Caden

Caden is a warlord from a distant band in the Rotrock Rim, he reigned in tyranny for several generations, leading his nameless band from place to place ransacking permanent clans and traveling caravans for loot. Although his group had never been named, his victims took to calling them the Phantom Rot, for their lack of a name and tactics, attacking and being in and out before caravans could get a chance to retaliate.

Before long his band of dragons split apart, forming smaller congregates that communicate over the distance of the Rotrock. This proved much more profitable and efficient in having a singular band that attacked one place at a time. Unfortunately for Caden and his dragons, it also caused them to gain more attention until another band of dragons threatened the existence of Caden's organization.

Tired of being attacked and stolen from a large organization from the light flight which funded several caravans through the Rotrock hired a group of mercenaries to track down Caden's people and... Dispose of them. Before Caden had a chance to retaliate, the mercenaries wiped out his dragons, sending Caden into hiding along with a few of his members that managed to survive.

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Red eyes glowed in the gloom of the dimly lit wayward house that sat upon the edge of The Wandering Contagion. The Wayward house was a shoddy old shack that had been turned into a worn down arena where passing by dragons would compete for supplies and treasure to cross the border. Caden, Salome, and Keres had been there for a few weeks, already having fought their way to the top of the food chain, gathering supplies and treasure. They'd been lying low since the Mercenaries had wiped out most of the old crew.

Every few days new dragons would come into the Wayward and their eyes would shoot to Caden, sizing him up, waiting for the moment to challenge him and prove that they were stronger. In the end, everyone that challenged Caden ended up with their treasure reserves significantly smaller and their supply cache much lighter. So Caden waited, waited until something pulled him and the dragons he led out of the Wayward.

The heavy, dark wooden doors of the establishment swung open, just as they had for the past several days, hours even, and once more a dragon walked in. A red dragoness walked in, her glowing pink eyes, just as countless before them, quickly landed on Caden and his cabal.
Ah... Another challenge, another win... Caden thought, he knew they needed to gather all they could, but winning had become dull. All the dragons that challenged Caden seemed to never live up to his expectations. Caden watched as challenge sparked in her eyes, watched as those glowing, fuchsia eyes surveyed him. The same look... The same result... He'd seen that look before, on plenty of dragons. Most time when females came in they had seen him and wanted to claim him as theirs, something about power drew dragons to him. They wanted to master him, break him. It had been amusing at first, he'd tell them they must defeat him to claim him, but before long it grew boring, he felt no attraction to the females who lost to him.

The Wildclaw with fuchsia eyes made her way around the room, pausing to talk to with barkeep and a few other dragons, her gaze not turning to him once. She wore a layered, translucent dress of black and white, cinched at the waist by lace and rose of similar colors, a Katana rested just under that. He watched as she spoke, her bright, crisp white teeth somehow feeling off to him, but he couldn't quite place it. Black, near purple, stockings covered her fore and hind legs, the material looking shiny and tight, from what little he could see as the dress shifted the Wildclaw was not without ample muscle. Finally, the female looked to him once more and made her way towards him, as she grew closer, he could hear as the gauzy material brushed against itself. She stopped before him, the motion causing the translucent red rock at her chest to jingle softly against the dark metal collar.

"I hear you're the undefeated champion of this place." she said, her voice evoking silk and blood and the crimson sky above the Contagion in Caden's mind.

"Yes... He is." Salome answered for him, for this dragoness, no matter how striking, had not proven herself to be worth his time. "If you wish to fight or," the blood and teal colored Imperial gave her a disinterested once over, "court him, you must beat him. If you do not 200 thousand gold and half your supplies will be confiscated for wasting our time." she resumed sharpening her metal claws, not even looking up to see if the red wildclaw would respond.

"Such a steep price on this male, I see." amusement danced in her fuchsia eyes, ire simmered in Caden's own blood red eyes. She looked him up and down once more, her perusal slow, meticulous, as if she could see everything under Caden's armor, his scales, "Let's see if you can beat me in battle, big boy." she said, her voice taking on a sultry tone.

She's taunting me... That won't win her this fight. I've heard plenty of dragons challenge me in such ways. Caden thought as he reigned in a growl. Caden's massive red body unwound from where he had curled up, the fabric covering his wings rustling as he shifted them.

"You will meet him in the arena, Keres will guide you." Salome said, rising from her sitting position as well. She lifted her chin and looked down at the Wildclaw before them. She smirked with confidence, confidence in her master that he would win and that blood would be shed.

