The Wailing Woods
Part One


Chapter One

The wailing woods blanket the hills northwest of king Bernahue's land, and extend their dark, pine folds all the way to the frozen seas where the seal kings live. No man owns these, the wailing woods; here the beasts of the forest are kings, and outsiders are not welcome.

The Wailing Woods earn their ominous name from the wolves that lived in the shadowy pinelands along the forest's western spine. It is here that our story takes place. Beneath the long pine bows that creek and grown like so many old men. In this silent cathedral of black pillars which span away on all sides, where the floor is a carpet of soft pine needles and one's breath rises visible in the chill, still air. Here wondered a band of fellow adventurers, lost and uneasy.

The wolves had come for them the night before, unnaturally huge beasts, eyes all aglow with a hunger that sent chills down the back of even Lowhannan the barbarian. The wolves were possessed of a cunning that had caught the travelers unprepared, and in their confusion the animals had cut off and separated the band into two smaller contingents. Each group was chased thorough the tar black forest for miles.

The warrior from the dwarven kingdom, the best fighter in the sixteen, had fallen behind the hasty retreat of the others. The wolfs had overtaken him and, feeling it better to fight than to flee, he had turned to do battle. He fought viciously, but his enemies attacked with the will of demons, and came at him on all sides. When the sun rose, all that was left to tell the tail was a scattering of dirty iron plates and ravaged scraps of leather. More than one wolf slept with a full belly that night.

But the denizens had by no means won the battle, for the other fifteen adventures had escaped the teeth of the wolves by many feats of magic and daring. The dwarf, before he was devoured, had slain two of the shaggy creatures. His razor sharp ax now lay on a bed of pine needles, covered in crusting blood as a testimony to his grim skill.

Now the day had come at last, a bright sky smiled down on the solemn forest. The wolves were gone, preferring to fight with the advantage of darkness. The forest was still and peaceful. Intermittently, long golden lances of sunlight shafted down from the high canopy and illuminated the forest floor. Eight of the battered travelers walked in a line, keeping alert for any signs of wolves or of their lost companions.

In the lead, and walking a ways forward of the others was Xen, otherwise known as sir X. He was a certified thief, hired for his talents by the others. He was a short stocky man, perpetually draped in a dark cloak. When he spoke, it was in a husky whisper.

Second in line was Lowhannan, a great brute of a man. He toted a massive iron flail at his side that spoke of his superhuman strength. He was a man prone to fits of violence, but at other times he was affable and friendly. His clothing was simple and warn, even crude, for he liked to travel light. He would have made for the worlds worst neighbor, but he was just the man you would want for the kinds of situations this group got into.

There was behind the barbarian, Rakis Morre, the best paladin/monk/sorcerer anyone could ask for.

Taking long, bold strides at his side was a lad who was the wit of the company. He was clothed in flamboyant and colorful garments that spoke of dance and revelry. His name was Jorik, Jorik the Joyful, and his presents seemed to push back the brooding nature of the dark woods. Instead of a weapon he had a magical harp slung over his handsome shoulder. His face sported a fresh and well-trimmed beard, He seemed to always have something to say, and was never at a loss to comfort a friend.

There was then Genowin, a lovely and regal elf. A long dagger rode close by her thigh, hidden by a robe of green and fur. She had waked the forests of the word for hundreds of years, yet seemed a young woman to all who met her. This is common among all her noble race, but what set her apart was her wizardly command of magic, and her freighting knowledge of just about everything.

Cadmis was a young but talented cleric of the god Nanos. He wore a splendid coat of chain male armor beneath his dark blue cloak, and was no fool when it came to a fight. His clothes were decorated with images of animals. He felt a reverence towards the forest that went deeper than that of his companions.

Behind him, looking a little out of place, was the newest addition to the rugged band. She was the daughter of the Bear King, a great warlord of the west, and ever since her rescue has been traveling with the protective band through the forest. Her name was Belsheba. The impressive size of her form belied her young age. One might hesitate at calling her fat, for although the endless feasts of the court had endowed countless pounds to her royal body, she carried the voluptuous addition in a way amazing to behold. She did not walk so much as sway, the majestic curve of her hip a seduction at every step. Belsheba still wore the trappings of a more luxuriant life; a rich blue dress of the finest silks embroidered with gold was her favored adornment. She wore jewels in her fantastic golden hair, her eyes were bright and piercing.

At the end of the line strode she who was known as Nadia. She was an agile woman, and was with the band for her knowledge of witchcraft. Her majestically long and dark red hair framed her charming but serious face and when she spoke, people listened. Although quietly friendly, she was not a person to trifle with, unless you fancy being turned into a frog, or just run through outright.

