Chapter 36: A Study of Bronze
The Inn of the Bloody-Handed Swordsman, Southport
"Why did you bring me to this miserable dump?" Aurelius groused quietly.
The pair had moved on after the noon service, travelling up the river until they came to the mouth of the Nyr Dyv and the trading town of Southport that had sprung up around it many years ago. As evening drew close Prometheus had decided to visit the seedier sections of the city which brought them to the inn they were seated in.
"Do keep your voice down." Prometheus sighed quietly as he sipped his watered down ale. "Paladins are not likely to be appreciated here and your tone will not help matters. Was it necessary to remain in that polished mail of yours, you stick out like a sore thumb?"
Aurelius sniffed derisively and then coughed as he inhaled some of the ever-present herb smoke that floated about the room. "Considering the company we are keeping I feel much safer with it on." He remarked caustically.
The skinny and tired-looking waitress brought them their food, tossing it on the table with disinterest before moving on. Aurelius glanced down at the soggy and tired looking vegetables and small portion of meat before sliding it away from him.
"I think not. I doubt even your brother would find this fit to eat."
"Do try to keep your aspersions to yourself." Prometheus replied irritably. "He is not as savage as you seem to think he is."
"Yes, yes, I am very well aware of his intelligence." Aurelius replied with a huff. "So why are we here? Surely we are not for the food unless you enjoy such limp cuisine? I trust this is not a misplaced attempt at evangelization; the patrons here would be better served with a thump to the head rather than hearing about the goodness of Pelor."
"I was hoping to hear some local gossip about what we seek but your unceasing cantankerous tone is making that difficult!" Prometheus whispered heatedly with a glare.
"'Ere, what're you fancy lot doin' inna place like this?" A weaselly-looking man with a pockmarked-face asked in a gruff tone as he ambled over to their table. "You lot lost maybe?"
Aurelius frowned. "I assure you we are right where we wish to be." He replied snidely.
The man laughed jeeringly. "Oh! Lookie-here lads! We gots a highbred in our midst." The man bowed mockingly to Aurelius. "Soo sorry to interrupt your dinner, me lords." He smirked. "But we ain't used to such high folk as you about the place."
Prometheus rested a hand on Aurelius's gauntleted wrist. "We will be leaving soon enough." Prometheus assured the man easily. "Allow us to finish our dinner and we will depart in peace."
The man laughed again. "Oh he's a prince of a talker, ain't 'e? So polite! Maybe we outta show these two what we do for fun round here?" He suggested with a savage grin, glancing at the other patrons nearby who chuckled darkly in response.
~~Don't do anything, I'll handle this.~~ Prometheus stated to Aurelius before he casually stood, the calm smile still on his face as he slowly walked over to the man.
"Come now friend, surely you don't intend my friend and I harm…" Prometheus suggested airily before his boot suddenly lashed out at the man's knee, knocking him off balance. An instant later Prometheus's palm slammed down on the top of the man's head, smashing his chin into the hard wooden table in front of him with a crack.
"Do you?" Prometheus asked coolly, his earlier good cheer gone as he gazed around the room, his gaze sharp.
"No!" The man wheezed, blood oozing from his mouth, the force of the blow having driven his teeth through his lips.
The other patrons stared in shock at the martial prowess of the cleric before quickly turning back to their drinks in the hope of avoiding the man's wrath.
"Good." Prometheus stated firmly, glaring at the man before letting him up. Murmuring a quick prayer to Pelor he healed the man's mouth before releasing him with a stern look. The man stumbled away from them before bolting outside. Nodding to Aurelius to follow him, Prometheus dropped a few coins on the table before leaving.
"Impressive." Aurelius commented quietly. "I might've drawn my sword on them to scare them off."
"Too easy for someone to be seriously injured." Prometheus replied. "It's unlikely they'll call the guards now, considering one of their own was just bested in a fist fight with a cleric."
Aurelius chuckled quietly at the remark.
"Rather late to see two like you out on the docks." Came an elderly voice from nearby.
The two looked over to see an old man in tattered clothes and stringy grey hair hobble towards them. "I'd be headin' on home if I was you. All that white 'n shiny stuff, makes for trouble round here."
"We've noticed." Aurelius replied with a sneer. "The crowd at the inn made that point as well. Do you plan to attack us too?"
The old man scoffed, displaying several missing teeth, the remaining ones yellow. "Please! Do I look like I could hurt either of ya? Snap me in half you could, easy. Just a bit of good advice is all. You two travellin' through?"
