AN: The world of Exile/Avernum belongs to Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software. In particular, Formello and the previously introduced persons, the dragon Motrax, Ko, Marian, and Leith. Persons and places belonging to the game will be put back unharmed when I'm done.
Leaving the fortress by the back entrance seemed the wisest course, and so the companions returned to the narrow ledge along the riverside where they had fought the nephilim beside campfires. Those fires had guttered to nothingness during the time that they had been within the fortress, and only the hazy smoke remained, thick against the fungal light like a smog that would not clear.
"I think we're pretty well protected here," said Ansel. "Why don't we set up camp, and then start the return journey to Formello when we're fresh?"
"I don't know," said Brynja, looking back at the blank wall that concealed the way into the fortress. "What if they come back?"
"There's still our alarm," said Jynx. "And we did get rather banged up in there. I'd rather rest here, and then work on getting back--I mean, what if we meet these other nephilim that don't know what we've done yet on our way--while we're still half-dead from exhaustion?"
"Oh, all right," said Brynja, "set your alarm about--just thought I'd suggest something else."
"It's not entirely without merit," said Brother Theo, "but resting now will enable us to be better prepared if there is trouble. At least, we'll be able to have a little more choice about the timing."
"You know, if it's all the same to you," said Brynja, "I'd rather camp on the other side of that blank wall."
"Then our only warning would be when the cat heads come through," objected Jynx. "This way, we'll stand a chance of seeing them coming even before they trip the alarm."
After further discussion, Jynx's idea seemed to persuade the others, and so she set her alarm around a camp perimeter, and they made their camp. The next day, they began their journey back to Formello, twice encountering small bands of nephilim who were easily overcome, but the journey was otherwise uneventful.
The oasis of peace in these caves, the settled land of Formello, rose in front of them at last, and passing by guards whose faces revealed a curiosity, but other than asking them to bind their weapons, they were given little pause on their entry, the companions made their way directly for the mayor's office.
The mayor was still quite fidgety as she sat in her chair, rapidly flipping through the papers on the table next to her, though she looked up as the group entered the room.
"We found this necklace in the nephilim fort," said Ansel. "Is it yours?"
Evelyn looked at the necklace, and made an expression of great distaste, then said, "That tacky thing? No, that isn't it. Not at all. My necklace is much nicer."
"Well actually, we found several gold necklaces," said Ansel, "maybe this one is it?"
Evelyn took the necklace, with a gesture of seeming reverence. "At last. It returns to me," she said, and she put it on. Almost immediately, a near palpable aura of authority and power enveloped her. "You deserve a lavish reward for this."
She clapped her hands, and one of the guardsmen went into a side room and returned with a sword and token.
"This token will get you into the Castle in the Great Cave," said Evelyn, handing both items to Ansel. "There you can meet with the great King Micah. The sword is very powerful. Take both, with my blessing."
"Is there anything else we can do for you?" asked Ansel.
Looking thoughtful for a moment, Evelyn said, "Sadly, no, I think not. Well, you can kill nephilim and hunt bandits and such, but there is no specific mission you can do for me. Sorry about that. Good luck to you."
Finding their audience had drawn to a close, they left the office and returned to the inn to rest.
While eating in the inn, Ansel looked to his companions, and said, "Well, where should we go after this?"
"I don't know," said Jynx, "but I would rather like to meet this Motrax I've been hearing people talk about."
"It would be rather interesting," said Brother Theo, "and I think that Mother Claudette had mentioned something about that history--even if Motrax doesn't have it, such an ancient being may have information that she would find useful."
"Great," said Ansel, "then we'll go see this dragon--that's decided. Hey, Gad--another round of ale over here."
It had taken a full day of travel through the caves before reaching the cave in which Motrax dwelled. A sign post stood, reading: "The Cave of Motrax. Report to barracks before entering. Do not unnecessarily disturb the dragon."
Almost automatically, Ansel had started past the sign, and then walked back to the sign they had just passed and looked at it again. He rubbed his eyes, as though expecting it to change.
"Your eyes don't deceive you," said Jynx, grinning, "It said what you thought it said--a dragon lives here. A dragon named Motrax." She smiled--before coming to Avernum, she had thought there were no dragons still in the world. The Empire tried hard to slaughter them all, just like they wiped out every other magical creature on the surface--everything from gremlins to gryphons. She felt a strange feeling--a mixture of fear and elation--at the confirmation that dragons still existed. True, dragons could be sinister, deadly, avaricious creatures, seldom to be trusted, thought Jynx, but still--just seems that the world would be a much poorer place without them.
Beyond this sign, signs stood outside the two buildings to opposite sides of the path--one on the right proclaiming "Guest Quarters," while the one on the left read "Barracks".
"No need to get off on the wrong foot," said Ansel, turning left.
Opening the door, they saw a skinny man bulked out by a nice steel armor, walking around in almost manic manner.
"Uh, hi," said Ansel. "Is this where I need to report before entering further?"
"Yup, I greet visitors to the cave. Name's Ko," he said, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "I also guard things I need to be guarding."