"Do you always let your lessers speak for you?" the wildclaw quipped, her eyes sliding to Caden, completely ignoring what Salome said to her, "I guess since your top at this dump of a place you must enact anyway to make you seem[/i[ more powerful to the bottom feeders who wander in and out of here." she murmured, her tone dripping in distaste, "It's awfully tacky. Come Pearlcatcher... Show me where I must... 'prepare'" she said, dismissing both Caden and the snarling, livid Imperial behind him.

Caden swung on Salome, "If you're going to be my voice you need to shut down your emotions, witch." he snarled softly, "What you just did was an embarrassment to myself. Next time you decide to give into the goading of another dragon you will find yourself in a situation I know you don't want to be in." Caden's voice was but a whisper now, but his eyes spoke true enough. He turned an left, Maybe I'll find myself a female after this fight. Maybe I'll grace this one with a night of pleasure if she's enjoyable enough. he thought, padding off into the gloom.

Caden emerged from the corridor leading into the arena, which was little more than a glorified pit filled with dirt. Caden hated the arena, the wayward, the border, he wanted to leave but nothing had dragged him away yet, so he would stay. He shook his head, the mane on the back of his neck falling free since he'd left his headdress and crown with Salome, he didn't need to dirty those in such a low-level fight. Caden zeroed in on the corridor across the arena, the wildclaw hadn't emerged yet.

How long is she going to make me wait... irritation flickered in his blood red eyes. He blinked, then saw movement from within the shadows. He lowered his stance, he had had plenty of challengers strike before fully emerging, he didn't need to be caught off guard.

"Well, glad to see you removed that ridiculous lion's head and crown." came the female's voice. She emerged, looking no different than when he'd last seen her.

Does she expect to fight in a dress and flapping banners? he thought, mildly surprised, This may be easier than I thought...

"I'm rather disappointed you didn't even ask me my name, is this how you treat all the ladies?" she mused, "No wonder the only female company you have is that dejected Imperial." she laughed, "Either way, it's Yersina." she said, finally no longer moving. She stood a distance from him, close enough that he could reach her in one maneuver.

Either she's extremely confident, or has no idea what she's doing. Regardless... This will be over soon. he knew the arena well enough that there was no need to take in his surroundings, but he was mildly surprised she hadn't done so, "Are you doing to fight? Or are you going to keep running that mouth of yours." Caden grunted, tired of her yapping.

"Ah! The mighty Caden speaks! I'm so honored." Yersina proclaimed, adding emphasis on his name. Caden ground his teeth and just lowered his head, "Ahh, it seems talking has stopped, very well. Get on with it." she lamented, sighing. Her body went rigid, wings splayed in a similar fashion to how Caden had seen other Wildclaws, and Mirrors, fight. He pulled his wings in tight and stayed low to the ground, he was large, but her smaller, lighter size was more advantageous in this situation. Caden would have to overpower her.

Caden felt a pinprick in his neck, just above the collar of his chest guard, but ignored it. Yersina rushed him, She's fast... Caden moved from her path and swung his tail around, the tail guard catching her square in the chest. She was a red blur as she was shot across the arena, Caden grunted, Something is off... He watched as she stood, blood streaming from cuts barely visible under the gauzy dress, Such a shame... he narrowed his eyes, something really seemed off, he could smell blood but it was much stronger than it should be.

Yersina shook herself, blood dripping into the dirt at her feet, she snarled, her fuchsia eyes glowed with anger as she staggered from where she had fallen. Caden growled once more and shook his head, his body feeling oddly heavy. He blinked several times as the form of the red wildclaw turned foggy, wrong, What's wrong with me... Caden blinked and found himself on his side, cheek on the ground with Yersina above him, teeth in his neck. He sniffed, his own blood stinging his nose, Yersina wasn't covered in blood and dirt anymore, he growled.

"Well, well! You're full of surprises, aren't you? Most dragons are near death before they fall from my thrall." she gloated, removing her teeth from his neck. Blood dripped down her jaw into the dirt, his blood, "Mmmm maybe you have a chance of beating me... Though I was incredibly disappointed that you fell so fast..." she peered up at the dragon who had come to spectate, Salome and Keres were speechless. Caden grunted as he hauled himself to his feet, once stable he snarled once more, "Can you not even speak?" she taunted, now a good distance before him.

"You resorted to trickery... Deceit...." he eyed her warily, I could attack, and risk lowering myself once more or... I could... Caden straightened, "Well done, no one has bested me in such a manner, most of the vagabonds that come to challenge me try to do so without any smarts. You have proven yourself... Unlike the rest."

