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Trip to the Dragon's Cave

Started by CountessofPhoenix, May 11, 2008, 02:04:51 PM

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CountessofPhoenix

The next morning the rain that had plagued them the previous day was gone and a glorious sunrise greeted them. After a quick breakfast the assembly begins off in the direction that Vandor had indicated the night before. The first arrow marking the direction to continue was so well hidden that had they not been looking for it, they would have never noticed the grapevine twisted into that shape. With so many distorted vines lying around this one looked so much like the others as to disappear into their ranks. Thankfully, Martin noticed it amongst the greenery as they were taking a few minutes break. As they left Alphonse made sure the vines relaxes back into their normal configuration so that none who followed might know where they had headed, although it wouldn't take a very experienced tracker to follow the path their wagons and horses left.
Realizing that they must be constantly diligent in concealing their destination, Queen Bonnie conjured a green mist to begin to follow them, thus obliterating any sign of their passage. As the day wore on and they became more used to Vandor's marking system, and the beauty of the countryside seduced them into relaxing their guard a bit, the cajoling and teasing of comrades began to bring smiles to their faces as the group continued their journey.
Countess of Phoenix
Descendant of Celtic Nobility
Designer Extraordinaire
We are only limited by what we can dream

PurpleDragon

The party approached an out cropping of rocks, slowly the rock formations grew larger and larger as they neared them.  They had not seen sign from Vandor in nigh on 2 miles now, thinking they might have missed one Dave suggests that they may want to send someone back to check.  Just as he got his words out, Martin called out "I've found something, look here, in this hollow.  It does not look like previous markings, but the prints on the ground resemble Vandor's.  This one might be a warning about something.  What do you think"?   "Let me see", said Dave as he dismounted his horse.  Walking over, he sees the stone laid out with the points facing in all directions but what drew his attention was the center stone, perfectly shaped like a skull.  "This is an odd one, in all my years, I don't think I have heard of this one.  Queen Bonnie?  Do you know what this might mean?" 
Queen Bonnie walks over and looks down.  The look in her eyes tells a tale that she does know what this sign means. "We must tread carefully, through this pass,  the sand becomes quick and the rocks move of their own free will.  You must not trust your eyes, but follow your heart to make it safely through, we must pass through here one at a time, and must not speak a word or sound as we travel through.  The slightest noise, even the creak of a saddle can set off a chain of events that even my magick cannot stop".
Karl "Dragon" Wolff
The Pirates Cove

Bin Ich SCHLECHT? Ja BIN Ich.

CountessofPhoenix

   Silently Martin takes the lead as he begins his way through the pass. Bravery means facing your fear and conquering it, but it is hard to face down the unknown. Small avalanches of stones constantly roll down the faces of the cliffs. With hand on sword Martin tries to look around him in all directions at once. Step by stealthy step he moves across the sandy floor testing each step to be sure it will bear his weight before advancing. The pain inside his chest makes him realize that he has been holding his breath as he inches foreward. Sweat dripping of his face, the muscles in ever part of his body tense from the stress he finally sees the opening to the pass. Something brushes his shoulder and it's all he can do to keep from calling out. Whirling around he sees it was only a small rock its source not immediately apparent. Taking one more deep breath he moves cautiously through the last few feet.
   A flurry of dust is all he sees as he looks back at passage through which he has just journeyed. Reaching for the wand Queen Bonnie has loaned him for just this purpose he shoots a stream of sparks towards the sky letting the next person know it is their turn.
Countess of Phoenix
Descendant of Celtic Nobility
Designer Extraordinaire
We are only limited by what we can dream

CountessofPhoenix

#3
One by one these others go through the pass. All sense the presence of something in the pass and yet none have any problems, although; the horses must be blinfolded for it is the only way they will go through. Finally only Alphonse is left with the wagon. The load he carries must be gotten through for without the weapons and supplies he carries no one stands a chance of rescuing the dragon's eggs. Blindfolding his horse he enters the chasm, wand at the ready. It is but a few minutes when he notices that the walls as he passes them seem to be closing in behind him, but it has been a long and stressful day maybe he has imagined it. Cautiously he continues on when suddenly he senses something ahead. Raising his wand a cloud of dust bears down on him.
Countess of Phoenix
Descendant of Celtic Nobility
Designer Extraordinaire
We are only limited by what we can dream

