Oh, my litttle flashlight

She did seem surprised at the bird's betrayal, though her thoughts on it were not clear.  She seemed pleased overall, though, as he began to wind up to the final confrontation.  Much as he might have left the Obscurum behind, it made him rather happy that a tale of his home could give her such delight.  Something good, then.

"Here Caius proceeded more cautiously, sneaking down into the depths of the cave without much hesitation.  If he stopped, he wasn't sure he could make himself start again, as courage was a skittish thing when the actual danger was so near.  When he had gone a ways inside, he could hear the rumble of the dragon's breathing, and feel the hot breeze caused by it ruffling his fur.  It was even though... the creature was obviously asleep."

"Caius stopped.  He was a smart wolf and he knew, in a fight, he would surely lose.  He needed a plan, and an idea had come to him."  Dante tilted his head, the rhythm of the telling hitting now.  Though a fight of the mind was less carnal in its thrill, it was exciting in the intrigue.  There were a few stories that featured crafty Caius and usually, unlike his ancestors, the trials were won by brain rather than brawn.  It was a refreshing change for a heritage so obsessed with might and power.

"After departing the cavern, it took the wolf only until the sun was setting to finish preparations.  When he was done, he stood before the cave's mouth once more.  This time, instead of going inside, he let out a powerful howl."  In an echo of the past, Dante lifted his own muzzle, a call sounding out.  It was a clear announcement of his presence, nothing more, and would likely cause mild confusion amongst those who heard it at the worst.  It was a bit funny to think of the reactions to such an obvious message.

"In the dragon, this awoke a huge reaction.  Never before had one been so bold as to come before his den and challenge him.  With a roar, he exploded from the entrance of the cavern, so monstrous in size that even his head was twice Caius' own height.  His cavernous mouth was open to reveal more teeth than Caius had ever seen, wicked sharp, and the telltale glow of a flame that was about to be released upon him.  The wolf turned and fled."

"The dragon delighted in this reaction, as he was a vain creature who took great pride in the image he gave.  Inspiring terror was one of his favorite pastimes, and this wolf was quick to react.  He did not realize, though, that this was part of Caius's plan.  So the dragon gave chase, ready to pursue him until he was gone from the forest altogether."

"Caius had learned, though, from his stay in the woods.  The trick that the bird had played stuck in his mind, and an idea had grown from this.  Knowing that the dragon would be intent on following, he was banking on the fact that it would be so focused as to lose sight of it's surroundings... and as the dragon prepared a firey burst to destroy the creature who had dared taunt it so, Caius darted into the tunnel he had built beneath the forest floor.  The great dragon was unable to correct, for it was true.  So set was it on catching the strange creature that challenged that it tried to pull up too late.  Headfirst, it slammed into the earth, all the weight of its massive body behind it."

Dante stopped a moment to let the dramatic moment settle, then continued, the story coming to a close.  "On impact, the dragon's teeth were knocked from his jaw, and when the creature rose again, it was to find itself with none remaining.  A powerfully vain creature, the dragon was horrified to find itself disfigured so, and without a second glance it fled the forest, sure that none would fear it now that its snarl would reveal only empty gums.  Caius watched it go, regretfully.  He hadn't slain the dragon, so his mission had failed."

"The gods were understanding, though, and the creatures of the magical wood extremely grateful that the dragon was now gone from their lives.  So when the eagle appeared once more, it looked on Caius kindly.  'You have done well, young warrior.  Rise and accept our gift for your help.'  And from the earth, where the dragon's teeth had fallen, sprang an army wolves, strong and sure.  Caius rose to protest, he hadn't completed his charge!   But the eagle was gone before he could ask why it was so."

Taking a deep breath, he finished the tale.  "And that was how my kingdom came to be.  A single tale, but in three parts.  Did this tale please the witch, or am I to be eaten?"  While he knew it to be a joke, he still was interested, and watched closely for a reaction.  A novice storyteller himself, he looked for any excuse to share the tales he had enjoyed so much in his youth.  And if they brought her joy as well, then he would be more than pleased.

When the story got to the point, where dragon got all of it's teeth smashed out, Osprey chuckled, thinking, how Peregrine would have loved the turn of the events, and added mentally that she will have to tell this to him once they met each other again. At the same time she knew that she would never be that good at conveying this tale to him as Dante was, because it was not hers to begin with. Too bad the two of them were at odds and it didn't seem a very manly thing to do to sit down and swap stories just like that.

So... it was witch's time to decide, whether the frog prince deserved to live and hop happily ever after or not. She regarded Dante through narrowed eyes, contemplating just long enough for tension to rise (if this would happen in the real life), until a malicious smile appeared in her lips and she sighed theatrically. "The witch thought, but she was never nice creature to begin with. Nor was she fair. She just did, what she wanted. So she pounced at the poor frog prince and ate him whole," she looked at him in pity. "The thing was that the witch had liked the story so much that she wanted to keep it all to herself and not let the frog prince to tell it to anyone else."

She then raised to her feet, stretched and shook her coat, as if telling that this was, where the game ended, and they were back to their usual roles. "It was very good, by the way, and I would love to hear more, if you don't mind sharing. Another time, perhaps?" she suggested, hoping that he would agree.

ooc: I think that you can fade this out in your next post. PP Osprey, if needed. They can go off hunting/walking/talking somewhere.

Osprey had a twist of her own to throw his way, and he laughed when she said he was eaten regardless.  "The highest compliment," he replied happily, gladdened and flattered by the approval.  Seemed his froggy days were numbered.

"Another time." He nodded in agreement. Technically he had promised four, so she did have one in the bank should she choose to use it. He'd tell her one regardless, however, as he was a fan of doing so before an audience who appreciated it. And he had found that fellow storytellers were the best listeners as well, for he had yet to find ones so good as Osprey and Blue Willow. There were many where that came from, including one in which the dragon returns to take his revenge on an older Caius. Perhaps not that one though. Dante much preferred his own version now, where the dragon learned from the encounter, settled down with a wiser dragon somewhere, and brought into the world children who spread guidance rather than terror. Wise dragons were much more interesting to him.

They had been sitting a while, so when she rose, he did as well, stretching stiffness from his legs. "Maybe a walk then?" Hopping around was hard on you once adulthood was reached and passed. He wasn't quite to the point of being considered 'older', but he knew he would be on the cusp of it in another year or two. When she agreed, he followed, happy to share company a bit longer.