Chapter 21 If You Want to Live a Little; You Have to Get Out of the Library
Character Sparta/Alexandria
Flyn flew his flying fortress of a helicopter through the portal opened by Hadriel to Bad Company's location. Sparta and Alexandria followed him through a moment later and found themselves on the beach to the east of Warfang where Bad Co. two other humans, a green skinned, bearded, fanged hominid and another purple dragon were discussing some topic of great importance in fast, raised voices that sounded like a shouting match was about to break out. The commotion stopped as the blades from Flyn's chopper became fully corporal and a rhythmic thumping started up that seemed to beat in time with their own wing strokes.
"Sounds like we arrived just in time," Sparta rumbled as they came in to land, "Red mind introducing us to your new friends?"
"I know you two," the other larger purple dragon said, "Alexandria sister to Malafor, and Sparta her husband now I guess. I am Orthino first of our order."
"Orthino," Alexandria greeted, "I remember you, what woke you from your vigil... oh right."
"Yeah that would be us," Haggard said, "The other three here are Grishnake, or Grish. He is an Orc-werewolf, Lydia, his vampire wife and Serana another vampire and friend of theirs."
"Hey guys hows it going," Flyn greeted as he and Hadriel exited the helicopter.
"Flyn good to have you back," Preston said.
"Yeah and you too Hadriel," Red added, "You're just in time to help us figure out how to deal with Malafor from the past."
"What," the four of them asked in unison.
"Look we went through a rift in time to stop elementals from coming through and ran in to evil Malafor," Sweets explained, "Now he is sending his army through the same rift that is under Warfang and will come through himself once he gets enough of a force built up under the city. We've already got Chris, Veronica, and Malcolm evacuating the city but we can't just let Malafor take it."
"Agreed," Sparta replied, "So you all were arguing about the plan of attack then."
"We were about to," Serana said sarcastically, "Then you showed up and spoiled all the fun."
"What she means is thanks," Grish added, "We could use some cooler, less fishing deprived heads to sort this mess out."
"Amen," Redford said, "I can't believe we haven't got to go fishing yet."
"If this is the same Malafor that we know only before we met him," Hadriel mused, "Then anything we do will change time and affect the present. For instance if we can convince him to join us and then wait until K comes in to join up with DC then we might be able to recreate this world from the past."
"You mean we would be able to change the events of the past and it would carry over into our present," Orthino said, "Oh... oh that is good. We could have Malafor build up this world instead of tearing it down. Only thing is how far would the changes affect those we know? Would Spyro and Cynder still get together, would K end up here at all, would Malafor join the Primes and show them the deception they were under?"
"I see you've been busy explaining the past to Orthino here," Hadriel commented, "But no the effects would only be in their memories, instead of the one set they have now, they would end up with two sets of memories. Their original and the new ones from our tampering. This world would also be affected because he occupied such a long stretch of its history, but outside of that there will be no adverse side effects."
"Well then it sounds like its about time we turned the tables on my brother," Alexandria said, "You said this rift was underneath Warfang, in the old tunnels?"
"Yeah," Hags confirmed, "Right across a lava moat."
"Well that won't stop him," Sparta said.
"It stopped us," Orthino replied, "Or me at least."
"Yeah but Malafor has always been highly resistant to fire," Alexandria added, "Lava would be a minor annoyance for him."
"So I guess its back to plan A," Sweets said, "Flyn you ready for some fancy flying?"
"Always," Flyn replied.
"Whats plan A," Hadriel asked.
"We crush Malafor to the ground under the chopper," Lydia said, "You think it is big enough?"
"A space ship would be better I think but the helicopter should be heavy enough," Grish replied.
"Bad Co. you guys get with Flyn and man the guns," Sparta said, "Orthino, Alexandria and I will lure Malafor out of the city where you can land on his back. Grish you three look like you can handle yourselves, see if you can't link up with Chris, Ve and Malcolm to hold back the tide of elementals from rampaging through the city."
"On it," Serana said, "Finally something interesting."
"Anyone mind giving us a lift," Grish asked.
"Hop on," Sparta replied, "Lets get Warfang ready for... visitors."
