A/N: And here it is, the final stretch of this particular dungeon. You know what that means: Boss Time!

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

Chapter 30: Nightscale

We made our way along, following the path along the riverside. The river was roaring as it passed under a stone bridge. A quick check revealed the bridge to be safe. However, as we continued around a corner in the passage we came upon another bridge. I could tell at a glance this bridge wasn't safe. The stones had settled considerably, and some of the blocks were leaning precariously. On top of that, the stone was badly pitted in places.

"I don't think I'd trust that bridge," I said.

Lydratir looked the bridge over, and nodded.

"You're right," said Lydratir, "how will we get across?"

"Well, I do have wings," I said.

"Are you sure?" asked Narcrath.

"It's better that being swept away," I said.

I allowed my allies to climb onto my back, and proceeded to ferry them across. Once we were all across, we continued along the ledge along the southwestern shore of a rather large lake. The cavern was also quite large, so much so that the lake's far shore was lost even to my darkvision. The echoes of water filled the cavern, yet something seemed off. I saw that Krisyra noticed something, too.

"Keep your eyes peeled," whispered Krisyra, "we're not alone down here".

Just after she said this, a muted splashing answered, followed by a stream of acid heading right for me. I dodged away, but I still roared out in pain as the acid seared me. Then I saw it: the black-scaled head sticking out of the water, its face split by a cruel grin.

"You will perish for invading the lair of I, the mighty Nightscale!" said the black dragon.

Nightscale inhaled again, and blasted Lydratir with her acidic breath. He dodged away, but still didn't appear to be in good shape. He swiftly raised his bow, and shot Nightscale in retaliation. Narcrath cast a chromatic orb, which struck Nightscale as lightning. I moved to the side, clearing some space between myself and my allies. I knew that entering the water would be unwise. I didn't want to fight Nightscale in her element. Krisyra moved over to me, and healed my wounds, before transforming into a giant octopus and slipping into the water. Charles attempted to hit Nightscale with a shot from his crossbow, but missed.

I saw Nightscale duck her head beneath the water, not noticing Krisyra moving towards her. Lydratir placed his hand on his chest, and his wounds seemed to close a bit. Narcrath fired off another chromatic orb, and beneath the water I saw Nightscale's form briefly revealed at the spell struck. I stayed on guard, ready for Nightscale to expose herself again. There was a sudden thrashing, as Krisyra-octopus wrapped her tentacles around Nightscale. Charles took careful aim, and fired his crossbow, putting a bolt into our foe.

Nightscale thrashed and snarled, but couldn't break free. Lydratir looked on with a determined look in his eye, and put another arrow into Nightscale. Narcrath fired off another chromatic orb into our foe, and I could see she was wearing down.

"Surrender, Nightscale!" I said, "We did not come here with any intention to slay you!"

Nightscale just snarled, it seems she wasn't interested in conversing. Charles put another crossbow bolt into Nightscale, and she looked to be on her last legs.

Nightscale once more tried to free herself from Krisyra's grasp, but once more couldn't break free. However, in her thrashing, she managed to hit Krisyra with a bite, and a swipe of her claws, but it seemed it would end soon. Lydratir took aim with is bow once more, and fired. The arrow shot true, piercing right into Nightscale's heart. The black dragon thrashed once more, this time in death throes. Soon though, her body went limp, and Krisyra released our defeated foe from her tentacles. She then returned to shore, and transformed back to her normal self.

As my allies collected themselves and patched up their wounds, I stared into the waters of the lake where Nightscale had fallen. This isn't what I wanted, this isn't what I'd hoped to find. Why couldn't she just have waited long enough for us to speak? I knew most Chromatics were unwilling to be anything other than evil, but I know we can change. I know we don't have to be villains. I'd curse Tiamat to the Nine Hells for pulling our kind down this path, but that would be redundant. I knew brooding over this would be meaningless, but I still knew there had to be a better way for us.

After a short time, we moved on, and as we rounded another bend in the path I saw it. A short distance offshore sat a small island thirty or forty feet across. Stalagmites thrust up at the ceiling above, and the dark waters lapped quietly at its shores. Several spots on its surface glimmered in the darkness, and I knew what we'd found: Nightscale's hoard. We made our way over to island, and examined the considerable pile of various treasures. Thousands of silver and gold coins, some garnets and a black pearl, a wand of some sort, a greataxe and shield both bearing the same smith-mark as the rapier Lydratir had found, and a couple of potions.

Once everything was gathered (putting the pouches I was carry to good use), we started making our way back up towards the surface. Back through the foundry area, back to the massive cavern. Once there, we made our way back to the chamber where we'd first encountered the Troglodytes. We made our way down the tunnel here, and after about 500 feet, we found ourselves emerging onto the hillside some distance from where we'd first entered the Stone Tooth.

Over a few days of travel, we arrived back in Blasingdell. Once there, we were met by the guard captain.

"Ah, you've returned!" said the guard captain, "We've had word from the surrounding farms that the orc raids have largely ceased. I assume you're had something to do with that?"

"You're correct," said Charles, "We also explored the deeper tunnels. We encountered some Duegar down there as well. For now, they're content to use the old forges down there, but I'd recommend keeping an eye out".

"Is that so?" said the guard captain, "Well then, you've done us double duty then! We've gathered money for a bounty on those Orcs. Give me some time. And I'll gather it for you".

A short time later, the guard captain returned, carrying a bag heavy with gold coins. There was easily several hundred gold in the bounty. As well, a well-dressed human arrived, looking us over.

So, you're the ones who took up the task of clearing out the Orcs for us?" said the Mayor.

"That we are," said Charles.

"Quite the eclectic group you have," said the Mayor, "I am certain you'll go far! But for now, this calls for a celebration!"

The townsfolk cheered at that declaration, and soon the celebration was underway. It seemed like everyone in town had come out to join the festivities. It felt... good to know that I'd been able to aid these people, preventing theOrcs from troubling them further. As well, while I still wished Nightscale would have been willing to see reason, I knew that there were others out there I could still save, ones I could hopefully prevent from going down a dark path. I just had to keep trying.

A/N: Farewell Nightscale, you were a worthy foe. Our heroes have emerged victorious once more, but at least for Valignatirisk, it is a bit of a hollow victory. Next time, our heroes set off again, and along the road, receive a message, a desperate plea for their aid. See you then.