"Well, we're visitors," said Ansel.
Almost visibly quivering with happiness, Ko recited, "All visitors are welcomed to the cave of Motrax, to greet the ancient one, to teach and learn. The rules are simple: stay on the rock path, and behave."
"What rock path?" asked Duncan.
"Oh, well, we cleaned it up a lot," said Ko. "I guess there's no path there anymore, really. Well, just only walk between here and the lair of the dragon. Don't take any side passages, or you'll end up really regretting it. Remember that. Directly here to the dragon, and directly back, or it's not safe."
"Why should we stay on the path?" said Brynja.
"When visiting Motrax, go north through the main cave. He'll be in the second cave in. He throws trash into the tunnels to the west, and lives in the tunnels to the east," said Ko. "I recommend against going into his home. He probably wouldn't like it. And he has some nasty fire lizard pets who live off his trash. They're quite nasty."
"So," said Jynx, politely, "do you like all this guarding business?"
"It's a dull job," replied Ko, straightening up. "With Motrax around, only a fool would cause trouble. I mainly greet people, and take care of my cats."
"You have cats here?" said Jynx, remembering all the cats she had had on the surface. "Where are they?"
"Sure, they go with me wherever I'm stationed," replied Ko. "Delta and Epsilon are their names. They should be in the caves. Motrax loves them."
"Delta and Epsilon?" said Ansel. "Aren't those strange names?"
"Got them from Motrax," said Ko, looking happy again. "I heard him mumbling something about something, and it involved a lot of weird letters and the words delta and epsilon. And I liked them. So I named my cats after them. Makes sense, huh?"
"Guess so," said Ansel. "Well, thanks for greeting us and all."
"If you need to rest, go across the way," said Ko. "We've got spare chambers for guests."
"Thank you," replied Jynx, and they made their way across to the other building.
Within this building, a large chamber was set up with a table and a number of chairs. Sitting at one chair was a woman in long, sparkling robes--while made of the same rough cloth that seemed common in Avernum, there were silver threads woven through it which made the garment glitter in the dim light of Avernum. She displayed a constant smile and seemingly boundless energy.
"Have you been in these caves long?" asked Brynja.
"I've been here for a year now, conversing with, teaching, and learning from Motrax," she replied.
"What do you know of Motrax?" asked Jynx.
"He is the ancient dragon of the cave," replied Marian. "He knows so much of all the Avernum tunnels, and of the races in them."
"Are you researching the tunnels for a reason?" asked Jynx.
"I hope, one day, to plumb into his memory and find knowledge of a tunnel to the surface world. Then I can escape this horrid pit," she said, looking at Jynx slyly. "And maybe take the captain with me."
"Which captain?" asked Rudel.
With an even broader grin she replied, "Ko's the captain here. If I left, I'd have to take him with. He's good to have around."
Rudel had drifted off, toward a tall, thin man with a long beard. Although clearly old and somewhat frail, he seemed to be emanating great power.
"So, what occupies your time here?" asked Rudel.
"I grow old," he replied. "And I learn from the dragon. Name is Leith, by the by."
"Rudel here," he replied, "Do you know the dragon well?"
"We understand each other. Although when he had reached my age, he was still but an infant," replied Leith. "I still find that we think surprisingly alike. And one day he will mourn me."
"Will he really mourn your passing?" asked Duncan.
With a solemn nod, Leith replied, "Yes. It gives my spirit great comfort to know it will be mourned by something so ancient."
Catching the sound of Leith's name, Jynx joined in the conversation, asking, "Do you know anything about a magical flying sphere?"
"Sphere? Oh! You must mean Thralni's Orb. It was brought down here by the first visitors long ago. Years I spent trying to find it, knowing the gift of flight might help me escape. But I never did, and eventually gave up. I never could find it," replied Leith. "Hmm. I did find out that Thralni met his end while navigating the water maze."
"Tell me about this maze?" said Jynx.
"It's a bizarre mess of waterfalls, to the west of the Slithzerikai lands. Very dangerous and difficult to explore. I read an account that he went in, hoping to use the orb to save himself from disaster, and never came out again," he said, then looked shrewdly at the group. "To get there, take a boat to Fort Dranlon and sail west. Then keep sailing west, far past the slith fortresses."
"Thank you," said Jynx. "Good day to you."
After spending a night in the guest quarters, the group made their way in the morning to visit Motrax, traveling the direct route as instructed. At last, they reached a stone platform that looked recently built. Upon this platform as a dragon--green with reddish highlights. The dull color of his skin and the cracks in his wings suggested that he was of immense age, and he stared at the group with frighteningly wise eyes.
"What are you?" burst Ansel.
The dragon sighed, and a small wisp of flame came out of his nose. "I am an ancient dragon, long past my prime," he replied. "I do not roam these caves and hunt anymore, but instead devote myself to scholarly pursuits and playing with my cats."
The rich and deep voice of the dragon was so mellifluous that Jynx found herself having to concentrate to avoid becoming hypnotized. "How do you devote yourself to scholarly pursuits down here/" she asked?