Together, these people were a fearsome and intrepid lot, no strangers to hardship and proficient at getting things done. But here, in this seemingly enchanted forest (for even the most skillful woodsman among them was totally lost), they felt panic rising in their souls. This panic was kept at bay by friendly conversation, and the occasional wash of morning light that sifted down to them.

Together, they tried to think of a way to defeat the wolves, but with only half their number, and dwindled recourses, the prospect seemed hopeless; for the wolves were clearly more than wolves, supernaturally intelligent and huge, but just as hungry as the normal kind.

The sun crossed its low winter peek and began to decline; there was yet no signs of their companions, the feeling of desperation and panic began to increase.

"Perhaps we could reason with them, they seem smart, I could cast a communication spell. " suggested Cadmis. The others looked doubtful, but before they could argue, sir X appeared suddenly on the way ahead and said in a sharp whisper, "keep it down and look sharp, tis somthin up ahead." Belsheba gasped and raised a hand to her mouth "What ever could it be?"

Chapter 2

The band of eight crept forward and crouched down behind a large bolder. Peering around the mossy side, they saw a pleasant looking clearing at the edge of a shimmering forest lake. There was a low outcropping of rocks with what looked like it might be a cavern entrance. In the middle of the clearing was an oddly shaped hillock. It looked like a huge haystack, a little taller in height than a man, and quit wide from what they could see. They looked questioningly at one another. Sir X moved off to the side to get a better view.

A chance ray of light suddenly fell upon the object, and all could see it was covered in wondrously fine green scales. The warmth of the light seemed to awaken the thing, and a large, lengthy tail unwound itself from the hill and swished across the forest floor, tormenting the pine needles. The end was thin, but supported a large, spade shaped plate, which clanked audibly against a stone. Then, a huge, black, leathery wing stretched up and up, temporarily plunging the creature back into shadow.

There was a deep rumbling sound as the dragon yawned and awoke. Everyone ducked back behind the rock, where they conversed in low whispers.
Lowhannan the barbarian had a keen set of senses when it came to danger and his instincts told him to act immediately, He reached for his iron weapon and said in a low growl ,
"I saw i'twas wounded, I say we kill'i now"

Cadmis the cleric replied in a tremulous voice, "Are you mad! Dragons have breath of flame, and claws like razors, impenetrable armor..."

Genowin the elf wizard interrupted, "This dragon is not yet a full adult, and besides, it's kind does not breath flame, rather some kind of noxious gas, perhaps it has not even developed this power yet, if it is indeed wounded, I think we have little to fear gentle cleric."

Cadmis seemed to accept this and nodded his head smiling slightly. "Well, I think Lowhannan has accustomed all of us to noxious gas, so if you think its best...but what about the wolves?"

The conversation was interrupted by Rakis Morre when he cried, "everyone, look at this!"


Once more peering out, they saw that the dragon now stood. It was beckoning with a for-claw towards the other edge of the woods. There they saw two forest animals, a young doe, and a wild boar. Both animals seemed unaware of the other's existence, and were intent only on the dragon. Step by step thy moved into the clearing, and stopped before the great beast. The dragon scooped up the doe in its claws and pushed the whole creature into his open jaws. There was not a struggle, nor a sound, save one single gulp. It was over so quickly that the adventures blinked in surprise. The boar, however, looked on in perfect calm. The dragon lent down and disposed of him in a similar way. The adventures ducked back behind the rock.

Nadia ran a finger through her dark hair thoughtfully, and said in her vaguely unsettling voice, "young Cadmis is right my dears, we need to save every ounce our strength to battle the wolves, furthermore why do we make a enemy out of a potential friend, you saw how capable it is at putting animals out of sight."

Genowin made a graceful gesture with her hand and smiled at the witch's clever words "yes, perhaps I was too hasty in my thinking, if it comes to a fight, so be it, but let us first try to win this beast to our side."

Cadmis narrowed his eyes, he still felt afraid of the dragon and soon he made his opinion known "I don't know, perhaps we should just leave, I like not the look of that creature, and if it is as wounded as you say, what good is it? Belsheba solemnly nodded her head in silent agreement and pulled her round legs close to her body.

Someone snapped "are you saying you rather face the wolfs alone? Think what that beast could do for us! "Cadmis replied with mirrored anger and raised voice, "think what it could do *to* us!"

They continued to argue for some time, when suddenly from above them came a deep, vigorous voice.

Chapter 3

The dragon's head was impressively large, his muzzle was covered in little green plates and the crown of his scull boasted two sweptback horns. A set of large, spiny frills at the back of his head added to his intimidating face. Two large golden eyes looked down with a curious gaze on them, and everyone was surprised at the lack of malice they found there. The dragon spoke to them in a deep but smooth speech, pearl white teeth peeking out "Greetings wonderers, tell me, why are you here in my woods...well?"
Rakis Morre managed to stammer, "Good, dragon, w-we are trying to escape a fearful lot of forest wolves, and rejoin the other half of our party." As if at the thought all present detected the distant cry of a wolf echoing through the darkening woods.