"As it happens we are searching for something in the Nyr Dyv." Prometheus replied, looking at the old man with a bit of interest. "Perhaps you've heard of it?"
The man looked at them shrewdly for a moment. "Maybe I have. Been round these parts long enough to see almost anything. But my memory ain't what it use'ta be. Might remember better with a little help." He smiled, rubbing his fingers together invitingly.
Aurelius looked affronted at the idea. "How dare you try to extort money from us!"
"Extort?" The man asked gruffly, glaring at the paladin. "I gotta eat, don't I? Too old to work and no family to help me out! You paladins are all the same!" He spat. "Good enough to slay evil but too stingy to give a coin to a poor old sailor!"
"Fortunately I am a cleric of Pelor." Prometheus interrupted smoothly, reaching into his pocket and extracting a few coins. "These should allow you to eat for a few days at least."
The man grabbed the coins greedily, counting them with a quick, practiced eye before shoving them in a filthy pocket. "Now here's a nice young man who knows how to make a deal." The beggar grinned. "Now then, what might you be wantin' to know about?"
Aurelius fumed at being put in his place indirectly but curbed his anger as he spoke. "We seek a bronze Dragon that is supposed to be living in these parts. Have you heard of him?"
The man's eyes widened in surprise before he gazed at them speculatively. "Now that's somethin' I never expected anyone ta ask." He murmured.
"So you do know where he is!" Aurelius insisted.
"Ahh, I didn't say that now, did I son?" The man asked with a teasing smile and waggling finger. "But I mighta seen him once or twice, here and there. So hard to remember…" He trailed off, glancing at Prometheus significantly.
Rolling his eyes at the man, he took out a few more coins. "Does this help?" He asked with a hint of sarcasm.
"Aye, aye, it's startin' to come back to me now…" The man smiled toothily. "Might I know your names, good sirs?"
"Should you not introduce yourself first?" Aurelius asked archly.
"Heh, he, true, true. Forgetting me manners in me old age. Agar Sure-Hands, at your service. And you?" He offered, holding out his bony hand to shake.
Aurelius looked at it distastefully before reluctantly taking the man's hand. The old man returned it with a grin, his grip surprisingly strong. "Aurelius Besart." He grunted.
"Aurelius…" The man stated thoughtfully, seemingly tasting the name on his tongue before releasing the paladin's hand. "Fine name that. And you?" He asked, turning to Prometheus with his hand outstretched.
Prometheus shook it firmly. "Prometheus of Utopia."
"Really now?" The man asked in pleasant surprise. "Heard about that new city comin' up and all but never thought I'd meet someone from it. Curious name, though; never met someone called Prometheus before."
Prometheus smiled. "I doubt you would have; it's the name of a mythical figure from a faraway land."
The man nodded thoughtfully. "Seemed like an interesting night all around, eh?" He smiled.
"For you perhaps." Aurelius replied a bit rudely. "The Dragon?"
"Ah yes! I think I got somethin' in me shack that can help ye find him. Come on!" He insisted, walking towards a series of ramshackle houses opposite the moorings.
"Do you really want to follow this fool?" Aurelius asked in resignation.
Prometheus shrugged. "I doubt he could hurt either of us. We lose nothing by following him."
"Except a few coins for nothing." Aurelius sighed as he shook his head before the pair followed after the old man.
"Charity is expected for a cleric of Pelor as you well know." Prometheus reminded him idly. "And it is not as if I am hurting for coin; I consider it a good investment either way."
"If you say so." Aurelius replied, unconvinced.
The pair followed the man into the dilapidated single room house where they found him rooting around in a large weathered chest. With a happy cry he extracted a small object from the bottom of the chest, flourishing it as he turned around.
"Met that Dragon once, long time ago now when I was but a lad!" He exclaimed. "Was a deck hand on a ship carryin' water and such about when this big storm came outta nowhere! Cursed of the gods the men said! Suddenly this big wave smashes onto the deck and takes me with it, flung overboard quick as a wink! I'm swimmin' my darnest thinkin' this is it when suddenly this big pair of hands scoops me up! Here I'm thinkin' its some sea monster or such thing come to eat me but instead I see this magnificent Dragon, gleamin' bronze in the thunder-light! Well he smiles all big he does and then says 'Young man, the water is no place for you!'. Well he lifts me back onto the ship he does, easy! And then he gave me this, to remember him!" The man stated with a happy smile as he handed the object to Prometheus. "As if I needs a reminder!" The man chuckled. "Never forgot that day!"