About a half hour later Grishnake and his companions were set up outside the partially collapsed tunnel entrance, Flyn was in the air with Bad Co. on board, Orthino was concealed behind a pile of rubble that had been drug over to help barricade the tunnel, and Sparta and Alexandria were prominently displayed on two buildings that were on either side of the tunnel. Their job was to get Malafor to fly up and out of the city where Flyn could land the chopper on him and drive him to the ground. Once that was done Bad Co. would head back inside and help to keep the elementals out of Warfang with Grish Co., Ve, Chris, and Malcolm's assembled troops. Hadriel was with Orthino and they were to fly up behind Malafor after he was out of the city hopefully giving Flyn the time he needed to land on Malafor.
"Here's hopping that this works," Alexandria thought to Sparta as the sounds of the first elementals leaked through the tunnel entrance.
He just snorted from his perch atop the building to her right, then they both readied themselves to lay down some covering fire until Malafor came through. Malafor was obviously taking a siege breaker approach because the first four elementals to come out of the tunnel were all of the highest caliber and rune enhanced. A fire, ice, earth, and wind elemental, all of them shaped like a cross between a dog and a hominid, but with their bodies constructed out of the element they represented, emerged from the tunnel and were immediately blasted by a combination of spells, arrows and bullets. After the elementals shrugged off the weaker attacks, Alexandria blasted them with her energy breath, breaking down the magic that held them together.
A roar followed by "Impossible!" alerted them that Malafor was near the entrance.
"He knows I'm here now," Alexandria said to warn the others that her attack alerted Malafor to her presence.
"Clear the streets," Grish called from below, signaling for them to take cover behind something while Malafor came out. Chris and Ve would wait until Malafor was in the air before revealing themselves to the elementals, providing the extra power to hold the line in Sparta and Alexandria's absence.
A large purple paw smashed through some of the derbies that was constricting the tunnel entrance and then Malafor was through. The expression of shock then anger then something else passed across his face at the sight of Sparta and Alexandria.
"Hello brother," she greeted before blasting a light spray of energy at him and taking off, with Sparta close behind.
Malafor called his elementals out of the tunnel before following them into the sky. They maneuvered so it would appear to Malafor that he was driving them out of the city, when in-fact they were luring him out. As soon as he passed over the wall in his chase Orthino and Hadriel launched themselves into the air and came up behind him as silent as the void.
"Well hello there," Hadriel called to Malafor who turned around then hovered in place at the shock of seeing the two of them. Then Flyn dropped out of a cloud and landed right on Malafor's back causing the purple dragon to lose his ability to stay aloft. After a short struggle against the weight of the helicopter Malafor loosed a beam of entropic energy at Orthino before gliding to the ground. Orthino dodged the attack and then he and Hadriel joined with Sparta and Alexandria as they landed behind Malafor, who was still trying to throw the massive flying fortress off of his back.
"Calm yourself little one," Orthino said, "We are not here to kill you."
Malafor turned his head so he could see them but could not line up a shot at them, "What trick is this," he asked, "All of you are dead, have been dead for hundreds of years."
"Thousands now actually," Alexandria replied, "You've come forward in time to about the year four-thousand."
"Yeah you were quite the terror until their kid stopped you, and then K recruited you," Haggard interjected.
"Hags weren't you...," Sparta started.
"Yeah but I decided to stay here and talk some sense into Mal here," Hags replied. "Listen big guy, I know its nice and all to be super powerful, heck I can be at times with this old girl," Hags continued as he hefted the Pyrolauncher, "But that don't mean you go to control the world or even hang onto that power all the time. When was the last time you were able to just lay back and enjoy the day without all the fuss of ruling a world?"
"You," Malafor said, "You know me but a me from a different future. Orthino your messing with time here, even I didn't go that far. I just want to recreate this world not the universe."
"Actually your already helping to do that," Hadriel replied, "Right now the future you is out about somewhere helping some friends of ours to save some world somewhere, or at least that is the most likely thing you are doing."
"I'm what," Malafor said, "I won't be soon, that future can't happen now."
"On the contrary it can and does and has," Orthino replied, "I get it now, because the future you helps to create this event both time lines have to exist in parallel otherwise this event wouldn't happen. Why didn't I see that before?"
"Not enough experience with time travel I'd guess," Hags said, "Take a trip with the Doctor and you'll get an ear full about time and such."
Malafor gave a roar as he tried to throw the chopper off of him again with no success. "It seems you have me well and truly stuck. Why don't you just go ahead and finish me off."
"Cause we aren't here to kill you we need your help," Sparta said.
"Good luck with that," Malafor snarled, "Ask all you want I'm not helping you."
