-in which Rey has no idea you’re supposed to pay for the fruit on the stand and there’s no time to find a better hiding spot … and then Rey starts feeling… something (yes this is trope-y, no I will not apologize)
More finalized designs for human!Rey and Sir Kylo/Ben! Decided to push Rey’s look in a more feral direction Grinning face with smiling eyes For Sir Kylo, I took some inspiration from Driver’s Last Duel appearance.
My second entry for the @starker-bingo2022: Dragon AU. Thanks a thousand times to @king-of-kaoss for betaing and support, you’re amazing sweety!
A dragon’s tale
Stomping of hooves echoed through the grove.
The horse panted with the high speed it was forced to maintain, jumping between small birch trees. The young man who held fast on the saddle prayed to the Almighty that his ride would not trip on the uneven ground. His locks hit against the sides of his head when he turned around to take a quick look over his shoulder. Prince Peter rode as fast as he could.
It had not been supposed to become this way!
The young prince had been traveling back to the kingdom of his father, riding in a convoy of ten soldiers who were supposed to shield him on the way.
But they had not.
Betrayed he was, alone and without friends, fleeing for his dear life. He bowed low over the horse’s neck and continued his prayers, giving his life into the hands of the Almighty.
***
Peter’s existence had been a slow and peaceful one for the last four years, living in a secluded cloister in the care of his uncle Benjamin, a man of the church, in order to exist only for his faith. As a third son this was meant to be his way since his oldest brother was to be king after his father and his second the advisor of battle and war. Peter had been content with it, thankful for the time he was allowed to spend with his family before they sent him away to learn the ways and rites of the faith in a small and quaint place.
The cloister was located at the border of the kingdom at the foot of the mountains that separated the land from its neighbors. But this - to live the life of a monk and become a man of faith the future king could confide with - was apparently not what destiny had in store for him!
One day the message had arrived that his parents and his older brothers alike had been fallen to murder by poison! All of them had vanished from god’s earth with one strike of a ruthless traitor that had not been found yet. And he, Peter, at the age of barely seventeen was to be the heir and new king.
Silence had fallen over the small cloister with the shock. Father Benjamin decided to send Peter on his way as fast as possible, to prevent a usurper to get a grip on the throne in the heir’s absence. All fear that might have been rising had to be pushed down and Peter had made preparations for the journey into a new life. His last visit at court had been three years ago, but he had spent his whole childhood there and was confident to settle back in soon. The responsibility to be a proper ruler however, was something he tried to not think about.
A delegation arrived shortly after the messenger to guard him on the way back.
In the aftermath it had been naïve to just follow along while his family had fallen to murder. But his uncle and himself, used to a peaceful and honest lifestyle in the eye of the Almighty, had trusted the royal banner and the leader with the kind and polite attitude.
A bad decision that could have ended even worse for the young prince.
Somehow he caught on the strange atmosphere that rose between the men on the second day of the journey and thus stayed alert. So it was only a shock but not a surprise when half of the warriors suddenly stepped up against the others.
It had been early in the morning, even before sunrise and Peter had been up and out of the tent to pee – this was a usual time to get up at the cloister. His full bladder had been a heaven sent because on his way back to the tent he saw the traitors murder the good men in their sleep, to enter the royal sleeping place with ropes and cuffs, looking for him.
Without thinking at all he got on a horse and rode as fast as possible, unknowing the direction, without food and water and no friends at all, right into the forest, ready to give his life and safety into god’s hands.
***
Peter rode fast as long as the horse was able, only slowing down when he feared to injure the poor creature. It was quiet around him, the woods deep and full of shadows. He looked around, trying desperately to confine his labored breathing, his eyes darting back and forth between the barks, but there was nothing. Slowly he continued, keeping as quiet as possible and listening to the sound of the birds to be warned when a group was coming.
