Calder and Skylar traveled after their companions even when the sun started to set. Their side venture had come to an end and it was time to return to dealing with the Cult of the Dragon. They needed to reunite with their companions, discover more of their enemy's plans, and free Leosin and the prisoners they have taken from Greenest. There was much to do but Calder was confident that once he was with his friends, they would be able to manage it.
When Calder found Zavier and the others at a camp they were not alone. Zavier was quick to introduce them to his new friends and explained that they were allies in the fight with the Cult of the Dragon. Although he did have his doubts on bringing in strangers and was hesitant on trusting one that appeared to be draconic, Zavier and Robert vouched for the new group. Skylar was quick to take their word, and with a shrug, Calder followed in her example. He stood watch over the camp, taking the time to get an understanding of his companions through observation.
Calder wasn't familiar with what a dragonborn was, but after watching Doltin for some time, he knew that his new companion wasn't anything like the dragons he heard about. Although Doltin had a nervous demeanor about him, Calder was quick to figure that he wasn't a violent monster, but someone interested in knowledge and peace. Skylar was quick to join the monk in patching up old cultist uniforms as part of a future plan. Although it was a relief to see a bond of trust form, the half-elf was quick to note that Fargrim, seated by the campfire, glared at the dragonborn. That hostility could prove to be a problem in the future.
Just like dragonborns, Calder wasn't aware of what a tiefling was, although Nameia's appearance did match the descriptions of demons as told by the storytellers and elders of his village. Yet, there wasn't any cruelty about her. Nameia had an air of sophistication about her and determination to face the villains of the Cult of the Dragon. She spent her time at the campsite sparring with Robert, instructing ways to improve his swordsmanship. Although Nameia was clearly the superior warrior between the two of them, Calder was pleased to see that Robert was starting to improve his combat skills which would greatly aid him in the coming battles.
Finally, Calder wasn't sure what to think of Arzenya. The pale woman kept to herself near the campfire, using her sword to draw in the dirt with Calder figuring that it was a map of some kind. Whenever she wasn't drawing, she looked around the camp with a silent glare. Zavier, seated next to Fargrim, kept a suspicious eye on her, but whenever she looked at him, he turned away, noticeably paler. While Zavier wasn't the most courageous man Calder knew, the half-elf figured that his companion had good reason to be afraid of Arzenya. He needed to keep an eye on her as well.
When Arzenya was done, she pulled her sword from the ground. "Everyone, let's talk about the plan."
"An' why should ye come up with the battle plan?" Fargrim asked with a skeptical tone.
"It's not a battle plan since we're not fighting the Cult of the Dragon," Arzenya corrected the dwarf. "There's an army waiting for us in the camp. We can't win a fight against that many."
"She's right, Fargrim," Calder said, nodding in agreement. "We didn't drive the enemy out of Greenest but rather they left once they were done. We'll need to be cautious with how we deal with them."
"She's your prisoner," Zavier glanced towards Nameia. "Are you really going to let her take the lead on this?"
"Arzenya's knowledge of how the Cult of the Dragon operates exceeds my own knowledge," Nameia said. "I hold final approval of the plan but I will let her come up with the details."
"If you're all done criticizing me, I'd like to continue," Arzenya motioned toward the map she drew on the ground. "For those of us who didn't find the camp, it's a hollowed out portion of a plateau. There are lots of tents, two watchtowers, and towards the back of the hollow is what we believe to be an entrance to a cave."
Calder nodded as he took in the information, looking over the map. "So what are we going to do?"
"Doltin, are you done patching up the clothes we have?" Arzenya asked, not even bothering to look at her companion.
"Indeed!" Doltin stood up, holding up a black leather vest. "You see, it was a rough job, but, uh, thanks to Skylar's help, we have four sets of clothes that we can use as a disguise."
"So that's what these are for," Skylar said with a smile, glancing at some of the clothes she helped mend. "That's a clever idea."
"I still have my doubts," Zavier shook his head in disapproval. "Do you really think we can just stroll in with a disguise and expect for them not to be suspicious?"
"Security isn't the best the few days after a raid," Arzenya told Zavier. "There are stragglers that come in late. Also, someone's going to ask about the ambushers at camp if they don't show up to report anything."