Genowin bowed gracefully and addressed the important question "w-we were hoping you might, er, help us fight off the wolfs, sir." The dragon's face suddenly contorted into a loathing snarl, "Absolutely not! I am in no way a violent creature."

Cadmis was indignant at this and retorted, "that's not true, we saw what you did to those poor animals, you didn't even put them out of their misery beforehand you beast!"

A bemused look softened the stare of the dragon as he said in a demeaning tone, "Little human, look." The Dragon pointed behind him, to the clearing. There stood the doe, gently grazing, Cadmis recognized a distinctive patch of white fur on her flank, and the limp ear. The cleric was dumbfounded. "But-but, how?" he stammered. But the dragon seemed to be in a state of deep concentration. Suddenly the water near the edge of the lake began to swirl and boil. The startled doe bounded off into the darkening forest. From the waters immerged the boar, wet, angry, but very much alive. Rakis Morre frowned in confusion and demanded an explanation.

The Dragon sighed and said "Like all my ignoble kind, I was born a hunter, built to kill. But I was different; I saw that my nature was evil, and so sought for a way to change. I had to eat, yes, but a dragon may eat very little and yet live, and so I fasted for years. My flesh hung limp from my bones and I knew I would soon parish. Then I found this pool. It is ancient and magical. Its waters flow with a life giving current. It is one of the old mysteries of our world; its power and nature are hidden even from my kind. But I have found one way to tap into its power. When a creature dies within me, I guide its fading life essence to the lake before it can flee this world, and the magic of the lake gives a new body to the life. The vapors within me induce a sleep in which there is no pain. Therefore the creatures I eat do not mind it, and so no longer flee me. So you see, I eat, and yet am kind."

Cadmis scowled and reached for the hilt of his sword. "You tell lies to hide your cruelty? Outrageous!"

Genowin gently rested a hand on his arm. "This may be no falsehood cleric, I have read of such things. Other beasts in faraway lands have also done likewise, seeking to avert the evil fate of a killer, they turn to powerful magic to restore what they are compelled to destroy. But an examination of the lake water will soon show if this dragon is what he says he is."

The sound of wolves howling in the far distance, but closer than before drifted through the clearing, and the shadows seemed to lengthen.

Xen spat in distain of the pointless talk and said in his sharp whisper, "We have no time for this, the wolfs, they are coming for us."

The dragon narrowed his eyes in thought, "If you would let me, I could save you this night." With eager words everyone inquired as to how the wounded beast could do what they could not.

The Dragon replied " Although the wolves fear me more than they have reason to, I could not protect all of you from harm, even in the twists of my cave they would evade me and devour you. Yet there is one place I know of that would protect most of you...If you could bare the indignity of being my supper, I could keep you safe until morning, then send your spirits into the lake."

Everyone looked shocked, and most looked horrified as well, but Genowin looked thoughtful and was the first to speak "That is a bold plan indeed dragon, and cunning, I must admit. The wolves would not dare challenge you, and they would think us dead and gone besides, our scent trail ending here. But even if you speak truthfully, the boar and the doe lasted no more than half an hour, why would we last longer?"

The dragon replied, "You are most observant, but fear not. There are so many of you, and each strong and large. It may take my humble body days to make headway on even the weakest of you."

The elf looked hopeful "Very well, we will test the lake to weigh the truth of your words and then consider your offer."

The wizard and the cleric went to test the lake with spells, to see if they could divine its nature. Soon the cleric returned. His look was less hostile towards the dragon. "Indeed my friends, the lake holds a deep and powerful magic, I could not see if it was exactly as the dragon said, but Lady Genowin's spells are more potent then mine, when she returns, we will know for sure."

Chapter 4

Genowin soon returned and pronounced her verdict, " Indeed, I think the dragon speaks true. Now we must decide for ourselves if we wish to spend the night in the stomach of this dragon, or risk the wolves ' own. I for one cast my lot with the dragon.

Jorik shook his head in disbelief, "That is a foolish choice, elf, even if the dragon speaks true, there are a thousand things that could go wrong, I prefer to be in a position where my actions will count for something."

Lowhannan raised his head form thought and said decidedly, "It is odd to give myself to a beast I so recently thought to slay, but if I must enter the mouth of a dragon to live another day, so be it. "

A word of agreement came from the shadowed form of Rakis Morre "I also think this a clever plan to best the wolfs, let us side with this kind dragon, don't let your bias against his kind deceive you."

Cadmis frowned " I will not do this, it is unacceptable. I respect this dragon, but I do not know him well, and I feel I must not do this. There is yet a chance we can outdistance these wolves, I advise the rest of you to follow my lead."

Sir X, Belsheba, and Nadia grimly agreed.

