Bienskurr Mountains, Cruinog

  The dying lands of the mountains surrounded two figures as they walked along. Dressed in identical uniforms of silver gray, dark purple, silver accents, and tall black boots, the figures weren't in a hurry.

  One of them was a young man with pale blue eyes and short light blonde hair. Long pointed ears stuck out from a lovely and delicate face with a tall thin nose, rounded face, and thin lips that tilted up at the corners. The rest of him was far from delicate. He was tall with straight shoulders, long legs and a slim waist and yet somehow it wasn't disharmonious.

  Despite his height, the other figure still towered over him by half a head. With broad shoulders, thick chest, muscular arms, slim waist, and thick thigh, he was deeply bronzed with a chiseled face offset by long flaxen hair. He had a pair of deep set dark brown eyes with a slight copper glint in some lights.

  The slimmer man was Wallace Moonlight, a ninth rank Knight in the Silubra Knight's Corp, also called a Junior Knight. He was a Silver Dragon with Empathic abilities, but his partner was nearly impossible to read. It was somewhat a pleasant relief. That was perhaps the beauty of Bronze Dragons. Their emotions were always cloaked in stillness as per their life philosophy, Still as Bronze Statues.

  Spencer Ironstryke was a Bronze Dragon with the same rank as him and was about ten years younger than him. It wasn't easy to earn promotions, especially since they both missed the Hunter Wars, being children when it ended. Joining the returning Darius Silvermoon's team was their chance to finally make contributions. It was also an incredible experience. How many people have had the chance to go off-world since the Dragon Gates were deactivated thirty years ago? Even if they remained ninth rank Knights for the rest of their careers, they can boast about experiences other Knights can only dream of.

  First it was Terranthea, helping the witchborn and battling Demons. Now it's Cruinog, the Earthborne homeworld. Even without the interplanetary travel, just being with the first delegation to Thale in over a century was a once in a lifetime experience!

  After arriving on Cruinog, Lady Britiana went to draw the Bridging Array while Lord Darius met with the Earthorne King with High Magus Darovan and Magus Morningstorme along with their team leader, Lazarus Darkfrost, and Senior Knight Amadeus Darkmyst. Afterwards, Lord Darius left to explore with Amadeus, giving the other permission to explore on their own.

  The two Noxie teammates didn't want to leave the Earthborne ancestral hall in the daylight since they were Dark Elementals. Delia Stonehaven and Alistair Moonwhisper also chose to stay behind, letting Spencer and Wallace explore first.

  There wasn't much to see. Stark mountains, dying forests, and yellowed grass. There were occasional signs of life from more tenacious species such as evergreens, some flowers, weeds, and bushes. Wallace looked around with a shake of his head. He saw a frazzled squirrel run by.

  "No wonder the Earthborne wanted to leave and find a new home. I don't know how much longer they can survive here," he commented, not expecting an answer from his ever stoic partner.

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  Spencer paused and cocked his head. "I hear a waterfall," he said.

  Wallace raised his brows in surprise. "Let's go check it out!"

  Spencer wordlessly headed toward the sound. Before long, Wallace could hear it as well. After walking a few minutes, they came upon an almost lush area. The trees and plants around this waterfall looked healthier than others. Their approach frightened away several animals that had been drinking water from the stream connected to the waterfall.

  Wallace sighed. "What an odd piece of paradise," he lamented quietly.

  Spencer didn't remark. He looked at his partner for a moment. Wallace suddenly felt a bit of emotion coming from beside him. He looked over with a bright smile on his pretty face. "What are you thinking about?" he asked teasingly.

  Spencer pursed his lips and looked away.

  Wallace chuckled. "So, you had nefarious purposes for leading me here? Tch."

  "I heard waterfalls were romantic," Spencer said in a flat voice.

  Wallace chuckled again. "Mm. Very romantic. It's a blessing to be able to find this kind of spot. You did good. You deserve a reward," he said mischievously.

  Spencer glanced back, raising an eyebrow. "Oh?" he asked.

  Wallace hopped up on a rock to make himself taller, and draped his arms over the other man's shoulders. He leaned forward and pressed his lips against the others.

  Spencer wrapped hands around the slim, strong waist of the other man, stepping closer to return the kiss, lips and tongues tangling together.

  The Knight Corps was humongous. Even the Knights stationed in Silvermoon were a massive group. Before joining the Lord Darius' team the two had never met. Once they did, there was an instantaneous connection that couldn't be denied.

  They hadn't known each other very long, a couple of months, and this was only the second time they shared a kiss. The first when they both had the day off at the same time during the hearings and decided to spend it together.

  The kiss didn't last very long. They were highly trained soldiers on duty after all. Their young lord gave them permission to explore on their own, but he hadn't dismissed them from duty.

  But it was long enough for the flickering, transparent barely-there Astral Body of Alistair Moonwhisper to see and shock him back into his real body. He just wanted some berries for his dad! He didn't want to discover his teammates' dark secrets!

  Others may not have even noticed him, but Wallace was an Empathic Silver Dragon with a Perception Field. Spencer was a Bronze Dragon with Hunter's Intuition. Even the brief appearance of an Astral Body couldn't escape their notice.

  Wallace pulled away with a sigh. "It's a shame. I really like Alistair. Too bad he has to die," he lamented quietly.

  Spencer chuckled. "We should head back to the ancestral hall," he said and held a hand out.

  Wallace took his hand and hopped off the rock. He took out a recording stone and recorded the scenery here. He had a feeling that he would never be able to see it again, and that was probably the truest shame. When he was done, he put the stone away, interlaced his fingers with Spencer's, and headed back toward the Earthborne ancestral hall.