"That's why we ain't going to ask," Hags said, "We ain't even going to tell you to help, but ask yourself this, with all the power you've accumulated all the creatures at your beck and call, when was the last time you were happy?"
"This morning when I found that rift," Malafor said quickly.
"Really," Alexandria said as she picked up on Hags approach, "happy or just excited, and what type of excitement was it a joyful kind or and apprehensive kind? Come on brother I know you better than that."
"You need not answer," Hadriel said as Malafor huffed, "I can feel your army retreating back through the rift."
"Damn," Malafor said, "Can't even give in unexpectedly can I, Ow what was that for?"
"That was for cursing," Hadriel said as he retracted his wing tentacle from its strike.
"An angle then," Malafor commented, "I hope you aren't the preachy kind."
"Not really," Flyn called as he took the chopper up off of Malafor's back at Orthino's signal, "I'm usually doing that."
"Besides you won't be around here long enough to listen to any," Sparta said, "Your going back through that rift and will use your command of the creatures of this world to build it up instead of tear it down."
"So that is your plan," Malafor muttered, "Strange as it is I actually am thinking that that might, might mind you, be one of your less retarded ideas."
"Seems people never do change," Sparta said, "You're still the same little dragon your were when we were growing up, then again so am I, just tempered with boring logic and reason."
"Hey and in about two thousand years tell K to drop by and pick us up if he can," Hags said, "It will make sense later."
"You want to go already," Orthino asked.
"Not really but I get nervous when K is out there with out me to watch him," Haggard replied, "He might pass up a good opportunity to blow something up."
"Well Red and I are going fishing then," Orthino said, " Who wants to go, I'm pretty sure that our troubles here are past for now."
"I have never been fishing," Hadriel said, "I would very much like to see how it is done."
Three days later Alexandria, Sparta, Chris, Ve, Orthino, Bad Co., Grish Co., Flyn, Hadriel and even Malcolm were lounging by a lake that had formed in the aftermath of the breaking then rebuilding of their world, which was now filled with towns and cities from Malafor's efforts in the past. The temple was a sprawling complex that connected to Warfang, and there were two other major cities one named Sparta and the other Alexandria, a testament to her brothers enduring change.
"I got one," Redford called as he reeled in a huge fish that was three feet long.
"Careful that's a Pop fish," Sparta warned but he was to late as the fish made a pop sound and a gout of water shot out of its mouth and hit Red in the face. "Well I warned you."
"Thanks," Red said as he wrung his hat out while the others were chuckling at his soggy state, "But I'll have the last laugh, how do these guys cook?"
Character Johnson
What started out as a great defense of the town of Mercy quickly turned into a rout as the millions of burning undead simply surrounded the city. Delta was able to buy enough time to get the residents into the massive carrier but even with the influx of Johnson's other battleships and the remaining ground units the town was lost. They were now hunkered down behind the defenses of the bases that the ACUs had left for them. Johnson and Throon were furiously entering new orders for the robotic systems to implement. Their first concern was the resources but they also had to balance their resource preservation with the defense of the base. The carrier and other ships had re-positioned to the ocean again, safe from the undead hoard for now.
"We need those mounted guns," Throon said, "I don't care how much you think the improved turrets will help having more guns that are mounted on our resource buildings will save more facilities."
"Look we can afford to loose a few outer mining stations," Johnson countered, "Most of our resources are produced withing our defended boarder, which would be even more protective if we improved the turrets first."
"Adding the guns to our already existing factories was a huge bonus," Throon pointed out, "How much more will guns on our resource facilities benefit us?"
"Fine have it your way," Johnson conceded, "Upgrade the facilities."
Throon nodded and entered the orders to the construction matrix. Johnson looked out the window to see nano-clouds envelop the near by resources leaving behind anti air and anti ground turrets on them. Johnson resigned himself to acknowledge that Throon was right, again. The Locust leader had proven his ability and experience time and again as they had coordinated the operation of the bases.
"How many are out there," Throon asked.
"Oh about thirty new turrets," Johnson replied.
"No I mean undead," Throon clarified.
"Oh I've no idea," Johnson said, "Probably billions. We've only seen human undead so far but if it spreads to your peoples' dead then trillions."
Throon nodded again before pressing more buttons, "I'll start work on some bigger guns then."
"That's what I was saying," Johnson commented.