Prometheus took the small sliver of material from the man and examined it before brushing away the dirt and grime that covered it, the object suddenly glittering bronze in the lamplight.
"This is a scale from a bronze Dragon!" Prometheus murmured in excitement, turning the flat scale over in his hands before looking up at the man who grinned even wider.
"Been my lucky charm ever since, it has." He said. "Never did fall into the drink again after that!"
"As exciting as this is, I fail to see how it will help us find him." Aurelius said doubtfully turning to Prometheus. ~~His lair will be well-hidden and I never did see the underwater location where he was placed.~~
The man snorted inelegantly. "And you call yourself a paladin! Don't you clerics have some special magic that kin' find things? I 'member one time…"
"Please, no more stories for this evening!" Aurelius protested quietly, holding up a hand. "I'm sure you have a wealth of information to share but right now it does not help us."
"As it happens we do have a spell such as that." Prometheus stated contemplatively, still looking at the scale. "But it cannot help us to find creatures or people, merely another object like it. Still, the Dragon will have no doubt shed other scales in his time…this may indeed work."
He looked up at the man with a smile. "You have been a great help tonight Agar. Hopefully with this we will be able to find the Dragon. I shall return it to you when we have found him."
The man brushed it aside. "Ahh! Keep it. Served me well, it has, all these years. Mebbe you're needin' some luck, eh?" He grinned.
Prometheus chuckled quietly. "It certainly cannot hurt. Thank you for your gift Agar." He said, inclining his head respectfully to the old man.
"No need to be all formal with me; I'm jus' an old sailor." Agar replied with a smile. "Good luck to the both of ye!"
Aurelius barely bobbing his head in acknowledgement before the two departed. Agar watched them leave from the doorway, a contemplative look on his face. Crossing the wide street the pair of them began to wander amongst the various ships moored there, Prometheus absently twirling the scale in his hand. Finally he stopped, gazing out onto the vast expanse of water.
"Out there somewhere." He murmured to himself before focusing on the scale. "Let us see how well your luck holds."
"Lord Pelor, creator of all that is good," he began softly, "let your power flow through the object I hold. Let it find its kin so that I might uncover that which I seek. Let substance call to substance through the majesty of your power, I pray!" He intoned as he opened the connection to his god and allowed his power to flow from his fingertips into the scale.
The scale began to glow with Pelor's golden light, making it scintillate brightly. Suddenly he felt a pull behind his eyes, causing him to focus automatically on a section of the massive basin several hundred yards out.
"There." He murmured quietly. "Aurelius, fetch us a small unused boat if you would." He requested, his focus still on the spot.
Nodding silently the paladin left his side, returning a few moments later with a small but sturdy wooden row boat. He dragged it along the shoreline before placing it in the water before Prometheus. The two entered the boat silently and Aurelius began to row with powerful strokes, causing the boat to move at a brisk pace as its bow cut through the water. The pull in Prometheus's head began to intensify the further out they got until finally he could almost feel it like a physical force attempting to pull him downwards into the water itself.
"Stop here." He commanded quietly. "We have arrived."
Prometheus immediately jumped over the side with a splash, Aurelius following a moment later, the weight of their clothes and armor allowing them to sink quickly to the bottom of the massive basin.
~~I hope we do not drown.~~ The Dragon mused. ~~I can hold my breath for quite a while but I cannot breathe underwater.~~
~~I have no need to breathe if I do not wish to given my status as a Divine Ascendant.~~ Prometheus replied. ~~The nanites will help with the distribution of oxygen in your body, making transfer more efficient and assist in removing carbon dioxide from your lungs. You will find you can hold your breath longer than you would normally need to.~~
~~As you say.~~ Aurelius replied. ~~Though I have no idea what carbon dioxide is and what it is doing in my lungs. Should I be concerned?~~
~~Later.~~ Prometheus replied with a smile as their feet touched bottom. ~~Now, let us find your brother.~~
Mentally ordering the nanites to adjust his vision into the infrared spectrum, his surroundings became a deep blue with a small blob of orange apparently several hundred feet further down. Switching to x-ray, a simple schematic of the Dragon's underground lair suddenly appeared in his vision fuzzily. Following one of the passageways that led upward he spotted the entry point, hidden amidst a mass of rocks and underwater plants. Beckoning Aurelius to follow him, he moved sluggishly to the massive boulder blocking the entrance. Transforming into his normal draconic form he pressed his paws against the boulder before shoving it aside, revealing a wide square shaft. Focusing on it he could see the depth of the shaft was at least 50 feet deep underground with a passageway extending from it. Confirming there were no spikes or other undesirable elements in or around the shaft waiting to be triggered, he quickly dropped down into it with Aurelius following after him. Once they reached the bottom they quickly discovered a pair of solid stone doors blocking their way. Pulling them open slowly, Prometheus discovered a small room also filled with water with another pair of doors of equal size and strength.
