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Summer, 1331
Supper consisted of roasted mountain goat, with gourds, sage and black currant with some goat cheese, herbs and ale. Logan and company relished the feast on copper plates and mugs set on slate tables embedded in bronze and inlaid with gold.
“Tell me the situation in Auxia, Lord of Normad.” Queen Mvita casually asked from her throne as the meal wound down. “Few messages have reached Wetherill since the Men of the Snows seized control of the Southern Ranges.”
The Normad leader bowed. “The war goes on, my queen. The Tassurians have crossed the Catoctin and they are but two hundred miles from Caldern. The rains have slowed their advance, but the situation is critical.”
The Duregaren leader took a deep draught of her ale. “That bad, huh? What is King Owin doing in response?”
“He is drawing forces from all over Auxia to defend the capital. And he is sending us.”
“Tell me your plans. Why does it involve walking a dragon into my kingdom?”
“I cannot say everything, for there are intricate mechanisms that need precision-”
“And why not?” Queen Mvita interrupted, her relaxed questioning abruptly sharpening. “Do you think I will turn? That my land has spies? That after the fall of the other cities, we would seek accommodation with them?”
Her voice boomed through the hall. All meals abruptly stopped, and Logan’s group and the other Duregaren shuffled uneasily.
Lord de Trobliand however looked unperturbed.
“There are complex interactions I need to balance. Loosely, we will head through the Back Valley.”
“The Woodfolk?” Queen Mvita was surprised. “What do you want with those backstabbing, conniving flower children?” She spat on the floor and began cursing in her native tongue. [Arrogant bastards, too smart by half, thought they could make a pact with the demons of the underworld. I'd rather cave their heads in for helping the Other Men-]
“There are parties we may need to work with, that may prove difficult and uncomfortable. You are, after all, keeping part of this company away even now. My secrecy is likewise evenhanded.”
The Duregaren leader looked at the tall human with slight exasperation. She took another quaff of ale and exhaled deeply.
“Fine. You are as stubborn as a goat, but you can keep your secrets. Still, I have my guesses.” Queen Mvita gestured over at Holm, who bowed.
“We can provide a Duregaren escort to your destination. It may be safer.”
“We are honored, my queen.” Logan interrupted, bowing as well. “But our plan is to move quickly and quietly; too many participants will be a liability. Besides, we have a dragon.”
Queen Mvita snorted. “Very quiet to bring a dragon along. Taking Karlen of Chaos is also an impressive way to move without detection.”
Karlen laughed nervously.
“This team was purposefully organized to be small and fast.” Lord de Trobliand repeated. “Additionally my personal guard and other companies are screening and scouting this force. It may look small, but this quest is far more than eight individuals.” The Normad rubbed his chin. “Still, if my plan succeeds, it may be helpful if you could send a contingent to help defend the Auxian capital.”
“You will send messages denoting success?”
“You’ll know.”
“And if your plan doesn't succeed?”
“You’ll also know. And you'll need every available warrior to defend Wetherill.”
Silence pervaded the chamber.
“Tell me what is the situation ahead.” Lord de Trobliand finally continued.
Queen Mvita nodded, filling her mug before immediately taking a drink.
“This is a wet year. There are patches of snow even now. Plenty of water but the rivers may be dangerous. You can take the tunnels to the edge of this kingdom.”
“Unfortunately we have additional companions.”
“Right.” The Duregaren leader grimaced. “Your flower child and wyrm. Well if you so desire to be where the sky is with all its dangers, Holm can lead you over to the land of flowers in a few days. Meanwhile, I suggest rest before attempting your ascent-you’ll need it. We have some nice sleeping chambers for visitors including tall-”
[A party arrives to address the Queen of Wetherill! Visitors! State your identity and your reasons for arriving at this sacred place!] Captain Ain's voice suddenly boomed through the hallway, immediately followed by a quieter, slightly out of breath vocalization.
[Urlwer has come with an urgent message to the queen!]
[Urlwer may enter!] Queen Mvita yelled back at the gate. Soon enough a young Duregaren appeared, sweating profusely and with dented armor and arrows. He ran over, gave a perfunctory bow, and gestured with his ear. Receiving affirmation, the messenger went up to whisper into the queen's ear.
The Duregaren leader frowned, turning to the newcomers.
“My forces have encountered forces of the Men of the Snows. Dangerous ones.”
“Perhaps it's just a scouting patrol searching for Wetherill.” Holm offered, not particularly convincingly even to himself.