He paused by a small stream that murmured through the grove, letting the horse drink and looked around. He had no idea where he was or which direction he had to go. On top of that he knew only a few people at court and had no idea who the traitor might even be. Only that he, Peter, was the next on his list was obvious.
The boy sat down, exhausted, frightened and hungry, pondering on what to do. He had no chance than to move on, trying to reach a village to somehow make it to the capitol city from there. He pondered how he should do this without money or supplies but he had no other chance than to try. Better to not talk about his heritage he thought when he drank some of the water and then led the exhausted horse alongside the stream through the wood.
Somehow he had made the escape from the clutches of the thugs it seemed, because he didn’t meet a single soul on his way through. The thicket was almost impenetrable and he stayed close to the water to find his way.
In the early evening the trees grew lighter and then he stepped out of the woods and found himself between fields and meadows on the foot of the mountains. The tall and blueish structure of the towering rock caught the setting sun between the peaks, making it seem like molten gold that dripped on the country below.
It seemed that his flight had brought him far away from the right path since the kingdom enfolded to the other side but maybe that was what had saved him. The thugs had chosen the opposite direction for their search and lost him.
In a slow pace Peter rode down a small path between the fields, following along to a tiny village that laid secluded between trees and hills. It appeared tiny and somewhat rundown to the eye. This was apparently not a place where the mountains could be passed, so that no merchants and travelers came through. A perfect place to stay the night and make plans if the young prince found a way to get food and shelter without money and without showing his true identity.
Surprisingly the villagers welcomed him warmly in their midst. Peter presented himself as a merchant’s son who had been ambushed while on the road with his family and goods, and barely made it out alive. In fact, the villagers seemed not really to care about his made up story, which relieved him. The less questions, the better.
They asked to tell some stories from the roads since for a long time no traveler had found his way to them and that they were more than happy to exchange some simple food and a place to rest for some news from afar. Peter gladly complied and told them that the king was dead and the youngest son on his way to the castle to be crowned and rule over them all, more he had not to share since his own life had been so secluded. But that was enough apparently, the settlers satisfied and his belly filled with earthen food.
Peter went to bed in a barn, sleeping on the hay. Exhausted as he was, his eyes closed as soon as his head rested on the rough wool of the blanket he had been given, hope for the future in his heart.
***
Peter woke suddenly, in the middle of the night, to people grabbing him on wrists and ankles.
‘The thieves, the traitors! They found me!’ was his first thought but when he fought the relentless grips and glared at the pursuers he saw the townspeople surrounding him. Their faces were stern and the atmosphere tight but with purpose and Peter knew that their agreement to let him rest in their midst had been a pretense to get him into their grasp. But why?!
“What do you want? I have no money and no goods! Take my horse if you must, but let me go!”
But no one answered to his demands and pleas. They dragged him out of the barn and to the village’s border, onto a meadow that was crowned by a large rock in the middle.
Peter’s eyes went wide and his limbs shaking when he saw the ropes that were prepared, to bind him to hooks that were screwed into the rock’s surface. Dark blotches on the rough surface indicated that this stone had seen helpless bodies before and what had happened to them. His blood ran cold and he fought against the hands that pulled him nearer but it was to no avail. Without further ado they bound him to the rock, his hands above his head, his feet together, ignoring his desperate curses and pleas and questions.
Peter felt cold sweat run down his back at the sight of the villagers. Their faces showed no triumph or madness, but determined focus. They didn’t do this because they liked it, they didn’t want to hurt him, but apparently they were dead serious in what they were trying to accomplish.
Somewhere a bell banged loudly for a couple of minutes but then it became quiet. The villagers had left him here for good. The frantic beating of his heart was all Peter could hear.
Dawn started to roll over the fields, painting the sky in bright pink and orange, while Peter was tightly secured to the rock, helpless and alone. The villagers had left without any explanation. Was he to be eaten by wolves or bears? But why lure them to the village like this? It made no sense! He pulled at the ropes, wriggled as much as it was possible but he was not able to free himself and all that he accomplished was to raw up his wrists. His breath was quick and in panic when he watched the sky turn silvery and then blue with the slowly rising sun.
