Taran

They walked through several winding caverns full of sparkling rock and shallow pools. She was starting to think that Arawn didn’t know where he was going when a gust of hot air blew around them.
“It is quite rude to show up unannounced, little god,” a large rumbling voice came from further into the cavern. “Let alone bring a guest.”
Two giant yellow eyes opened and appeared in the darkness. Arawn scoffed.
“It’s even ruder to not turn on the lights,” he said and cast a circle of fire around the cavern. She realized that the cavern they’d entered was huge and mostly filled with the dragon’s large coiling body.
Its head snaked forward, blowing a burst of smoke around Arawn and shoving him aside.
“Hey!”
Sirona froze in place as the head came closer. She curtsied politely.
“Hello. My apologies for coming unannounced.”
Taran hummed, eyeing her, “You have made quite a wise choice, little god. Though your companion could do much better. She is a star; you should know that.”
Her face burned with embarrassment as Arawn huffed, “Whose friend are you?”
“I believe our pact was to always be honest,” Taran said, shifting his head to look down on Sirona. “I am Taran, little star.”
“My name is Sirona.”
“Apt,” he blew a billowing cloud of white smoke around her. It tingled across her skin. “You have my friendship. You are much more agreeable than the little god.”
“One day, you will call me by name,” Arawn huffed.
“The name you have chosen or the name you should bear?”
Sirona looked at Arawn who looked confused, staring up at him, “You are speaking in riddles again old friend.”
“Just because you do not understand does not mean it is a riddle,” Taran purred. “One day, you may understand. Though I believe Sirona will come to understand much more than you in the end.”
Arawn eyed him suspiciously before scoffing, “It had been a long time since you have insulted my intelligence.”
“It has been a long time since you last visited.”
Sirona laughed as Arawn huffed, “I can see that you are quite close.”
“He is a lonely soul though he does not like to admit it,” Taran said, “And perhaps I too have been in want of companionship though I can barely tolerate it.”
Arawn huffed, “While I am here, is there anything you need?”
Taran rumbled, “Quiet. Those wretched birds interrupt my solitude.”
Arawn huffed, conjuring a sword, “You are in luck I have frustrations to work off.”
He turned to Sirona and smiled, “Since he seems to like you enough to call you by name, why not stay for a while. A few birds shouldn’t take long.”
Sirona nodded.
“Yes,” Taran said, laying his head near Sirona. “Let me speak with Sirona in peace.”
Arawn scoffed and drifted into the air before lifting and disappearing.
“He believes he is mystical when he does that,” Taran said. Sirona chuckled. “Do not be fooled by his parlor tricks, Sirona. You deserve better.”
She settled on a nearby rock, “I find some of his parlor tricks… charming.”
“Of course, you do,” Taran sighed. “It is the fate of most of your kind to find him charming. Though you are most vulnerable against him. You remind me much of a young woman a long time ago.”
Sirona wrinkled her nose, “I don’t think I want to hear about Arawn’s past… associates.”
“She was not an associate, but one he grieved a long time.”
She frowned looking up at him, “A family member?”
Taran hummed, “No, but dear to him. Verdant eyes are quite rare on this continent. Though I doubt he even remembers her face.”
“Is he prone to forget people he once cared for?”
Taran chuckled, “Only when it hurts to remember. He is flighty, fleeting, it is not in his nature to dwell on things for long, good or bad.”
That sounded a lot like what Druid told her and she wasn’t sure how to take that.
“Though, in your case, I would not worry. He considers you dear already.”
She perked up, “How do you know that?”
“He would not have brought you to meet me if not.” Taran rumbled, “You are curious about him and I am invested in his happiness to a point. Come, ask your questions.”
There were so many, but so many of them were better asked of Arawn even if Taran was more likely to tell him the truth.
“What was he like… before?”
“Before today?”
“Before he destroyed that city.”
He rumbled a bit, “That blasted king and its cowering knights took, perhaps, what was most vital to him.”
“A person?”
“His faith.”
She froze in place, shocked at the notion. How could Arawn have lost his faith?
“Shall I show you?” Taran asked. “It is much easier to do so.”
She hesitated but she nodded, curious. Taran stared into her eyes and a rush of warm air wrapped around her. Suddenly, she was standing in a large hall.
“This will bring nothing but ruin upon you!” Arawn’s voice said. She turned and looked at him.
He was young, dressed in the leather and cloth of the vision she’d had when she’d absorbed the cloud. Looking closer, it was the same hall he’d been standing in.
“Are you threatening us?”
“A hero you might be, but do not forget that this is my kingdom,” the man sneered. His eyes glittering with anger. “Have him taken away.”
The guards approached him, but he turned sharply, throwing out a wall of magic as he turned.
“I do not promise to aid you when you need it next,” Arawn said, the happiness and youth that had been in the previous vision vanished. “You will not listen to my council; thus, I see no reason to uphold our agreement.”
She followed him as he stormed out of the hall and down the corridor. There was a young woman seated in a garden as he approached.
“Your father will bring war upon his kingdom.”
She turned with brilliant green eyes and gave him a slight smile, “You always say that, hero.”
“No,” Arawn said, “I typically say your father is an idiot.”
She laughed and shook her head, “Sit. Relax. Try not to worry so much about my father and his council. They will see reason.”
Arawn’s expression didn’t seem like he believed her.
The vision swirled as Taran spoke, “That was the last time they had a moment’s peace.”
“Who was she?” Sirona asked as the vision settled again. Arawn was standing on the front line. He looked back at the palace with a shake of his head.
“A very good friend,” Taran said. “She was the person who convinced him to come to the aid of the kingdom when I decided to rest nearby. He had a great affection for her.”
Sirona wondered how much affection as a man appeared beside Arawn, clapping him on the shoulder. They seemed friendly as they left the palace and a great wall of enemies came rushing towards the front gates of the city. Fire flew through the sky, crashing into the buildings.
The king stood on the balcony overlooking the city as the battle began. She saw the princess being dragged onto the balcony. The members of the council circled him and dragged his daughter away, murdering him in cold blood. She broke away from the man that had grabbed her and ran into the man who had been at Arawn’s side. He grabbed her as an archer appeared and fired.
Sirona saw Arawn stumble as the arrow cut through his chest. He looked down in disbelief and turned as he pulled the arrow out. His eyes narrowed.
“Arawn!” The woman cried trying to pull away from him.
He threw the arrow down and glared up at the balcony. The man who held her still was shouting at her.
“Don’t make me change my mind, princess!” He yanked her by her hair, “Fire again! Kill him. Officiator, marry us.”
Sirona’s stomach lurched as the princess took the dagger on his belt.
“No!” Arawn screamed as another arrow flew past him.
She drove the dagger into her chest and the man released her with a disgusted grunt, throwing her body to the ground. He sneered at her.
“Doesn’t matter, I’ll find a better bride. Let his line be ended.”
Arawn’s gaze turned hard. His jaw clenched and his eyes filled with light as the vision faded.

Arawn returned to the cave as the light of a vision began to fade around Sirona.
“What have you shown her?”
“The fall of Ethel.”
He scoffed, “Jealous rulers and schemers.”
“Betrayers,” Taran said lightly. “She is curious about you.”
“As am I about her. I hope to have her destroy Anu.”
Taran rumbled, “If that is your wish.”
Arawn frowned, “What does that mean?”
“War is coming, and as always you have may have my claws and fire, little god.”
“How soon?”
“Sooner than you think, but the war that is coming is the beginning of the end.”