Dragon Wars Ii

[Jeremy Davis]

Gloomfaust

::Canth looked completely defeated as he requested as much information on the Transperant dragons as the others knew. He would have very little success with who was gathered here.

Now that everything was going well, Gloomfaust could think of his next few moves. Of course he would attend the funeral pyres of both Monarth and Golanth, and he would be a cordial as he possibly could. Otherwise, the next few days were his to watch his plot take shape.

Looking over the other dragons, he walked past them and into the Council Chamber passing Canth::

I am heading back to my home. I will return in A day or so..I believe it will take as long to retrieve the body of Monarth. Farewell Canth.

::With that Gloomfaust left the Chamber and found a welp to lead him to where he could take off and head home.::

 

[Vixandra]

Sylvia

I was warm, safe. Hurting, aching, being held, so warm. A touch a shift, a kiss... a kiss?

I woke, my head lying in Kort's lap, staring up at him. "You're alive... I'd hoped you would be."
I smiled up at him then rolled over, hissing in pain but rising to my knees under my own power nontheless. I shook the sleepyness from my head and looked up. It was twilight!
"I've been asleep all day," I said rhetorically. "I'm guessing the elvin settlement fell, huh?"
Kort nodded.
"We need to go to the council," I said, pushing my hair from my face. The stone was still there, wouldn't come off. THing was about the size of my thumbnail, a deep ruby with silver flashes inside. I could feel power thrumming through it- that must have been what allowed me to wake up so early. I pushed myself to my feet and would have fallen if Kort hadn't caught me.
"OKay... not good this." I sighed, hating the weakness, though I knew it was part of the price paid after a magic heavy battle. I leaned into Kort, more comforted then I'd have expected to be. "I don't think shifting right now would be wise, I don't have the energy to do it and stay concious right now."
"I can carry you," Kort said gruffly as if it were nothing of consequence. There was something under it though... something different then the way most dragons saw me.
"Thank you," I said softly. "For saving me from that instead of dying a glorious death. I owe you one."

 

[poohlive]

"You owe me?" Kort moved closer to her, standing right next to her, his hands on her side for just a moment. He smiled, picking her up, and moving underneath her.
He began shifting, moving outward from his spot, growing around Sylvia, who now sat comfortably on his back. He flew up into the darkened sky, not moving too fast, for his one wing still gave him trouble.
"You asked me to save you, and I did. If anything, I owe you my life. You saved me, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."
Kort had to smile at this, thinking upon it. They had saved each other. How could that have happened? Both of them, saving each other at the same time? Who's life beloned to whom?
Kort tried not to think about it, flying over passed the forest, black under him. Trees, dark and mysterious, swayed in imaginary breezes as he strode under them.
"You don't feel anything, anymore, do you? Invisible dragons? Do you know where they are? Where they went? After we left, the orcs were retreating, but I couldn't tell for sure...."
Forests gave way to hills. Hills opened up to mountains, and mountains poured forth ranges that lasted for days in either direction. It took him a while to find out some of the dragon caves, looking for some of the more popular ones. He didn't know where the dragon council was, or who to talk too.
Dragon society hadn't been high up on Kort's agenda.
Before long, he was headed in the right direction.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Rheamus Barren

