Dryopteris

Gerdidon sniggered as she pounced upon the unsuspecting Dryopteris. The lupine Tundra snarled and rolled out from under her bulk, continuing the sparring session. The Skydancer formed a few long feathered daggers and barely missed. Dryopteris retaliated in kind with her battle axe, the heavy weapon slamming before Gerdidon with a strong clang and cracking the stone below the pair's feet.

"You'll never take down a demigod with that sort of yellow-bellied tactic!" The Tundra bellowed as she swung once more. Gerdidon nimbly danced away, banner flapping, as she attacked once more. One dagger grazed Dryopteris' fur and the pair paused. "Well...not quickly at least." She added with a grumble.

"But Dryoooo, Constantine and Toothpaste are always tossing around spells and the like, not to mention the literal Mage Corps the Godhunters employ!" Gerdidon whined, feathers drooping. "Anyways, I know you worry, but its not like you and Vuo will let anything get near me." The Skydancer seemed pleased as her previously flat crest puffed up again. Dryopteris sighed heavily, axe drooping as she realized the spar was over.

"Princess, I know you trust us and it's quite flattering, but this is important!"

(Long-suffering royal guard
Quite wolflike
Has no magic but is super buff
Oblivious to flirtation)

Dryopteris removed the light armor and battle axe from her tired body. After checking it and performing some cursory maintenance, she wandered heavily into the Archives, paws stumbling slightly on her exhaustion. Walking past the pair of stoic Pearlcatchers with barely a nod between the trio, Dryopteris was in the Deep Archives. Soon after her paws touched the immaculate flooring, an Imperial, five heads today, slunk from the gloom and stopped before her interloping guest.

"Ah, Dryopteris. So nice of you to come with your sweaty, dusty, and matted fur into my domain." The Imperial's voice was layered as each head spoke one after the other in a strange echo.

"Tiamat, I've only come because you asked for me. I'm exhausted, disgusting, and you wanted me here, and I quote, 'As fast as those papery wings of yours can handle it.' I walked here after sparring with Her Highness, Gerdidon, and a few others. What do you need me for or can I go collapse in peace?" The Tundra's voice was dripping with disdain and no small amount of malice. Tiamat sniffed primly, ignoring the tone of voice.

"Gerdidon is why I called you. She, in her hollow chest, holds a key to the Labyrinthe." At the insult to her charge, Dryopteris bristled, but Tiamat ignored her once more. "Magical keys and locks. Fascinating artifacts, I assure you. Its more than likely the reason your lady is so alchemical and powerful with spellcraft yet so absentminded with the consequences of said craft..." A small pause made Dryopteris attempt to ask a question, but Tiamat continued without noticing. "Now, usually the removal or use of these keys will kill the host, but Im working on a way to avoid that outcome. Vuokko is more than likely going to be attatched at the hip if she finds out after that..." Here the chattering Archivist paused, long tail tapping quietly on the stone, "debacle with the Labyrinthe Spirit, so for now keep the Key safe as well as secret and I'll not have to deal with this myself." Dryopteris blinked slowly.

"Gerdi is a what?" Tiamat's main head turned to look down at the Tundra and seemed to finally see how utterly exhausted she looked. Dryopteris could cry with relief at the slightly apologetic frown that graced a few of her massive snouts.

"Oh dear...I forgot what sleep meant to those still requiring oxygen..." Without pause, Dryopteris found herself scooped into a few too many paws and carried deeper into the Archives. The rocking motion was a bit soothing, Dryopteris relaxing in the firm grip, but the pricking of long claws kept the guard aware enough for when Tiamat set her down. When Tiamat spoke again, only one voice appeared and was barely audible. "Now, this won't be as good as a bath, but I'm optionally limited." A small ripple of magic rolled over the Tundra, cleaning her fur from all the dirt and debris of sparring. "And then if I recall we..." A soft brush gently untangled matted fur, smoothing it down into a silky comfort. Dryopteris almost purred at the feeling, finally feeling relaxed after such a long day. Tiamat finished quickly, which was a shame, but before she left Dryopteris to her rest, the Tundra heard: "Now if anything disturbs the poor thing, you'll have a High Sage Emperor to contend with. No mischief, no nightmares, nothing disturbs her and nothing allows her deeper into the Archives. Only allow her outside. We'll educate her tomorrow."