The village was quiet behind him, but it was not the only thing that held its breath. No bird, no insect – nothing stirred. The people had retracted into their houses and except for Peter’s breathing it was quiet.
And then… he heard it.
A rushing and flapping like leather that was thrashing in the wind. It was quiet at first and he only noticed because his senses were pulled tight to a breaking point. But it soon grew more prominent! The sound neared from the mountains and when he looked up he felt his blood run cold as if someone was pouring ice on him.
From the mountains a creature neared the village. A long and slender body, covered in gleaming red scales with strong legs that ended in claws, leathery wings flapping with loud thudding sounds, the head of the beast crowned by majestic horns and glowing golden eyes.
A dragon!
Peter started to pull on the ropes, now aware that this was indeed an altar of sorts to sacrifice people to the beast that was coming nearer with each second. But he could as much free himself as before, doomed to watch his fate closing in on him while his whole body was gripped tight by fear. If he had not been scared out of his mind, he might have found it in him to admire the beauty of the creature. The dark red scales reflecting the sun, speckled with golden dust that made the beast almost look like clad in noble armor. In the middle of its chest rested a blue diamond that shone in the morning sun. But despite power and beauty, to be confronted with such a beast was a nightmare and all Peter could do was hold on tight to his consciousness.
The dragon arrived in front of the bound prince. It landed with a loud thud, his wings flapped one more time to regain balance. The strong wind pressed Peter to the rock but even if not, he would have not moved an inch, he was frozen in place by the pure sight of the majestic beast.
The dragon moved on four legs, his claws gripping into the earth. He slowly neared the rock and his prey. Large nostrils twitched when he took in the scents, while he looked around for a possible threat with his big golden eyes. Deciding the situation to be safe, he came closer, his large and strong body moving with an elegance such a massive beast should not be able to possess. His tail lashed from one side to the other while he sniffed some more.
Peter felt tears well up in his eyes. This was to be his end. Not to be king of his father’s land, or even falling to the hands of the same traitors that had murdered his family, but to please a cruel beast in this godforsaken place. His body trembled in place in the face of death, but he did not move an inch and did not look away for a second. If he was to die here, bound to this damned sacrifice rock, he at least would end his life upright and with the eye to the nemesis ahead.
The dragon tilted its head and blinked. He sniffed again and came closer, now towering above the helpless boy that was tied up like a present. He bowed low and moved his muzzle over the trembling form, inhaling the human’s scent. Then he lifted his head again, looking around for a moment as if he was thinking why this person was presented to him.
Peter felt the body heat of the dragon, saw every gilded dot on the beast’s head while it came even closer, sniffing him all over. The gleaming eyes held not the gaze of a beast however. The young prince saw intelligence there and an old soul.
Maybe… there was hope?
“Please…” he whispered with trembling lips, begging for his life but also for his lineage’s future and his kingdom’s destiny.
The dragon straightened up. The eyes of the boy followed his movement and become so very wide when the beast raised his clawed paw.
The sharp talon cut through the air, aiming for the bound form. Peter closed his eyes, preparing for his death…
… that did not come.
The claw cut through the ropes on his ankles and then on his wrists, freeing him from the stone. Peter sagged forward but was caught by the paw that closed around his torso with no difficulties.
The dragon pulled back before he launched himself into the air, dragging Peter with him like he was nothing more than a puppet. The young prince however, felt his body hauled upward in a tight grip, his legs dangling helplessly beneath him. Flapping sound around him grew stronger with the powerful movements of the dragon’s wings, pulling him and his prey away from the village, leaving into the light blue morning sky.
Frozen with shock Peter stared at the creature that had decided to not murder him on the spot but to take him away to an unknown future.
