Mira collapsed on the bench. There weren’t many places in Bordertown where you could just sit down and relax. The town was still young, but sooner or later they would have a few. At the moment she had come to the plaza in front of the dungeon’s entrance. It was a nice clear area with a few benches where people could sit down, but there was nothing to really look at here. No fountain, no trees, no grass or paved stones. The ground was hard packed earth, and most people did not stay long anyway. Mainly waiting for the rest of their party before going in. Occasionally there might be a flash of light and some poor girl would materialize at the entrance entirely nude.  When someone showed up, it was not long before another followed or maybe a group. Sometimes the entire party appeared at the same time. No matter the original composition of the group they all came back naked and female. The curse of the dungeon at work.

Not that Mira paid much attention. No, she was busy admonishing herself for foolishly running. That was going to spell trouble for her, she just knew it. Sarah was going to use that against her, and she will end up on some quest she never would have taken on her own. One that anyone with good sense would avoid. Perhaps even one that would take her into the dungeon, a place she was determined to avoid. Going in there could mean losing her greatest prizes, her pets. Delilah was such a great prize to have, she was cute and sexy. Not to mention an excellent healer. The other one who she had recently renamed to Michelle was really great in bed and could get her going in ways no one else had. She did not think any treasure or reward was worth losing them in exchange. Hence why she had always been careful, taking only quests she knew she could handle.

Oh, sure there had been that fuck up with the slime king quest, but that wasn’t her fault. Everything would have gone nice and smoothly if that bastard Flamewind hadn’t fucked them with his stupid charge. Although it might not have mattered in the end, with that slime dragon showing up. She still didn’t know what really happened with the dragon, her mind drawing a blank on it. Mira wasn’t sure she even wanted to know what it had done with them. It might be a good thing she has that hole in her memory.

She wasn’t sure how long the woman had been sitting there while she was thinking, but at one point she suddenly realized that the dragon lady she bumped into at the guild earlier was sitting next to her on the bench. She had a little girl in her lap, that she was feeding mashed fruit with a spoon. A bit surprised and somewhat mortified to see her there, she asked, “How long have you been sitting there?”

“Not too long. I mainly wanted to say hello to a fellow dragon.”

“Dragon? I’m not a dragon, I’m only part dragonkin.”

The dragon lady giggled, “Uh, no you are a dragon. Sure you aren’t a pure blood, but neither are the dragonkin. Although there is a difference between you and a common dragonkin.”

“Huh, what are you talking about. My own status says I am part dragonkin.”

The Dragon lady scoffed, “The system can lie. I can sense that someone took you to the temple at one point, and cast a concealment on you. You are a true half-dragon, not a run of the mill dragonkin.”

Now thoroughly confused Mira said, “Concealment?”

The Dragon lady nodded, “Yes, a unique hex meant to hide your true heritage, but I don’t think the hex was cast directly on you, but inherited from your mother. It’s one of those special ones that can be passed down the bloodline. Just like those curses that affect not just the target, but the target’s children, grandchildren and so on. Of course with age the hex has weakened, and any true dragon like me can see right through it.”

Mira frowned, “True dragon? You mean you aren’t a half-blood or something?”

The dragon nodded, “My name is Zemoria. Perhaps you have heard of it?”

Mira was silent for a moment, her mind searching, and then her eyes widened, “An old nature dragon that lives out in the elven lands. I recall hearing the dragon in question doesn’t like men.” she gave Zemoria a look, “that’s you?”

“I know I don’t look like it, but there are shapeshifting rituals. Ones that anyone with dragonblood can use. Perhaps, I can teach you. It will bring out more of your progenitor’s blood though. You might awaken a few more draconic instincts, and not just the powerful possessiveness that is common to all dragons. Like you no doubt discovered with those two girls I can smell all over you.”

Now she had so many questions she wasn’t sure what to ask first. After a moment of silence she finally asked, “Why would someone want to conceal my bloodline?”

