"It is the Queen's will, Nashpyroxxasz, that you fly in battle with this human. He is considered a great and noble warrior among his people".​

​

The red dragon shook his mane indifferently, his eyes scanning the plated figure in the distance. Despite the hale and snow, the accute eyesight of his kind could clearly make out the details. He snorted.​

​​

"If that is considered a great warrior, then humans are trully to be pitied. I doubt he can even raise his sword, at that age, let alone wield a lance in battle".​

​​

"He is experienced. The Queen feels you would benefit from that. She has formed the opinion that you are a little... rash. Understandable, considering your youth but still, some discipline would do you good".​

​​

Nashpyroxxasz turned and looked at his senior. His eyes flared with irony.​

​​

"Formed the opinion? And I guess you had nothing to do with that, had you, Lord Korialstrasz? But no, what am I saying... You, always so proper and..."​

​​

The deafening roar and the slash on his face that made his mind go blank for some moments made him stop. When he reopened his eyes, the Queen's First Consort was towering above him in a challenging stance, wings streched over his body like a dark sky and teeth glittering with promises of doom. Nashpyroxxasz growled in reply but made sure he didn't bare his teeth or raise his head too high. If Korialstrasz had used his claws, he would have been blind from one eye now and challenging him further would be foolish. He was rash, maybe, but not foolish.

​​

"You will fly with me to the temple and meet your rider, youngling. And you will learn discipline from him for, by the Queen's fire, if I was to do it, you would be dead in an hour". ​

​​

Nashpyroxxasz left another, softer growl but said nothing and took flight behind his senior. When they reached the temple, he barely looked at the human but made sure he stood as tall and threatening as he could before him.​

​​

"Lord Alfos" said Korialstrasz, now in a blond elf's guise, "meet your dragon, Nashpyroxxasz. Nashpyroxxasz, meet your rider, Lord Alfos de Lerac".​

​​

"Light be with you, Nashpyroxxasz" said the man while bowing his head curtly. "I look forward to flying with you in battle". ​

​​

"I'll be flying, human" snorted the dragon. "You'll just be along for the ride".

​

​

 

**********************

 

The roar echoed around Alterac like the painful cry of a mountain God. It dragged on for a long time, even longer as the slopes bounced the sound, eager to send it away again, as if they were afraid of it. Then, fire painted the mountain tops red, giving life to their dark existence for a moment and revealing the great figure of a dragon on a mountain top. The snow hissed in dismay as the flames consumed it and some rocks flared red, their tops and sides turned into liquid until the cold night chased the heat away. Rocks were tossed or broken under the lashes of a giant tail and a small avalanche raced down the slope to escape the mourning dragon's wrath. And then, everything went quiet as suddenly as it had errupted. Everything but the soft, sad growl of a dragon in pain but that too, at some point stopped.

 

Nashpyroxxasz raised his head, his yellow eyes glittering in the moonlight. He scanned Hillsbrad in the distance and saw her accursed figure still standing there, surrounded by Knights and allies. She was backing away...

​

He almost did it. He almost spread his wings and flew to her, all claws aiming at her head, his mouth ready to spread its firey doom on her. But he didn't. If he had taught him anything, it was obedience, just like his Queen had predicted. A stupid lesson, he was thinking now, one I never should have bothered learning. But still, he didn't do it. Instead, he chased the fleeing Herald with his glance until even his dragon-eyes lost her in the distance, still being chased by Knights and others. Anger shining in his eyes still, he turned his look to the Headquarters again. As his glance rested on the bloodied old man on the stones, his expression was softened once more. A blond young woman was holding his friend's head, rocking back and forth. He could see her lips moving but he knew she wasn't talking to anyone but herself. Behind her, a dark-skinned girl was trying to comfort her but she needed comforting herself. A man clad in plate was punching the stone walls, cursing, until finally he stopped as he watched the two women mourning.

​

He stayed there, watching from the mountain top, craving to be among them, until they moved the body and it was lost from his sight. Then, he jumped in the air and, with a roar, he flew North, anger consuming him more with every flap of wings that brought him closer to his target.

​

*************************

- You seem angry, dragon. Is something the matter?​

​​

- I was not made for a saddle, human.​

​​

- If you think it would be better, we could loosen the belt a little.