"Tell me dragon, where did you get those wounds?" asked Cadmis, curiously.

"In the forest, this morning I was attacked by some warriors, perhaps they were your friends. I took flight and got away, but not without this damage.

"Let me heal you before I leave, if those were my friends, it's the least I can do. And I want you to be able to fight the dogs if it comes to that."

The dragon had several deep cuts; thick blood stained his rich cream-colored underbelly, and more oozed from between his hard green plates. Cadmis walked to the dragon's side and placed his hands over a nasty looking thigh wound. He felt a little frightened next to the large beast, aware that if this dragon rolled over now he could make a clerical pancake. He tried not to let his fear show as he calmly recited the magic healing words. The torn flesh in the flank of the dragon closed and became as good as new. The dragon grunted in response and flexed his mended muscle. Cadmis was astounded by the strength beneath the bejeweled skin; the muscle bulged more than a foot outwards and then relaxed. To Cadmis, this was the most powerful being to walk the face of the earth.

Lady Genowin was less impressed; she had hundreds of years of experience, and had seen and talked with dragons that made this one look like a child. Indeed, she suspected this one had not yet reached adulthood. She thought of this dragon as her peer, if not a little inferior for his silly notions about violence. The noble elf did not even care to find out the name of the dragon she was about to feed herself to.

The wolves howled again, much closer now. The three who opted to stay announced that it was time, and stepped forward to face the dragon. The others, not wishing so stay and witness the bizarre means of protection their friends were choosing, left the dragon to feed and moved away into the woods. But even though their friends' actions seemed insane, the dawn would tell who was the wiser.

The dragon looked down on the three before him. He smiled kindly "Fear not, cooperate and you will come to no harm. I am able to swallow even you barbarian. However, I would advise you to leave behind any cloths or things that you wish to keep, for the lake will remake you as you were born, and I know how your kind fancy something called modesty"

Chapter 5

The three began to remove their clothes and fold them up. They placed their possessions in neat piles. They were all somewhat greedy, and would not have a copper of their positions lost. When all three had stripped down to little more than undergarments, they returned to the dragon.

Lady Genowin shivered in the cold damp air on the shore of the lake; gooseflesh ran down her flawless legs and arms. She stepped forward, nodded her head and spread her arms, gracefully offering herself. The dragon, who had been anticipating this moment more than he would admit lost no time. Opening wide, he lowered his head and greedily took in the slim elf down to her knees. The huge, bone-crushing jaws closed around the soft, delicate form of the elf and hid her from view. For just a moment the dragon let himself enjoy the flavor of his meal, gliding his moist tongue up and over her body, raping her in a sheath of hot saliva. She squirmed gently against his embrace.

Rising to his feet and tilting his head back, the dragon swallowed Genowin with ease, her slender arched foot smoothly disappearing between his large leathery lips, leaving them slightly moistened.

No sooner had the slender budge run the coarse of the dragon's serpentine neck, he lowered his head again and abruptly snagged Rakis Morre about the middle. Despite his resolve, the man gave a cry of fright and pain as the huge teeth closed bodily across his middle. The dragon bit down firmly,
slicing the flesh a little, though not hard enough to break any bones. Rakis was then swept off his feet and rapidly ascended fifteen feet in the air. His legs flailed wildly out one side of the dragon's mouth, his head and shoulders protruded from the other side. In the crazy upward swing he was bent backwards, and caught a glimpse of his barbarian friend before the world spun into a chaos of trees and sky as the dragon released him.

The dragon tossed the man into the air, letting him just clear the end of his snout and complete a half turn. With a heavy grunt, Rakis fell neatly back into the eager pit of the dragon's maw. The sides of the mouth forced him to fold, legs pushed against his chest. He felt hot breathe blast past him, scorching his bottom. There was a moment of tight, wet resistance as the force of his fall pushed him uncomfortably into the serpent's slick gullet. The jaws closed over him. Stunned, he saw the sky above through a window of closing teeth, then all was tight darkness, sliding wetness, and a sickening, gut lurchingly quick drop, down, down into the stench and heat of a dragon's interior.

The dragon licked his lips and paused, considering, before going after the barbarian. "Me thinks this one will not be as easy" he thought. He dropped his weight to all fours with a ground-shaking thud. He lowered his head level with the barbarian and opened his mouth, exhaling a gust of warm feted air. The barbarian was unfazed. He took the initiative, seeing the dragons open mouth as a challenge to prove his courage. He reached up his mighty arms and grabbed the dragon around the end of his scaly snout. With a grunt, and a little jump, he spread his legs and swung his body up into the jaws. The muscles in the dragon's neck tensed to support the weight of the huge man.

