A large boat drifts beneath the bright afternoon sun. Many people cover the deck of the boat alone, and even more people are scattered throughout the rest of the multi-layered ship. On it is a a young half dragon with elfin blood in it's veins. Considering his two bloodlines he is fairly young, and as a result he looks to be around 15 years old. He is named Apiros Kilmore but is called Dino-kid for the stories he tells of wingless dragons of strange body variations. Mostly young children hear his stories of the "dinosaurs" and the adaults hear the stories of his many "heroics." He is cocky and feels as if he must be the center of attention, but this mainly gets him ignored.

Right now The young dragon looks out at the beauty of the water. Given his half-dragon heritage as a fire dragon it is strange that his element is water, but none-the-less he enjoys it endlessley. After a whilke he looks up to the skies with a smile on his face at the clouds that dot the endless sky, the sun giving him little problem in his daydreaming. each cloud was formless and troublesome in the young half-dragon's daydream, and he thought himself to be the only half-dragon on the endless waters.

In his daydream was a differant world than Arda, in his dream he was on an ocean called Druak Rae, Dragon Water. He let out a sigh before leaving the edge of the boat across to a small table with food. Taking a chicken leg he chewed on the meat as he walked along, being careful not to sink his claws into anything. His claws were a daily problem which he had to be wary of, but they often helped him since he did not don wings on his back. No wings had ever existed on his back, just a set of red and crimson spikes.

Arthur sailed above the ocean with effortless ease even the sometimes could not hinder him. Not in his element, he was born to the skies, the air was a home away from home. He flapped his wings again skirrting faster along the surface of the ocean. His tail dragged in the water behidn him causing the water to form a wave like motion as he moved faster in faster. Arthur looked down at the blue crystal water and a large half-dragon stared back at him. Sure as always he wore hsi armor but he did not have on the helmet. His sword and helmet lay hooked to his side and his sheild hung on his back.

Even in the air he had to remian cautious. WIth freedom one had to be cautious and so he carefully watched the waters and the horizon checking for any danger. Arthur then dove down seeing a school of fish at the surface. Arthur snapepd up one in his jaws and then flipped his body in a corkscrew motion sending up a few flying fish. Arthur grabbed them with a smile and a quick eye. Arthur then consumed the fish while in the air. Arthru then smiled and yelled his excitment at the spped he was making. He always felt so free in the air. Away from the troubles of the world. Arthur then noticed a ship on the horizon and Arthru decided he would have a little fun.

Arthur sped himself faster and caught up with the ship. He was behind and then flew over it performing many aerial maneuvers between the sails flying over the passengers performing many aerial stunts. The passengers at first scared of attack soon were awed as his maneuvers. Arthur smiled as he pulled some more aerial stunts givign the ship a show worthy of a king.

Apiros watched in amazement as the half-dragon did a series of ariel stunts through the air. The young half-dragon just stayed down and ate on his chicken leg as he watched for a moment. A couple minutes passed before Apiros realized how caught up he was in the half-dragon's arial skills. Showoff. He thought to himself. Slowly his annoyance built up with each bite before he tossed the chicken leg into the air and let it hit some guy in armor upside the head. "I'm not going to be shown up!" He said with excitement as he rushed to the base of one of the masts and began to climb up.

His claws were very useful for climbing because they sunk into the wood each time he got a hold. After a couple of minutes somebody actually pointed him out amongst the crowd. He clenched into the wood with his right claws as he slung out and waved to the crowd before continuing up to the top of the mast and onto a crow's nest.

He watched as the half-dragon continued his arial tricks and Apiros prepaed to jump on top of a sail. 3... 2... 1! Apiros counted down until he jumped. He seemed to fly through the air a bit before falling down and sinking his claws into thee adjacent mast and climbing up. Once again he climbed up, watchinkg the other half-dragon before jumping to another mast. He wasn't going to be shown up by a newcomer.

He jumped again but this time couldn't manage to catch the wooden frame of the adjacent mast. He fell for several yards, watching as the deck came closer with every yard he fell. Finally he got close enough to the mast that he was able to adjust his body and sling himself upwards by digging his claws into the wood. Now it was the same scenario as before, but instead of falling down he was rising up through the air until he embedded his claws into another mast.

Arthur continued his stunts for awhile and he did not notice the other half-dragon jumping from mast to mast with an effortless ease. Arthur started hearing soudns of awe not meant for him and Arthur looked and saw the other half-dragon finally. He berated himself he had not been paying attention. If that one had wings he would be dead by now. He cursed at himself for missing something that could be dangerous. Arthur just flew aroudn the ship watching the half-dragon going up and down the mast.