The second wave?
It had been more of a clean-up squad. We attacked, yes, charging into an already bloody battlefield, where remains, both seen and unseen, awaited us. Elf and orc bodies lay here and there, several crushed beyond recognition. The most difficult part was climbing over the various piles of bodies to get to whatever still walked.
The bodies were everywhere, and it amazed me how many had been crushed, smashed into the ground. I didn't need to catch the scent to know what had happened. Only a large creture could have caused that sort of damage, and likely more than one. But such damage seemed to be more likely caused by several dragons, and not just one. I could see signs of fire and other dragon-oriented damage, but the crushed bodies told a different story than just dragons fight orcs. It told of dragons fighting dragons, which sent a chill up my spine. I had no use for other dragons at this point, but to see them kill one another off? To look ahead at the possibility of being the last... That the others, most of whom i'd made no attempts to know, might kill one another off...
I'd spent most of my life alone, but had never felt so lonely.
"Come, new friend," the orc I'd dealt with too much insisted (he'd identified himself as "Mogue" but went by "Moe"), staying close by me, no doubt watching to make sure I was still under his misdirection.
"What the...?" I trailed off, my eyes finding a sight I wasn't sure how to comprehend. A few hundred feet away, amid yet more bodies, mostly Orc I was pleased to see, lay what looked to be a phantom of some sort. I could see the bodies beneath it, giving way under what looked to be air, and blood stains seeming to float in mid air here and there. I moved closer,seeing something else more clearly, what had initially caught my attention. Standing like a wall, burnt flesh formed a line, as if it intended to point toward the sky. As the wind, more vigorous without the trees that had once stood there to block it,swept past it to me, I could smell what had caused the damage I saw.
Acid.
A black dragon had...had done what? Attacked the air? Attacked some...(invisible predator?)
The orcs were moving toward what remained of the village, a singular stronghold that stood tall, but wouldn't last under the siege, even givin the higher ground the elves stationed there held. Arrows were let loose here and there, but it seemed that less than twenty remained inside that hold. The orcs were surrounding the bottom, going to work with axes at the foundation that supported it. It would fall shortly, and I couldn't stop it from happening.
Near me, there were only a few of us, six at most. I started closer to the anomaly, but Moe caught hold of my arm.
"Bad tidings there, friend," he grunted, "Leave such things be."
I was about to pull away from him, when the sounds erupted from behind us. Three elves, two with bows, one with a short sword, charging toward us, apparently deciding that the battle was lost, but they wouldn't run from the scene and leave the others to die alone.
The orcs advanced on them, shouting for others to join them. The archers were knocking them off as they closed the short distance between them. The third, charged us, short sword in hand. Slicing through two of them befor ereaching me, sword raised overhead, eyes wide, not thinking over who he was about to attack, but just attacking.
The blade fell, and I stepped aside, drawing my own weapon and thrusting it forward, thinking no more than he was. He impaled himself on the blade, then looked up at me, his body calming as life drained fro it.
I'd killed him, unintentionally or not...
Moe looked to me, smiling. And I realized I was smiling back. I shook my head, looking back at the elf, but the smile never faded.
The stronghold fell shortly after, and as night settled in, Moe and I sat near a fire, a fe wothers around, but they blured together to me. My mind was far away, thinking about that smile that fought me so hard to stay.
"A good battle," Moe muttered, but I could tell he was disappointed. He'd wanted a bit more action I guessed. I had his trust now, and the others, though still looking down on me, as though I were beneath them (a filthy human, one had commented--odd given their own bathing habits, or lack thereof), but on one level or another, I'd earned their trust as well.
The commander had refused to meet with me, having suffered some embarassment and wanting solitude I was told by another grinning orc, but it was of no issue. I'd never wanted to speak with him anyway. I had too many questions circling my mind.
Why was I smiling...? I wondered. I was very tired. Very tired in deed.

 

[chewbacca71]

Selwen

Selwen looked over the balcony at the carnage before him. He had wanted to jump out there and fight the good fight. But common sense told him that if his two dragon allies had fled the field of battle, then all was lost. He hid in a secret room that was located near the private chambers of Lord Garbon.

He hated the fact that he was hiding , but felt that if he showed patience, he would have his chance for revenge. He heard some far off voices getting closer as it seemed that a second wave of attackers were coming. Selwen took a chance and came out to take a closer look around the council chamber.

The first thing he noticed was a pair of bloodstained corpses on the ground. Selwen knelt in reverence as he noticed one of them was Lord Garbon. Wiping slowly falling tears from his eyes, Selwen checked for signs of life. However, the black arrow had pierced his Lord's noble heart. Selwen reached over to the other body, just as it started to move.

Selwen identified this elf as Melthis, one of Lord Garbon's attendant. Melthis sat up , a wail of despair leaving his lips. Selwen quickly clamped his hand over his face, as he pulled Melthis towards his hiding place. Selwen helped support the weak attendant. The two elves reaching the safe hideout just before they heard some loud Orcen voices coming their way.

 

[Khadgar]

Worraps

Worraps continued through the forrest, hours after hours of walking, yet he saw nothing. there were no humans, no elves, not even beasts like orcs. the villages he rememebred had dissapeared. in their wake just ruined burnt landscapes.

sighing dissapointedly he climbed a tree, standing on the top branch and looking out, listening. off in the distance, the wind brought him voices, dragon voices.

Worraps lept from the tree, forming himself back into his gragon self. wings burst from his back, tearing his human flesh free, and pumped strongly.

the comparitivly small human body shot foreward, his skin bursting out and catching the glint of sun in a blinding burst of white light.

the streak of brightness lanced forward and took flight. as his body changed shape he slowed slightly and the light dimmed to a normal shade.

he was headed off, following the sound of voices....