@omegaversetheory excuse my lateness, I’ve been busy but have some time now. I decided to make this a separate post so I could keep better track of it I hope you don’t mind!
First for those who are new to my content I don’t write abo in the typical way, here’s more info if you want it, but it can be boiled down to everything is more about scents and social behaviors than physical characteristics, though basics like nesting, bonding heats and ruts are still included.
Now as for dragons! You’re in luck because I love world/lore building and have a way I’ve structured dragon courtship, nesting, and even fantasy logic gestation of eggs!
Instead of packs, dragons have colonies that functions similar to cats. So mostly independent but willing to rely on each other to find food, safe resting areas, or just to bring up their hatchlings since there’s safety in numbers.
Dens are the caves an Alpha claims for themself to live in after extensive checks for resource and personal security, if they’ve done a good job and gather a pleasing horde they may attract the attention of an Omega.
To an Omega the horde the Alpha collects serves two purposes, two be a good source of potential nesting material and seeing how good of a provider they are in general. If they deem them a good option and like them enough they’ll offer their prized possession to add to the horde. If accepted this starts courtship.
In general it’s grooming each other and hunting together as a show of trust. Sometimes it’ll be play fights and storytelling. Really anything they think will help understand each other better they’re gonna try it
Now, the egg laying thing. This one is very heavy on fantasy logic doesn’t make sense in any other context then it’s basically magic.
I have a more detailed version of it somewhere around here but the basic gists of it is that the amab partner, regardless of presentation will lay their eggs in their afab partner during mating seasons. They absorb genetic material from both parents during the laying process and gestate inside the womb for a couple of months before being laid again, it’ll take about another month or two for them to hatch though
Trollhunters cast drawn as dragons came up as a topic on Discord and I got inspired to finish a sketch I had done of Claire and TrollJim in such a form xD working on a lil Toby and maybe Douxie next? 10 days for #ToAWizards! Cant wait!
messy drawing of a 5D’s dragon AU I wanted to make. I just like the idea of the bois being merged with their dragons. Also protective big brother Jack always makes me happy
Ever wondered what TAZ Balance would be like if Barry Bluejeans were secretly a dragon? That’s what The Last Bond Dragon series is about. We’ve retold the entire podcast with all the differences having a Bond Dragon on board might make. The series starts with Lup wanting to meet the dragon she’s seen around and dragging her ol’ pal Barold along for the hunt.
Now, in part 11, even with every advantage on their side, Lup and Barry face the hardest challenge yet in a cycle like no other.
Over the bond, Taako cleared his throat and genteely interrupted.
*Hey, you two, quit flirting with each other and listen up: We’ve discovered a large city. It’s pretty massive, and there’s this weird Fantasy George Orwell vibe to it. We’re gonna swing around it and…Oh shit!*
Lup felt her brother’s alarm as if it were right there, hitting her in the face, and she nearly dropped from the sky. Because a second later, his end of the bond went dark.*Taako? TAAKO?!*
Ever wondered what TAZ Balance would be like if Barry Bluejeans were secretly a dragon? That’s what The Last Bond Dragon series is about. We’ve retold the entire podcast with all the differences having a Bond Dragon on board might make. The series starts with Lup wanting to meet the dragon she’s seen around and dragging her ol’ pal Barold along for the hunt.
Now, in part 11, even with every advantage on their side, Lup and Barry face the hardest challenge yet in a cycle like no other.
Over the bond, Taako cleared his throat and genteely interrupted.
*Hey, you two, quit flirting with each other and listen up: We’ve discovered a large city. It’s pretty massive, and there’s this weird Fantasy George Orwell vibe to it. We’re gonna swing around it and…Oh shit!*
Lup felt her brother’s alarm as if it were right there, hitting her in the face, and she nearly dropped from the sky. Because a second later, his end of the bond went dark.*Taako? TAAKO?!*
Ever wondered what TAZ Balance would be like if Barry Bluejeans were secretly a dragon? That’s what The Last Bond Dragon series is about. We’ve retold the entire podcast with all the differences having a Bond Dragon on board might make. The series starts with Lup wanting to meet the dragon she’s seen around and dragging her ol’ pal Barold along for the hunt.
