The Desert World

Rating: nothing bad with a small side of cussing

A/N: Sorry this is a little late. We have a new puppy and I’m helping out by watching him and then I got a little sick. But I’m all better and stayed up till one typing to make up for it. Hope you enjoy.
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The door opened and Luka walked in, “This is my home I’ll help you around. Let me go and toss these in my room.”

“Yer room?” Dryden asked.

“You’re standing in the living room.” Reaching up Dryden slowly untied the cloth around his eyes. “How are your eyes?”

“It’s like standing in a gray cloud.” He waved his hand in front of his face, “I can make out some things.”

Luka smiled and walked up to him, “That’s good, don’t force yourself.” Then he walked towards his room. The small male stood by the door.

Zane ran in past Dryden, Mark was chasing after him. “Help, he going to get me!” Dryden chuckled and sniffed the air, something smelt good. Zane’s giggling filled the room as he ran from Mark.

He could hear Luka laughing and then two hands were placed on his shoulders. “Being stuck in that stuffy room for two weeks cannot be healthy. So after I show you where everything is at, let’s get some fresh air.”

Leaning back he looked up, he could see a shadowy figure. “Can I just stay inside?”

“Sorry but I can’t…”

“Why not?”

“Kitten!”

Dryden sunk down and growled, “Spike.”

Spike picked Dryden up and hugged him. “I heard what happened. I wanted to come and see you but Leora was sick. She was out in the rain playing with your little brother, and then the next day she was as sick as a dog.” He stopped his rambling and sat him down; Dryden stumbled as he tried stay up right. “Is that even possible?”

“Damn it, ya over grown house cat.” Dryden growled as he stood up. “If I could see…”

“That’s right you just got out of the clinic.” He had Dryden up in his arms and turned to Luka, who was trying really hard not to laugh. “Where’s the bed? I’ll even take the kids off your hands, so you can rest.” Luka pointed to the door in the back, “Now you need to rest and I mean rest.”

“Spike!” Dryden yelled and he grabbed his ear.

“What?”

“Put. Me. Down. NOW!”

“Yeesh all you had to do is ask.” Spike sat him down on the couch. “Now stay! I’ll make lunch. Darian and Leora should be here soon.” Just then someone came running in, “Hey there’s Coty.”

“Spike, there you are!” Coty dropped onto the couch next to Dryden and took a deep breath. “Darian should be here soon.”

“I’m already here.” Dryden turned his head. Luka found Darian and Leora standing in the doorway.

“Darian what the hell did ya feed him, get the over grown cat to calm down.” Dryden growled.

“Sorry Dryden he found the candy.” When Spike gets a hold of sugar it always turned bad, the guy could climb up the tree they were in and make it back down with energy to spare. Dryden’s eye twitched and he stood up, only to find himself being guided back onto the couch. “When Spike heard about you, he wanted to see you.”

“But Darian said no to visiting the clinic.”

“Good thing, there’s too many sharp things.” Dryden grumbled. He gave a slight twitch when someone leaned closer.

“I’ll show you the room. Let these guys get settled and quite down a little, sound good?” It was Luka.

“How do ya do it?”

“Tell you later.” Dryden stood up and turning his head, “I’m going show Dryden where the bathroom is at.”

“Yeah, suuure.” Coty said from where he sat. Dryden was about to turn when Luka pushed him forward.

“Bathroom is this way.” Luka chuckled when Dryden sighed. “We should be walking into my room now.” Dryden could tell because it went from light to a dim light.

“Why is it darker?”

“The light is off.” He stopped him and quickly walked over to a window, he pulled the curtains a part. Dryden winced and covered is eyes. “Ah! Sorry, too much light?”

“Just a little.” Luka pulled the shades down and Dryden looked around, “That’s better.”

“Good.” He walked over to Dryden and twining his hand with Dryden’s and putting the other on his shoulder, Luka guided out of the door way. Placing both of their hands on the wall, they walked together. “You going to tell me what happened?”

“About what?”

“Dresser is in front of you.” Dryden felt his finger tips run over the top of a dresser. “Why did it take four years?”

“A lot happened.”

“Hmmm?” Luka rubbed his shoulder as they walked past the door.

“Where does the door go to?”

“Closet. When are you going to tell me?”

“When annoying family is gone.”

Luka chuckled and kissed his cheek, “Don’t want them to hear?”

“Yes and no.” He felt Luka stop and Dryden stopped to ask, “What is it?”

“Nothing, I was thinking.” They started walking again and Luka showed him where everything was at, soon Dryden walking around the room by himself. “You really do have better memory then me. I always forget where the dresser is at when I walk in so I stub my toe all the time.”