 

[Vixandra]

"Nice shift."

"You owe me?" Kort moved closer to her...
"You asked me to save you, and I did. If anything, I owe you my life. You saved me, I
"You don't feel anything, anymore, do you? Invisible dragons? Do you know where they are? Where they went? After we left, the orcs were retreating, but I couldn't tell for sure...."

"I suppose we owe each other," I mused aloud. With a sigh, I snuggled into Kort's warm back. "Since I'm near you my recovery will be faster, dragonic presense and such. Should be back to normal by tommorow morning, completely healed and able to fly on my own as well."
I was tired but not ready to go back to sleep. "I'm going to explain some of my spellcraft, since you'll be receiving some in the future and I don't want to scare you with it. Most of my beneficial spells are touch or bodily fluid contact based. IE- me spitting blood on you transfers the spell to you. Humans don't seem to like that much... anyway moving along. Spells that allow you to see my 'nets' like I put up last night work best with blood. Doesn't have to be mine but it works best."
I rambled on for about an hour more before falling asleep again, knowing it would be dark again before we reached the council.

 

[poohlive]

They flew in silence after that. Kort didn't have the heart to wake her afterwards, and she seemed to sleep so peaceful, cuddling up on his back.
It wasn't another hour until they had found the major part of the dragon colony, and instructions as to the council, and apparently a Canth who could help them.
He flew high above to a cliffside, where a few dragons looked like they were running around, preparing. An opening to one side, led into what he could only assume was the council chamber.
That would work.
Some young whelp stopped him.
"Sorry, no one is allowed to visit. Canth is very busy right now."
Kort swallowed, growling in his throat, feeling the acid begin to burn. The dragon, (a small gold) yelped, jumping up, calling off for others.
Kort just made his way inside, nuzzling Sylvia on his back as he did so.
"We're here, come one. I think it's best if you are awake. Cause, I'm not sure what to say to this one."
He half flew, half walked into the large earthened chamber, glancing around for what seemed to be some sort of leader of the dragons.
"Canth," He shouted, the words echoing off crumbly walls, "Canth, are you here? We bring word, from the elves.... Is anybody here?"

 

[Vixandra]

Sylvia

I woke to Kort's nudging. "I'm awake."
I stretched and slid off of Kort easily. I knelt and took some things from my pouch. I studied Kort for a moment before offering him a bracer. "Well, I imagine you're going to stick with me through this war and I'd like to officiate that. As a High Priestess I am allowed a Named Protector. Will you be that protector for me? Gives you an official rank to work with here, second only to mine or a higher priest/ess."
While he contemplated that I slipped off my human clothing and shifted. My skin was streaked with fresh scars- joy of battle, I mused, stretching my wings with a wince. Not fun but I'd live and could fly if need be. I wore only the stone from the elves on my forehead, my bracers of Diety and a smile.
There were small, juvinile golds running around, whining about our presence. I snarled at one. "You will bring us an officiate, someone of rank NOW! Preferable the dragon that Kort wanted. Move!"
The little thing looked about to wet himself before running off to find whoever it was Kort wanted. Reds have a reputation for little patience and I saw no reason to debunk that.

 

[chewbacca71]

Canth

Canth looked up from his book as a yound dragon frantically entered the room. He tried to calm down the youngling,but it was a lost cause. After getting the information from the dragon, he sent it on its way. He longingly looked once more at the page he had been reading. It was fascinating to see what powers that the dragonkind had once used . The gemstone of Karnack was the only thing that the book mentioned that would help them. As to how they were able to suck out the life essence of 12 Transparent Dragons and store it in the gem, he had no idea.

He quickly left his book behind as he went out to greet the two newcomers. His look of shock at seeing two blood stained dragons in front of him was plainly visible. He tried to cover it up the best he could, hiding his face behind his wing for a moment. He looked over at them, noticing for the first time, the green gem that the red dragon had. He barely contained his excitement as he realized what it was. "My name is Canth, I am the leader of the Council. Who might you be? "

 

[Jeremy Davis]

Gloomfaust

::The flight home was uneventful, and Gloomfaust made the flight in little more than a day. As he was leaving though he spotted a Black Dragon carrying a humanoid on its back. Judging by the scars and wounds on the Black's body, Gloomfaust had guessed that he was war torn and somehow Gloomfaust knew that his minions were responcible.

