Pure Imagination

Lol. Sorry about any spelling mistakes in this chapter. My spell check needed a holiday and i guess it took one without notice XD

Dont Worry, Bout a thing


Saturn Grunted as she was roughly tossed onto what could only be described as dull, hard packed earth. She lay still, trying to find the hole she had been using to peer out of and as her air source. She didn't have to wait very long though, before she was upended and dumped onto the earth. Her lungs screamed as she gulped in as much fresh air as possible, before looking around. They were in some kind of encampment. Cages were lined up along a stone wall, and it finaly dawned on her that they were in some kind fo ruined castle. This must have been the courtyard. The trolls were shoving other captives into cages now. One grabbed Esephle and tossed her into one of the open cages. Saturns hair was grabbed and she was yanked ot her feet. She winced and took a deep breathe, trying not to scream. The troll who had been carrying her grinned at her, and with a shock she realized it was the same one who had latched itself onto her when she had come here. "Hoggard",she breathed. "Eh?" He squinted down at her. "Ye knows meh name then girly?" He laughed and she recoiled, the halatosis unbearable. His grin was toothy and uneven. "Well then, mayhaps I'll keep ye a but longer then eh?" He tossed her into a cage as well and slammed the door shut.

Saturn felt hassled by her accomidations. She could only stare around the many occupants of the cages. Unicorns lay in one, their beautiful heads resting ontop of one another, their horns dull and filed down to a point of almost nothingness. Dwarves sat begrudgingly in another cage. She saw Esephle in another, crying into her arms. A griffin was paceing its cage restlessly, letting out a shriek every so often in displeasure. She sat back warily, unsure of what to do.She had long accepted the loss of her beloved Braxton doll.Tears pricked at her eyes and she let her head fall into her hands, tiny sobs wracking her body. "Here now...whats this? Crying are we?" She gasped and jerked around at the sound of the voice. She hadn't even known her cage was occupied by anything other then herself. Her eyes grew wide though when she saw what was sitting at the other end of the cage, apperently undisturbed by her presence, and honestly, quiet at ease with itself and its predicament. A dragon, as red as blood, sat staring at her through a pair of reading glasses, its amber eyes observing her with almost a bemused sort of expression. Its tail was curled around itself and its wings were folded neatly on its back. Saturns mouth worked furiously, trying to get out what she wanted to say. However the dragon interrupted. "Bit cramped in here mind you, but I suppose one has to adapt to all situations. Your friend dosnt seem to be doing to well." He looked across the way at Esephle, who was now rocking back and forth in her cage. The dragon picked up a book and turned a page, shivering slightly in delight. "Hmm...nothing better then the sound of a freshly turned page is there?" he smiled toothily at her. Saturn could only stare. "Your...your a DRAGON.." The large reptile cast a sidelong glance down at itself and nodded. "yes...yes I am..thank you for reminding me though. I sometimes forget. I think Im a horse at times you know.." She frowned and it chuckled. "Ah..forgive me my dear..I have not had someone to talk to for some time now. Those trolls are so ungainly..and not the best of conversation holders." He peered at her over his glasses. "My name is.." "Ziggory",she mummbled. He raised a brow delicatly and nodded. "Precisely..er..how do you...never mind..your a nymph...and your name would be?" "Saturn", she replied softly. Ziggory contemplated her. "Saturn...like the planet..you have many rings about you my dear woman....a man would be hard pressed to try and gravitate through all of them". he held somthing out to her. She looked down and was surprised to see a plate of small cookies.The dragon winked at her.