Lord de Trobliand got up. “None of us believe that. They know of us, or at least the dragon. It's possible that they know of our destination, though if I knew I would instead prepare a trap without warning. Regardless, it is a reminder that we are being pursued and our time is short.”
The Normad quickly bowed.
[Thank you for your hospitality, Queen Mvita of Wetherill. May we find grand treasures in dark places.]
After a pause, Logan and the other members of the party followed suit.
“Thanks for everything, my queen.” The Forester quickly stated. “If we are being pursued, then we must make haste.”
Queen Mvita appeared to want to say a lot more, but stopped, finally shaking her head. “A warning, Regis: the way through the Back Valley is arduous. You may as well ascend the skies themselves. The tunnels are safer. Flying is safer.”
“We walk. We need the dragon and we cannot risk it being detected.”
The Duregaren queen shrugged.
“Then, may the fates support you.”
“Map! Map!” Glib interrupted. “Everyone is leaving, but no one knows where to go!”
“That's true, we still need information on reaching the border.” Logan acknowledged. “A map would be useful.”
“A map is too dangerous to provide.” Queen Mvita replied. “But come over and commit to memory what guidance I give. Listen closely, follow exactly, and you will reach the end of my realm.”
She gestured to back to Holm, who quickly drank the last of his ale and took a final bite of a leg, then got up. Then she nodded at the only Duregaren in Logan’s party.
[Karlen.]
[My queen.]
[Keep them all safe. I’m counting on you.]
Karlen bowed.
[I swear upon all the treasures of this earth.]
[Good.] Queen Mvita looked upon the group, receiving their supplies and preparing to leave. [May we all find grand treasures in dark places.]
***
An hour later Logan’s party returned to the alcove to find Sufjan and Mera sitting there waiting. The Sabine was happily sipping tea upon a rock, while the dragon lay in a loafon the ground looking bored, despite also being provided with the beverage in a trough. Both turned in curiosity as the rest of Logan’s party rejoined them.
“Meeting go well?” The Sabine asked simply.
“Well enough.” Logan replied as Mera got up and stretched, his expanded wings and elongated body taking most of the available space. “But we need to move now.”
“Are you sure it went well?” Sufjan gave a small laugh. “A shame, I was just getting used to this prison.”
Folkal Point - Scarborough Fair
From
Chickenzaur!
Supper consisted of roasted mountain goat, with gourds, sage and black currant with some goat cheese, herbs and ale. Logan and company relished the feast on copper plates and mugs set on slate tables embedded in bronze and inlaid with gold.
“Tell me the situation in Auxia, Lord of Normad.” Queen Mvita casually asked from her throne as the meal wound down. “Few messages have reached Wetherill since the Men of the Snows seized control of the Southern Ranges.”
The Normad leader bowed. “The war goes on, my queen. The Tassurians have crossed the Catoctin and they are but two hundred miles from Caldern. The rains have slowed their advance, but the situation is critical.”
The Duregaren leader took a deep draught of her ale. “That bad, huh? What is King Owin doing in response?”
“He is drawing forces from all over Auxia to defend the capital. And he is sending us.”
“Tell me your plans. Why does it involve walking a dragon into my kingdom?”
“I cannot say everything, for there are intricate mechanisms that need precision-”
“And why not?” Queen Mvita interrupted, her relaxed questioning abruptly sharpening. “Do you think I will turn? That my land has spies? That after the fall of the other cities, we would seek accommodation with them?”
Her voice boomed through the hall. All meals abruptly stopped, and Logan’s group and the other Duregaren shuffled uneasily.
Lord de Trobliand however looked unperturbed.
“There are complex interactions I need to balance. Loosely, we will head through the Back Valley.”
“The Woodfolk?” Queen Mvita was surprised. “What do you want with those backstabbing, conniving flower children?” She spat on the floor and began cursing in her native tongue. [Arrogant bastards, too smart by half, thought they could make a pact with the demons of the underworld. I'd rather cave their heads in for helping the Other Men-]
“There are parties we may need to work with, that may prove difficult and uncomfortable. You are, after all, keeping part of this company away even now. My secrecy is likewise evenhanded.”
The Duregaren leader looked at the tall human with slight exasperation. She took another quaff of ale and exhaled deeply.
“Fine. You are as stubborn as a goat, but you can keep your secrets. Still, I have my guesses.” Queen Mvita gestured over at Holm, who bowed.
“We can provide a Duregaren escort to your destination. It may be safer.”
“We are honored, my queen.” Logan interrupted, bowing as well. “But our plan is to move quickly and quietly; too many participants will be a liability. Besides, we have a dragon.”
