A/N: And here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Dungeons and Dragons. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 81: Downtime in Dryvale
After leaving Kendrij's Fine Works, we stopped by the Emerald Dove and returned Anni's lapidary guide. Afterwards, we headed off to speak with the mayor and report our findings. She was in our office as expected, and we were ushered in quickly.
"So, what did you find?" asked Mayor Enkam.
"It seems the culprit behind these actions was Jelfi," said Lydratir, "it seems that a fiend had promised her unsurpassed skill in return for tribute. We've disposed of the fiendish creatures".
"Fiends, in my city?" said Mayor Enkam, "how troubling… the guards will need to keep an eye out for more. You've done us a great service, and have more than earned your reward. If there's anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to ask".
"I have a request," said Uxarix, "I am attempting to track down a forgotten temple said to be somewhere among the desert sands. It is said to be the resting place of a blessed sword. Would you perhaps know anything about this?"
Enkam paused for a moment in thought, but then responded.
"Unfortunately, I know little more than what you just told me," said Mayor Enkam, "however, there are others who might know more. I'll send out a request for information to see if they can help you".
"That would be most appreciated," said Uxarix.
Shortly after, we left and spread out, exploring the city in more detail. Many people were still leery of me, but that wasn't unexpected. After a few days, while I was resting, a courier approached me, bearing a letter.
"Excuse me, but I believe I had a delivery for you," said the courier.
I examined what the courier was carrying but it seemed to be an ordinary letter.
"Thank you," I said.
The courier set the letter near me, bowed, and then hurried off. I examined the letter, but didn't sense anything untoward about it. I cautiously opened it, thinking about the possibilities. It was signed to 'Valignatirisk, Red Dragon'. Who, other than my companions and some of the people in the city, knew me? What could they want? Why were they contacting me? Inside, there was a message in Draconic.
Valignatirisk,
We have heard of what your companions have been asking about. Travel to the Fountain of Stars, and we will be able to aid you. Come alone.
Signed, a Friend
This only raised more questions, and I wondered who might be the sender. Why did they wish to help me, and why they had to be so vague? As I thought on it more, the more I realized the answer to at least some of my questions, and began assembling each possible scenario in my mind, working each to its conclusion. It became evident that in the majority of situations, the outcome was that the sender was genuine. I headed off to speak with my companions, and see what they thought. I found them sitting under an awning near a bazaar.
"Valignatirisk, what's going on?" asked Narcrath.
"I believe I may hve gotten an invitation to speak to someone who can tell me more of the place we seek," I said, showing him the letter.
He read it over, and looked troubled.
"It says you are to arrive alone," said Narcrath, "how can you be sure this isn't someone attempting to lure you into a trap?"
"If the identity of the sender is what I think it is, then if they wanted me harmed, they'd have already done so," I said, "I just need to work out where the 'Foutain of Stars' is".
"The name came up while I was asking around about various landmarks in the area," said Lydratir, "It's a fountain located in a set of ruins due south of the city, sometimes used as a neutral meeting place for various peoples. It's said the water there always runs pure. You could probably fly there by nightfall".
"Then I'm going," I said, "I will return as soon as possible".
"Are you certain? Do you want anyone to come with you?" asked Charles.
"No. The letter said to come alone, and if I wish to avoid offence to the sender, I need to go alone".
"Safe travels, then," said Uxarix, "we will await you return".
I headed to the edge of the city, and took to the skies, flying south. I flew for most of the day passing over trackless desert, and as the sun was setting, the ruins came into sight. I glided down, landing on the edge of the ruins before heading inside. There, I came upon the fountain, waters still flowing clean despite the desert sands. As night fell, I saw how this place earned its name, the crystal clear water reflecting the light of the stars far above.
As I waited, I saw something moving out of the corner of my eye, but it saw gone as soon as it appeared. Then, someone spoke.
"So, you actually came," said the voice, "and alone as well".
I glanced around, but didn't see the source.
"I didn't wish to betray your trust and make an enemy of many of your kind," I said.
"And how are you certain I didn't just lure you here to kill you?" said the voice, coming from a different direction this time.
"Because, it's not in your nature to be so overt about your actions," I said, "you are the kind that's good at playing the long game, working though agents, who work through agents, who in turn work through agents. (1) If you wanted me dead, you would have sent someone who could never be traced back to you, not brought me here so we could speak directly".
"And how are you certain I don't have agents in waiting?" said the voice.
"Because, I only smell the two of us dragons right now," I said, "there are no others present".
"Good answers," said the voice, "it seems you're as sharp as the rumors say".
Out from the shadows stepped the source of the voice, a blue dragon, probably not much older than me.
"Greetings, you may call me Kepeskaden," said the dragon, "the winds have carried stories of your journeys. Our Suzerian is impressed with your work. I have been asked to pass on his regards for you and your companions' actions in aiding in keeping the peace in our lands".
"Then I would ask you to pass on my thanks for his regards and his tolerance of my presense in your lands," I said.
"The Suzerian has no issue with visitors so long as they avoid causing undue troubles to the land or its people," said Kepeskaden, "but the get to the point, we know of the place your Kobold companion is seeking. It is a place known as the Temple of the Justicars. It resides a place many have come to call the Cursed Barrens. It is an area we avoid, for there is foul, abyssal magics at work there, corrupting the lands. However, with that Kobold at your side, you should be able to weather the storm. Some of our kin tried to brave it, but were not seen again. They are either dead or corrupted by that place. If you encounter any of our kind who that place has twisted it its dark will, the Suzerian would not hold it against you if you freed them from this life… you'd be doing them a mercy".
I couldn't help but noticed the sadness his last statement, this was something personal.
"You lost someone to these Cursed Barrens, didn't you?" I asked.
Kepeskaden froze, and eyed me more carefully.
"You've got a sharp mind, Valignatirsk," said Kepeskaden, "keep your wits about you, and you'll go far in life. However, be careful what you say… not everyone in receptive of the truth. May the winds be in your favor".
With that, Kepeskaden dove into the sand, vanishing beneath the rooling dunes. I lay down to rest off to one side, thinking about what I'd learned.
A/N: and there we go! next time, our heroes begin their journey towards the Cursed Barrens and the Temple of the Justicars within. See you then!
(1) This repetition is on purpose for effect.