"No I mean some really big ones," Throon said, "I've overridden the protocols for unit design, and we can now order units to be built according to our designs not just the prearranged selection. I've also come across a huge history of filled units that are no longer in use due to... political reasons."
"Here let me see that," Johnson said as he walked over to the circular, holographic, console, "Oh wow, check out some of these units... whoa what is that."
Johnson was pointing to a large, angular, human shaped, unit whit a description of AAC.
"Hmm that is the Advanced Arm Commander, file says the unit was filed as defunct after the Infinite War was resolved with the dissolving of the Core, an opposing force to humanity, home-world and its 'Encoder.'
"Very cryptic," Johnson said, "can we make it?"
"I think so," Throon said, "It uses the same materials that our current structures and units use, but it may take some time to build... unless we drain our reserves and have all our construction units assist in creating it."
"I normally wouldn't agree to that but if we can put those resources to use before the storage facilities are overrun by undead," Johnson contemplated, "Ah blarg it, do it."
Throon pressed the commands to have their construction units assemble the AAC then nodded to Johnson saying, "We may want to watch this it will be the fastest build so far."
They walked out of the land factory that had become their home-base and over to the gantry, the only factory big enough to produce the AAC. Their construction bots were already gathered around the large, square, factory and were streaming in resources with their nano-cloud technology. As Johnson and Throon watched the glowing, skeletal, framework for the AAC lit up the gantry and even stood slightly taller than the hundred foot tall building. As construction progressed the framework was filled in with metal that was arranged into various components by the nanobots. Throon pulled up a hand-held device that he used to monitor the reserves.
"Our metal reserves are doing fine actually but the energy is dropping faster than I expected," Throon said after a moment looking at the display. "We are down to eighty percent of our metal reserves and fifty-five percent of our energy."
"Well looking at the progress made so far I'd say the build is fifty percent complete," Johnson remarked, "Our reserves should outlast it."
The AAC was definitely entering the last half of construction as the outer plating began to cover up the inner workings of the machine, starting at the feet and slowly working its way up to the head over the course of the next ten minutes. Then the construction stopped and the AAC was finished, but it wasn't doing anything. It didn't even move out of the gantry.
"Well that's not good," Johnson said, "How are we going to get it out of the gantry?"
Throon flipped through some displays on his device before answering, "It seems that this unit has to be driven manually. The original creators of this unit had a factory that would allow a person to get into and out of the AAC, a structure that we lack."
"Right then," Johnson said as he tossed a radio ear-bud to Throon, "I'm going up there, you look up how this thing drives and talk me through it."
"Now that's a plan," Throon replied as he clipped the ear-bud next to his 'ear' or the drum that acted like an ear for Locust anyways.
Johnson jumped up to one of the arms of the gantry then to the top of the building then to the head of the AAC. Looking around he saw a door in the back that allowed access to the control center for the unit. Inside was a chair that was surrounded by wires and covered with plugs.
"Throon where do all these wires plug into," Johnson asked, "There is a chair here with more connections than a fancy flat-screen TV."
"Give me a minute to pull up those schematics," Throon replied. The next five were spent wrestling with wires and plugs until all the ports in the command chair were connected. "And that should be the last one. Now this unit looks like it has a telepathic interface so you think what you want it to do and it will react."
"Well that will make piloting it easier," Johnson replied, "Stand back and cross your fingers." He sat down in the chair and immediately the pyramid shaped room lit up with screens, displays, and a view of what was outside. Johnson decided to test this new unit in small increments, like raising the arms up out of the gantry.
"Careful," Throon said through the radio.
Johnson ignored him for the moment as he successfully raised the arms. Next he tried looking around, which also worked just fine.
"Ok I'm going to walk it out of the gantry," Johnson said, "Order the other units out of the area."
"Done," Throon replied, "Go ahead and try it."
Johnson thought about the machine walking forward, out of the gantry, and the AAC walked right out of the gantry and stopped as soon as it was out. Johnson though about walking over to the land factory that they came from and the unit did just that.
"It seems that much of this system is self determining," Johnson said over the radio, "I think I'm going to try and build something with it, got any ideas from those old files you found?"
"Yeah try a Core K-bot lab," Throon replied, "From the data on that unit it can build units from both of the old warring factions."