"The group that goes in could say that they've killed us in a battle," Robert suggested. "That would explain why the rest are gone."
"Good thinking," Calder complimented. "Who'll go to the camp in disguise?"
"I will, of course," Arzenya said with a grin.
"You're really going to let your prisoner be part of the infiltration into a cult she was a part of?" Zavier questioned Nameia, crossing his arms. "Seriously?"
"Nameia knows that I won't sell you out if that's what you're thinking," Arzenya sighed and shook her head. "I have my reasons, and again, I'm the one who knows the most about the Cult of the Dragon."
"We'll take the risk, Zavier," Nameia told the bard. "I won't be able to come with you. Not only am I a terrible liar but my heritage will draw too much attention. The same goes for Doltin."
Doltin nods quickly in agreement. "I concur, yes."
"Aside from myself, I'd like for our two new arrivals to join me infiltrating the camp tomorrow," Arzenya said.
Calder glanced towards the uniforms taken from the fallen Cultists of the Dragon. Although he was confident in his ability to fight his foe, he wasn't sure if he was fit to serve as a spy like Arzenya suggested. Having lived in the arctic for his life, he still had much to learn about the rest of the world. His inexperience may be what holds the group back and all it would take is one mistake for him to expose himself. It was a very risky idea to follow through.
Yet, Calder didn't think he could stand by and wait while others did what they could. If he could do something to help, he had to try, even if acting like a cultist wasn't in his area of expertise. If a fight did break out, Calder would prefer to do what he could to ensure that Skylar makes it out. Finally, the half-elf nods and turns to look at Arzenya.
"If you think I'm a good fit, I'll join you," Calder answered.
"As will I," Skylar said in agreement. "I just hope that I can do my part to help."
"It's less the two of you being a good fit and more that I think that everyone else will ruin the plan," Arzenya admitted nonchalantly.
"I'm coming too," Zavier volunteered.
"No you're not," Arzenya shook her head and glared toward Zavier. "It's my call on who gets to join and you're certainly the last person I would pick for this task. I'll have your warrior join us."
"I'd prefer to not try to sneak into the camp," Robert admitted. "I don't think I would be any good at it."
"I would though," Zavier continued. "Robert doesn't want to go and I think we should respect his choice. You can choose between myself, someone who is a good speaker and has spells at his disposal, or my student. Fargrim, what do you have to offer for the plan?"
"If ye think about it, no one can spot us as fake cultists if they die first," Fargrim said, patting his greataxe pommel. "I think I'd be a good spy."
"Zavier will join the group," Nameia declared. "I want as many people as I can get in the group in case something goes wrong."
Arzenya sighed. "Fine."
"Once we're in the camp, is there anything else we need to do other than rescue Leosin and uncover as much information as we can?" Skylar asked.
"That should be it," Nameia answered. "I advise everyone to get some rest. The sooner that we uncover what the Cult of the Dragon is up to, the better."
"Robert, Fargrim, do you two mind joining us for a moment real quick?" Skylar asked her friends. "You can join us as well Zavier but it's our other friends that I need help from. It's about what Calder and I found."
Calder knew what Skylar had in mind and realized the logic of her idea. It would be a terrible idea to bring an egg with him into infiltrating the Cult of the Dragon's camp. They needed to do something to keep it safe, and thankfully, they had two strong warriors capable of keeping it safe. Calder walked over to join Fargrim, Robert, and Zavier by Skylar. The new members of the group went about their own business: Nameia went to take first watch, Doltin tended to the campfire, and Arzenya went to her bedroll after clearing the map. Skylar set her backpack down and opened the flap, revealing the egg within.
"This was what I found from our detour," Calder explained. "I don't think it's a wise idea to take it with us."
"What is it to begin with?" Robert asked, looking at the egg in awe.
"It's a dragon egg!" Fargrim exclaimed, reaching to take out his greataxe.
"You will not destroy the egg, even if it hatches into a dragon," Skylar told Fargrim sternly. "Something guided Calder to it so it must be important."
Fargrim growled. "Ye ask a lot from me, lass."