Queen Mvita snorted. “Very quiet to bring a dragon along. Taking Karlen of Chaos is also an impressive way to move without detection.”
Karlen laughed nervously.
“This team was purposefully organized to be small and fast.” Lord de Trobliand repeated. “Additionally my personal guard and other companies are screening and scouting this force. It may look small, but this quest is far more than eight individuals.” The Normad rubbed his chin. “Still, if my plan succeeds, it may be helpful if you could send a contingent to help defend the Auxian capital.”
“You will send messages denoting success?”
“You’ll know.”
“And if your plan doesn't succeed?”
“You’ll also know. And you'll need every available warrior to defend Wetherill.”
Silence pervaded the chamber.
“Tell me what is the situation ahead.” Lord de Trobliand finally continued.
Queen Mvita nodded, filling her mug before immediately taking a drink.
“This is a wet year. There are patches of snow even now. Plenty of water but the rivers may be dangerous. You can take the tunnels to the edge of this kingdom.”
“Unfortunately we have additional companions.”
“Right.” The Duregaren leader grimaced. “Your flower child and wyrm. Well if you so desire to be where the sky is with all its dangers, Holm can lead you over to the land of flowers in a few days. Meanwhile, I suggest rest before attempting your ascent-you’ll need it. We have some nice sleeping chambers for visitors including tall-”
[A party arrives to address the Queen of Wetherill! Visitors! State your identity and your reasons for arriving at this sacred place!] Captain Ain's voice suddenly boomed through the hallway, immediately followed by a quieter, slightly out of breath vocalization.
[Urlwer has come with an urgent message to the queen!]
[Urlwer may enter!] Queen Mvita yelled back at the gate. Soon enough a young Duregaren appeared, sweating profusely and with dented armor and arrows. He ran over, gave a perfunctory bow, and gestured with his ear. Receiving affirmation, the messenger went up to whisper into the queen's ear.
The Duregaren leader frowned, turning to the newcomers.
“My forces have encountered forces of the Men of the Snows. Dangerous ones.”
“Perhaps it's just a scouting patrol searching for Wetherill.” Holm offered, not particularly convincingly even to himself.
Lord de Trobliand got up. “None of us believe that. They know of us, or at least the dragon. It's possible that they know of our destination, though if I knew I would instead prepare a trap without warning. Regardless, it is a reminder that we are being pursued and our time is short.”
The Normad quickly bowed.
[Thank you for your hospitality, Queen Mvita of Wetherill. May we find grand treasures in dark places.]
After a pause, Logan and the other members of the party followed suit.
“Thanks for everything, my queen.” The Forester quickly stated. “If we are being pursued, then we must make haste.”
Queen Mvita appeared to want to say a lot more, but stopped, finally shaking her head. “A warning, Regis: the way through the Back Valley is arduous. You may as well ascend the skies themselves. The tunnels are safer. Flying is safer.”
“We walk. We need the dragon and we cannot risk it being detected.”
The Duregaren queen shrugged.
“Then, may the fates support you.”
“Map! Map!” Glib interrupted. “Everyone is leaving, but no one knows where to go!”
“That's true, we still need information on reaching the border.” Logan acknowledged. “A map would be useful.”
“A map is too dangerous to provide.” Queen Mvita replied. “But come over and commit to memory what guidance I give. Listen closely, follow exactly, and you will reach the end of my realm.”
She gestured to back to Holm, who quickly drank the last of his ale and took a final bite of a leg, then got up. Then she nodded at the only Duregaren in Logan’s party.
[Karlen.]
[My queen.]
[Keep them all safe. I’m counting on you.]
Karlen bowed.
[I swear upon all the treasures of this earth.]
[Good.] Queen Mvita looked upon the group, receiving their supplies and preparing to leave. [May we all find grand treasures in dark places.]
***
An hour later Logan’s party returned to the alcove to find Sufjan and Mera sitting there waiting. The Sabine was happily sipping tea upon a rock, while the dragon lay in a loafon the ground looking bored, despite also being provided with the beverage in a trough. Both turned in curiosity as the rest of Logan’s party rejoined them.
“Meeting go well?” The Sabine asked simply.
“Well enough.” Logan replied as Mera got up and stretched, his expanded wings and elongated body taking most of the available space. “But we need to move now.”
“Are you sure it went well?” Sufjan gave a small laugh. “A shame, I was just getting used to this prison.”
Folkal Point - Scarborough Fair
From
Chickenzaur!
Category Artwork (Traditional) / Fantasy
Species Western Dragon
Size 2360 x 1640px
File Size 1.18 MB
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