When he began to fall that was when Arthur smiled and he thought Leave the tricks to the perfomer. The creature however managed to ctahc himself and Arthru raised a scaled eyebrow and nodded and said to himself," Not half bad he caught himself, but I would not make that mistake". Arthur shook his head and dove forward as the half-dragon landed on the mast and he flew by performing a corckscrew and breathing fire to add to the show. He went with the flow if the other dragon wanted to get in he could. Arthur then looked at the half-dragon and said," Not half bad, but that mistake almost cost you, always look before you leap".

"If I always looked I would never leap." Apiros said in reply. They two half-dragons now seemed to be in a preformance war and neither one would yield. Apiros had been showing off or at least 25 years and was sdkilled with his claws. He dropped down several feet, falling close to the wood frame before stopping himself near the deck by digging in his claws. The young half-dragon jumped down the rest of the way and backed up from the mast by several feet, his breath was deep as he was preparing for one of his most foolish tricks.

Apiros charged the wooden mast and ran up it, digging his claws in, and with each step up he left holes in the wood frame. He continued to run up the ninety degree slant as fast as he could so as to not lose his balance. Once he reached about halfway up he lept across to the other mast and again and again until he finally stopped. Now every muscle in his legs ached but he was used to it. He climbed up a ways and then quickly lept from mast to mast until he reached the foremast.

He gazed out onto the open water befor turning around and digging his claws in downwards and leaning onto the side of the foremast. he appeared too be standing on it for a while until he loosened his grip and dropped down. He fell at an enormous velocity and his spiky hair could be seen being pushed around by the air. If he didn't stop himself he would plunge directly into the water. But he stopped himself at some wooden railing. His grip quickly loosened but he embedded his claws into the wooden deck and lifted himself up to his feet on the edge of the deck. He was definatley a fool, but his skill seemed to save him twice in that day.

Arthur only smiled when the half dragon answered. If the thign wanted to get killed he would let him. Arthur prefered caution over recklessness anyday. Arthur decided to see what the half-dragon would do. He watched closley , studying ever movement the dragon made. From what he could already tell the boy was about to do somethign foolish. Arthur sat back and waited his wings the only thing holding him in the air.

When the dragon moved Arthur followed the movment every second. He was amazed at the dragons climping skills. He moved with a grace that meant years of practice. Arthur started to t hink maybe this one was more than he seemed. Arthur managed to keep up with the dragons movements and when the dragon reached the foremast and seemed to be standing on it Arthur clapped his hands and said," Bravo". The dragon the dropped but caught himself and then dropped again catching himself and putting himself on the deck.

Arthur smiled and said," Not bad not bad, I can do better, lets see if you can match one of my ultimate tricks". Arthur summoned his magic up and spread out his hands and said," Summon Master Warrior". Soon a double of himself appeared and then Arthur said," Clone Warrior". There were now three half-dragons that looked exactly alike above in the air. All three then stared to move as one. They flew with an efforless ease in between the mass flying so close to each other it seemed they were touching. They pulled corckscrems and back flips. They sent up flames putting one of the best shows that could be given. Finally to end it all they flew toward eahc other at break neck speed. Just when it seemed they were about to crash they pulled up at the last second goign around in a circle so fats it seemd as if they became one being. A sparkel of light flashed and soon out of the three only one was left. The people on the deck went wild and Arthur did a flip in appreaciation.

Apiros could do nothing but stand, watch, and applaud. It wasn't really fair since he couldn't fly, but he was exhausted from just watching the newcomer multiply into three. The only thing he could do to match that would be in combat. That may be the only situation in which he could fully surpass the newcomer entirely, but for now he could do only one thing, and that would be called crazy. He regained his energy and began to run up one of the masts to a crow's nest in order to look at the crowd. If this didn't catch their attention he would have lost to somebody that, most likley, hadn't performed on this ship before.

Now it was time for Apiros' ultimate and craziest trick. He jumped to the mast near the half-dragon and looked him over. "Watch this new guy." He said calmly as he backed up near the center. "Incoming!" The boy-like half-dragon shouted as he charged and jumped the newcomer. He did a series of summersaults in the air and rapidly came near the end of his fall, but somehow he moved himself through the air to the second deck and caught on to it. He twisted as he landed and then seemed to spring forward as he rushed to the edge of the boat.

He jumped, slinging himself over the crystal blue waters beneath him. He had taken a rope from the mast he had been climbing and luckily got it tied around the rai;ing just in time to save himself from the waters. He slung around, his eyes wide open before he landed on the side of the boat and ran across the outside of it sideways. This was a trick he had done several times before, but only as a last resort. The people watched as he made his way around the outside of the boat, digging his claws in with each step, nearing thw waters.