Now, in part 11, even with every advantage on their side, Lup and Barry face the hardest challenge yet in a cycle like no other.
Over the bond, Taako cleared his throat and genteely interrupted.
*Hey, you two, quit flirting with each other and listen up: We’ve discovered a large city. It’s pretty massive, and there’s this weird Fantasy George Orwell vibe to it. We’re gonna swing around it and…Oh shit!*
Lup felt her brother’s alarm as if it were right there, hitting her in the face, and she nearly dropped from the sky. Because a second later, his end of the bond went dark.*Taako? TAAKO?!*
Ever wondered what TAZ Balance would be like if Barry Bluejeans were secretly a dragon? That’s what The Last Bond Dragon series is about. We’ve retold the entire podcast with all the differences having a Bond Dragon on board might make. The series starts with Lup wanting to meet the dragon she’s seen around and dragging her ol’ pal Barold along for the hunt.
Now, in part 10, Seeing Red, the crew of the Starblaster land in another new plane. What seems like another in their seemingly endless cycle is not what it first appears. None of them can fully comprehend how much their lives are about to change.
Read Seeing Red, part 10 of The Last Bond Dragon series here:
Subscribe to The Last Bond Dragon series to get notified every time we update. Next week will start a new fic in the series, taking place in a new cycle and focusing on the next challenge our beloved Blups face!
Hope you continue this journey with us!
A quick note:
We realize this is along,longroad in telling this story and appreciate everyone who’s coming with us to hear the story. I swear to you, though? The story is complete! And we’re hitting things we’ve been teasing and excited about for so long now! And there’s so many fun things ahead!
I started this piece back in March, and while the sketch and ink came together very quickly, I started to color it, and it just wasn’t working. I could tell the colors weren’t quite right (I think they’re skewing a little too warm on the dragon and too cool on the grass) and eventually I just gave up.
After finishing the werewolves piece Friday, I wanted to keep painting, so I brought this piece back out. I originally intended to just recolor the grass and then work on the dragon, but as I looked at it, I realized the background was too empty. I went digging in my references for a castle, which then had a garden around it, and before I knew it I was sketching out a whole background, which I loosely filled in. I thought I was just going to see if it worked, but as soon as the sketch I was done, I realized the piece is MUCH better with it. So I guess I’m going to be working on refining that, and then getting around to figuring out the dragon shading.
![[Dragon AU] (title pending) “Get back! Run!” “I can take care of myself, thank you very much!” …or w](https://64.media.tumblr.com/18bce9351d30620fde05a885b79d093d/2986f6e02fdc7ba6-68/s1280x1920/78279131d1dd12b298df464e0af1830962c5476b.jpg "[Dragon AU] (title pending) “Get back! Run!” “I can take care of myself, thank you very much!” …or w")
![[Dragon AU] (title pending)More finalized designs for human!Rey and Sir Kylo/Ben! Decided to push Re](https://64.media.tumblr.com/afcbf989a3621a2fc9ce9bda0642752a/48ed593581c70cd9-5c/s1280x1920/bd53c8f2f26fb73a12dfb9a48f52c3b1ee9e7856.jpg "[Dragon AU] (title pending)More finalized designs for human!Rey and Sir Kylo/Ben! Decided to push Re")
![[Dragon AU] (title pending)More finalized designs for human!Rey and Sir Kylo/Ben! Decided to push Re](https://64.media.tumblr.com/2aface88286d07a4ac5a5bea8dead953/48ed593581c70cd9-89/s1280x1920/cd064b9ec241796424a1fd1f6395a05650f2d455.jpg "[Dragon AU] (title pending)More finalized designs for human!Rey and Sir Kylo/Ben! Decided to push Re")
