LadyMorgue

Deep in a cave, A male ridgeback was asleep on the floor by glowing flora, lighting the area faintly. On his back, laid a female fae who, a few minutes ago, would have been asleep but she was awake and thinking. Her head laid of her front paws as her eyes focused on nothing.

"Kelsus" The fae piped up as gently shook the Ridgeback awake. "Kelsus, you big goof. Wake up" she repeated in the common Fae's monotone tone.

The Ridgeback groaned and opened his eyes, still exhausted a slightly annoyed at being shaken awake. "What is Tonic?" he mumbles sleepily and yawns. his bulb getting brighter from being conscious again.

"I was thinking about that one story you told me when we met. You know, the one about the female guardian in a bog" she spoke, as she climbed up to her friend's head.

"The one with Lady Morgue?" he answered. "Why were you thinking about that?" he asked as he carefully stretched himself, taking in that Tonic was now on his head. "I mean, it's something I wish to never relive but it's interesting"

"That's why I am asking." she lower her head to him to look him in the eye. "what exactly happened and if you can tell me about it." She pulls herself up and lay comfortable on Kelsus' head, taking in consideration his comfort as well.

The Ridgeback hummed in agreement and gingerly laid his head down, remembering the event from his youth.

---

I wasn't completely a hatchling but I wasn't an adult yet. I was just old enough to explore around the area with friends. My old clan, along with my family, were going through the Scarred Wasteland and coming close to The Tangle Woods. The only thing I remember was that we were going back to The Shifting Expanse. I never went there as I was born in The Starfall Isles and grew up there before we decided to move.

Anyway, We settled close by the woods for the evening and continue the journey the next day. My friends, another Ridgeback and a Mirror, and I decided to go into the woods. We were told not to go alone but we were rebels. I mean, I still am one, haha!

Oh right, silence, everyone else is sleeping...

…Either way.

My Ridgeback friend, Sterling, was the first one to go in and Eli, my Mirror friend, and I followed, making sure none of the adults saw. I remember hating the area, we were close to the Sea of a Thousand Currents and so, that side of the forest was more swampy than anything. it smelled bad and water was everywhere, ugh!

Sterling was moving further in, careful not to fall into the water and I was following close by, Not as lucky as him. I had my back foot get in there a few times and it was just awful! I remember getting told to shut up.

Back into the actual story, sorry.

The three of us got really deep into the bog and we noticed that it was getting late and to turn back. Here's the thing, Tonic. We were being so careful into not falling into the water with Eli laughing at us, we didn't take the time to take note of our pathway.

In other words, we were three young dragons lost in The swampy part of Tangle Woods. Honestly, I was very worried, so was Eli. Sterling decided that we should look for a shelter to sleep in for tonight.

We eventually stumble into an house made of wood and it had trinkets hanging here and there. Eli was not feeling well about the house. I wasn't either. there was something spooky about it. Sterling, on the other hand, wanted to go look into it and went forward before I could stop him.

I swear to the gods, Tonic, the entrance to the house opened by itself. I remember getting chills when that happened.

Sterling stood there, frozen in place and silent, as the entrance open in front of him. I kept my distance and Eli stood behind me as we observed the scene happening.

A black female Guardian came out from the door, covered in tatters and stared into Sterling. She asked him what he was doing by her door and I remember jumping slightly when she glanced toward me and Eli. Sterling only was able to say Shelter when she looked back at him.

She said that she only offer Shelter if Sterling, the one in front of her, was able to win against a game of hers and if he lost, he would have to give something to her, anything. She also told him to call her Lady Morgue, social etiquette she said.

Eli and I told Sterling that it was not worth it and that we could find a shelter between us but he didn't listen. We could only get closer to back Sterling. In We, I mean, only me. Eli didn't move from where he was.

The witch had this small gaoler youngling come out with a small stool and a card set. an servant or assistant of sort, I guess? All I know was their name and it was Sage. Anyway, she displayed the cards before him and told him to pick a card and she will do as well. Whoever had the highest number would win. They were free to change the card in their paws if they were unsure but it was only allowed once.

It was a game of chance and Sterling just went with it.

I will mention something important about my friend. Sterling was never an honest player. he always cheated to make sure he won his games. we always called him out on it but he didn't care.

So, Seeing that he had gotten two low cards, he decided to trick the lady and cheat for it. but of course, Lady Morgue wasn't a normal guardian. I figured that one out and so did Eli. I don't know if Sterling was aware of that fact or he was just a big fool.

but it didn't end well, Tonic. She caught him on the act of cheating and switching his card for another, much higher, card. I expected her to explode in rage like our parents did when we did something bad. Instead, she simply chuckled and told him that was a bad move from him and we all froze in horror.

her flanks were covered with eyes that wasn't there before. they all opened and stared at my friend as she stood.

I don't know what happened to Sterling since he froze there. Eli and I just ran away as fast as we could. I was so afraid that I didn't care if I stepped in water. We eventually got back to the clan, screaming about Sterling still back in the woods.

We spend time looking for him but Sterling was never found. nor we ever saw the house and anything related to it.

---

The Fae listened as her friend finished the story. "You don't know about the fate of your friend?"

Kelsus hummed and shoot his head, careful not to fling Tonic off. "I went to the area once during a time off. Still as awful, that didn't change, but I found no houses or trinkets belonging to that witch or my friend. It's almost like it was a dream but It was real and I still hope I'll see him again" he sighed and rested his head against his from legs.

The Fae patted his head gently as comfort and hummed in thoughts. "I'll help you find Lady Morgue and your friend, we'll teach her a lesson"

Kelsus chuckled in amusement and thanked his friend. He still wonders where Lady Morgue went and if she had
spirited away other dragons with her before Sterling and Sage.

Kelsus simply shuddered at the thought.

While he wants to find and save Sterling, part of him doesn't want to see Lady Morgue or the House ever again.

---

Known as Lady Morgue, this female guardian resides in a swamp somewhere in between The Tangle Woods and The Sea of a Thousand Currents. No one knows where exactly as her residence always seems to shift places.

She is willing to help anyone as long they can succeed a task for her. a great ally if you succeed. Otherwise, you will lose something in return.

Trying to run away from the task after accepting or cheating your way to victory will only result is much greater consequences. The other dragons with her can tell you that much.