When he got close enough to touch them he ran upwards with his last burst of energy and seemed to shoot into the air like an arrow until he clenched onto a mast in time to sling himself downwards to the deck. Once again he found himself falling through the air until he landed on the wooden deck. A space had cleared out beneath him and he came to a thud which he quickly rolled out of.

He couldn't hear anything beneath the hard thuds of his heart against his chest. Even he thought that was a foolish trick to try and accomplish and half the time he would fall into the water, thus humiliating himself but causing a roar of laughter. Even if he could hear the crowd around him cheering he probably still wouldn't notice because of the shock he was in.

Arthur wathed in silent amazment as the half-dragon did hsi final and probably most dangerous trick. When the half-dragon came by Arthur moved when the boy passed him. He had never seen such agility except once in his life and that was facing Alkair the Lord of Evil Dragons. Arthur as suprised at the way he moved along the ship with an effortless grace. When the dragon had grabbed the rope however Arthur had an idea of what he would do. He was right the dragon jumped off the ship almost seeming to fly. Then when it seemd he would fall into the waters. He grabbed the rope and swugn toward the bottom of the ship. Arthur waited and the half-dragon shot up so fast Arthur barely caught the movement.

When he landed Arthur applauded with the crowd on the ship. Arthur floated down and landed on the ship and he detransformed and his summons went away. Arthur smiled at the half-dragon and said," Not bad, you would do better than Aldar of Lomedor in the Silver Circuit, because thats the best I have ever seen, except from Alkair in his last days, as for me I will not match it, I concede". Arthur bowed to the half-dragon. He could not match him today no, but once he practiced hsi magics more then he would better him. Arthur said," One day though, we will try again and we shall see who is the better again, but for now rest". Arthur stuck out his hand and said," Dar'Vaeg the Son of The Skies at your service, you may call me Arthur if you wish though".

"Yeah? Well I'm a fool for attempting that trick." Apiros said as he got up. He could still feel his heart trashing about inside of his chest from the adrenaline. "Well Arthur, nice to meet you. I'm Apiros Kilmore, also known as Red Claw or Dino-kid." He said shaking Arthur's hand. "And now that I know your name I don't have to call you newcomer anymore" Apiros smiled because now the little competition was done. "And one more thing, I only succeed that trick half of the time, the other half I usually plunge into the waters." Apiros sat down in a nearby chair and leaned back.

"You know, despite my appearance I'm actually fifty-five. I've been doing these tricks for at least twenty-five years now. Been practicing ever since." Apiros said befor turning around and swinging a chair in front of him. "Sit down, I think your wings need some rest... And by the way, I'm jealous you have wings." Apiros chuckled a bit as he finally got a chance to examine arthur.

Apiros couldn't help but feel as if he had heard of a half-dragon named Arthur. He fuddled around with the name a bit before he finally came to the answer. "I've heard of you before! Arthur Paendrag Tanreal, right? Some Rauko came by a couple of days ago and we talked a bit, he mentioned you! I think his name was, umm... Kiesu Shiinto! That's it. He told me that if I see you to tell you he's hanging around Sequeldor!" Apiros clicked his tongue but muffled it's sound by shutting his mouth. "I saw that guy take out a small group of big ogres the night before we set sail."

Arthur smiled slightly at the half-dragon. The dragon explained the trick he was not suprised at the results. Of course Arthur could try it he had wings but he would try it the other way first. He would wait however practice on land was a bit more stable. As for his wings they were not tired he had been on them since he was three years old. It was good however to get their wieght off. Arthur was suprised at the half-dragons age he looked no older than 15.

Arthur had not expected him to be so young. He had knew there was something more than met the eye about thsi half-dragon age had not been part of his thinking. It just went to show you that even he could be fooled. Arthur then said," 25 years thats longer than I have been at it, more like since I was 20, and Im 25 now". Arthur then listned some more to the elder half-dragon.

Yes he knew Kiesu he had had a few run ins with him. Once at Lake Alein, once in Doriri'ba and the third time was muddled. Arthur then said," Yes I know Kiesu he is one of the few people I trust now a days, and if you heard of me through him, and are still talkign to me, then you have no problem with my previous occupation, some dragons do have problems with what I did, even if I did what I did for justice".

"Nah, i don't really care, neither does my father. Anyways, I aagree. I've heard all of the stories about your dragon slaying, all I can wonder is how you did it without getting fried and a half, even my father has burn damage and he's a fire dragon!" Apiros chuckled a bit with his last remark, he didn't lie too often and he wasn't lying at all now. His father had been burnt after falling into an active volcanoe while fighting an ice dragon. Apiros was only ten back then and he had watched the battle with great anticipation, rotting for his father to win.

