A/N: and here's the next chapter, Our heroes arrive in the town of Blasingdell. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Dungeons and Dragons. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 20: Blasingdell
The next day, we made our way out of Nyssus, heading down the road towards our new destination. Our path took us deeper into the mountains, and after about a day's travel we arrived in a quiet valley. We could see tailings piles and openings of various mines next to the trail. I also noticed signs of something else: some of the rocks in the area looked liked something had partially dissolved them with acid. I felt something on the edge of my perception… an unfamiliar, nagging feeling. I thought it might me coming for somewhere to the north, but I couldn't be sure exactly where in that direction.
We continued down into the valley, and soon arrived at the town of Blasingdell. It looked to be fairly similar to other towns we'd passed through, albeit with a greater focus on mining equipment. Almost immediately, a half-orc carrying a crossbow approached, ready to act if I made the wrong move.
"Travelers," said the half-orc, "what brings you and your… dragon to our town?"
"We heard rumors of an ancient dwarven redoubt in this area," said Charles, "as for the big guy? Well, it's a long story".
"What are you planning to do here dragon?" asked the half-orc.
"I plan to aid my companions in their endeavors," I said, "But I understand what you mean. I have no desires to harm the people of this land".
"You wouldn't have perhaps been to Oakhurst recently, would you?" asked the Half-Orc.
"Yes, my companions and I were there only a few days ago," I said, "why do you ask?"
"I heard rumors about a group of adventures matching your description," said the Half Orc, "then again there aren't many people wandering around with a red dragon in tow. Well, as long as you don't make trouble, you won't get any trouble, understand?"
"I understand," I said.
"Good," said the Half-Orc, "in that case, I hope you find what you're looking for. Now then you mentioned something about a Dwarven Redoubt in this area? Can't say I've heard about that. However, we have had issues with a warband of Orcs raiding various homesteads and camps north of town. The mayor's put a bounty on their heads".
"Sounds like a place to start," said Lydratir, "any idea where they might be based?"
"Yeah, we captured one of em', and managed to get some information out of him," said the Half Orc, "They've set up camp near a rocky hill the townsfolk call the Stone Tooth, about 30 miles north of here".
"Thanks for the information," said Charles, "Alright, let's stock up here in town, and we can set out in the morning. What will you do, big guy?"
"I think it would be good for me to take a look around the area from the skies," I said, "both to get the lay of the land and stretch my wings".
"Stay safe, Valignatirisk," said Narcrath, "not everyone around here knows you're not their foe".
"I shall endeavor to," I said.
I stepped away from the others, spread my wings, and leapt skyward. As the valley passed beneath my wings and the cool wind caressed my scales, my mind wandered back to that strange feeling. I decided to query Ashardalon about it.
'What troubles you, young one?' asked Ashardalon.
'I'm… not sure,' I thought, 'ever since I've entered this valley, I've had a strange feeling, like something just beyond my perception is pulling at me. Do you feel it too?'
'Valingnatirisk, I'm a spirit bound within an amulet,' said Ashardalon, 'I cannot truly perceive beyond what you tell me. However, I do have two theories: Firstly, you came to this place seeking a lost Dwarven redoubt. I doubt the dwarves have changed too much since I lived, so they likely still craft exceedingly fine arms and armor… and some are greedy enough to make a dragon blush. The other option is that you may be in proximity to another dragon's lair. Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary?'
'I did notice some rocks that appeared to have been corroded," I thought, 'then again, it could be nothing more than effect of the mining operations'.
'Or in could be either a Copper or a Black Dragon,' said Ashardalon, 'I recommend caution, young one'.
I continued my flight, and eventually looped back around to Blasingdell. I landed, feeling a bit better now that I'd gotten a chance to stretch my wings. The townsfolk eyed me warily, but none of them acted. A short time later, I was rejoined by my companions.
"Good to see you back," said Krisyra, "See anything of interest?"
"Not really," I said, "What of you? Did you learn anything around town?"
"I asked Khaldegan, the dwarven trader to supplies most of the prospectors in the area about the tale of Durgeddin the Black," said Charles, "The tales tell that Durgeddin fled his home after it was sacked by orcs, and built his secret redoubt, from which he waged a decades-long vendetta against orc-kind. They also speak of how the orcs eventually discovered his fortress and eventually slew Durgeddin and all his followers".
"Sarel, the innkeeper mentioned some additional information about the orcs that have been raiding the area," said Narcrath, "She said that their leader wields a greataxe that some claim is of dwarven make".
I looked towards the north, towards where our next destination lay. I could still feel that sensation tugging at the edges of my mind. Something deep within told me I needed to go there, to see what rested at the source of this sensation. At the same time, not knowing fully what the cause of this feeling was troubled me. I thought again on what Ashardalon had told me. I could only hope that whatever we found out there, we could handle it.
A/N: And there we go! Next time, our heroes begin their descent into the depths of the Stone Tooth, on their journey to find The Forge of Fury! See you then!