Zemoria gave her a bright smile, in a glad you asked kind of manner, “Oh, there are any number of reasons to conceal a bloodline. It’s why the hex exists in the first place. I know why yours was concealed in the first place, but that is mainly because I know who the progenitor of your brood is. That doesn’t mean I am going to tell you. I’ll let you discover it on your own. What I will tell you is who that progenitor is. You are a child of the Brood of Teketh.”

Mira gave her a blank look. She had no idea who this Teketh was. Never once had she heard the name. Zemoria sighed, “I shouldn’t be surprised you don’t know her. Her brood is mostly gone as it is. There are a few old dragons of the brood left, but until today I wasn’t even aware there was still a direct descendent of Teketh alive.”

Now she just had more questions. Every single question she asked led to more questions. Who was Teketh? Why is her brood nearly gone? Did her mother know about this? Why had her true bloodline been concealed? Why was Zemoria telling her all this?”

She knew she could not ask Zemoria for the answer about every question she had. She decided to ask her just that. Zemoria gave her a gentle smile, “Teketh was a friend of mine, and I think I like you.” then her smile changed in a way that sent a shudder down Mira’s spine. It seemed friendly, but there was just something ominous about it. “You know what, I have changed my plans. I’ll stay here for the next few weeks, and teach you what it means to be a real dragon. We can start with the way you dress.”

The way I dress? She glanced down at her outfit, but for the life of her she didn’t even see anything wrong with it. Since she had recently been to the guild she was naturally wearing her adventurer gear. She had recently purchased some new armor that employed a padded leather base. A light weight chainlink went over that to protect her vitals, without impeding her movement too much. As a rogue she had to find lighter armors that prioritized movement over protecting, and didn’t make too much noise. This armor had an enchantment to ensure it didn’t clink or anything while she moved. It was the only enchantment she had on it though. It was more modest than anything she would wear on a casual day off though, given it covered everything below her neck. There wasn’t anything wrong with that, though, and this was good armor. It would stop most piercing and slashing weapons from cutting her open. Won’t do much about magical or blunt weapons though, but she couldn’t afford the enchantments that would help with that. Not yet anyway.

“What’s wrong with the way I dress?” she asked defensively.

The dragon gave her a look, as if she was an idiot and said, “It’s way too much. Dragon’s take pride in their bodies, and you are hiding yours in that.”

“This is good armor. I need it for my job. What do you expect me to wear!? Lust Demon Bikini Armor!?”

Before her question could be answered, a young elf girl suddenly ran out of the dungeon. Her skin flushed a bright red, and she seemed a little distracted. A girl she had not seen before in the town, and didn’t really look dressed for a delve. The fancy dress she was wearing looked like something a noble might wear, and who would take that in for a delve? The skirt of the dress was too long, and would restrict her movement. The sleeves were clearly designed to look good, and seemed just a little stiff, and the fabric did not look to be reinforced.

The dragon also noted the girl’s presence, and said, “This town is certainly interesting. I wonder what a royal was doing in the dungeon.”

“A royal?”

The dragon said nothing, and waved the girl over. However when she didn’t respond, Zemoria’s eyes suddenly glowed, and the young elf changed course. Walking over, but now with a look of confusion on her face. By the time the dragon’s eyes stopped glowing, the girl was sitting on the other side of the bench next to Zemoria.

Zemoria turned to her, and asked, “May I inquire what a royal of the Stormwind bloodline was doing alone in the dungeon?”

Clearly flustered, the girl ignored the question, and asked one of her own. It was the little girl who had been eating this entire time who answered it. “Yeah, Zemoria does that. I suggest you just answer her questions and hope she lets you go. Don’t bother trying to argue with her. I sure never got anywhere with that. If it worked, I wouldn’t be sitting here, and I wouldn’t be naked either.”

Mira blinked, she had not even noticed the girl was naked, but now that she thought about it. The girl had been naked the entire time. Why had she not said anything? The girl might catch a cold or something if she wasn’t dressed. She tried to say something then, but no sounds came out. Panicked she tried to get anyone’s attention only to realize her limbs would not respond. She could not move, or speak. What was going on?