Alphonse

#4
Stepping out of the dust and boulders raining down all around, came a creature a good thirty cubits tall.Looking like some statue hewn roughly from a collection of assorted rocks and boulders barring down, in a menacing manner, on the old man.On recognizing what he saw, the wizard dropped to his knees and bowed,scarcely believing his eyes,with fear quaking in his heart.No mere stone golum, not even a lesser earth elemental,the type that the greatest of wizards summoned on occasion in order to petition for aid.No this was rock and earth incarnate,taking on a strange form, a spirit of creation older then time itself.

"Who comes here, to this place, my abode and disturbs the peace", asked the spirit in a voice which sounded like great boulders in the deep of the earth, being scraped together."It is I, Alphonse of the Istari,simple servant of the balance and forest friend",answered the wizard in a breaking voice."We meant no trespass,great lord",he continued,"as we wandered here accidentally on our quest to find the last clutch of dragon eggs in order to see them hatched and dragonkind again returned to it's rightful place in the skies above".

"I will allow you and your mortal friends passage then",came the great spirit's reply,"but you must do something for me, to earn this boon that I grant to thee." "Anything,great lord, you have but to ask it",spoke the wizard."Take then my words to men, those wise enough to hear and heed this warning,the balance is greatly disturbed by the meddling of man's hand". "Soon the rein of the demented,bumbling, child king over creation will be at an end if this balance is not restored"."Man was granted the crown for a time but not the keys to the kingdom,mankind was never meant to have the wisdom necessary for that"."Now go! for time is short" spoke the spirit a last time. The wizard raised up an pulled a bag from his belt and spoke something unheard. The wagon,horses and all, was sucked up into the mouth of the bag and the wizard ran off down the dusty trail as fast as his old bones would bare.No longer green but now the color of the dust,which still hung in the air,except for the tracts made by the tears which had streamed down his face and into his beard.


Poldugarian Warrior

"Man, that was awesome. Alphonse, he's right the rulers of our lands are corrupt and have ruined this world for long enough. Maybe if we get the last clutch of dragon eggs and gain all the scrolls of knowledge from the dragon guarding the first cave, then we can start a revolution. But, alas, big ideas and small uprisings by  peasants and men at arms are nothing compared to the power and might of the crowns of this world. But, look how well we've done against the undead, and their wizards. Surely we can go up against those in power, and we should do quite well even on a small scale maybe we can change the lives of those in smaller kingdoms. The land wouldn't be wasted for nothing but farming or castles and large manor homes. But, for small cottages owned by peasants whom appreciate the world/nature for what it is. And they wouldn't have to live in the fear of an evil lord, that would take evrythin as tax and give nothin back." Dave said maybe even preached. His beginnings before becoming a royal mercenary/traveller's escort were humble he was a carriage repairman, and he knew the value of a good days work and he knew how it was hard to get by on what was little left after the king took his tax. And that burnt him, up and he always thought there has got to be a better way. That evryone can be equals and live in peace and not be subserviant to one evil lord.

"Dave, you have some fine ideals, and I too would like to see nature looked upon as not merely land to be controlled and made food of for the king, but shared so that evrythin living thing shall be able to prosper and live comfortably. But, that plan is for the future, we still must stay on course for the clutch of eggs, for remember they are the bargaining chip as you would say, but I would say they are the reason we are to get the scrolls of knowledge. And to bring something beautiful into the world." Alphonse said. as they quickly made their way to join the others whom moved up ahead as Dave crouched behind a rock to get a closer look at the earth spirit.