~~Interesting. This room seems to be a kind of primitive airlock chamber to prevent the water from flooding the complex.~~ Prometheus informed Aurelius. ~~We will need to seal the doors shut once inside the room before opening the other pair.~~
Aurelius nodded as the two entered, once again pulling on the doors to shut them before opening the second pair of doors nearby. As Prometheus began to open the doors, slots suddenly slid open beneath their feet, allowing the room to drain. Prometheus paused, waiting for the room to empty before opening the doors fully and stepping through, shutting them once they were past the threshold.
"The entire complex is one massive air pocket." Prometheus mused, as he gazed around in the dim light. Magical lanterns occasionally lit parts of the long corridor but for the most part they were required to make their way in the dark, though their own vision was quite up to the task. "There must be a powerful enchantment in place to keep the air fresh or he would have suffocated centuries ago."
"Powerful magic indeed for it to last this long." Aurelius noted with curiosity. "Perhaps our Lord Himself placed it here to ensure its longevity?"
"Perhaps." Prometheus acknowledged absently as he moved forward down a straight stone hallway. "If Bahamut had a hand in the construction of this place it might also explain how Elidar was able to rescue Agar from the basin's waters."
"How so?" Aurelius asked.
"I am merely speculating, of course." Prometheus stated as they walked. "But it occurs to me that each of you were able to keep abreast of what was going on in the world via your magical constructs. Were these normal arcane spells or did Bahamut grant you them specifically?"
"It was our Lord who placed the enchantment around us and it was He that allowed us to extend our minds beyond our bodies in any form we wished." Aurelius replied. "While we could take on an illusionary form if we desired He allowed us to create solid forms for ourselves in case we came under attack, though we could free ourselves and flee if the threat was dire enough. The only restriction on our forms was distance; we could only travel about a few miles away from where we were interred."
"Elidar would have no way out of this place if it came under siege, given how it was constructed." Prometheus mused. "As I have no reason to doubt your words Bahamut must have allowed him greater freedom in that respect, given the size of the Nyr Dyv."
After several minutes of walking through maze-like and dank stone corridors they finally came to the massive room where Elidar slept. Stepping inside Prometheus examined him briskly. Like the others the Dragon was surrounded by a blue nimbus of light with his ribbed wings wrapped around him, his body the same size as Aurelius's. A crown of spiky crests flared back away from the sides of his face and his snout was beak-like in nature. Stepping forward, they both touched the nimbus at the same time.
~~It has been countless years since someone has entered my resting place.~~ Elidar's baritone voice stated in their minds with idle curiosity. ~~And now, wonder of wonders, two of my kin arrive at the same time. This is obviously more than chance.~~
~~Indeed it is brother!~~ Aurelius replied eagerly. ~~The time to awaken has come. Our hated foes walk the world again in violation of the ancient pact. Our sister Ari has already been awakened as well. Join us!~~
~~If this is so, why did our Lord not awaken me with His own voice as He said he would?~~ Elidar asked.
~~There is no need for Him to expend Himself so.~~ Prometheus replied. ~~I am His Herald, the Divine Ascendant Prometheus.~~
The pair of them could feel the mild shock and surprise through the link. ~~A bold claim indeed, considering the last Ascendant passed into legend countless centuries ago.~~
~~I will vouch for him brother.~~ Aurelius replied. ~~He has proven his power to me and invoked our Lord's name directly to call down divine justice upon him if he spoke falsely about his status but no retribution was visited upon him.~~
~~Never in all of my days did I expect to meet such a Dragon.~~ Elidar breathed quietly in amazement. ~~What is your will Divine Herald? Command me and I shall obey!~~
Prometheus smiled quietly at the strident but humble quality in the Dragon's voice. ~~Aurelius was correct; you are a worthy Dragon indeed. He has spoken highly of you and with good reason it appears. By my right as Herald I command you to awaken and walk the world again!~~
The nimbus of light shattered and the Dragon's eyes snapped open, his pupils the same rich color as his scales. Raising himself upright, the Dragon bowed his head gracefully to Prometheus.