Dryden followed the sound of his voice and stood in front of him. “Poor little toe.”

“Hey it hurts like hell, more than ever in the winter.” The small male lifted his hands up and Luka grabbed them and tugged him down onto his lap. “I vote for chasing them out.”

“Luka!”

“What?” Just then Zane came running in and jumped on the bed, then he tackled Luka’s back. Glancing behind him he found Zane trying to hide under the blankets, “Zane?”

“Shhh! Don’t give me away.” Then he pulled the blanket over his head and all you could see was a little lump. Then Mark came running in and looked around. He rushed over to the closet and opened the door. Looking over at Dryden and Luka he stepped in and closed the door.

Dryden climbed off his lap and walked over to the door, he could hear someone counting. He felt a hand on his shoulder and Darian spoke up from the other side of the room. “Luka, Spike needs help in the kitchen!”

The weight on his shoulder disappeared and he was tugged forward by his hand, “Their playing hide and seek.” Dryden walk forward and then he heard a chair move.

“Dryden you look well.” It was Ari, she was sitting next to him, “We were all going to do this at mine and Aiden’s place, but that all changed.”

“Ari you make it sound bad that it’s here.”

“Luka if you hadn’t noticed we’re all trying to fit in your small place.”

“Hey it’s not small!” Dryden smiled as Luka and Ari started bickering about how small the place was.

“Luka!! We need your help in here!” This time it was Aiden yelling, “Ari stop stalling him I need his help!”

“I’m coming!” It was loud. You could hear people talking and kids running around. There was smells everywhere and soon there were more people walking in. Someone was talking to Luka at the door. Dryden turned to Ari.

“Ari, who’s at the door?”

“Oh that would be Luka’s dad. You met him remember at the camp.”

“Yeah I remember, but who’s the woman?”

“That would be Luka’s step-mom, Syrita.” He nodded and picked up his drink, it was good and warmed his stomach. “Luka, Dryden wants to meet Syrita!” Dryden choked on his drink.

“Ari!” He hissed.

“Aww, come on Dryden don’t be like that.”

“You didn’t have to do that!” He yelped when two hands clapped down on his shoulders. “Troy!”

“Man that was a good one, but it wasn’t me.” Troy’s voice was in front of him, so who was behind him.

“Sorry I didn’t mean to scare you.” He woman had a soft voice and it was right behind him, “But Luka said to do it. Your do have cat ears.” Then Dryden clamped his hands on his head before she could grab them.

“Luka!”

“No I didn’t, are you trying to get me in trouble?”

“I’m Syrita and don’t be afraid to knock some sense into that boy he tends to be hard headed.”

“Trust me I will.” He felt a pat on his shoulder.

“Get better, okay?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Oooo, Dryden is being polite.” Ari said from his side. There was a shout and a crash.

“Rusty! Luka! Both of you get the hell out of the kitchen!” Aiden had chased both of them out and Luka glared at Rusty.

“What, I was hungry!” Luka popped him in the back of the head, than Liam popped him in the back of his head.

“Hey! What the hell?”

“Don’t hit your brother.” Both of them stared at each other.

“Mom, their doing it again.”

“Liam! Luka! Will you quit it?” Syrita scolded them and they looked at her.

Luka glanced over to see Dryden standing up, he glanced back to find his dad gone and talking to Darian. Syrita had walked over to watch the kids play in the living room. Luka could see Mark, Leora, Zane, Kael, Rusty, and Tam all sitting around a game. Walking over to Dryden he chuckled and slipped his hand in Dryden’s. “You okay?”

“It’s loud.” Then Dryden twisted his arm.

“Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!” when he let go Luka rubbed his wrist, “What did I do?”

“That was for what Syrita did.”

“Why me?”

“You know better.”

“Don’t take it out on me.” Dryden ran his hands over Luka’s arm and then he patted his arm. “What is it?”

“Is it really that crowed in here?”

“Not really, I’m use to have a lot of people come over.”

“Can you take me to Zane?” He felt a tug on his arm and followed Luka. He could hear Zane talking to Syrita.

“Zane!”

The boy turned around, “Daddy!” He ran over and Dryden knelt down just as the boy jumped, “Is the food ready?”

“Almost, what are you doing?”

“Playing a game.” He stood up and Zane leaned over to pat Luka on the arm, “Can me and Mark go over to grandpa home?”

Dryden chuckled and sighed, “I’m okay with it.”

Nodding, Luka looked over at Syrita, she winked at him and he shook his head, ‘She is devious.’

“Food is ready!!” Spike yelled. Everyone soon made their way to the table that was now three tables put together.

