, funny)
But now I have this art on my desktop since today) And before that for a long time since the beginning of summer there was an art where Mera is touching his girlfriend's spirit by the chin and he's all powerful and beautiful looking at her in the moonlight, because such a character came out that it's like Draco won't take away my adoration (just kidding, he won't :P).
And this part is so cute, I thought, let someone screen such kindness, so now it's lacking, and they didn't show the friendship of dragons and griffins according to me.
But now I have this art on my desktop since today) And before that for a long time since the beginning of summer there was an art where Mera is touching his girlfriend's spirit by the chin and he's all powerful and beautiful looking at her in the moonlight, because such a character came out that it's like Draco won't take away my adoration (just kidding, he won't :P).
And this part is so cute, I thought, let someone screen such kindness, so now it's lacking, and they didn't show the friendship of dragons and griffins according to me.
It's actually one of Mera's big accomplishments (even if he doesn't actually realize it) creating peace between the dragons and gryphons.
Merch Store
Comments