The barbarian fearlessly pushed his legs into the deep recesses of the dragon's drool-flooded mouth, but the shear bulk of his frame stopped him from sliding deeper. The dragon raised his head with an effort and gulped. He enjoyed the taste of this man, but his size was proving more difficult than anticipated. Lowhannan was even more uncomfortable than the dragon. Constricted on all sides by the tight tendons, quivering muscles and unyielding bone of the jaws, his face began to turn purple.

He reached down to his side and took hold of the two largest teeth (the ones in front) firm pillars of ivory as long as his forearm. With a grunt, he tried to pull himself down, cramming his body further. The dragon winced in pain and his eyes began to water. He liked the taste of the blood that now flowed in quantity from Lowhannan, as he gashed himself on his unavoidable sharp teeth, but this, he thought, was too much. The dragon wished to just bite down and chew the meaty barbarian into a bloody pulp, but that would defeat the whole enterprise. At last the dragon coughed and spat the man out onto the forest floor.

Lowhanan stood up, shivering in the cold air, his body drenched in blood and drool. But he seemed not to care. He had been through much worse. He even grinned "Seems I was t'much for ya dragon, but don't fret, I know another way" The dragon watched as the barbarian began to sift through the pile of Genowin's belonging. He held up bottles of strange elixirs, and although he could not read the labels, he seemed to know what he was looking for.

At last he held a bottle that looked empty, but had a tiny bit of blue water in the bottom. "Here it'tis. Nought but a little left I'm afraid, so t'wont last long, ya must act fast dragon" Saying this Lowhanan through back the bottle and gulped the substance. The dragon was puzzled at first, but was delighted to see the man shrinking before his very eyes. Soon the barbarian was less than half, less than a quarter his normal size, smaller even than the elf.

The dragon reached down and grabbed the miniature barbarian, greedily lifting him up in his callused claws, and dropping him easily into his mouth. The dragon forcefully rolled the now helpless man about with his tongue, enjoying the taste and getting, he felt, revenge for his earlier embarrassment. Then, without further delay he effortlessly swallowed the great Lowhannan whole. Now enjoying himself immensely, the dragon looked about for the next one, only to remember, much to his disappointment, the others had opted to leave.

To the dragon's surprise, there was a figure standing at the edge of the clearing. He had been so occupied by his dinner guests that he had not seen her. It was Nadia the which, she had come back. The dragon flashed her a toothy grin, suspecting the reason for her return. The witch stood absolutely still, her long dark hair cascaded down over her shoulders and shadowed her face. A blackbird parched on her arm. She spoke, but the voice seemed hardly to come from her still form. It rang out in the clearing with an unsettling tone "Dragon, tell me your name."

The dragon did not like being ordered about by so small a creature, but he thought it best to humor her if it meant another tasty morsel. "My name is Helix, Helix the strong, or sometimes Helic."

The which whispered something and the blackbird flew off. For the first time the woman moved, but only slightly and only for a moment. She reached a hand to her shoulder and touched a wooden clasp. The golden eyes of the dragon watched with pleasure as the long undone drapery slid down shoulders and chest leaving her bare and white. The cloth tumbled into a pile about her slender ankles. She stepped forwards into the light, and smiled beguilingly up. "You know why I am here" .She, stepped closer, "how do you find us?". The dragon was taken aback, "Well, I am glad to help you..." Nadia smiled "Ha, don't lie, we are delicious, we are the food you were meant to consume. Fear not, your darker side is known to me, and I understand, goodwill goes far but it need not be a vale for your true hunger" She slowly turned about and guided the dragon's eager claws about her waist. "I saw how you ate the others, there was pleasure there, pleasure that I can hardly fathom. Ah!" The dragon opened his salivating jaws, vigorously tasted his prize. He growled in pleasure. The witch cast a spell putting all her magic into it. "This...will...protect...us" she stammered as the dragon's claws constricted about her.

She watched her body rapidly disappear into the enormous maw, devoured in a few greedy gulps. She felt the heat and wetness of the dragons throat, and a scorching blast of breath shot up her naked body, lifting her hair, and making her twist violently. The dragon closed his mouth. A bulge was formed at the back of his neck, yet he let the witch linger there. Her long dark hair fell from between his lips in a comical beard. Helic's eyes were closed in bliss, and only when his lungs pleaded for air did he swallow.

With a grunt the drake settled back on his hunches. He spread his wings for balance and thoughtfully scratched a tooth with his claw. Hearing a gurgle he glanced down. His saw with pride that his belly showed hardly any sign of his feasting. Suddenly though, he felt the weight down below begin to increase, and the creamy skin of his underbelly was tightened and stretched from within by his fast swelling stomach. Soon there was a conspicuous budge. It seemed that the barbarian's magic had expired, and he had returned to his normal size. This pleased the dragon very much. "The wolves will go hungry tonight" he kindly murmured.
Chapter 6

Meanwhile the other four adventures continued into the woods. After the point where the witch had changed her mind the forest grew thicker, the evening light hardly penetrated the gloom, and wisps of fog rising from the lake twined about the trees and drifted low to the ground. The forest seemed more ominous then ever before. They walked quickly in silence, driven by the closing cries of the wolves. Xen stopped abruptly "I've changed my mind" he said in a quavering whisper, "this is suicide, I'm gona take my chances with da dragon" With that he was off. Not more than a minute passed when they heard some wolves cry close by.