"While I am well within my rights to command you given my status I do not enjoy the forced loyalty that comes with it." Prometheus told him. "If you are willing to be my servant then swear by the oaths I will speak. If you are unwilling, speak now and I will not force them upon you and allow you to go your own way."
The bronze Dragon looked at him owlishly for a moment. "Forgive me, but never in our long history has an Ascendant ever said such a thing. Your request is strange to my ears. Why would I ever be unwilling to follow one such as you? It is a great honor after all."
"He was not raised as other Dragons are." Aurelius replied. "He came from rather…unique and humble beginnings and was raised by humans. Thus he has their humility and mindset as well as an Ascendant's."
"Strange times indeed." Elidar mused before focusing on Prometheus. "Still, if you prefer that I swear loyalty to you of my own will then so be it. I will take your oaths."
Prometheus nodded and rested his paw on the Dragon's crest, allowing his aura to emerge and spill over the Dragon's form.
"Here and now, do you declare your desire to follow me as being of your own will, without any form of coercion being used against you or any being having power over you except that which you have freely allowed in good faith?"
The Dragon nodded. "I follow you by my own will and no others."
Prometheus nodded. "Then do you swear to follow me and obey my commands in all things until I release you from my service, death takes you, or our Lord Bahamut commands you?"
"I do swear!" The Dragon stated firmly.
"Do you swear to obey the laws and statutes of Utopia as laid down by myself as Dragon Emperor and the High Council?" Prometheus asked.
"This too I swear." Elidar stated firmly.
"And do you swear to uphold the tenets of the Light always, protecting the innocent, aiding the weak, and bringing to justice those who would do evil?"
"Always!" The Dragon avowed firmly, a passionate light in his eyes.
"By the power invested in me by Bahamut, the Lord of the North Wind and master of all Metallic Dragons, in harmony with Pelor the Lord of Light, I hereby commit you to my service and my cause!" Prometheus cried in his powerful voice. "In return, I swear to guide you and protect you as a father does a son! Fealty and service I reward! Love and trust I freely give! Receive my boon Elidar and rise!"
Breathing on the Dragon, the golden nanites quickly infused themselves beneath his scales.
Elidar sat up proudly, a smile on his face. "It has been too long since I worked alongside my kin to aid the mortals and destroy that which is evil. I am grateful you are allowing me the chance to do so again, Divine Ascendant."
Prometheus smiled. "It is I who am grateful to bring another of my kin back to the waking world. I am Prometheus, Dragon Emperor of Utopia, servant of Pelor, and Herald of Bahamut."
"I am Elidar Sendor, servant of the Light and Sacred Warder of Bahamut." The Dragon stated proudly.
"Indeed?" Prometheus asked in surprise. "From what I know of the wars not many bronze Dragons became such."
Elidar nodded. "It is a bit unusual but certainly not rare. We worked well together as a team with my clerical powers and sacred shield a powerful contrast to Aurelius's arcane abilities. I was not at Ari's level certainly but I was able to save some of my brothers and sisters on the field before we could get them to her."
"I have no doubt your skills will be useful in the future just as Aurelius's will be." Prometheus stated, giving a nod to Aurelius. "For now, let us leave this place for there is still much to do."
Elidar nodded as he stretched out his wings and body with a sigh, shaking himself and loosening his stiff muscles. Prometheus idly noticed a few scales lying underneath his body as well as one or two that flaked off in the shake, making him smile as he fingered the scale in his pocket.
"Surprising that the old man was actually helpful." Aurelius commented idly as the trio began to make their way back through the corridors.
"I had no doubt that Agar would be." Prometheus replied simply.
"Agar?" Elidar asked. "You've met the young man then?"
Prometheus chuckled. "He is not so young anymore, I doubt you would recognize him now, but yes, he gave us the scale you imparted to him that day when you saved him from the basin's waters."
Elidar smiled. "Nice to know he kept it all these years."
"I am a bit surprised you continued to use your normal form when sending out your double." Prometheus stated.
"For the most part I have kept to a human form when moving about the towns." Elidar replied. "My dragon form I keep isolated to the waters. The basin traders probably think I am some sort of sea monster." He mused with a smile.