Entering his caverns, Gloomfaust passedby a few transperants who were nursing wounds and just before he got into his main chamber he was stopped by Hagras, the Trans he had put in charge.::

"Master, we failed in obtaining the gem from the elves. It seems two dragons, a black and a red were in council with the elves when we attacked."

::Hagras merely looked at the floor knowing Gloomfaust would not be please::

"A black and a Red? We will have to move on with our plan reguardless. The human settlement of Willshire is your next target...wipe it out. Make sure that slime, Gremnar allow some of the humans to live so that they can alert the other humans.....

::Hagras looked confused and for a moment lost his sence and questioned Gloomfaust::

"But why attack the humans, I think....."

::With a loud growl and lightning quick reflexes, Hagras found himself in Gloomfaust's grasp and lifted above the ground::

"I did not free you to think! I freed you to be my muscle, now do so! Do not fail me again Hagras, the punishment will be great...."

::Gloomfaust dropped the Trans and walked into his chambers, leaving the trans grumbling something beneath his breath as he rubs his neck::

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Rheamus Barren

Night fell, and as we sat there, the orcs heating their evening stew--a foul mixute I had no intention of accepting any nor requesting the ingredients of--I wandered across the camp, wondering when I would be stopped. When none came near me, I relaxed some. I could smell it in the air, but I hadn't figured out exactly what it was. The smell of the God-awful stew was clogging my senses, almost making me sick.
I hadn't noticed it earlier, so I guessed it to be a new smell, but I might have been wrong. It could have been something burning in the fire the orcs had started, beginning with the process of burning some of the elven supplies. Their way of making sure the job was entirely done. They'd already raided most of the encampment, leaving only a few places unexplored, mostly because night was falling and they grew hungry, not to mention lazy.
Moe had grumbled throughout the search, hating everything he touched, everything Evlen, which most of these things were. We hadn't found it, and the master would be displeased, whatever "it" was. That was all I knew. Perhaps if I'd paid better attention to what was being said, I might have figured out more. My mind was distracted, however, continuously returning to the smile that shouldn't have been. I was also finding myself growing tired yet again. It was something that had occurred in the past, unexplainable, and sudden. i'd grow tired, exhausted in fact, then I'd fall asleep, and by the time I'd awake...
No sense thinking on that. I had too many other things in mind just then.
"Where're you going?"
I stopped by wandering when I heard Moe's voice. It was one of the few times he'd spoken to me and not used the term "Friend." He'd taken a liking to me, something I thought orcs were incapable of doing.
"I can't do the stew, Moe," i replied, feigning a disgusted expression that was in some small way, not feigned at all. "Think I'll see if I can find a rabbit or something of the sort to eat instead. Will that be a problem? Me going off alone?"
He seemed to think for a moment, then he shook his head and moved closer to me, looking around conspiratorially. When he was near enough only I could hear him, he whispered, all too loudly, "Some of the other ones aren't real fond of having a human about. Maybe be careful, for your own safety."
"If they attack me, and I defend myself...?"
He grinned. "Fair battle is fair battle among the orcs. But be careful not to hve your back turned to any one direction for too long."
"Thank you," I replied, then, for good measure, I added, "Friend."
He grinned widely. "I'm starting to like you, Reemiz," he said, mispronouncing my name for the hundredth time.
"Good," I replied. "I'll be very cautious."
With that, I was free of the orcs and heading into the wood. I turned abruptly when I caught wind of the scent again. This time, free of the stew odor, I realized it was coming from the ruins of the village. A few glances around, and I headed that way.

 

[Vixandra]

Sylvia

Canth introduced himself to us and a startlement in his eyes made me look down. We were kind of gory at the moment... nothing a bath wouldn't fix but not that uncommon for a Dark dragon. He looked at the stone in my forehead and I saw a surprised joy there. Okay- Light Dragons are weird, nothing new about that, I mused, rolling my eyes.
"I'm Sylvia Callista Fireclaw, this is Kort," I said with a nod to my companion. He was still contemplating the bracer before him.
"We've important news for the council- there is a force this world has not seen for a long time afoot and we must organize against it or we all will parish."
I turned to the side, showing the vicsious claw marks that ran down my left wing onto my back and sides along with many others. "This is not ajoke or trick."