Dave grinned at the "something beutiful" part because he knew most people thought dragons evil and ugly, and so did he for a few years previous to this journey, but he got to know Arthurious and Vandor, and they were good dragons with emotions and thoughts like humans. And they weren't ugly they just looked reptilian. And so he figured it'd be nice to see a cute baby dragon if he got the chance, and he'd hope to see more dragons. And maybe they could help in this revolution he had planned, but then he figured no, the dragons suffered enough we shouldn't bring them into our fight, unless they truly want to help. And with that they all journeyed on. Again, keeping their guard up, but also trying to keep it light with jokes and tales of adventure and folly.

CountessofPhoenix

As they journeyed through this new land a they began to notice scorched marks in the landscape. Not long areas like those of a wildfire, but more like short bursts of fire. After a few minutes Queen Bonnie looked around and said" We must be getting near to our destination. Those marks are the evidence of a great battle with a dragon. Rarely would a dragon have wasted so much energy firing that many bouts of flames unless they were defending their home and offspring."

Not seeing anything that even remotely resembles the mountains that they were expecting the group continued on. Suddenly Martin stops. "By all the saints..." he exclaims. Walking to where he is standing the others approach cautiously not sure what awaits them. The land just drops off. Far below them is a vast valley, green and beautiful, with a river meandering through it. And off into the distance barely visible are a group of craggy mountains, one of which has a small stream of smoke coming from its summit. Looking around themselves they wonder if they have missed one of Vandors marks, for it has been several miles since they had seen one. Surely Vandor would have marked a way down into this Eden like valley, but where?
Countess of Phoenix
Descendant of Celtic Nobility
Designer Extraordinaire
We are only limited by what we can dream

PurpleDragon

As they search for one of Vandors markings, Queen Bonnie's cat Tachi jumps out of his hiding place and runs toward the treeline just at the edge of the cliff.  He stops abruptly and starts sniffing the air.  Dave is quickly on his heels and following the cat as he heads into the small grove. There, lying in the center is their mark, well sort of anyway.  It is Vandor, he is hurt and seems to be only holding his own.  Dave immediately calls for Queen Bonnie and the others.  They all rush into the small grove.  Slowly Vandor speaks to them. 
"A new Dragon is in the area, I have been gone some time so it did not recognize my scent, it must have thought I was here to harm the eggs, or invade my own village which rests on the floor just below this cliff.  I managed to fight it off, but sustained some injuries to myself it would appear."
Queen Bonnie reaches into her pouch and pulls out a stick of root and puts it in Vandors mouth.  "Don't talk, chew this it will speed up the healing process.  Now, we shall continue on down the valley to your village, what will we tell the guards?  Do we mention your name?" Vandor nodded, "Very well,  you rest here and join us when you are able, your wounds are not life-threatening so you should be okay by yourself.  Tachi will stay behind with you just to make sure."
The party follows the direction Vandor points them and begins the descent into the valley toward his village for a night of rest before heading on to the Dragons Cave.
Karl "Dragon" Wolff
The Pirates Cove

Bin Ich SCHLECHT? Ja BIN Ich.

CountessofPhoenix

The buildings in this village almost appear to have been carved right out of the cliff itself. The meandering stream making a loop around the village with only one bridge creating an easily defense for its inhabitants. As a sentry begins coming towards the group the Countess steps up to the front. She speaks to him in a language unknown to the others. After her request the guard steps aside to allow them to pass. As her friends catch up to her she rplies,"Uncle Bacardi taught me the dragon's language when I was a child. He said you should always be able to speak with others in their own tongue;thereby, showing them the proper respect. Said it got him out of more than one bad situation."
Realizing that there were still a lot of things that they didn't know about the Countess, they hoped that someday she would tell more of her story to them.
But for now they were glad she was on their side.
Countess of Phoenix
Descendant of Celtic Nobility
Designer Extraordinaire
We are only limited by what we can dream