Dryden leaned over towards Darian, “Where’s Zachariah?”

“He’s still trying to figure out what poisoned you. He wanted to come, but he was busy.”

“Okay.” The small male lowered his head and sighed, ‘Maybe things will look up. Or maybe he could be planning an attack.’

He pushed his food around the plate until Troy said something, “Dryden quit playing with your food or I’ll take it.”

“Touch and I’ll put this fork in your hand.”

“How would you know I was reaching for it?”

“I have my ways.”

Troy tried and cried out in pain. He held his injured hand to his mouth, “You are evil!”

“My food, no touch.” Darian sighed and shook his head.

“You two, there is plenty of food. Now eat.” Troy glared at him and Dryden sat there pushing the food around once again. Luka watched and nudged him.

“If you’re not hungry then say so.”

“Sorry I’m just thinking about something.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen.”

Dryden smiled and he felt Luka holding his hand under the table. Everything was fine and right now he wouldn’t worry about anything but what was happening right then and there. It was great, the only thing that was missing… He pushed his plate of half eaten food away. Luka glanced at him and sighed. “Luka, I’m going to lay down.”

“You need any help?”

“No I’ll be all right.” Luka watched as Dryden walked to his room, something was bothering him.


Dryden sat in the room as he heard the sounds slowly disappear. It was soon quiet and he could hear someone walking around. He laid back and held his hands up in the air, it was still a gray fog, but he could see the outline of his hands. Sighing, Dryden let his hands fall to the bed and he let out an aggravated sound. He was getting pissed at himself; he can’t do anything without getting hurt.

The door opened and Dryden pulled the blanket over his head. Luka chuckled and grabbed the blanket, he tugged on it. “Come on Dryden, why are you hiding?”

He heard a mumble.

“What was that?” pulling the other end up he crawled under and jabbed him in the side. “Come on speak up.”

“Leave it alone.” Dryden pulled away and Luka sighed.

“You only hide when something bad happens or you're bothered by something. At least that’s what your brother said.” He smiled and reached out, his hand brushed over Dryden’s arm. “Is it about what happened four years ago?”

Dryden tightened his hold on the pillow.

“I’m going out on a limb here and I’m going to tell you that it does get better after awhile.”

He rolled over and looked at Luka, “How long is awhile?”

“Depends.” Luka laid his head on his arms and smiled, “I have one question.”

“What is it?” He loosened his hold on the pillow.

“What would she want you to do?”

“What do you mean?”

Luka sighed and let his head fall onto the bed, “Okay, would she want you to be sad?”

“I don’t think so.” He looked at Dryden.

“What do you think she would want you to be?”

“A damn good dad.”

He chuckled and ran a hand through Dryden’s hair, “That and I bet she would want you to be happy.”

“Happy?” Dryden sat up and pushed the blanket away. Luka climbed the rest of the way onto the bed and pulled Dryden close to him.

“Are you?”

The small male held his hand out and Luka placed his hand in his. “Now I am.” Luka nuzzled his neck and Dryden shivered. His other hand wrapped around Dryden’s waist.

“What should we do about dinner? Mark and Zane will be asking for something in a few hours.”

“Don’t worry; remember Zane is staying with Dad and Syrita.” He kept his face near Dryden’s neck as he spoke, “Mark is also with them. You don’t have to worry about him getting food I told dad what he can and can’t eat.”

“How did you find out all that?”

“He told me.”

“Wow, Mark opened up to someone.”

“That all aside, there is no one here. So what do you want to do?” Dryden was about to answer when he gave a jaw cracking yawn. Luka smiled against his neck, “Is that your answer?”

“Sorry, I bet you want to do something else?”

“I can wait.” Luka moved his face from his neck and rested his chin on his shoulder, “You need your rest.”

Dryden smiled and squeezed Luka’s hand. “Let’s do something tonight.”

“Like what?”

He yawned again, “I don’t know.” Dryden found himself on his side and Luka was pushed up against his back, with his arm wrapped around his waist and another was running through his hair. Twisting till he was facing Luka, he buried his head against Luka’s chest and sighed. “You come up with something.” He murmured and soon he found himself drifting to sleep.

Luka buried his face in Dryden’s hair and chuckled when his cheek brushed against one of the hidden horns. “I love you.” Soon he could hear Dryden purring; he smiled and closed his eyes. Hopefully no one comes to wake them.
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Dryden rubbed at his eyes. It had been two weeks since he started to live with Luka and now he could see color but it was still a little blurry. He lifted his hand out of the water and tried to focus on his hand. All it did was give him a damn bad head ache. To top it off he might, just might be carrying aging. The door opened and he tipped his head back to see Luka’s blurry form walk in.