As soon as Johnson though about building the lab one of the displays pulled up a map of the area with the various buildings that were already in place, as well as information on the resources at its disposal and the build speeds of itself and the lab that it was to build, along with many other figures like the cost in metal and energy for the lab, its overall durability etc. etc. Johnson picked a spot that was towards the coast and the AAC walked that way avoiding any units that came across its path as it went.
"Throon," Johnson said, "This thing... is awesome!"
"Good we could use some awesome," Throon said, "One of our scout aircraft just reported sightings of Locust undead with the Human undead."
"So we have trillions of undead to kill then," Johnson said, "I hope Fenix has found some recruits to train as paladins then. Ok the lab is finished, ah construction bots, I'll order some of those."
Character Ezio
"So your Lyndon," Ezio said as he looked over the lightly, but strategically, armored man who was standing before them. Lyndon had black hair that was cut short, beard stubble and a mustache that came straight out on either side of his rounded nose. His eyes were bright and filled with an experienced spark that told of the many adventures that Lyndon and his nasty looking bow that had a literal windstorm swirling around it, had been on.
"Indeed, indeed," Lyndon said as he ushered Ezio, Leah, Cain, Lil, and Beth inside his home. "And you must be that buyer that Beth here assured me would offer more than the rabble of folks that I usually deal with."
"I certainly hope so," Ezio replied, "How much is the current bid?"
"Five thousand gold," Lyndon said, "I could live very well on five thousand gold, but I'd rather not sell this particular scabbard to the scoundrel that bid on it."
Ezio had turned in the contract for the crazy sorcerer and was rewarded with a seven thousand gold bounty and he was allowed to keep the wand.
"How high do you think this buyer could go if he wanted to," Lil asked.
"Its Nigel," Lyndon said, "He was never a very good thief I'd wager that he probably is betting with all he's got to get this artifact."
"So six thousand gold would trump his bet then," Ezio said.
"Oh yes," Lyndon replied but I can't just sell it to you out right you've got to be present at the auction to out bid anyone else who would be eligible to place a bid."
"Isn't the auction today," Beth asked.
"It is so being there should not be a problem," Lyndon replied follow me and I'll get you into the roster for the bidding."
They left the small, but neatly kept, wooden house of Lyndon's and headed into the stony, rainy, crowded streets of Kingsport. Lyndon guided them with expert precision through the maze of soggy people until they reached a relatively uncrowded area where he ducked into a doorway. Through the door was a small room with a stone floor and timber walls. A man with rudimentary glasses was sitting behind a desk and glanced up at them as they entered.
"Ah more people who want in on your auction is it, Lyndon," The man asked, "Oh Lil, Beth my apologies I did not recognize you at first."
"Hey Gordon," Beth greeted, "Yeah we're just watching its our friend here who is doing the biding."
"Which one, grandpa, the hotty, or whitey," Gordon replied with a laugh.
"That would be whitey," Ezio said as he suppressed the urge to punch the man.
"Whitey it is then," Gordon agreed, "Head on in with Lyndon the rest of you this way."
Ezio followed Lyndon through a set of doors at the back of the room while Gordon led the others through a set of doors behind the desk. He found himself in a large room where tables were set up at regular intervals and were filled with two or three patrons each.
"I'd find a spot to sit if I were you the auction will start soon now that I am here," Lyndon advised before making his way to the stage where the scabbard was displayed behind a protective glass barrier and a magical ward.
Ezio got a seat at a table with a tall, lanky, man and a shorter stockier woman. The woman just nodded to him but the man struck up a conversation.
"You here to bid on that scabbard," the man asked Ezio.
"Possibly," Ezio replied.
"Well be careful," the man added, "Nigel has the highest bet so far and he doesn't take kindly to being out done."
"I'll remember that," Ezio said as Lyndon came out on the stage at the back of the room.
"Welcome everyone to the last day of bidding for the Thieves Guild Auctions," Lyndon announced, "We have even more betters here today so watch your items if you really want them. We will start off with the biggest prize for the day so that those who are here for no other reason can go home after they lose to Nigel's five-thousand gold bet from yesterday!"
That brought out a round of complaints from most of the people who were there and several of them left right then, Ezio however threw in his bid of six-thousand gold.
"Well, well, looks like Nigel has been out done, six-thousand gold from one of the new guys no less," Lyndon continued as he played up the action.
"Seven thousand," Came a reply from a table across the room from Ezio as a skinny but wiry man dropped a bag of gold on the table.