In her panic she missed what the princess said next. The next thing she caught was the princess saying, “Well, alright then. Anyway, to answer the question, I was visiting my sister. I had found all these cute dresses, and wanted to play dress up with her. Things didn’t go according to plan though.”

“What happened?” asked Zemoria

The elf turned a bright red, and looked away before stammering incoherently. The dragon sighed, and her eyes flashed. “That should help you. Now tell me again what happened?”

The girl now suddenly much calmer replied with a slight stammer, “I uh, walked in on her having, uh sex.”

“Never seen it before have you? Got so embarrassed at the sight, that you just ran? Is that what happened?”

She nodded.

“I have never understood mortals doing that. Its just sex. It’s not like you intruded on them while they were sharing their minds. Then again you are young and a virgin. Guess that was just too much for you. Might change when you get older, and find someone like your sister.”

The girl turned a little red, “But! She’s my younger sister, and she already has someone like that!”

The dragon chuckled, “Ah she is in the fast lane then. Might even have a few kids first. Nothing to be ashamed about. You just haven’t found the right person yet. Love takes time to find. You have to get out there, put your heart on the line. Then when you do find a strong mate you feel is worthy of you, fight for them. When you win their heart, never let it go.”

Mira wanted to chuckle, that advice was a lot like her mother’s. Guess it must have come from the dragon blood in the family. It was her mother’s advice that had played into the favor she asked Tina for. The one that had given her the best things in her life, her two greatest joys, her pets. She was still working on the winning their hearts thing, but she was close. She just knew it, and besides when she had seen the opportunity to take the reins and have them she took it. Her mother had been quite proud of her when she had told her about. Well wrote to her about it, but the pride practically oozed out of every word in the letter she had sent back.

“I’ve never heard it put that way. I guess you do have to take risks to find love. Reiko certainly took a big one. Although I shudder to imagine how she would have turned out, if she didn’t end up as the dungeon’s pet.”

“Oh? That sounds interesting. What happened?”

“Well, Reiko used to have a bit of a problem. One which was getting worse, and Mom had hoped a little responsibility would help her. Long story short, things went a little wrong, and she ended up at a dark shrine. Although she failed to really pay attention which ended up upsetting Yiran, who dumped her on the owner of the shrine; the goddess Dewari.

From what I gather, my sister was quite rude to Dewari. Ended up being forced to take a divine trial, while inadequately prepared. Ultimately she failed, and was harshly punished for it. Although it did improve her disposition, our relationship for example actually improved.”

“That’s good for you. It’s good to have a smooth relationship with family. Always value the time you spend together.”

She nodded, “It is, but sometimes I get a little jealous. Both of my sisters have someone. My older sister is getting married in a couple months, my younger sister is in love and having the time of her life, and here I am the middle sister with no one but my sisters to turn to when I get lonely.” The princess sighed, “It happens more than I care to admit. It’s hard to make friends, thanks to my status, and I rarely can just be myself like I can here in Bordertown.”

The dragon gave that same smile that had sent a shudder down Mira’s spine earlier, but the princess didn’t notice it. “I could help, you know. I know a few tricks that will help you find just what you are looking for, for a modest fee of course.”

“You can?” she said hopefully. “I could have more friends to play dress up with? Other than my sisters!? Even a lover maybe?”

The dragon produced a piece of paper, text materialized on it. The words seeming to magically burn themselves onto the page. Then handed it over to the Princess, and gave her a pen that came from nowhere. “Just sign this, and you will have those friends you want, true friends, and even a lover or more. It will take time, naturally, but your wish will quickly fulfill itself. All you have to do is sign.”

Mira wanted to say something. She wanted to warn the princess that something was off about that, but she could not move. Whatever was restricting her was still keeping her glued to her seat, and preventing her from speaking. The Princess, clearly not thinking, signed the contract or whatever the paper was, without giving it more than a cursory glance. Mira had a feeling that was a mistake. How big a mistake it was, however, was the real question. Something told her it was likely a big one.