Having Ziggory in her cage made spending the time there rather bearable. He was indeed talkative, explaining how he had come to be there. "I was really shocked when they caught me honestly", he mused, a slight faraway look in his eyes. "I thought at first that perhaps they were joking. I mean, trolls capturing a dragon? Honestly." He shook his head and let out a soft laugh, stretching his neck up slightly to work a kink out of it. "Apperently",he continued, draping his tail daintily over his paws so she could lean against it. "Apperently they are capturing us for the opposing side. The trolls here don't particulalry care whom wins, they sell to both sides. But our opponents pay better, I overheard one of those louts saying. Sell them a few mythical creatures and turn them into killing machines." He looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. "Plus the trolls use the gold to buy themselves whatever trivial things trolls feel they need". He waved a paw airily. Saturn sucked on her bottom lip, considering. "Well...thats settled then". She stood up. "What is?" "Im not going to be sold to some over the border guys for weapons or to be some slave". She rummaged around in her jeans pocket, searching. The dragon eyed her cautiously. "And just how do you expect to break free hmm? Even I cant get out of here". He watched as she found whatever it was she was looking for. "Whats that?" She held up her prize for him to see. "Its called a bobby pin, and where Im from..it is a most excellent tool to pick locks". He watched as she made her way over to the front of the gate and stuck her hand through. He raised his neck to peer over her shoulder, curiosity getting the better of him. She inserted the bobby into the lock and begin to twist it. "I don't see how that itsy thing could possibly-" he broke off as a satisfying click echoed in the quiet and the lock and chain dropped to the ground. His brow furrowed slightly. "My word..." Saturn smiled and stepped out. Ziggory stepped out after her and stretched his wings. Saturn set about trying to free the other occupants. She hurried over to Esephle's cage. The Nymph was starign at her in awe. "Saturn..". The other female ignored her, workign to get the lock free. It to clicked and the cage door swung open. She went around, opening each occupants cage. They each stared at her, perplexed, bewildered, but greatful. She was just starting work on the griffins cage when a loud voice suddenly cried out. "OY! YOU!" Saturn looked around. A group of trolls were coming towards them, clubs in hand. "Shit". She worked furiously to finish the lock. The griffin screeched. "Hurry!" "I am",she muttered, sweat now dripping down her face. The lock was giving her trouble. Obviously they had reinforced it. The Griffin was watching over her shoulder. "Their coming!" She growled and wiggled the pin. Ziggory suddenly appeared at her back. "Young mistress..you had best hurry." Many of the other creatures had already scattered, dissapearing into the woods around them. Esephle screamed as the trolls advanced. "Almost...Got it!" The lock fell to the ground with a thud and the half bird half lion burst out, screaming its furry. It barreled into the trolls in its haste to escape before clumsily flapping off. ZIggory hissed as the slightly knocked over trolls quickly regained their footing and shouting, came towards them,clubs raised. The dragon looked at Saturn. She saw herself refelcted back. "Climb on Saturn". Saturn stared at her reflection for a minute longer before snappign out of it and, grabbing Esephle, hauled herself and the terrified Nymph onto the Dragons back. He spread his wings, took two great galloping steps, and suddenly the wind was whipping at their faces. Saturn gasped as her stomache dropped. The ground, castle, and trolls were quickly swallowed up by the trees. Esephle gasped and wrapped her arms around Saturns middle. Ziggory purred happily, enjoying the feel of air beneath his wings. Saturn risked a peek over the side and swallowed. They were soaring above the clouds. Something brushed her cheek delicately and she jumped, turning to look to her side. The Griffin was flying beside them and it grinned at her. "You saved me...", His voice was husky, and delicate. His brown eyes were fixed on her. She smiled sheepishly. "It was nothing..." He brushed her cheek again. "It is everything. I owe you young one...if ever you are in need..call upon me." He held something out to her. She extended her hand and he dropped it into her open palm. It was a whistle of some sort. "If you are ever in need",he repeated, before soaring off in another direction. Saturn closed her hand around it and sighed. This was one weird trip indeed. "Look young ones...tis the city below us", Ziggory rummbled. Saturn peered over the edge of the dragon. The city was indeed below them and just as magnificent. Ziggory begin to drop slightly. She watched in amazment as the Castle begin to grow larger and larger...and continued to do so. "Um..Ziggory...the castle..." The dragon swore. He looked back at them. "Hold on tightly my dears..Im afraid my landing may be off a bit". Saturn and Esephle exchanged wary looks.