"Crap," Ezio thought, "That's my limit, but I've still got this wand..." "I'll match that and throw in an enchanted wand." Ezio said.
"Oh sweetening the pot with barter as well," Lyndon said, "As the auctioneer and owner of the disputed item that sounds like a mighty nice arrangement, Nigel?"
"I call a duel," Nigel shouted, "I think that wand is just a twig and I'll prove it and its owner are worthless."
"Accepted," Ezio replied.
"Clear the tables then," Lyndon said, "It seems that today might be interesting after all."
A few minutes later and the tables had been moved to the side of the room and the patrons had gathered around the outer edges to watch the duel. Nigel was at one end of the square room fingering a long dagger. Ezio was just standing on his own side waiting for Lyndon to call the fight to a head.
"Go," Lyndon called and the two started moving.
Nigel moved fast, but Ezio started off at a more reserved pace waiting for his lanky opponent to make his first and last move. Ezio, while dangerous in combat was even more dangerous when he was counterattacking. Nigel took his slow approach for a weakness and charged in swinging for Ezio's heart. In a flash the dagger was buried in the ground and both of Ezio's hidden blades had been driven into Nigel's heart and skull. The man died instantly, blood-lust grin still on his face.
"I believe that makes me the winner of the scabbard," Ezio remarked as he looked at Lyndon.
"I... indeed it does," Lyndon replied, "Well we all knew that Nigel was more bark than bite anyway."
Lyndon beckoned Ezio to the stage where he opened the case with a key and handed him the scabbard and took the gold and wand in return. He then whispered, "If you have a moment I'd like to talk to you."
Ezio nodded as he left the stage to join the others in a room above the auction pit. Leah was the first to greet him, Deckard took the scabbard and started to study it with Lil, Beth was still watching the remaining auctions. They were the only ones in the room as after the scabbard had been won the other onlookers left. It was smaller than the auction room but was warmer since the fireplace chimney acted as one of the walls and radiated heat into the chamber.
"That was most impressive," Leah said as they sat down next to Beth.
"I try to make my kills as quick and painless as possible," Ezio replied.
"Yeah but we didn't even see you move," Bethany added, "You were like a flicker."
"That's the result of the last artifact like this that I came across," Ezio said, "Faster than eye reactions."
"Most interesting," Cain muttered from behind them, "I'm going to head over to the library and study this further, I'll meet you all at the inn tonight."
"Be careful uncle," Leah called, "And don't get lost."
"Think he will be ok," Lil asked.
"Yeah," Leah replied, "After the tale we heard about what he has been up to the last twenty years... I'm not worried."
"Ah there you are," Lyndon said as he came in, "What already lost the scabbard?"
"No Cain has it," Ezio replied, "He is studying it."
"Hmmf, Scholars," Lyndon chuckled, "Look after seeing you take Nigel down like that I was wondering if you could help me out."
"So I kill a man and now you fell like telling me your life's problems," Ezio said, "If I can get that gold back from it then continue."
"Deal," Lyndon exclaimed, "Ok the situation is this, I'm not actually in the Thieves Guild cause its what I do, I'm in it cause my brother works, or worked rather in the guard and we were cracking down on the guild. However our last job went bad and now my brother is in jail, accused of being in league with the Guild. You, however, seem to have the skills to get the authorities to release him."
"Sounds like a dirty politician wanted your brother out of the way," Leah remarked, "I'm in if it means we can take out one of those haughty scum."
"Sounds like a better way to pass the time than being drooled over by Gordon over there," Bethany added, "What do you say sis shall we?"
"Most definitely," Lilith replied.
"Ok then," Ezio said, "Lyndon, take us to this jail. Lil, Beth go and get any dirt you can from the guard commander, that should lead us to the higher up who wanted to pin up a good cop."
"Oh so you and Leah can be alone in the jail," Lil laughed, "Don't get to preoccupied down there. We will meet you back at the inn tonight."
"Seems like you've got their attention," Lyndon said as he caught the redness of both their faces, "The only way to get them to stop is to go up a level, just in case you were wondering."
"What we no, that's, I mean," Ezio and Leah sputtered.
"Oh ho, so you do like each other," Lyndon said, "I might want to stick around just to see if those two jokers get it in the end."
"Just take us to this jail," Ezio said, "And get Leah her bow back."
Character Qui-gon Jinn
"There we go," Qui-gon said as the last of the camp was cleared off of Zora's back and the golden dragon rose up out of the pit she was in.