 

[hybirdx]

Spar

Spar stood at the tip of the cliff, glaring into the nights sky, his mind lost in a world of questions. 'Transparent Dragons huh? How did Mother Know about them? Did she fight them? Did her parents fight them?' Spar sighed, he was getting nowhere. the more he thought about it, the more he tried to figure out the questions before him, the more questions invaded his mind. "Forget it..."

Spar turned his head, looking at the direction where Golanth drew his last breath. Spar knew that Golanth was strong, but that ment that the transparent dragons were that much stronger. For the first time in Spar's life, he felt fear. "No! I can't think like that! Not now."

 

[chewbacca71]

Canth

Canth looked at them with undisguised relief. For one fleeting instant , the thought ran through his mind that these two dragons had been the cause of Golanth's death. He shook his head, trying to clear if of such thoughts. If dragons were going to defeat this current problem, all the dragons needed to work together chaotic and light. He almost missed what she said , caught up in his own thoughts like he was.

He did catch her reference to a force that the world has not seen for awhile. He excitedly asked "You have run into these Transparent Dragons haven't you? I have just seen one of my most loyal dragons die at their hands. Any news that you have would be helpful to help defeat this menace. First though, how did you come into posession of such a beautiful gemstone? It looks like something I had seen recently and may hold the key to the defeat of these dragons. "

 

[chewbacca71]

Selwen

Selwen stretched out his ranger senses as far as he could to see if the coast was clear. He was tired of Melthis and his incessent whining. When those three orcs had walked through the room, looking for some good loot, but settling for some elf flesh; Selwen thought he was going to have to kill Melthis to silence him.

Selwen successfully resisted the urge, aware that Melthis was not used to such intense situations like they were in. It was only a matter of time before Melthis gave in and the gates to insanity would be pushed wide open, a howling gibbering scream that would give away their place of safety. Selwen put his hand up again to Melthis , silencing his sotto voce muttering of terror.

Selwen solely had to rely on his sense of hearing since there was no way to see out of the hiding place they were in. He was luck that they even had enough light in the room to keep Melthis from drooling in horror. Selwen smacked Melthis lightly in the shoulder just as he picked up the faint sounds of boots coming their way.

This was odd, since most elves used soft buckskin shoes while the Orcs were more at home with hideously bare feet. Selwen quietly drew his sword from his scabbard, realizing that he could not afford to use up one of the last three arrows that his quiver contained. Selwen tensed his muscles as he waited for the noise to come closer to the hidden door.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Rheamus Barren

I reached the battlefield about fifteen minutes later, leaving the hungry orc to their mystery stew, and watched my back carefully as I sniffed at the air again. What was it? It wasn't so bad a smell as I might have otherwise picked up, but the opposite. My senses were peaked, but this time, for opposite reasons. Normally, the fresh scents of nature made foul odors easy to pick up on, to recognize as out of place. This time, the rank odors of burning flesh (a few of the orcs' burning piles were still alight, leaving some of the bodies to smoulder for a while longer), orc body sweat and the burning of the wood and various other supplies the elves might have used had they survived the battle were overly apparent, and now a scent more...peaceful (?)...came to my nose.
I listened, wondering what had changed. I hadn't noticed the scent before, but perhaps it had been there the whole time? Why couldn't it have been? I might have been distracted this entire time.
I followed the scent, looking around for both orcs and elves now. Following the battle, any surviving elf might decide me to be the enemy, and i guessed they might be justified in that assumption, and attack.
The scent grew strong as I neared a large pile of wood, fallen in on a few elf children. they'd been hiding I guessed, but the shelter they'd chosen hadn't held up, as few would with such numbers at their disadvantage.
I ducked down and identified the scent as belonging to one young elven girl, life having left her earlier that day.
Perfume, something made by humans and seldom smelled outside of larger cities. I wasn't sure if the perfume had a name or not, but guessed it didn't matter now. Where the girl lay, the scent was strong, and I guessed the wind had carried it down to me through the trees.
I took in a deep breath, then stood. There was nothing I could do for her now. The innocent died in battles, and that was just the nature of war. The inevitable evil of violence would not be denied, even when it was intended to serve the purpose of good, which sadly, was not even a comfort here.
I crept past the girl and her friends, leaving the small shelter and heading toward what I guessed to be the Elven council chamber. It still stood, though in places the walls had been beaten and broken in. I slipped through the doorway, which hung half-open the door only held by one hinge now, and not very sturdily.
Once inside, I moved slowly, but not too carefully across the floor, glancing around in the shadowy chamber, enough light left outside to slightly illuminate it, but not to allow me to see much of the detail around me.
As I moved up the stairwell, toward where the balcony still overlooked the remains of the dead, I was careful not to touch many things. Who knew what might fall over or collapse after such stress.
I reached the chamber above a few moments later, walking inside, expecting to find bodies strewn across the floor, as were everywhere else, but instead, I saw only a couple, one appearing to have been someone prominent. I walked closer, paying little attention to the other dead, and knelt down, testing the elf's neck for a pulse...