~Meanwhile in Castle Tu'Burg~

Braxton shifted slightly, examining his reflection. He was wearing a royal blue tunic embroaidered in gold and trimmed in forest green. He liked this one in particular. There was a soft knock on his door and he sighed. "Come in!". Akil poked his head in and smiled. "Stunning as always right?" Braxton grinned and straightened his tunic before bowing to his companion. "Shall we?" Akil chuckled. "I am not easily swooned by you Sir Braxton" Braxton sighed loftily. "But of course...though I dare say even if you were a Philly I would still see nothing but a hard headed male." They both chuckled and made their ways into the Grand Banquet Hall. Many a creature graced the place, chatting with one another. Some Danced and others drank to their current victory, despite the war being at a slight stand still while both sides replenished soldiers and supplies. The King and Queen sat at the head of a long table, talking to one another and others that approached them. Akil gripped Braxtons shoulder and excused himself to talk to his mother, whom he had sotted amongst a group of admierers. Braxton smiled to himself and looked around. "Hmm..I was wondering when you would show", a voice purred in his ear. He turned to find Harlow standing behind him. "My dear Harlow..loveley as always." The ravishing redhead smiled pleasantly at him and took his hand, pressing her elegant body to his as she led him onto the dance floor. He sighed softly as she turned to face him. Her Cream colored skin glistened and sparkled when the soft lighting caught it, and her fiery locks were pinned and curled to match her dress. He brought one of her hands to his lips and instantly had a small flashback of bringing a delicate brown hand to be kissed. When he looked up and met her eyes pale blue and green flashed momentarily in fornt of him. He cleared his thorat and smiled warmly at her. "Harlow. I will never understand how you came ot have the hold over me you do". She tittered and batted her lashes at him. "Ah, Braxton, that is for me to know and you to never-" She broke off as the Castle suddenly shuddered violantly. Many of the guests paused in what they were doing, alarmed. The room quivered and just as suddenly a good portion of the roof suddenly exploded inward. People screamed. Braxton threw Harlow to the side, shielding her from the debris. Through the dust and haze Braxton squinted, trying to see what the hell had just come crashing down upon them. His eyes, like many others, grew wide.

Saturn and Esephle shrieked as they suddenly lost altitude and plummeted. Ziggory was curseing loudly, struggaling to keep himself aloft. Apperently being caged for so long had affected his flying skills. He flapped his wings furiously, the two women holding onto eachother and him for dear life. The red tiled roof of the Castle was coming closer and closer, and without much warning they crashed into it. The fondation gave way and the fell through. Through her half open eyes, Saturn could see shapes and brightly colored figures. The Dragon roared as the remainder of the roof collapsed in on them, showering them with tiles, wood, and plaster. He shielded the girls with his wings and body, his head tucked down low and eyes closed. When all became silent he opened them and gazed at Saturn who was trying to pry Esephle off of her. The Nymph was frozen with fear, her eyes wide and unblinking. "Everyone allright then?" Ziggory nodded at them."you have a few cuts I think Saturn..but all peachy otherwise." Saturn wasn;t sure how falling through a roof could be considered peachy but decided not to comment. Ziggory took a deep breathe and slowly begint o try and dislodge much of what covered them. He fanned his wings out, and Saturn heard a loud intake of breath. She peeked over the edge of the hallow mound the wreckage had made around them. Many pairs of eyes stared back at her. The Dragon finally managed to push most of what they had been trapped in off and sighed softly. "My my..what a mess". "You think?"

Braxton caught Akils eye from across the room. He to was staring at the mess now sittign in the middle of the room. Like everyone else, he was covered in dust, but unharmed. Braxton looked around at Harlow, who was picking herself up off the ground where he had flung her. She looked agitated but he would asses this later. His gaze went back to the now moveing mound of roof and wood. A red wing burst out and everyone close enough gasped. The Dragon slowly unfurled itself and peered under its body, speaking to somthing that was out of view. Satisfied with whatever it was answer the dragon stretched and looked around. A tiny head appeared over the mounds edge and blinked at them slowly. Braxton froze instantly. A pair of Pale Blue and Green eyes struggled to focus on their surroundings. "Saturn".

Saturn looked around in alarm at the sound of her name, but finally her troubled gaze came to rest on one person in the room. The only person she had ever looked to when in need of comfort. Without much thought she removed herself from the pile and sprinted the distance of the room. Braxton Didn't know why but he suddenly knelt and opened his arms. The warm body that met his was a wonderful feeling..as if he had hugged her a million times before. His arms went around her instinctivley andhers arond him. She was shaking. "Braxton...."