"My thanks little ones," Zora said, "Now I believe your looking for a way to get to K."
"Indeed we are," Gandalf said from Qui-gon's left, "But how could you know of K and the events of the outside world?"
"Through several different means, Storm is one since she has died before, Ace is another, Sparta and Alexandria are two more," Zora replied, "Ace is the only one I can talk with through the energies of the worlds but I can get bits and pieces from the others minds, especially Storm. Its like she knows what I am looking for."
"She probably does," Qui-gon commented, "Your daughter can see through time."
"I wonder, why did you not reveal yourself while DC was here helping us beat back Morgoth's invasion," Legolas asked.
"I was not here at the time," Zora answered, "My body here was still building, and I was helping Ace get ready for when K would arrive."
"Who is Ace," Gimli questioned.
"Another dragon who is dead no longer," Zora said, "Now he is helping K and through him we will know when and where to appear. However we will still need someone who can read that scroll for I can not create the portals that DC uses to travel across time and space."
"So we need to hunt and capture another dragon," Gimli said, "Well that is just great."
"Think of it as a chance to overcome my lead in kills," Legolas said.
"Aye that I will," Gimli replied, "And where is our kingly friend, other than Shadowfax of course."
"Aragorn is remaining at the capital," Gandalf answered, "Even with his heritage, his age is catching up to him, and his son and wife want him there not out here endangering himself."
"I'll miss his strong blade at my back," the dwarf said.
"And what are we then," Qui-gon commented, "My light-saber is as powerful as any blade and Zora here is certainly stronger than any of us."
"Why thank you for the kind words," Zora said.
"Still I know what you mean," Qui-gon finished.
"Well we are wasting daylight," Gandalf stated, "We need to find someone who can read this scroll. I recall Frodo speaking of someone who he met in his travels, one old enough to command the eldest of magic, that lived near the Shire."
"Shall we pay the good Hobbit a visit then," Legolas asked, "It has been to long since we've seen him."
"Is this Shire far from here," Zora asked, "I do not have a good picture of the layout of the lands here."
"Quite far," Gimli said, "We needs venture through Moria to get there fastest."
"Or we could fly," Zora offered, "I seem to recall DC allowing riders on them many times."
"If you'd be willing to let us ride you it would be much appreciated," Qui-gon replied.
"Shadowfax," Gandalf called, "We are flying out of here go on home and lead your kin out of the forest."
Qui-gon and Gandalf's horses neighed and trotted out of the clearing. Zora set one of her legs so the four of them could climb on her. Gimli and Gandalf took the help, Legolas and Qui-gon just jumped up on Zora's back. Zora stood about thirteen feet tall so from her back even the trees seemed less imposing than from the ground.
"Hold on," Zora advised, "The takeoff is the hardest part for passengers."
Qui-gon used the force to hold them on as Zora took off and to keep them warm and breathing as she speed through the upper atmosphere. Communication was difficult at the speed they were traveling but Qui-gon managed to relay Gandalf's directions to Zora by giving her mind pictures of the land and where they were going. On her back they covered a distance that was almost two thirds of their journey from Minas Tirith and arrived at the foothills of the Shire that evening.
"You may want to walk the rest of the way," Gandalf said as they set up camp for the night, "Hobbits are generally gentle folk but if they see a dragon flying over their lands they might not receive you as well, especially the four that we are going to visit."
"Then we will walk," Zora said, "I would not wish to frighten them."
"It seems that the reputation of dragons being these ferocious creatures that would rather eat you as look at you is constantly being disproved," Qui-gon said, "We've seen the prowess that your kind have in battle, yet almost every one of the dragons I've meet have been more gentle and kind than most people."
"Often it is the case that the more power one has the more merciful one ends up," Zora replied.
"Or it could be the other way around," Legolas remarked, "Perhaps the more merciful one acts the more power they accumulate."
"Or the stronger their ax is the less they have to fear from being merciful," Gimli said, "in any case it is a pointless question to ponder when there is sleep to be had." They all had a laugh at that remark, even Gimli, before swiftly taking the dwarf's advice and getting some sleep. The next morning they started the walk through the rolling hills and tall grass of the Shire in spring. As they approached the cultivated lands of the Shire, know as Hobbiton, many of the little folk gave them passing interest before deciding that they didn't want to bother a dragon if it wasn't bothering them.