 

[chewbacca71]

Selwen

Selwen's hearing brought the sound even closer. Judging by the sound of where the foot steps stopped, the person was in the center of the room. Selwen slowly opened up the door, the screech of the hinges betraying the movement.

Selwen noticed that it was a human, not an orc. He had not noticed any humans before in the earlier pitched battle , but wondered if maybe it was a mercenary for hire. Then he saw how gently the human was moving Lord Garbon looking for signs of life. He decided that this human might be there chance of getting out of here alive.

Selwen cleared his throat, not sure if the hinges were heard by the human. He moved closer to the man, his hand loosely encircling his sword without taking it out of the scabbard. "Human, what are you doing here at this scene of carnage? I hope you are not working with these Orcs, since that would make your life much shorter. "

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Rheamus Barren

I gripped my sword's handle when I heard his voice, turning me head to see the elf issuing from seemingly out of nowhere.
A hidden doorway? my mind wondered.
"Human, what are you doing here at this scene of carnage? I hope you are not working with these Orcs, since that would make your life much shorter."
I opted not to answer, and glanced back for a moment, fearing that Moe may have followed me, or perhaps some other orcs. What could I tell the elf? That I wasn't with the orcs. Lie? But also, I truly wasn't, not in the sense that he should fear. Then again, I had killed one of his kind, something else I was planning on not mentioning.
And then there was that smile...
I released my grip on the sword. The elf didn't appear too intent on attacking, but looked as though he would if he felt it was necessary. Bravery was something I would admire here, or was it stupidity? Especially given that, were I truly on the side fo the orcs, I could merely shout for them and hundreds of them would come crashing into the room.
"I wouldn't claim human as my true identity..." I returned. "not by a long-shot. And I also would not draw that weapon, as you've grown well short of allies here. My name is Rheamus Barren, and while I am not here to kill you, I would needs be...in defense that is."

 

[chewbacca71]

Selwen

Selwen stared at the human with a puzzled expression on his face..*not claiming human as his true identity? What did he mean? * Selwen took his hand off his sword, realizing that he would have to trust his life and the life of Melthis to this man. Grabbing Melthis by his collar, Selwen brought him out of hiding.

"I need to get this man and myself away from this carnage. I was with two dragons that seemed to have an idea as to what was going on. I heard them mention that they were going to some sort of dragon council right before I was seperated from them. They took a valuable gem from my lord, not that he needs it much anymore. But that gem was an heirloom of the Elven nation. "

Selwen looked around and reality set in. "That is what was once an Elven nation. I hope that enough of the people escaped into the forest before the Orcs could slaughter them all. Do you know of a way for us to get out of here? I would like to go to this dragon council myself and see if they have any idea as to why us elves were slaughtered almost to a man. Orcs have never been this destructive before, they have always been more interested in taking prisoners to use as slave labor. Please, can you help us? "