"I have humans come here, and I learn of their ways and of the land above ground. I would like to visit. Alas, your leaders would no doubt cast me below again, at best," replied Motrax, chuckling smokily. "I like you humans. Despite our first meeting."
"What happened at the first meeting?" asked Jynx.
"I met some of those in the First Visitation," replied Motrax.
"What is this First Visitation?" asked Ansel.
His head reared back in surprise. "You haven't learned of the Visitation yet? When those above, in the Empire, found these caves, they sent a large force below, led by a small group of powerful adventurers, bearing much powerful magic," said Motrax. "The sorry band hoped to subdue those of us in the underworld. They were arrogant. They were stupid. And they were slaughtered."
"How were they slaughtered?" asked Rudel.
"In many different ways. A group of them came here, fleeing a band of sliths. They dared to demand that I help them. I refused," replied Motrax, and he chuckled. "They attacked. I slew them, and cast aside their paltry treasures. Another band came, humbly this time, asking for sanctuary. I refused them, though they offered a bribe."
"What was this second band's bribe?" asked Jynx.
"A stone key, which they said they found somewhere far to the west," replied Motrax. "I was so enraged by their attack that I threw them out, and their trinket with them. They can't have gotten far before the sliths got them. They went southeast."
"What happened to their treasure?" asked Brynja.
"My leftovers go to my pets--stupid, smaller cousins, who live down the tunnel to the west. I recall giving their trinkets to my pets to play with," replied Motrax. "You know, those trinkets are probably still there, even after all those years. You may take them, if you want. Be careful, though. My pets anger easily."
"I thought Empire had killed all the dragons," said Brother Theo, looking at Motrax with awe.
"I have been down here for centuries, long before the Empire commenced their savage genocide against my kind," replied Motrax.
"Someone in Formello wanted us to find a certain scroll on religious history," said Brother Theo, "and thought that you might have it."
"Ahhh. Well, I can see why you would ask me, but I am not half the historian some of you humans think I am," replied Motrax. "The dragon Khoth, far to the west, is the collector of magical tomes of all sorts. You should ask him for his help."
"Do you know anything about a sphere?" asked Ansel.
"One of the first visitors brought a sphere that allowed flight," replied Motrax. "His name was Thralni. I've been trying to find out more, but have had no luck."
"How old are you?" asked Duncan.
"A thousand years I have been alive. I hope for a thousand more. But they will be quiet years," said Motrax, "filled with contemplation, not battle."
"Have you fought many battles?" asked Ansel.
"Yes, I have fought numerous battles. With Slithzerikai. With humans. And with my brothers," replied Motrax.
"Where are your brothers now?" asked Jynx.
"I call the other dragons in these caves my brothers, but don't be mistaken," said Motrax. "We are not hatched from like broods. And we are not all males of the species."
"Are there many other dragons?" asked Jynx.
"There are five of them living in these caves. Myself. Reclusive Athron. Cruel Pyrog. Wise Khoth. And Sulfras, strongest of them all," replied Motrax, and he sighed. "They are all young, compared to me. We are estranged. I prefer not to speak of them."
"What was your battle with the slithzerikai like?" asked Duncan.
"They are my brothers in cold blood, but in no other way. There are many of them who are kind and wise, but the slithzerikai who live nearby are exiles from their race. They are cruel and dangerous. I remember once, they had the gall to attack my home," replied Motrax, and he launched into a story of the battle, a story of blood and fire, ending in his total victory over the sliths.
"So, what major battles were you in?" asked Ansel.
Motrax launched into a rambling tale of a battle between himself and some huge demon, which he called a haakai. He seemed unsure as to whether he had told the story before, and his eyes momentarily lost their sharp focus.
"Thank you so much for speaking with us," said Jynx at last.
They had barely retreated up the slope where the depression for Motrax's platform was, when Ansel looked to the others, and said, "Want to go treasure hunting?"
"Yeah," said Brynja.
They moved into the side passages, and almost immediately were assailed by the flames of Motrax's pet fire lizards.
"Not very tame," said Jynx, as she returned with a volley of ice.
Soon, all the lizards lay dead, though there were a few eggs kept warm upon the nests.
"Hope Motrax doesn't mind," said Jynx, and pawing through the things, they found a curious ivory brooch.
"Why don't you keep that," said Ansel, "I don't think it's just jewelry, you know?"
By now, they realized it was quite late, and so spent another night in the visitor quarters of the caves of Motrax before heading on. Traveling north, they made their way into ever more remote caverns, and in one, were enveloped in thick clouds of steam. Though it was hard to see in the area, they managed to make out several natural hot springs. After checking the water, they discovered it was actually a comfortable temperature. A long, hot soak later, they were fully clean and refreshed.
"That's so nice," said Jynx, as they left, having decided to head to Fort Draco, "you could charge admission."
"You know," said Ansel, thoughtfully, "that fellow down in Silvar might be interested in knowing about it."
"You're right," said Duncan. "Whenever we're back thataway, we'll let him know."