"If it is a dragon egg that we're keeping, then we need to keep it safe," Zavier nodded in agreement. "Fargrim, you don't have to be involved in that if you want. I am certain that Robert can take care of it."
"You have more confidence in me than I do," Robert said with a sigh. "I don't know the first thing about eggs other than how to cook them."
"Excuse me," the group was so caught up in their conversation that they didn't realize Doltin had walked up to join them. "I, uh, don't mean to pry, but well, I overheard mention of a dragon egg."
"He's spyin' on us," Fargrim commented and slowly stepped away. "I'm goin' te sleep. If I see that egg when I wake up, I make no promises on its safety."
"You heard correctly," Calder told Doltin. "Although we're not sure it's actually a dragon egg or-"
Doltin gasped, finally seeing the egg in Skylar's backpack. "It is! How did you come across a silver dragon egg!"
"You may find it hard to believe but something guided Calder to it as some sort of magical pull," Skylar explained. "It took us to the hills and we weren't able to find signs of what left the egg there, including any kind of trail. That's why we were late to join the group."
"Amazing!" Doltin exclaimed, his nervous and anxious demeanor fading away. "Silver dragons typically form their lairs in the mountains given their preference for colder environments."
"It seems that you're not the only one who came from somewhere cold," Skylar said, grinning at Calder.
Calder chuckled. "I guess we have that much in common, at least."
"You know quite a bit about dragons, Doltin," Zavier pointed out. "It does make sense though given your draconic nature."
"I've spent many years studying in libraries and monasteries, focusing my research on dragons," Doltin told the group. "I like to think that I am an expert when it comes to dragon culture."
"Then do you know how long it'll be for this egg to hatch?" Skylar asked.
Without asking, Doltin knelt by the dragon egg, tapping its shell and running his hand across the egg's surface. "The good news is that, despite being found in an environment that wouldn't be able to sustain it, the egg is healthy. I imagine that it might have to do with whatever guided you to it. As long as it is exposed to cold temperatures, it'll hatch soon enough, I believe."
"It's not like that it's freezing this far south," Robert pointed out. "Should we be concerned?"
"I may have an idea to keep it cold using my training," Doltin thought out loud but then looked at Calder and Skylar. "That is, uh, of course, if you don't mind me. I, well, probably should have asked before…"
"It's alright," Calder said with a smile. "If you think that you can help, I'll be glad for it. We need someone to look out for it while I'm part of the group sneaking into the camp."
"Just be sure to keep it out of Fargrim's sight," Zavier advised, gesturing towards the prone dwarf. "He wants to become a famed dragonslayer such as myself and it appears as though his hatred toward dragons knows no bounds."
Doltin gulped. "I'll, uh, do what I can, yes."
"Thank you," Calder bowed his head. "We should start getting ready to sleep. I hope everything goes well tomorrow."
"As do I," Skylar nodded in agreement. "It will. I'm sure of it."
The group dispersed toward their respective bedrolls with Doltin staying by Skylar so that he can take the egg from her backpack. Calder wasn't sure what would come from hatching the dragon egg but figured that was why he was guided to it. Perhaps the dragon would make a fine ally against the Cult of the Dragon and whatever they were plotting. For now, he was content to let Doltin worry about the egg given his expertise on the subject.
Calder sat down on his bedroll, thinking about his newfound companions as he prepared to go to sleep. Doltin may not be the best when it came to conversation but there was no denying that he wanted to do his part to help. While he hadn't had much time to talk with Nameia, Calder was impressed by her open mind and leadership of the trio she led. Arzenya was difficult to get close to but there was a certain hatred she had toward the Cult of the Dragon. She wouldn't betray the group.
Although he still had doubts over the plan, Calder was glad to have found this group away from his home. He rested on his bedroll, hoping to get some rest before he had to infiltrate the Cult of the Dragon's camp.
A/N: It's been a while but I'm back.
I'm going to be focused on updating the stories I have incomplete while getting back into a daily habit of writing. It just so happens that this is the first story I went to as the first part of 2023.
If you noticed a change in my writing style, it's likely because it's been years. I hope that my writing has improved, but at this point, I don't intend to go back and update previous chapters in favor of continuing the story on.
Until next time.