“You’re still in here.”

“My muscles are finally relaxing.” He let his body slip further into the water. Luka tried not to laugh when Dryden let out a loud sigh. “You just laughed at me!”

“No I didn’t.” Luka found himself splashed with water and he looked over his shoulder to find Dryden with a satisfied smirk on his face. He walked over and placing his hands on either side of him, he leaned closer. “That was not fair.”

“Thought ya might need a wakeup call.”

“For what?”

“You were up all night last night.”

“I was getting my stuff together.”

“That takes all night.”

“I kind of conked out at the table.”

“Damn and I missed it.”

Luka smiled and pushed away, “I’m going to be leaving tonight.”

“How long will ya be gone?”

“A few days. If I’m lucky I might make it back tomorrow night.” He felt a tug at the back of his shirt. Dryden was holding on to the back off his shirt and he let go, “What is it?”

“What if my sight get’s better before ya get back?”

“I’ll be back before it does.” Luka knelt down and kissed Dryden. “Now I need to go and find my dad.” He stood up and Dryden laid his head on his arms and watched Luka’s blurry form walk out of the bathroom. He sighed and laid back, damn he was close to telling him. How was he going to tell him? Then he let his whole body slip under water.

Luka pulled his wet shirt off as he walked in the bedroom and passed the mirror only to stop and back track. He looked in the mirror and saw his shoulder; he reached in his pocket and pulled out the paper with the same symbol on it. The symbol was a like a trident only more tribal looking. It had a spear head in the center with two points that curved up from it and trialed down to a point.

‘That would explain the itching from last night.’ Now he really had to find Liam. He grabbed a shirt off the dresser and pulled it on as he walked out of his room. Luka had the door opened when Aiden and Air Stood there panting. “What the hell?”

“Ari!” She had his hands behind him and Aiden had pulled the sleeve up, “I was right.”

“Luka you said you got rid of it.” Ari yelled at him.

He shh’ed her and looked at the room door. He pulled them out the door and closed it. “I did. Aiden was there when we both got rid of it.”

Aiden nodded, “Ari, he is right.” Luka ran a hand through his hair, “It has to be his way of getting your attention.”

“But why did he do that in the square.”

“What?” Luka rushed back into his home and onto a balcony, the same mark was on painted on the ground. Aiden walked up and looked down, “That has got to be cleaned up before dad see’s it.”

“Don’t worry. Ari has some of her men working on it.”

“I can’t do the request.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to find the one who did this. I should have never suggested that ink.”

“And how are you going to do that?”

“Follow the signs.” He turned and walked up to the table. Luka walked into his room and found Dryden walking out of the bathroom in a blue sleeveless and a pair of baggy shorts. Pulling the shirt off he reached into the closet and pulled out a black long sleeve shirt and pulled it on.

“Luka, what’s wrong?”

“I have to leave early.”

“Why?”

“I’m going to miss the target if I don’t leave now.” He turned to Dryden, “I’ll be back sooner if I leave now.”

“Okay.”

It hurt, but he couldn’t tell him. Some things were better off lost in the past. “Tell Zane I said bye.”

“I will.” Dryden watched as Luka left the room, something was wrong. He ran out of the room after him, he stopped when he found Ari standing in front of the door. “Ari what’s wrong?”

“Get Zane, both of you are staying with me and Aiden.” He didn’t argue and went to pick up the sleeping child off the bed. “Mark is with Jaden?”

“Yeah.” Dryden quickly snagged the blue dragon off the bed and followed after Ari. “Where’s Luka?”

“I’ll tell you when we get to the house.”

“No I need to find him and tell him something.”

She stopped and looked at him, “You’ll have to tell him when he gets back.”

His shoulders slumped, “Okay.”

Ari sighed and shook her head, “He’ll be back soon.”

“I know.” They quickly walked down the halls and outside he glanced up, the bright light didn’t hurt his eyes anymore but it still made him squint. “Hey Ari is it still cloudy.”

“Yes if we don’t hurry the sky might open up on us.”

“I’m coming.” He shifted Zane in his arms and ran after her. He stopped someone was watching him. Dryden glanced around and then he ran after Ari.
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Luka pulled back on the rains and jumped off Braith. A person looked up and saw Luka and he saw the person. They dropped the tool in his hand and took off into the woods. “Oh no you don’t!” Luka ran after him.

They crashed through bushes and low branches, while Luka tried to avoid them. The person slid to a stop. They look over the edge and back at Luka, “He made me do it!” The man tried to step back; Luka got closer and grabbed the front of his shirt, “I really mean it.”