Blesheba reached for Camis' hand, "Cadmis, where is Jorik!" Cadmis turned around, "He was just there, I don't understand. " Belsheba looked at Cadmis with wide frightened eyes "What are we going to do?" Cadmis replied that they must push on.

"You go on if you like Cadmis, but I'm going back, maybe we can still get that pacifist of a dragon to fight. " Cadmis nodded. "All right, "he said , "go on". Balsheba hesitated, "Cadmis, in case we never see each other again, I though you should know that I...I" A wolf howl interrupted her, and she fled, her jewels and light hair the only thing contrasting with the gloom. "Farewell princess" he whispered after her vanishing form.

And so it became just one traveler. He looked over his shoulder often, the mist and dark woods played tricks on his mind. His hands trembled. Abruptly he saw three low, dark forms, no trick, these were wolves, big ones. Cadmis nearly wet himself in fear. His legs bucked underneath him. "Get a grip" he thought. The wolves had not yet seen him. Using a knife, he cut the leather straps of his sweaty, scented armor and tossed it into a small ravine. The chain male clattered down, distracting the pack. Cadmis bolted back the way he had come, moving fast without a coat off iron, now totally unprotected. He ran and his breath came in ragged gasps, his feat felt aflame. The wolves would soon be on his trail. He caught up with Belsheba and hand in hand they made their way back to the lake.


Belsheba and Cadmis found Helic the dragon reclining, basking his bulk in the evening sun. Aside from the neat little piles of clothing and packs placed about the clearing, there was no sign of their brave companions, except of course, for the now ample swell in the dragon's monstrous belly. Belsheba saw how the dragon was immune to the foreboding presence of the forest, what had he to fear from wolves?

He looked so safe and content that she decided to ask him if there was any room left. Cadmis Saw the dragon and felt a wave of disgust. The bull dragon had clearly enjoyed eating his friends, even if it was to save them, and from the casual way he rested a hand on his gut, it was clear he did their sacrifice little reverence. He looked at the arrivals and smiled in a way that said "I knew you'd come back"

Belsheba Said in her most courtly way "Good dragon, would it please you to shelter two more frightened travelers?"

The drake saw the girl before him and his hunger immediately returned. He thought of her huge body filling his mouth. how he would make her squirm, and submit all her weight to his will, how her corpulent limbs would provide mouthful after mouthful, how her massive, plump breasts would slide...meat for his desire...He would have taken her immediately, but there was a problem, "I will not" he said.

Belsheba was surprised at the rejection. She made a teasing little swaying motion with her hips and pressed her full lip together slightly, "Am I not, ah, pleasing to you?"

The dragon looked uneasy "Mmm... I would love to , er, accommodate, your highness, but your latest friend, {gestures to a folded black cloak} has given me a nasty cramp, so I think I'd best not. I'm afraid that you will need to find another escape from the wolves. "

Belsheba knelt before the huge green dragon and pleaded "But they will be here within minutes, please! "Cadmis said "If this is the only problem, and you, Bell, do truly wish it, I could heal this beast's little infirmity, although it loathes me more than I can stand to see this beast profit more from our trouble." Helic smiled, reveling all his sharp teeth, and said "Thank you cleric, and I hope that you soon will see the wisdom that your friends have shown."

Cadmis yelped in surprise as the dragon lifted him into the air and placed him on the swell of his stomach. "Keep your claws off me." said Cadmis indignantly. As he collected his wits and went about his unwanted task. An odd sensation came over him as he remembered why the belly beneath him was so large, it was not easy to forget. "They must be packed in there very tight" he thought. The cream-colored skin on the dragon's underside formed wide horizontal bands, stretched even wider about his engorgement. Cadmis felt with his fingers.

The skin was pulled thin, and he had no trouble feeling the elastic and thick bands of abdominal muscles that held and restrained, as best they could, the heavy stomach beneath. A rich and lovely heat rose from the dragon's bulk, calming the cleric's nerves.

Cadmis thought how later, after a meal such as this there would be a good deal of fat between skin and muscle, but for now he could feel about with ease. For the most part the surface was smoothly rounded, not a single irregular bump was caused by the bulky meal. But on the underside, off to the left, Cadmis found a lumpy bunching of muscles. He knew the wolves were coming, so he worked quickly.

He concentrated on channeling the magic healing. When he was ready Cadmis knelt on the top of the dragons' stomach and pressed down firmly, the stomach beneath gurgled in protest. And the dragon grunted in pain.