"And what is your human form then?" Aurelius asked in idle curiosity as they walked.
"Wait a moment and you will see." Elidar replied.
They stopped, turning around as the bronze Dragon began to shift his form. Rising up on his hind legs his body quickly shrunk down, his scales seemingly flowing under newly formed skin as his draconic features gave way to a human face and head. When the transformation was completed, a young man in his early twenties stood before them. His body was perfectly tanned and his face was just slightly rounded, giving him the look of a gentle but roguish man. His cheeks and chin were covered with faint stubble and his soft brown hair flowed like a curtain down to his shoulders, matched by his gentle eyes of the same color. His chest and back were uncovered, revealing a superbly muscled body while his legs were clad in a pair of dull brown pants.
Prometheus looked at him with a bit of curiosity. "Something tells me you are forced to fend off quite a few feminine advances with such an aspect as that."
Elidar chuckled, exposing his perfectly white and straight teeth. "I will not deny that." He replied, his voice still a smooth baritone.
Aurelius snickered quietly. "Will we be able to tend to our business when we reach Southport or will we be forced to fend off mobs of desperate mortal women?" He teased.
Elidar raised a slim brown eyebrow and smirked. "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful."
Prometheus laughed at the banter before motioning them onward. "I am glad to hear the two of you have worked together as squad mates; all you will need is a brief period of adjustment to learn new tactics and weapons. Have either of you led others in battle before?"
"Aurelius was always more of a front-liner." Elidar recalled. "He did not have the patience to stand back and analyze situations before giving orders; he much preferred being in the thick of things."
"I prefer to smite evil as quickly and directly as I can instead of just giving orders and hoping it is done right. If you recall my number of kills was rather higher than yours." Aurelius remarked.
Elidar glanced at him blandly before continuing. "I have led squads of Dragons before on a few assaults. I would not consider myself a master strategist but I have been told I have a mind for tactics and am a decent squad leader."
Prometheus nodded. "All of these qualities will be useful in the coming days. It saddens me to tell you that we will soon be in the thick of things once more. The dark gods are in collusion with Tiamet and her spawn; they are trying to obtain a war host from the armies of Baator. If they are successful all of Oerth may soon be under siege from demonic forces."
Elidar frowned. "A dangerous ploy indeed. Never have I heard of such a thing being done before."
"I believe the gods have become desperate in their desire for domination." Prometheus admitted heavily as they came to the massive pair of doors that held back the Nyr Dyv above. "They have already broken several of the ancient celestial laws that forbid such direct interference and the Chromatics have broken the pact of non-interference that forces them to remain hidden from mortals. I believe they are willing to risk everything for one last chance to destroy the mortal realm and displace the other gods."
Elidar shook his head. "They have gone mad if they think such a thing is possible. Are not the other gods aiding us in this? Surely Bahamut—"
"The gods are no doubt helping us but their help is subtle; they cannot break the laws even if the dark gods dare to do so." Prometheus replied as he opened the massive stone slabs. "I have a feeling there is more to it than that but even I do not know everything."
"And so we must do the best we can with what we have available." Elidar mused as they stepped into the room.
"True." Prometheus stated as he shut the doors before moving to the other pair. "I do have a large army at my disposal and I will soon be working with the other kingdoms to inform them of this threat, assuming the gods have not done so already through their other agents. We may yet weather this but I fear Utopia, Veluna, and possibly the Theocracy of the Pale will bear the brunt of their forces as we are the gods' most zealous and strongest forces in this world. The rest of the kingdoms have had to deal with several years of stress and strain because of the previous wars; they may have had a few years to recover but I fear they will not be at their full strength when the dam breaks."
Saying so he pulled the doors open, allowing the waters to flood the room before they made their way up the long shaft and up to the surface. Moving to the boat they carefully boarded it before rowing back to shore, Prometheus providing them with warming spells to help dry them.
Aurelius, who had been strangely silent during the conversation, finally spoke up, his demeanor serious. "And this is why you work unceasingly." He stated quietly, gazing at Prometheus. "You bear the fate of the world on your shoulders. More and more I feel like a fool for what I have done in recent days. I have done nothing but hinder you and your great work." His head lowered a bit in shame, his gaze fixed on the bottom of the boat.
