A/N: And here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Dungeons and Dragons. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 43: Return to Northswold
We retraced our steps back to town, arriving late in the evening. As we arrived, the guards waved us over.
"Adventurers," said the guard, "back already?"
"It seems so," said Narcrath, "Deldrammon must have been a powerful mage. We have eliminated the source of the troubles".
"Excellent!" said the guard, "The mayor will wish to hear about this!"
A short time later, the mayor and several of the townsfolk had gathered, and we recounted the tale of what we encountered within Deldrammon's hideaway. Once we finished, the mayor smiled.
"It's surprising that something like that sat so close to our town," said the Mayor, "I am glad to hear this threat has been eliminated. We don't have much, but we'll try and find some way to repay you for your aid. One thing I can assure, however: it you ever find yourself in Northswold in the future, you'll always have a place to rest".
"Thank you," said Lydratir, "speaking of which, I think it's time we turn in for the evening".
"I second that," said Charles.
"Ah, of course," said the mayor, "We can easily prepare rooms from you at the inn… well most of you".
"I understand," I said, "I'll find myself a spot on the edge of town".
I saw my companions off, and then moved to the edge of town, finding a stop to rest in a copse of trees. I lay down, and swiftly fell asleep.
In my mind's eye, I saw a set of balance scales. Slowly, ever so slowly, it tipped to the right. The image changed, and now I sat in the clearing, with Ashardalon nearby.
"Well, that was quite the journey wasn't it?" said Ashardalon, "I'm certainly glad to be out of that place as well".
"Hopefully the effects it had on my mind will fade soon," I said.
"I believe it will," said Ashardalon, "you left that place before it could become too deeply rooted. You're growing stronger, young one. Before long, others will begin to take notice".
"That's what I'm afraid of," I said.
Ashardalon laughed, and gently placed a wing over me.
"Don't worry yourself, Valingnatirisk," said Ashardalon, "those on both sides will take notice… you've already begun to sway others to your way of thinking. Not everyone will be happy with your actions, but that is to be expected".
"True enough… all I can do is keep moving forwards," I said.
I saw the trees before me part, showing a path towards something new. I couldn't quite make it out, but I had the sensation that it was important.
The images grew hazy as the dream faded, and then…
I awoke with a start, and blinked the sleep form my eyes. Then, I caught a scent, mixed in with the subtle scent of flowers and decaying leaves, I smelled another dragon. I saw nothing on ground level, so cast my gaze up to the branches above, and spotted a small wingless dragon looking down at me quizzically. I sensed no malice in its presence, only intrigue.
"Good evening, did you need something?" I asked.
"This is my grove, redscale," said the drake. I had a somewhat gruff voice, "what is your purpose here?"
"My apologies," I said, "I was unaware this place had been claimed. I was only resting here for the night".
"You're a bit odd aren't you," said the Drake, "I've seen a few Chromatics before, usually either try and order me around or attack".
"Rather rude of them," I said.
The drake flashed me a toothy grin, and then deftly leapt across the area to another tree, landing gracefully. He turned to look at me again.
"Well, nice chatting with you, but I better get going," said the drake, "sorry to bug you like this. Sleep well".
The drake leapt away to another tree, and then another, soon vanishing into the distance. The rest of the night passed uneventfully, and in the morning I headed back into town to rejoin my companions. However, I noticed another group had arrived in town. I spotted the stag-head emblem they wore, and realized they were with the Emerald Enclave. My companions stepped out of the inn, and together we approached the members of the Emerald Enclave. Their group included an Elf, a Lizardfolk, and Human.
"Are you Valignatirisk?" asked the Lizardfolk.
"I am. What brings the Emerald Enclave to speak with me?" I asked.
"Well, you and your companions," said the Elf, "you've been leaving quite the trail… Oakhurst, Blasingdell, Oar's Rest, and now Northswold. Peoples in all these places have spoke of your altruism. Speaking of which, I heard tell of some sort of planar gateway around here?"
"Yes, we encountered a portal leading into the private sanctum of the Archmage Deldrammon," said Lydratir, "we explored it, but found no signs of the aforementioned mage. The only humanoid we found was the body of a young man wearing this amulet".
He presented them with the ruined amulet we'd recovered, and the Elf looked it over.
"Ah this is… or at least was, an Amulet of the Planes," said the Elf, "I'm a bit of an expert of planar gateways, particularly with keeping dangers things out of our world. I've heard of Dedrammon, in particular I've come across a rumor he's long dead… delved somewhere into the lower planes and never came back".
"We also found this," said Krisyra, "It appears to be information on the artifact he created to stabilize his sanctum".
She handed over the notes, and the Elf examined them, scratching his chin.
"Let's see… the Vessel of Endless Wastes, huh?" said the Elf, "any idea where you were, in a planar sense?"
"We came across a mix of devils and daemons," I said, "including a particularly strong one near the Vessel of Endless Wastes which mentioned Gehenna".
"Ah, sounds like you must have been somewhere between Gehenna and the Nine Hells," said the Elf, "and you destroyed this Vessel of Endless Wastes?"
"We did, and made it out as the portal collapsed behind us," said Narcrath, "It was odd, it was like no time had passed which we were in this Sanctum".
"Yes, that happens sometimes," said the Elf, "good work closing the portal".
"It seems like there's been more disturbances like this recently," said the Lizardfolk, "the winds bring danger".
That caught my attention. This wasn't an isolated incident?
"Other events like this have been occurring?" I asked.
"They have," said the Lizardfolk, "it's only been minor incursion like this portal of encountered so far, but if it becomes worse…"
I knew what I had to do. I glanced at my companions and could see they'd follow my lead on this.
"How can we help?" I asked.
The Lizardfolk looked me over again, and nodded.
"The Sarivens spoke highly of you, Valignatirisk," said the Lizardfolk, "we will continue investigating, and if something comes up, we will contact you. Until then, follow where your road takes you".
A short time later, the mayor approached us, and presented us with a small package of potions.
"I know it's not much," said the Mayor, "but…"
"It's alright," I said, "I'm just glad we were able to aid you".
With that, we set off down the road once more, not knowing what may lie ahead.
A/N: And the were go! Next time, the adventure continues! See you then!