Chapter 7

No sooner was the healing complete than Helic sought his next prize. Belsheba watched the great maw open before her, thick bands of saliva the only barrier between her and the scorching dark pit of the dragon's inside. She had willingly removed most of her cloths a moment before, but now felt so exposed and vulnerable that she regretted such an action.

She suddenly felt that this was a very bad idea, her feet pulled her away from the carnivorous jaws that threatened to swallow her. The dragon saw her hesitation, he was about to roll over and lunge when the cry of a wolf pack nearby settled the matter.

Belsheba Remembered the certain doom that lurked in the forest, ceased her cowering and regained her royal comport. Raising her chin, she approached the jaws with grim determination. She took firm hold of each of Helic's foremost teeth and pulled her body in. Helics muscles tensed as her body left the ground. The dragon propped himself up on his elbows and with an effort swung his head so that it was over his chest.

He found that only half the princess could fit into his mouth, and that half just barely. He was reminded of his failure with the barbarian and winced in anticipation. But he soon discovered that the weight of this meal was soft and malleable. Helic closed his eyes in bliss as his mouth was filled. His wet tongue slid forwards to support Belsheba in doing so parted her opulent breasts so that they wetly slid off to either side of the muscle and rested in pools of saliva on the dragon's under-pallet. Belshebla lifted her head the best she could, and gasped with effort.

Everything was happening so fast she could hardly think. She fought down panic and disgust, assuring herself that all would be well. The sensations of being eaten were not as horrible as she had anticipated, and aside form the cuts she received from the dragon teeth, found there was a kind of pleasure in it. She did her best to push forwards

Meanwhile Cadmis was watching in amazement and concern. The dragon didn't even bother getting up, although the girl was quite large and plump. The cleric blushed bright red when the dragon pulled his head up; for belsheba's incredibly ample buttocks protruded obscenely from between the dragon' lips like some kind of massive pink fruit. The dragon's mouth bulged with the rest of the princess, and he grunted with effort.

Bell's legs slowly churned the air seeking footing, her pump cheeks squirmed and jostled each other as she struggled. Then Hellic's strong tongue pushed out from under her and rapped upwards. The encumbered dragon was only attempting to gain a little leverage, but to Cadmis the action seemed so obscene and rude that he felt compelled to act.

Standing on the dragon's wide and sturdy chest, Cadmis angrily grabbed the forked end of Helicx's tongue and removed it from princess' royal cheeks. The dragon grunted in annoyance unable to see past the girth of his meal to what had caused him to lose his purchase, but feeling the girl's backside backsliding, he quickly shifted he weight to one elbow and brought a hand up to push Belsheba from behind.

The princess, also confused by her backslide gave a violent kick backwards, knocking the feet out from under Cadmis. As the cleric fell forward he felt the strong hand of the dragon cup the back of his head and force his face violently forward into the massive buttocks of the hapless girl.

Tilting his head back, the dragon forced Belsheba's bottom in to his mouth. Opening and closing his jaws and gulping the best he could, Helic worked her soft and yealding flesh deeper in. The cleric squirmed and writhed, desperate not to follow the princess down the gullet. He got free and fell, gasping for breath, back onto the dragon's stomach. He scrabbled backwards, his face flushed red with embarrassment.

The dragon tilted his head back farther. With a gulp and a shove the dragon sent Belsheba on her way. Her wide hips caused some problems, but another wet gulp and a sleek heavy bulge was slipping slowly down the dragons' long throat and soon disappeared beneath his chest. The meaty meal had its affects. Cadmis was thrown off balance by the unexpected upheaval beneath him as the dragons stomach smoothly swelled to fit one more. The young cleric toppled backward into the dragon's lap. Cadmis was pinned between the massive thighs.

The dragon could not help him at the moment, for even as he licked his lips in satisfaction his mind was distracted. He felt that one of his willing captives had perished sooner than expected, it was the elf. With a sixth sense the dragon detected the fragile and ghostly spirit flutter within him.

Closing his eyes he saw the spirit clearly, a bird of purest white. From his heart he called down to it with his own spirit, "Come, follow me, come with me to the lake." The bird fluttered away and nearly vanished into another world, but he called "don't die, come to the lake, live!" The bird returned and flew close to his heart.

The spirit of the dragon, in the form of a big snake uncoiled and struck quickly. The bird was caught in its mouth, the fangs plunged in to the hilt. The wings beat furiously with an indescribable desperation, and the fat serpent could hardly hold on. But the venom worked quickly and drained the bird's strength and coordination. Soon all it could do was twitch pathetically, and the spirit serpent greedily ate the whole bird. The crumpled spit bird slid into the fat body of the serpent and was digested.