Martin Montgomery

Martin stepped forward and with difficulty spoke a few,halting words of the Dragon Language,the sentry's hairless brows raised in surprise and he quickly turned to speak to the Countess. "He WHAT!! her voice cut sharply through the gentle buzz of the groups other conversations. The sentry gripped his ornate spear and rapidly spoke to her looking at Martin with the eyes of a predator. Queen Bonnie edged closer to the big merchant and asked "What in Heavens name did you tell him,Martin?" Looking at the fully armed and ornately armored reptilian warrior,the confused man mentally reviewed his words "My Queen! I merely tried to find out if his village elders would be interested in opening their borders for trade purposes!" Tess explained this to the escort and he began to laugh, well, hiss in short repeating notes that sounded almost musical!! The Countess' tinkling laughter bubled forth seconds later! "My dear Martin!" she giggled "Most of his tribe can understand our language even if they are unable to speak it well ! You should have been sure of how much you do not know concerning a new language! You asked this poor loyal warrior if he would sell his honored ancestors' bones to you to eat!" The  merchant's face darkened and he sputtered "I did not! I was sure that I asked if his village's old fathers would care to take a pot of tea with me and discuss a profitable relationship!" Var sidled up to the embarrassed  merchant and noted " I believe that rose is not the right color for your cheeks,Martin!!" Which only served to make the others laugh that much harder! The guard spoke to Tess and the Countess relayed to the group "He states that the village has lasted for centuries without  Human interactions and he feels that the elders will agree,yet he will be happy to let your true intentions be know to the Honored Elders. Alphonse took him by the arm and walked towards the portcullis gate "Martin,I applaud your exuberance in learning a new form of communication but in the future,m'boy, make sure you are saying what you intend to say!"  The small group of friends followed the Dragonman through the gate and over the swiftly flowing stream. "Until then," He smiled "Speak as little as possible!"
Half the man I used to be!! 
Landshark#79      
Member of Culloden Moor

Alphonse

#10
Entering the gate the party was led through the village to the Council hall, a rather elaborate stone building surprisingly so for the relatively small size of the village."Impressive",spoke the old wizard as he looked over at Martin who endeavored to follow Alphonse's advice, if but for a few moments only.

The merchant simply smiled and rubbed his hands together."Indeed",said the mage with a chuckle,"they are no doubt endowed with some means and likely quite capable of granting a lucrative trade concession to an enterprising merchant such as your self".

"Do yourself a favor, my friend",said Alphonse to Martin. The Trader raised his eyebrows in way of a question, still honoring the wizards advice yet again."When you do decide to make your pitch,remember your ear to tongue ratio"."What do you mean by that?" asked Dave with a puzzled look."The Grand Architect of the Universe granted us but one tongue and two ears, likely with the plan that we should listen twice as much as we speak",replied the old man as he grinned and turned to climb the steps up into the grand hall."Advice I have yet to heed myself,nearly as well as I should", quipped the old wizard to Queen Bonnie in a whisper as she began climbing the stairs beside him.

Poldugarian Warrior

"Sounds good to me, I just always thought maybe we had two ears so if we slept on one we'd still be able to hear someone creeping up on us, or if we were to injure one we'd have a spare. But, your philosophy is probably quite true at least I know from reading the Holy Books it makes perfect sense." Dave said. re-assuring Alphonse that he understood his phrase. And making his way over to Martin and  standing between Alphonse and him and putting his hand upon Martin's shoulder, he said this. "I think your idea of trade with this race would be great profit for us and them, but think deep down do we really want to expose these people to the outside modern world, where they will be exploited by others. I mean they've lived like this for years. I think we should let them be." They continued up the long stairwell which was quite wide for a stairwell, but of course this was their grand hall.

PurpleDragon

As they near the top of the staircase, another guard steps forth and speaks to their escort.  Queen Bonnie is close enough to hear and interprets for the rest of the group.  "They are here to see HIM, but he is not here." "What do you mean they seek him?"  "They mentioned his name at the gate".  "WHAT"...  "NOBODY is supposed to know his name outside these walls".  Queen Bonnie taps their escort on the shoulder "I'm sorry, I did not mean to eavesdrop on your conversation, but who are we not supposed to know?  The only name I mentioned was Vandor when we entered". The look of sheer terror came over the two guards as they chokingly looked around.   The first one leans beckons the group to follow him inside "We shall be able to talk more freely in here".  The group quickly moves into the entryway of the Grand Hall at the top of the Grand Staircase

"M'Lady, The name you speak is of our King and in all honesty he has never been one to be what you would call 'safe' when it comes to his well being and security.  In fact, we have been concerned as he has been gone for quite some time and when that new Dragon appeared we just figured something bad had happened to him or was going to happen to him.  He has as yet not sired an heir to the throne and well, nobody wants the chancellor to become King should King Vandor be shall we say 'dethroned' by some mysterious action resulting in his demise."