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Rheamus Barren

He explained their situation, and I gripped the sword again as he drew a second elf from hiding, then released it as I saw the frightened look on the second elf's face.
He explained, and the words sank in on some second level, beneath my main focus of consiousness. But something else was occupying my immediate attention. Words spoken to me during the battle and something that I'd seen and still did not understand. "Bad tidings there, friend," Moe'd grunted, "Leave such things be."
"What happened on the field today, and why are the Orcs attacking? I saw something..."
I didn't have the words to finish. What had I saw?
"I can take you to this council, if you know where it is, for I don't," I told them. Though I should know, shouldn't I?
No, you shouldn't. Nothing but bad tidings there as well...
I shook my head, scattering the words.
"As to how we'll get out of here, I imagine it shouldn't be so hard, but I can't guarantee that. If nothing else, I can..." I trialed off, not ready to let my secret out jsut yet. I'd never told another of my dragon identity while in human form, and I wasn't comfortable saying so now.
"Remain here, and when I come to get you, be ready. I'm hoping you'll have the answers to some questions as well, but we'll worry about that later."
I didn't wait for a response, but simply left the room, moving quickly down the stairwell toward the ground below. I moving among the ashes and fallen bodies unitl I'd nearly reached the edge of the field.
"You!" A voice shouted.
I stopped and turned. An orc moved toward me, his weapon raised.
"Who are you?"
"Rheamus Barren," I returned, gripping my sword but not drawing. "I fought along your side during this battle; I would suggest you respect my allegiance and lower your weapon."
He glanced behind him, where three more orcs stood. One shrugged and replied, "There was a human..."
The orc considered a moment longer, then lowered the axe. "I'll be watching you," he warned.
I continued to the camp, planning on waiting until night fell and the orcs were sleeping. Hopefully, I could get the elves out of here without a hitch.
"Reemiz," Moe shouted to me, waving me over. He was standing among a few other orcs, all of them quiet as I approached.
"Yes, Moe?"
"The others want to know where you're from."
"Here and there," I returned. "I haven't had a home in as long as I can remember. Why?"
"Curiosity," he replied, patting my shoulder. "Perhaps later, you and I shall talk some more on this, huh?"
I nodded, hoping to be gone later.
"Yes, Moe, we shall, if you wish."

 

[Vixandra]

Sylvia

Canth did catch her reference to a force that the world has not seen for awhile. He excitedly asked "You have run into these Transparent Dragons haven't you? I have just seen one of my most loyal dragons die at their hands. Any news that you have would be helpful to help defeat this menace. First though, how did you come into posession of such a beautiful gemstone? It looks like something I had seen recently and may hold the key to the defeat of these dragons. "

I smiled- silly old thing was asking questions faster then I could answer them but I did my best. "Yes we've ran into the Trans Dragons and I can't say I'm too fond of the damn things. Can't see them without using magic... not sure if you light bright kids can do it or not.
"Oh- my gemstone- well an Elf showed it to me then the trans attacked next thing I knew it was on my forehead and quite happy there- doesn't want to leave and I'm not going to make it. Helped us get out alive, Kort and I. So it can stay right where it wants to. Besides- its pretty."
I know- rare femenine moment but even bloodthirsty dragon high priestesses are allowed a few of them. I heard a grumble- my stomach protesting its emptyness.
"Before anything else- we haven't eaten since... wow day before, right before the battle kicked off. No more talking till we get some food."

 

[chewbacca71]

Selwen

Selwen looked with gratitude at the human as he agreed to help get them out of there. He nodded his agreement as he watched the human turn and quickly walk away. Selwen turned to Melthis. "Ok, we need to get back into hiding while we wait for the human to come back." Selwen pushed the reluctant Melthis back in as he quietly closed the door.

 

[chewbacca71]

Canth

Canth stared at the gemstone as Sylvia talked about their battle. He was sure that this was the gemstone that his studies had revealed. He made a mental note to try and coax if away from her later so that he could study it. Maybe after she has some food down her gullet she would relaxe.

Canth signaled for one of his attendants to go get some food. "Make sure that you bring the best that we still have. These guests bring some information that may well ensure our survival. " Canth turned back to the Black dragon. Kort , is there anything that you would add to this information?"

 

[poohlive]

Kort stood in silence for the longest time, simply marveling at the way things worked in draqgon society. It seemed almost as if just simple questions and simple answers were out of the way. People needed remarkable speech and plans of actions, sitting and chatting for hours and hours before anything was realized.
A council for dragons? Is that what this was? A place for everyone to get together and talk?
He stood behind Sylvia as she spoke, not sure if this was the best way, but knowing she had a lot more experience than he. She knew what to do, and what to say, he was just here to fight.
"There's an orc party, along with the transparent dragons, as it were. They defeated an elf village, an elf stronghold, I believe. They are heading north from that battle, which is a day and a half journey from here. Knowing Orc's and their lack of subtlety, it wouldn't be hard to take a band of dragons down there, track them down and defeat what is left of them."
Kort shrugged, his opinion offered. He would go back anyway, on the request of Sylvia and barring any other intstance. The concept of more dragons to slaughter pleased him, as well as defeating them as their high spirits revelled in what they thought would be a victory.
Kort went pleasently to the food, tearing into it with open jaws.
"The dragons work for someone, or something. They attacked with purpose, not just the elves, and not just with the orcs, but for the jewel. I don't know what they want, but I'm sure once we capture one, he'll be more than willing to fill in the gaps."