"Well this is not the most friendly welcome I've received but it is much better than what I had feared," Gandalf said, "Come on Bag End is not far now. If I am right the Hobbits we are looking for should be there, or will be shortly."
"I get the impression that they do everything 'shortly' around here," Qui-gon chuckled. Gandalf smiled, Legolas laughed, Zora purred, and Gimli muttered something derogatory about the 'tall races.' Bag End was a neat little place set into the tallest hill in the area with a door as green as the surrounding grass. Out front sat four hobbits, though two of them looked marginally larger than normal.
While all the Hobbits shared the curly hair that was common for their kind, and the large furry feet, their faces were the defining features of each one. Frodo, as Gandalf introduced them once the Hobbits came running over to greet the wizard, had sparkling, if somewhat care-laden eyes on his semi-angular face and brown hair. Sam had determined eyes that spoke of a warrior's heart and a farmer's demeanor under a mop of sandy hair that sat atop his rounded face. Pippin had jovial eyes and a light brown hair that added to his clownish, but fun demeanor. Merry had eyes that spoke to his practicality yet also held the potential for mischief, his blond-ish hair set him apart from the other three as did his squarer face.
"Gandalf," Frodo greeted as the little man released the wizard from an aggressive bear hug, "Legolas, Gimli, Qui-gon, ha what warrants a visit from you all and in the company of a dragon?"
"Well we actually need to find someone that you four came across in your adventures," Gandalf replied, "A Tom Bombadil, If I recall correctly."
"Aye the spirit in the Old Forest," Pippin said, "I believe he and Goldberry still live near Withywindle river."
"Spirit," Qui-gon questioned, "That sounds old enough to read this scroll."
"Indeed it does," Gandalf replied, "I don't suppose you four are up to showing us to Tom's place?"
"Ha you can't find his house without being lost first," Merry commented, "All our interactions with him were initiated by him, not the other way round."
"I'll go," Pippin said, "There is nothing like getting lost to find adventures."
"Well if it's between wandering around in the woods for a few days or staying here tending potatoes, I'm with Pip," Merry said.
"Well you two have fun," Sam said, "I've got to tend to Rosie and Elanor, and those potatoes if we want to have any chips, mashed, baked or boiled, tatters."
"Not to mention that your the Mayor," Frodo added, "I'll stay here and look after things while you two are gone, maybe stir up some trouble in you names. Gandalf if you all are heading south after your visit to Tom I may join you, it has been some time since I've seen Aragorn or Arwen and it would be nice to travel again."
"We will welcome you gladly," Gimli said, "But first isn't it about lunchtime?"
Qui-gon laughed at that, knowing how much the Hobbits like their meals, as Frodo smiled and invited them inside and warning them to watch their heads.
Character Anders
Anders and Cullen were in the gray, stone chamber that had been the main staging area for their reconstruction of Kirkwall that used to be the Viscount's throne room. Anders was a tall man with blond hair that he kept in a ponytail, white pupil-less eyes, the stubble of a beard, and generally clownish demeanor. He was wearing a blue robe with black fur lining and carried a sword-staff. Cullen had much the same appearance, except his eyes were normal and blue, his hair was cropped short, and he wore heavy armor that was fitting for the Templar.
"We are progressing well," Cullen said, "most of the lower district is completed now, and Azmodan's troops have not been seen since last spring."
"That's what makes me nervous," Anders replied, "Justice still feels the demon is here, and that means that Azmodan is plotting something."
"I just hope that the dark-spawn are not going to start following him like an arch-demon," Cullen said, "Either way we will know soon enough, Sebastian and Vern are on their way back from Amaranthine."
"You know I never really thought that you all would ever let me work with you," Anders said, "Guess ten years of being right about where demons and dark-spawn will attack has made me valuable enough to be tolerated."
Cullen laughed at that remark, "Anders I think we've all grown to actually like you and Justice over the years, even Sebastian. Hey do you know when Marion and DC will be back, we could use a few strong dragons to help rebuild the outlying areas where it is difficult to get men and supplies to."
"Do I know when a bunch of time-traveling dragons and their friends will be back sure," Anders replied with a grin, "Do I know when my wife will get home, not the foggiest idea. Until then I suggest we continue to focus on rebuilding the farms and other supply lines for our cities."
"Agreed," Cullen said as they exited the room to welcome back their old friends.