"Good Sir,  We knew not that Vandor was a King, he did not identify himself as such.  Had we known that we would not have left him at the top of the cliff in his condition" Queen Bonnie stated.  Those words seemed to strike fear into the guards, one immediately took off and literally flew to the top of the cliff where Vandor was left.  Returning swiftly with his King in his arms, still alive but still in bad shape as his body was badly damaged in his fight and Queen Bonnies magicks could only do so much.

Immediately the group was led to an anti-chamber off the main hall and the Kings personal physician was summoned.  His immediate arrival startled the group and he quickly began working on his King to heal the wounds almost instantly with whatever he was using.  He turned to Queen Bonnie and said "I must commend you,  without your treatments earlier, he surely would have died. Thank you for saving him, we must have him alive and he must soon sire an heir.  The only way for him to do so however is to free his one true love from the spell of the Gorgon, which is why he sought you and your party out while you were in the desert. Only this party of travelers can assist him.  Tell me,  do you still have the swords he purchased?  Those are most important to the completion of this task".
Karl "Dragon" Wolff
The Pirates Cove

Bin Ich SCHLECHT? Ja BIN Ich.

CountessofPhoenix

The Countess steps forward and replies, "The swords that you speak of are in the wagon outside. We made sure that they were safe.  Perhaps while Vandor is resting recovering from his wounds we might persuade you to show us some rooms where we can clean up and rest from our trvels?"
"My lady I am so sorry but the king's arrival has made me forget my manners. Please if you will follow me this way, I will show you to your rooms where you may rest until dinner, when I am sure his highness King Vandor will be pleased to be reunited with you." The first guard obviously flustered says as he leads the party down a side corridor.
As they walked down the hallway they began to look around at this fascinating edifice. The ceilings were embedded with something that reflected the light back at them. The overhead beams were gilded in gold and some of the mosaics of the floor were precious stones. All around them was a wealth that none had ever even imagined, much less seen before. Each of the guests were given a private room and shortly there appeared a servant asking what they might need. Looking around for windows it became apparent that there were none and yet the chambers were cool, air circulated through them and they required little in the way of light to illuminate them. Alphonse was amazed by all that he had seen and could hardly wait for Vandor's explanations about the mysteries there.
Countess of Phoenix
Descendant of Celtic Nobility
Designer Extraordinaire
We are only limited by what we can dream

PurpleDragon

The parties desires were all answered and soon they were all refreshed and feeling much better in a clean change of clothing.  Servants have picked up their soiled garments to have them cleaned and returned as quickly as possible.  Other servants have arrived at each room to escort the guests to dinner in the main hall with Vandor.  "Maybe now, he'll tell us why he kept his true identity a secret" says Dave. 
Countess opened her mouth to correct Dave but decided instead to remain silent and chuckle under her breath "well, he did say it was HIS village".  The party is lead to the main hall down the stairs and seated at a large table where there were already other members of the village seated and waiting the arrival of King Vandor.  They didn't have to wait long before the doors opened and without much pomp and circumstance Vandor walked in, flanked by a guard on each side whom he quickly dispatched to stand outside the room as they were to discuss business that was not for their ears.

"Welcome to my Home friends" Vandor began.  "I do hope you found your accommodations acceptable.  Should you desire anything, please do not hesitate to ask, my servants are your servants for the duration of your stay."  That being said, he motioned for the food to be brought in and the wine to be poured.  Everyone was invited to eat and drink their fill before business would be discussed.
Karl "Dragon" Wolff
The Pirates Cove

Bin Ich SCHLECHT? Ja BIN Ich.