Yersina gave him a look that was almost like a disappointment but said anyways, "Fine, I'll play your game… I am disappointed, however. Is this all it takes to take down the great Caden?” she taunted. He felt his blood begin to boil, she wanted to rile him, he let her. He felt strength flood him, his eyes flashed as power coursed through him. He hadn’t needed to use this power since his band had been attacked, he hadn’t wanted to waste it on the lesser, but this foe proved to be something else. Before she could say anything else, he lunged, his speed faster than it should have been for one of his size. He saw her jump, using her wings to gain extra height.

Caden’s head snapped up and his jaws closed around her tail, he barely felt the metal thorns pierce him as he swung and forced her to collide with the dusty ground. He felt the slight reverberations from her body hitting and morbid pride flowed through him. A few bones should be broken, but just in case they weren’t, he lept on her. His hind legs pinned her own and his left arm pinned both of her’s.

”There’s a reason I’m undefeated, Lady,” he sneered, feeling this fight would be over soon, but he was wrong. Too late did he notice the grin on her face, too late did he react as she twisted her neck and latched onto the front of his neck, her fangs going deep. In seconds he dropped his weight, threatening to crush her, he would die, but not without taking her with him.

”You can kill me, but not without severe risk to your own life,” he snarled softly, eyes burning now. Her eyes met his, she looked confident, but even he could see the flicker of fear. This dragoness didn’t wish to die, ”You have clearly proven yourself, we will end this with a tie, you will not harm me further and I will not crush your bones to dust,” he said, waiting for her reaction. He was relieved when she let go and laid back. He lifted himself and stood back, announcing to the crowd the match had ended in a tie. He turned without looking and stalked off down the corridor once more.

”We will meet and talk somewhere private,” he said before disappearing completely from sight. Soon after, he met with Salome and Keres in their private rooms underneath the shanty. Salmoe was furious, her yellow eyes blazing. Keres looked stoic as always, the cloth over his eyes hiding any immediate sign of emotion. Without saying a word, Caden padded to a pile of plush, Imperial sized pillows and settled. ”Keres… Go find the Lady, bring her to me,” he said, pushing his strength into his words. The Pearlcatcher nodded before padding off, no hesitation to his footfalls. ”Oh, and do take your time,” he quickly added. He didn’t wish to be in the middle of healing with the female arrived.

Salome padded over to him, mute, though her expression spoke volumes. She started to work on his wounds, tsking and growling to herself. After closing the few open wounds she placed her claws on his scales, closing her eyes and murmuring intelligible words. He watched her from the corner of his eyes, the soft glow from her claws a pale yellow.

”I don’t know what that beast of a dragon did to you, but your wounds aren’t… physical, you’re drained and on top of that you used your reserves, which only drained you more. I suggest you avoid a fight,” she said irritably.

”Speak your mind, Witch, your tedium grows tiring,” he growled. Her eyes flashed, but she stayed quiet for a few moments longer before finally settling down.

”I don’t trust her, she wants something from you and she unsettles me. Something is wrong with her,” this elicited a snort from Caden.

”Of course she wants something, I am no fool,” he answered, turning from her and peering into the darkness that awaits just outside their subterranean rooms, “we will hear her out, I will stick to my word… for now,” he rumbled, falling silent. Salome made a few more attempts to speak with him, to no avail. He just waited, letting his eyes fall shut as he listened down the corridor. He perked up when he heard the characteristic rustling and clinking of Keres’ apparel, eyes opening. Before long, Keres emerged, a pair of fuschia eyes glowing behind him.

”My dear, lord Caden,” she said in a sultry voice, her red, leathery hide glistening in the dim lighting, ”I’ve come with a proposition for you, and your companions,” she stalked to the center of the room before looking around, eyeing one of his cushions. She grinned at him, then looked to Salome. ”Dear Salome,” she cooed, ”Would you be so kind as to procure me one of those cushions to sit on?” she asked sweetly, resulting in a snort from Caden. There’s no way- his jaw dropped as a pleasant look slipped onto Salome’s features. The Imperial rose and tugged one of the cushions from under Caden, placing it before the Wildclaw. ”Thank you, darling, you may go sit, that’s all I will need from you, for now.” Upon sitting, Salome blinked as if waking from a deep sleep, immediately she looked to the Wildclaw, a growl rising in her throat.

”You beast, you enchanted me,” Salome snapped, raising as if to fight the smaller, still smiling, dragon, ”I should rip you apart-”

”But you won’t, for I have come to offer your Lord the exact thing he wants,” this stopped both imperials