“Wait.” I held up my hand, and the group stopped.
The sound of somebody running toward us did not stop, however. Now the others could hear it, too. Rio and Levent turned toward the sound while Kewyn backed up to stand beside me, her hand on her sword.
As the sound grew closer, I was able to discern several different rhythms. Levent pulled out one of his swords. Rio did likewise with his blade. By the time I could hear the clanking of the metal on the soldier's uniforms, they were slowing to a stop. I heard multiple sets of feet flanking us before the group of dragon-kin emerged from the mist.
They held their weapons aloft, staring us down as they grew closer. Their builds were slighter than Levent's, closer in size to Theteau, but their coloring was completely different from the two dragon-kin I had ever seen. Two of the three males that stood before us had sandy blonde hair, their horns and tails a similar shade. The third was of darker colorings, but his hair was still more brown than black.
“Identify yourselves,” a female voice demanded before its owner stepped out of the fog.
She was just as tall as the males, her straight, brown hair traveling almost down to her knees in a thick braid. An overlarge scythe was strapped to her back between two beautiful tan wings. Her face was smug, but elegant as her grey eyes shifted over our group and landed on Levent, who slowly lowered his weapon. Then, her entire visage shifted from one of silent disapproval to that of complete bewilderment.
“Levent? What are you doing here?” She asked in the same tone one would use if someone had just walked in on them changing.
“Jazibe, I-” He began before she jumped on him, throwing her arms around his neck and smiling. It was apparent again just how tall she was, being able to hug Levent around the neck with no difficulty.
“It's so good to see you!” she enthused.
Her soldiers lowered their weapons to their sides, seeming a little put-off that they would not be getting to stab any of us. Rio put his dagger away, looking back at Kewyn like he was witnessing something most traumatizing.
“Where have you been?” Jazibe pouted after she had her fill of hugging Levent.
“That mission,” the kin muttered.
Jazibe stopped listening to him, however, as she realized that Rio, Kewyn and