“Who?”

“I can’t tell you, he might be watching.”

“Who?” He growled out. Luka slammed him against the tree, “You better fucking tell me!”

“He came last night and told me if I didn’t call you he would burn down my home. I want to tell you but I can’t.” The man gulped when Luka pushed his dagger against his throat, “Fine I’ll tell you! It was Rol…” An arrow lodged itself in the man’s neck. Luka jumped back and quickly looked around. Three more arrows came out of nowhere and hit the man in the chest killing him.

Luka growled and looked around, “I know it’s you, now get the fuck out here!”

He could hear laughter, “But Luka it wouldn’t be fun if I did.” Then he saw him sitting on a branch a crossbow in hand. Lifting it up he grinned, “I know who poisoned your little friend. Did you know if that poison is still in a Dragconian all you have to do is give him another dose and it would actually kill him.” Luka took off back into the forest, “If you don’t hurry the last thing he’ll see is the back of his eye lids.”

Jumping on to Braith he dug his heels into her side and she jumped forward into a full out run.
^^^

Dryden lifted his head up and looked around, Zane was awake and whimpering. “Shhh, Zane everything is alright.” Something was on top of him; he looked down at Zane and blinked. Everything was clear. He heard a groan and looking back he could see Zachariah. The older male smiled and sat up.

“You okay?”

“Yeah.”

Ari ran up to them, “Is every one alright?”

“Yeah.” Dryden looked down at Zane, “Are you okay Zane?”

The small child nodded and Dryden pulled the boy into his arms, “Ari get them somewhere safe. Some is trying to kill him.”

The lioness pulled Dryden to his feet and quickly moved him into a random home. The family looked at them and Ari nodded to them. They were all Dragconian. “Leader.”

“We need a place to hide.”

An older male with black hair stood up, “This way.” They followed him into a room, he kicked the rug to the side, “It leads to the cellar there’s a stairway in the back that leads into my eldest son’s home. He’ll help you out.”

Dryden inclined his head and smiled, “Thank you.”

“Anything to help out.” He watched as they walked into the cellar and then he closed the trap door and covered it with the rug.

Ari knocked on the door and it opened. A male with white hair answered and saw Dryden, “This way.” They followed him; he opened a door and glanced around outside, “It’s safe you should be able to get to the guard’s tower from here.”

“Then from there we can make our way to my father’s.” Ari said to Dryden.

They rushed outside and ran toward the guard’s tower. Dryden got the same feeling and he stopped. Ari skidded to a stop and looked at him, “Someone is watching.”

“What?”

He handed her Zane, “I’ll follow yer scent. I’m faster in my other form.” But before he could move an alarm went off. They looked at each other and Dryden growled. She turned around and then quickly she grabbed Zane from Dryden. Ari ran off towards the tower, “Yer supposed to be dead!”

“I could say the same for you, but you keep on living.” Rollin grinned and jumped down onto the ground. “I wonder what would happen if I used the commands?”

Dryden stepped back and growled. “I dare ya to do that.” He looked back to see Troy, he walked up. “I dare ya to get him to attack me.”

“I can’t pass up a dare now can I?”

Dryden looked at Troy and he gave him a smirk. “Trust me.”
^^^^^^

The horse’s hooves thundered across the ground as he pushed her. He pulled her to a stop outside the gates and jumped off. Luka took off; he jumped up on to a pile of crates and ran across the roof tops. The alarms were ringing as he jumped from rooftop to rooftop. He slid to a stop when he saw Aiden across from him on another rooftop. A bow was in his hand and a quiver of arrows was on his back. Aiden was moving fast but it was close to the roof, like he was following someone. Luka caught up to him and stopped.

“What’s going on?”

“Someone attacked Dryden.”

“Is he okay?”

“Look for yourself.” Luka glanced down and found Dryden and Troy looking over at Rollin.

“I killed him why is he still alive?”

“This time make sure he is dead.” They watched.

“I dare ya to get him to attack me!” Troy yelled. Dryden was looking at him.

“I can’t pass up a dare now can I?”

“Shit.” Aiden looked at Luka.

“What is it?”

“He’s fucked if he gives that command. Is he crazy?”

Troy looked at Dryden. “What did he say I can’t hear them?” Aiden asked.

“I didn’t hear it.” Luka was ready to jump down in case he needed to.

Dryden looked back at Rollin and took a deep breath. Then Rollin said, “Interimo vestri frater.(1)”
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(1) Interimo vestri frater = To slay your brother
Yes I know I pulled a cliff hanger. Now I’m off to get the next chapter done.
Shade :)