Most Honored Draconic Creature

- "There is this one matter though," Peri said in a pensive tone. "It will take some time for the beast to reach Shou Lung, but it is advancing all the time. And we are gods know where and we should a, go to Kozakura somehow, and b, convince the guys there that we have not just popped too many dried mushrooms."

- "I would suggest praying for aid from the T'ien Lung, the Celestial dragon lords," Tokuri said.

- "Could you do that?" Peri asked. "Seeing as we are not familiar with those guys."

The ghost knelt and spoke serenely.

- "This humble servant of the Isle of Thousand Pines wishes the attention of the greatest servants of the Celestial Court," he recited. "This servant has been bested in combat by a rishi come from barbarian lands. As bound by the penance of the wise Celestial Ones, this servant has offered him his aid, and would need a more powerful servant to continue, as whole the Kara-Tur is in danger."

His tone puzzled Imoen, so subdued, so monotonous, as if reading an extremely boring paper of everyday information. She guessed that these Kara-Turans were not much for displaying emotion openly.

The dark night shimmered, and a magnificent creature ascended from nowhere. It was easily as large as the dragons the group had fought in Faerun, but it didn't look the same. It was the kind the Shou painted everywhere - it's body long and serpentine. It's scales were bright gold, and it had a mane glowing in the colors of rainbow.

The dragon regarded the group from its heights, Sarevok defiantly glaring back. He was damned if a mere dragon thought it could intimidate him.

- "I have arrived, for this traveler," the dragon said in its eerie voice, indicating Sarevok, "is the prophesied one, Yogenii Wan. I have arrived, for his fate is essential to Kara-Tur's fate. Tell me what you need, rishi."

- "I need to get to Kozakura soon as possible. A creature known as Kusatte Iru is afoot."

- "We are aware. We are preparing for a war in the spiritual remains. But in Ningen-Do, it is not for us to interfere. You I will help because of the boon you won by defeating the curse of the island." Eerie, serene, collected, indifferent.

- "A minor point here," Peri said irritably. "I kinda got the impression that this Kusatte Iru could in turn unleash something otherwise known as First Oni... and that could destroy the whole Kara-Tur. Wouldn't it destroy you as well, and your draconic pals?"

- "If that is to be, then that is to be. Our duty is to guard the spiritual realms. It is the duty of mortals to guard this one."

Peri frowned, seemingly ready to argue some more, but Winski tugged her sleeve.

- "Most honored draconic creature, for want of better expression," he said, "if that is the case, would you consider escorting us to Kozakura?"

- "That can be done," the dragon nodded. "I can fly you on my back. I will take you to the capital Dojyu, but that is the extent of my interference."

- "Well thanks a lot," Peri muttered, but didn't exactly address the dragon.

- "Whom should we talk to?" Jelena tried.

- "Whomever you would deem likely to be able to help."

- "You know, you are really helpful," Peri said. "Could you at least tell us more about this First Oni."

- "The First Oni is the Nemesis of the very existence. He is wickedness and corruption incarnate, the father of all the oni. He can not be defeated by an army, magical weapon, or magical tricks. In the beginning of times, he was put asleep after he spawned all the lesser oni to plague mankind. And if he awakens, only a bushi with an honorable soul, in a single duel held in the magical realm can destroy him. For everything else he has in abundance, but no shred of selflessness of an honorable soul."

- "But is nastybad if loses," Cespenar said and glanced fearfully at Sarevok.

- "What do you mean by that, Cesp?" Imoen asked.

- "Then warrior nevernever die or go anywhere but just AAAAGH!" the imp shrieked.

- "Just... 'aaaagh'," Sarevok said, looking at him blankly.

- "What the creature refers to is that should a bushi dueling the First Oni be defeated, his soul will forever be in horrible pain, knowing all the evil and wicked running through the First Oni's twisted soul, never to be released in oblivion."

- "So I suppose there will be no queue of volunteers," Peri smirked. "Hm, what a strange coincidence that someone is trying to wake this First Oni up just as we are traveling to Kozakura."

- "Take us to Dojyu immediately," Sarevok said. "This can not wait."

- "Very well. Climb on."

- "Just a minute," Sarevok said, glancing at the ghost of Tokuri. "I urge you to free this soul from his penance. He kept his word, and helped us a lot."

- "He is a betrayer. His fate is of no concern," the dragon said indifferently.

Sarevok's face tightened, his eyes sparking.

- "I say he will be released or I will find out just how much harder the oriental dragons are to kill than the ones we have encountered before!"

Winski moaned and looked down, but the dragon still seemed indifferent.

- "Very well. That can be a part of your boon. Be dismissed to Meido, then, spirit."

And his obsidian face smiling in relief Tokuri faded away, and was gone.