A thrill shot down the dragon's back as he took in the ancient and mystical spirit of the elf. Her ultimate destruction gave his malicious spirit burst of euphoric energy and he physically squirmed with the dark delight. He chucked meanly and fondly patted is stomach, such willful beings as he had consumed made for a delightfully twofold meal if one understood some dark arts. "Indeed" He thought, "The wolves will never get them now!" He chuckled again. Then he felt something move against him and he came out of his reverie. He saw the bedraggled cleric climbing back onto now enlarged gut.

The cleric immediately saw something was amiss, and asked the dragon the cause of his amusement ? Helic raised his forearm and gently ran a claw through the lad's hair in mock consolation. "Your elf friend has just -HIC- perished, but not to fear... "
Chpter 8

Cadmis remembered the dragon's pledge and looked towards the lake "But I don't see her."

Sundenly the lake bubbled and Genowin immerged. Water ran in glistening rivulets over her stunningly lovely form, the water reflected the rosy light of the setting sun. Nymph like, she rose from the water, glorious in her bare skin.

She ran to Cadmis, her shapely breasts, firm and wet swayed at each footfall in unrestrained splendor, her graceful feet seemed to bless the ground. Smiling unabashedly she through back her head, sending a shower of illumined droplets off from her streaming hair. The gesture was one of glory in the face of new life. Twirling her lithe and shapely body she stopped before Cadmis and reached up to grasp his hand, then vanished.

The mortified cleric cried "But, that's only illusion!" The dragon idly picked at one of his teeth "That's because I decided to (Hic) consume her sprit rather than save it (Hic)."

Cadmis' face flushed red with anger and sorrow "You monster! What have you done, we trusted you!"

Helic grinned evilly and patted his stomach. "Oh, and don't I know it ! (hic) who would think trust could be so filling! Ohgh! Mmph!" Helic placed his hand over the claric and forced him down. Cadmis gasped, "But the deer, the boar..."

"This is a place where animals come from time to time to water, the application of some simple charm magic means I need not hunt often, and as for illusion spells, easer yet."

Cadmis insisted begging that this betrayal was only a mean lie. "But the lake! It is magic, and lady Genowin...."

"Ha! The lake is magic, I don't know what kind; she only wanted to believe me, I have a natural charm after all..."

A thunderous gurgling noise suddenly emanated from deep in the dragon's gut, a moment later he belched so massively that the cleric was sent tumbling to the forest floor. The dragon belched again without restraint, a testimony to his appetite and gluttony. He smiled, impressed by his own gastric powers.

Cadmis staggered to his feat. "you monster, while my friends sleep in your..."

The gluten guffawed "Oh ho boy, they are not sleeping. My, they are putting up a grand fight form what I can feel, though I think (Hik) they're now loosing heart. Truly, it feels quite good so I wish they wouldn't stop; now if they had weapons things might be different, but they opted to leave them behind, oh well. That's what I like about humans, no claws or fangs, no antlers...

Cadmis thought of being in, actually inside the dragon's stomach, closed in on all sides, churned relentlessly In the darkness, fingers clawing in vain against the slick walls of muscles even as acid ate your fingernails, desperately trying anything to get out. All that only to give your captor a pleasing scratch to sooth his nerves and bring him a little additional amusement.

"But surly they suffocate...."

"Oh no, I swallowed plenty of air so that would not cut short my enjoyment. "

"Not only are you uncaring, but cruel as well? "

"but yet I am impressive, no?"

The confused cleric could only stammer " I...I..."

The Dragon was hardly paying attention. He was lazily gathering up the little heaps of positions and admiring all the valuables he had obtained, before stuffing them into a rocky crevice. He turned over a crystal plate, taking far more care with it than he had with its owner. He liked to hoard treasure, and this would make a fine addition to his collection, perhaps next spring he could attract a mate.

The dragon reclined against a moss covered rock, looking out across the lake, basking in the evening sunlight. Licking his lips he could still taste human. He grunted and shifted his bulk. This was the largest meal he had ever had the pleasure of consuming, indeed it was far more than a meal.

The sleek conspicuous bulge stretched the yellow cream skin of his underside so much that it appeared white. He rested a hand there, and sensuously ran the tips of his sharp claws down the taut round sides of his accomplishment. He had never thought that it could feel this good just to be full. The sensation was almost unbearable, waves of pleasure bathed his mind.

There was some discomfort too, eating a significant portion of one's own bodyweight placed a lot of stress on one's innards, but the cleric had been most helpful in dealing with this, and belching had relived the gases that accumulated from digestion. The dragon's mind was free to do other things knowing that his wide bowels were adequate to the huge task at hand. He would soon try to trap the other spirits, and when he had digested a little more he could eat the cleric as well.

(End of part one)

Note:
Part Two deals with scat, vivid hard vore, and things like that. If it will not bother you, then read on, otherwise, you may consider the story to end here.