A/N: And here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Dungeons and Dragons. I only own my original ideas.

Chapter 10: Into the Sunless Citadel

The next morning, we made our way to the lip of the ravine in which our destination lay. It was about 40 feet wide at this point, and a rope had been tied off at the top of the ravine. About 50 feet below, I could see a landing. I carefully examined the wall of the ravine, and decided the stone looked too fractured fro me to safely climb down, however the area was large enough for me to fly through.

"I'll head down first, and be ready in case you lose your grip," I said.

"Good idea," said Narcrath.

I did just that, flying down to the landing. I then watched carefully as my companions started climbing down. As they did, the sound of claws on stone caught my attention, I turned just in time to see three large rats running towards me. The first two missed their attack, but the third managed to just get its sharp teeth between my scales. I quickly retaliated, catching the rat which had harmed me between my jaws. My companions continued down the rope, leaving me to deal with my remaining attackers. The remaining two rodents attempted to attack me again, but their teeth just bounced of my scales. I countered by swiping one of the remaining rat with my claws, tearing deeply and sending it flying off the ledge. The final rat started towards me once more, only to be met by an arrow pinning it to the stone. As I watched my companions complete their descent, I swallowed the rat which was still between my jaws.

My companions soon rejoined me, and we continued on our way. We made our way carefully down the crumbling stone stairs. As we did, the spread of the fortress came into focus. From this distance, it still appeared long forgotten. All was quiet, other than a cold breeze blowing up from below. With it, came the odor of dust and a faint trace of rot. We continued down, soon arriving at the bottom of the stairs. We came into a small courtyard, though it could have just as easily been the top on an ancient battlement. As we started across the courtyard, Lydratir put up a hand to stop us.

"Hold it, there's a trap door right there," said Lydratir, "we can probably skirt around it".

We made our way across the area, and made our way through the doorway to the next area, arriving in the ruined lower floor of a tower. Inside, we found that someone had already been though here recently. There were four dead Goblins, one of which pinned to the wall with a spear. Two other doors led out of this area. Charles pulled the spear out, causing the goblin to slump to the ground and reveal a series of Draconic runes. I could read the name 'Ashardalon'.

I noticed Lydratir staring at a blank section of wall intently, before pushing on one of the stone block. As I watched, the wall slid open, revealing a hidden chamber. The rest of us gathered near the secret chamber, and Lydratir stepped inside.

Almost immediately, the dusty bones in the chamber pulled themselves together into a trio of Skeletons. Lydratir reacted swiftly, taking a swing towards the nearest skeleton, but he missed. The skeleton retaliated, striking a fierce blow against Lydratir. Narcrath stepped in, his hand arcing with energy. The Shocking Grasp struck the skeleton, but in remained standing. Krisyra summoned a small flame in her hand, and launched it at our foes, straight at the same one Narcrath had struck. Charles rushed in, swinging mightily with his greatsword. At the last moment, he twisted and stuck the skeleton with the flat of his blade, and the skeleton clattered to the ground in a collection of loose bones. The next skeleton fired its bow at Charles, but the arrow simply bounced off his armor. I stepped around to get a clear path, and swung at the nearest skeleton with my tail. The skeleton tried to dodge, but I managed to catch it. The skeleton was severely battered, but the magic animating it held it together. The skeleton attempted to strike me in return, but the attack just glanced off my scales.

Lydratir attempted the strike one of the skeletons, but he was still of balance from being struck previously and missed. Narcrath stepped in once more, and struck the skeleton I'd bashed with my tail, taking it down. Krisyra's had lit up with flames once more, which she launched at the remaining skeleton. The flames struck the skeleton solidly, sending it reeling back. Charles stepped in, and his greatsword crashed right through the skeleton, causing it to crumble into the dust. I watched as my companions searched through what was left of the skeleton, collecting a number of arrows and a handful of gold and silver coins.

With the area clear, we decided to try the southern exit first. We emerged in a small hallway, guarded on the western side by a large stone door with an ornate carving of a rearing dragon. Narcrath stepped up and examined the door more closely, and then nodded.

"This door is solidly locked," said Narcrath, "looks like both a physical lock and a magical one. Unless you want to try and force it open, we'll need to look for the key if we wish to go this way".

We turned back and headed north this time, entering a narrow corridor. We came upon another door to the south, but it was also locked. We continued down the hall, and entered a larger chamber. The room had symbols and glyphs written crudely in Draconic, reading 'Here There Be Dragons'. Near the southern wall, there was a badly damaged cage. I could smell the faint odor of another dragon, but it likely hadn't been here for several days. There were a few small items sitting on a bench like a makeshift altar. As well, there was a bedroll near the bench, from which I could hear someone whimpering.

We silently glanced at each other, and then decided to see what was going on. Narcrath stepped up and poked the bedroll with his toe, causing small scaly form to leap out with a shriek of surprise. I watched as the kobold pressed its back to the wall, looking terrified. However, it then locked its gaze with me and its eyes went wide. The kobold looked near tears, and it had numerous scars all over its body, and looking at my own claws I knew what kind of creature had caused them.

"A-a great dragon came to see Meepo!" said the kobold, "Meepo honored to meet you!"

"Well, I'm clearly not the only dragon who's been here recently, have I?" I said, "where is this other dragon?"

Meepo suddenly looked dejected again, and then replied.

"The clan's dragon… we lost it," said Meepo, "The wretched goblins stole Calcryx, our dragon!"

I examined the cage more closely, seeing a few scattered white scales.

"…And why were you keeping the dragon caged?" I asked.

"We needed to keep Calcryx safe!" said Meepo, backing itself against the wall even more, "Calcryx still young wyrmling, needs to grow stronger before it takes place as our lord!"

I thought on the kobold's words. Even though it didn't like the idea of seeing another caged, I also couldn't disagree of wanting to keep a young one safe until it grew stronger.

"Where might the goblins have taken Calcryx?" I asked.

"Meepo don't know," said Meepo, "but Yusdrayl does! Meepo take you to meet Yusdrayl, our leader, if you make nice. You get safe passage, if you promise to make nice. Maybe if you promise to rescue dragon, Yusdrayl make nice with you, answer questions!"

I turned to speak with my companions.

"What do you think, should we aid them?" I asked.

"It sounds like a better Idea than having to fight through an entire kobold clan," said Narcrath.

"Perhaps if we aid them, they'll aid us in other ways," said Charles.

"I'm not sure about this, but whatever you decide I'm with you," said Krisyra.

"If there's a young one in danger, then we should aid them, no matter who they are," said Lydratir.

"Well, then it seems we have a decision," I said, "Yes, we will aid you in recovering young Calcryx".

"Thank you! Thank you!" said Meepo, "follow, me take you to Yusdrayl. Stay close, not need trouble".

We set off on our new path, with Meepo leading the way.

A/N: And there we go! Next time, the meeting with Yusdrayl. See you then!