​​

- It's not the leather on my belly, human. Nor is it the straps on my neck or the lance scratching my scales or even your weight. It's the idea. Dragons are not gryphons to be saddled and ridden at your mortals' whim.​

​​

- I understand. Find a place to land. We shall ride without a saddle.​

​​

- Don't be stupid, Lost One. You will fall.​

​​

- Only if you let me.​

​​

- Don't think I wouldn't. I am here because my Queen wishes it, not because I want to.​

​​

- I see. Well, it won't be your fault if I fall without a saddle. If that happens, you will get rid of me without disobeying your Queen's will.​

​​

- You trust too easily, human.​

​​

- I give you a choice, Nashpyroxxasz. On one hand you have your rightful pride as a Red Dragon. On the other, you have your duty to your rider. Let's land, unsaddle you and find out which one you'll pick.

 

***********************

"KORIALSTRASZ!"

​

The roaring cry echoed in the silent streets of Dalaran. A few moments later, the windows started to shine with light, as the people of the magic city were waking up, fearful of the roar that broke their sleep. Screems from the guards were heard and then running footsteps on the stone streets, as they were manning their posts. The cry had come from above but the clouded sky offered no light to see who or what the assailant was. Words of magic were spoken by the guard-captain and a purple light climbed above the city, where it errupted in a blast of white and blue. In the momentary illumination, the bulk of a dragon was spotted, circling gloomily above the flying city.

​

"KORIALSTRASZ!"

​

The cry was heard again, challenging yet trembling, threatening yet fearful, proud yet sad. But such details in a dragon's voice were lost to the mortal races of the city, as was the meaning of the cry to most of them. In their ears, the dragon was promising doom. More orders were issued and gryphon cries were heard as they were being awaken to carry the guards to the sky. The people were now outside their front doors or looking through their windows, wondering who or what was foolish enough to attack Dalaran and announce his presence beforehand. Only one figure was standing still and silent in the whole town. A blond elf, dressed in rich silk robes was standing very still on his study's balcony, his hand resting on the ledge. He was scanning the sky, following the dragon's circles with eyes narrowed. He was waiting.

​

"KORIALSTRASZ!"

​

The elf known as Krasus shaked his head in a sorrowful manner. This was a challenge he could not ignore. Captain he issued a command with his mind order your men down. I will settle this. The city is in no danger. There was no reply or, if there had been one, he never heard it. Without a word, his body begun to climb into the air, his robe floating around him like the clouds embraced the top of the tower. As he came higher, he begun to change. His torso expanded, scales shredding through his rich garments, as his arms and legs grew bigger, with claws as big as his body was before. A pair of leather wings errupted from his back and flapped his dragon body high, aiming for the challenger. His once finely featured face was now a bulk of horns and fangs, eyes glowing yellow with intelligence.

​

"I am here, Nashpyroxxasz" he growled in the tongue of his kind. "And I am ready to accept your withdrawal from this challe..". His words were lost as a cry took their place. Nashpyroxxasz, roaring his fear away with defiance, threw himself on him with all his weight, claws first, mouth breathing fire on his opponent's wings. The wyrm's size was much bigger than then young dragon's but not even he could stand the added weight of the forceful attack. With a spin in the air, he turned his body, trying to throw his oppenent to the side. It worked but only partly, as Nashpyroxxasz managed to grab Krasus' right wing, trying to remain in flight himself. Neither managed and the added bulk of the two dragons twisted and turned as one prevented the other from flying, in a spiral descent onto the city. Hissing with effort, the wyrm managed to flap with just enough strength to miss the buildings and the two dragons landed backs first on the clearing known, ironically, as "Krasus Landing".

​

Roars and growls of pain came out of the massive throats of the beasts, as fearful cries and painfull crows were heard from the wounded gryphons that rested on the landing. In the distance, orders were issued once more, the mage-guards of the town now, again, on full alert. But before they were anywhere close, Korialstrasz was on his feet, bearing his teeth and hissing in pain and anger. With a jump, he was on his opponent, claws pressing Nashpyroxxasz's wings to the floor, mouth ready to tear his throat.

​

"That was foolish, youngling" he snarled. "Even for you. One would think that your rider's death would have taught you something, would have shown you the importance of discipline and determination. But you are as arrogant and hotheaded as ever".

​

"Do not dare to speak about his death!" roared the young dragon in reply. "It is of your doing! He came to you, he went to the Queen and you both denied him the help he asked, no, the helped he deserved!" The dragon's voice was broken, his throat filled with sorrow. Korialstrasz stepped back and raised his head. The guards were closing in. "You speak of a lesson from his death? Oh, I got one, Lord Korialstrasz" Nashpyroxxasz went on. "I learned what you and the Queen have forgotten: that we are here to help the mortals when they need us, to guard life against everything that would claim its beauty and importance".