"Aurelius." Prometheus said softly, making the Dragon raise his head. "You are not a hindrance to me and you have already apologized. Yes, you have angered me in the past but do not hold fast to such guilt for I have absolved you of it. You did not know the full extent of the situation but now you do. Even now you are becoming what I hoped you would, a mature and graceful Dragon worthy to stand at my side. Do not feel shame for your past; learn from it and grow." He stated gently.
Aurelius nodded his face still solemn but the guilt in his eyes slowly bled away, revealing a hard resolve. Prometheus smiled at Aurelius warmly upon seeing the change as they slowly came to shore.
Upon getting out of the boat and stowing it again Prometheus turned to the two of them. "All is not yet lost." He told them quietly. "I do not bear the entire weight of this terrible war upon my shoulders. As Overking Xavener reminded me some time ago, I am not the only force for good in this world and it is these forces we must rouse if we are to weather the coming storm. And that is why I need all of you."
The Emperor paused for a moment before turning to Aurelius and resting a hand on his shoulder, gripping it firmly, his face serious. "You now know the threat we face and the consequences if we should fail. With this in mind, are you willing to do whatever task I give you, no matter how menial or trivial it may seem?"
"Yes, my Lord!" He swore softly as his hand gripped Prometheus's own.
Prometheus nodded. "Good. Then return to Mitrik in Veluna and speak of what we face to the ArchCleric. Impress upon him what must be done. He is a wise and shrewd man, he will listen to reason."
Aurelius nodded firmly. "I shall go this very moment if you wish it."
"Remember," Prometheus cautioned, "Do not display yourself openly in your Dragon form and above all, show restraint; the church hierarchy is very protective of the ArchCleric in Mitrik. Your status as my emissary and the fact that you are a golden Dragon will go a long way but should they decide to stonewall you, you will never see him and we cannot afford the delay. Remember that you are my servant, not my sword arm and you do not speak for me." He concluded sternly.
Aurelius nodded silently. "I will restrain myself."
Prometheus smiled fondly. "You are growing into a fine young Dragon Aurelius, I am proud of you and you will make me prouder still when you complete your mission successfully."
Aurelius smiled widely for a moment, his eyes alight before he restrained himself, clearing his throat quietly. "With my Emperor's permission I will depart."
Prometheus nodded. "Return to Utopia when you have finished your mission."
Focusing his powers, Aurelius nodded before becoming surrounded in a nimbus of blue light; a moment later he vanished in a flash. After a moment of silent contemplation on where Aurelius had stood, Elidar turned to Prometheus, his face slightly apprehensive.
"I would never disagree with you in front of my brother or anyone else, your Eminence." Elidar stated quietly. "But in this case I do worry you have made an error in judgment sending him on a mission like this. Diplomacy was never something he was good at in any way."
Prometheus smiled quietly at Elidar's concern. "Ah but I do not require him to be a diplomat." He said comfortingly. "The ArchCleric knows me and he knows I would not send someone to him on a matter that was not important. So long as Aurelius keeps himself under control he will be able to speak with the ArchCleric and notify him of what is happening. Of course, Rao, the god he serves, may have already informed him of what is going on. But either way, Harfell will be informed and Aurelius will have completed his first mission for me. It will no doubt go a long way to boost his confidence in himself."
"Over-confidence has always been his weakness." Elidar pointed out.
"True, but recent events have shaken him and forced him to re-evaluate himself." Prometheus replied. "This will give him the confidence he needs without returning his head to its previously over-inflated size. He desires to prove himself worthy of my trust and this is precisely what will give him that confidence. Do not worry my friend," he smiled gently at Elidar, "I know exactly what I am doing."
Elidar inclined his head respectfully. "Forgive me for doubting you my Emperor."
"A small amount of doubt is no sin Elidar, for even I cannot see everything and I wish for my servants to think for themselves. Tell me of them should you have them and I will assuage them or consider your words. All I ask is that you have faith in me." Prometheus told him.
Elidar nodded. "I do, my Emperor. What is your will for me?"
"Go to King Thrommel of Furyondy." He instructed. "His kingdom lies just to the west and his palace is in Chendl. Present yourself to him on my behalf and tell him of what is to come. You should not have much issue in convincing him, he is a righteous man and an ally of Veluna. In the meantime, I will speak with the King of Nyrond and try to gain his support. Send me word when you have completed your task and I will retrieve you; Utopia is quite a distance and you will need me to teleport you through the wards."
"As my Emperor commands." Elidar replied firmly before he took a step back.
A moment's concentration and they were gone; the only sign of their presence the slowly eroding footprints in the sand.