For some reason he was now thinking of his father, he would probably go pay him a visit in the Ered Annon with his elfin love. Apiros had recieved messages that his father now had the ability to shapeshift which helped him to live in the small house that stayed in the middle of the smallest mountain. "Hmm, ever want to go and pay your parents a visit? even if they're dead you can still go to Dor'iba and contact them. I'm just lucky that both of mine are still alive, my elfin mother and my draconic father. It's strange, their complete opposites at seperate times, but together they find peace and harmony. My mother his a fun loving priestess and my father is a fairly stern burner, he works at the Ondolond Forgery." Apiros had seemed to trail off for a bit as he got lost in the light blue clouds above, he loved the sea and he loved each of his parents. He just didn't like land all that much, he wished he could fly but he didn't have wings, and he wished he could swim like a fish, but he didn't have fins. He was truly lost in thought.

Arthur smiled slightly at the half-dragon. HE was gald that him nor hsi fatehr did not mind. As for burns and stuff, Arthur had gotten away with a few scrapes in hsi days as a dragon slayer. He had a few burn marks here and there. One scar on hsi arm but that was bout it. Arthur then said," It was luck mostly that I got away with as few scars as I did, the biggest one I got was from my last battle, on my arm right here". He pointed to his left arm drawing a line down its center. He then said," Im lucky I did not lose the use of it, a few burn marks here there, but mostly it was sheer luck on my part".

Arthur then answered the halfdragon on somethign else he said," My parents aren't dead not yet anyway, my father has been around since 2,000 years after the beggining, he is one of the last few of the ancient wyrms, my mother shes in her early forties, she'll live a bit longer but shes human so". Arthru shrugged sadly at that. HE would be sad the day his mother died he only hoped his father could handle it. Arthur then laughed at what the half-dragon said about his parents. Arthur then replied, by saying," Well my mother is the daughter of a mayor, she lives in a forest in a home my father built, my father is the leader of the war dragons and he mostly just doe whatever he likes, then my brother is a knight, and my sister well I have never met her so I don't know what she wants to be".

"The leader of the war dragons? I think your father knew mine! Or at least commanded him! My father used to fight in all of those draconic wars, he was pretty ruthless. At least, I gather that he was ruthless from his fights I've seen." Apiros said excitedly, he chuckled a bit as he tapped his claws on the decok of the ship. "Have you ever heard of Draenjaw Kilmore? Or Draenjaw 'Firetalon'? Those are what my father was called in the later wars." It seemed to be nice talking to a fellow half-dragon, although he had wings and Apiros didn't. Neither seemed to really mind though, they just currently seemed to enjoy one another's company on this beautiful day. Apiros was now afixated on Druak Rae, the draon water's in his world in which half dragon's constantly held competitions.

Apiros thought for a moment about a ship he had been invited on, "Hey, would you like to cail a bit longer? I've been invited to sail on a cruise ship called the Oceanic 815, I don't think that they will mind me bringing along another half-dragon. In fact, we could even compete again. The Oceanic 815 is supposed to be at least three times this ship's size so it would give us more to work with!" Apiros seemed to like this younger half-dragon a lot, it was obvious since he invited this new friend on the next trip he had.

Arthur looked at the half-dragon he was not sure whether to belive him. There were dragon wars ofcourse but onl one of them he considered a real war. The first one was the one he consdiered a real dragon war. That was when the Dragons Rebeled against the gods. He knew that story by heart. THe other coudl be considered minor to the sheer amount of force in that war. Arthur knew dragon history so he knew what they consideder a real war. It was thousands not hunrderds that made a dragon war. Arthur then said," My father has only been in three dragon wars that I know if, which one was yoru father in so I can figure out if he really did". Arthur had listned to his father recount his battles so he would know where the story lay.


Arthru then said," Can't say I have ever heard those names, but there is alot I don't know, perhaps you have heard of Nar'Vaeg though, if yoru fatehr ever mentioend that then maybe". Arthru the listned to the half-dragon speak and Arthur smield he would go on thsi ship for the sheer challenge plus he might liek to get away from things for awhile. Arthru then said," Sure I'll go with you, but a word of warning I may get defeated once but it rarely happens a second time".

"Well... There's only one that I really know of. I believe it was called something like, 'The Hlaf-breed war.' All I really remember was something about the Dragonians feeling superior to the normal ones and other half-breeds. I think my father may have saved me from one when I was no more than a youngling, but even then all I remember was him yelling at me to run back home to mother." Apiros scratched at his horns a bit as he said this. It hadn't really concerned him much other than he thought it interesting his father was a dragonian war-hero. He sat in the chair and thought a moment about his father's war experiances. Now he regretted not listening to his father's tales.

"He's been in more wars, and I don't really know how aged he is, I just know that he's been in several wars."

(sorry for the short post)