​

"We do not mingle in the affairs of mortals, unless they affect the world" said Krasus calmly, changed into his elven form again. Behind Nashpyroxxasz the guards were readying spells but with a motion of his hand they halted. "The Herald may be dangerous but there are other, more pressing concerns going on than the personal vendetta between a demon and an Order of Knights".

​

"Vendetta?!" roared Nashpyroxxasz, making the guards take a step back. "The Herald is a menace to all life, just like her master. Do you think she will stop now that Alfos is dead? Do you think she will stop if every single Knight of Lordaeron is dead?"

​

"You are questioning the wisdom of your Queen, Nashpyroxxasz. Her plans may be more subtle than..."

​

"To the Nether with your wisdom and her plans!" cried the young dragon, trembling as he uttered the insult. Krasus just stood there, his expression unchanged.

"Speak your next words carefully, Nashpyroxxasz Human-friend" he said in the end, calmly. "The damage they may cause may be irreversable".

​

"The damage already caused is irreversable. He cannot come back. You made sure of that". There was a brief silence and then, with a low voice, he went on. "I do not know if I believe in our Queen's decisions, any more".

​

"Nashpyroxxasz..." warned Krasus.

​

"They have cost the life of a man I learned to respect and admire, to love. A man who offered Her his sword. I have lost my faith in Her and for that, I cannot follow her anymore. I am leaving the Dragonflight".

​

"There is no life away from her, Nashpyroxxasz".

​

"Perhaps. But there are other Causes. We have deprived his Order from a warrior. I shall give them another in return, such as I am".

​

"You have never assumed a mortal form before. You do not know what it feels like to be...trapped in one".

​

"Then I will take one, abela mal am dakana (=Once and for all)".

​

"Is this your decision, then?"

​

"Yes. I..." for a moment he paused. What he was about to utter was no easy thing. Millions of thoughts rushed through his head, claiming his sanity with images, sounds and feelings. "I renounce my kind".

​

Krasus studied the young dragon for a moment, his eyes sorrowful with the duty of his status. "Then you are hereby grounded on mortal form until such time as the Queen decides to pardon your insult. Never return to the Temple, never speak our tongue, never assume your true form until this pardon is granted. When you change to a mortal skin, it will be until that day, Nashpyroxxasz".

​

"No..." whispered the young dragon as he walked near the ledge of the clearing. "My name is Nashpyroxx". With a soft jump, he was in the air and a couple of flaps were enough to make him disappear into the night.

​

 

***************************

 

- Do all dragon names of the Red Dragonflight end in -asz?​

​​

- The males' do. The females end in -asza. ​

​​

- A strange notion. Can you not discern each other by appearance only?​

​​

- Hahaha, I assure you human, in our eyes we differ from each other as much as each of you differs from the rest of your kind. Why ask? Do not all human male names end in -os?​

​​

- No, not at all. My father's name was Philippe, my older brother's Tancred. I know a man called Vandyke and another called Calahan. We do, however, use the same name for different people, some times.​

​​

- That is confusing. How do you discern each other when some have the same name? How can you tell if someone is male or female if you haven't seen them?​

​​

- We carry second names or sometimes nick-names.​

​​

- Nick-names?​

​​

- Yes, they are names given by others. They are sometimes mocking and others honoring.​

​​

- Sounds complicated. For us a name is a testimony of our character and our role. I am Nashpyroxxasz.​

​​

- Does it mean something?​

​​

- No, not as such. But I am Nashpyroxxasz, the Bringer of the Fire That Burns and Heals. It is not a translation. It is a name. Korialstrasz, when in elf form, is Krasus. It is not just the name he changes. It is his role. It is difficult to explain in Common.​

​​

- Then perhaps we should change yours.​

​​

- To change one's name would be to change his role. My role hasn't changed​

.​

- It has for me. I'll call you Nashpyroxx.​

​​

- You just left the -asz out. That would make me not one of the Red.​

​​

- You are not just one of the Red for me, Nashpyroxx. You are not just another dragon. You are my comrade.​

​​

Silence.​

​​

- Lost One?​

​​

- Yes, Nashpyroxx?​

​​

- I think I like my new name.