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Dragon Kin in Golarion

Prologue

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Part 4

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Before we headed for the hall, I had paused to get a sword from one of the wounded soldiers. Having a familiar weight in my hand again was more than reassuring.

As we approached the great hall, the sound of battle grew louder. By the time we could make our way in, there were a few dozen guards and assassins fighting each other around the columns lining up the hall. However, that was a mere distraction. A glowing dome of falling stars covered much of the hall, cutting off Lady Aldori, an old man I think was a Cleric in her service, and that damn Frost Giant. She was holding her own, facing off against the monster with a burning sword.

Among all the chaos, peace reigned in front of the raised dais with a table and seats for the rulers of this place. In the middle of it stood the assassin's leader we saw earlier surrounded by some of his cohorts, who were ready to intercept anyone who might dare come close. Several archers stood behind the swordsmen, raining hell upon the defenders.

"We need to take them out, now!" I decided.

"Take a note of their leader. He's a wizard." Tartuccio warned. "If we don't take him out first, we'll be in trouble."

"Crossbows and magic on him, then charge?" I suggested.

A few reluctant nods answered me and we threw ourselves in the fray, pushing through the fatigue. Three bolts flew at the wizard. He sensed something and sidestepped one, a second one merely grazed his cheek as he turned around to look at us, and the third buried itself into the neck of an assassin who stepped in its way.

"Fire and blood!" I charged with my House's words on my lips.

Linzy sang behind us, her magical words bolstering our courage. Harrim walked ponderously towards the enemy, chanting something and just before we reached the closest assassins, a wave of Divine magic washed over us. I could feel something within me stir, my sword felt lighter in my hand and my gaze grew sharper.

I bashed the first assassin to get in my way with my shield and stabbed at him. His armor partially deflected my blow, yet it still opened his side, which bled profusely. Sunfire slithered past us, heading straight for the wizard. Arrows buzzed past her, one of them lodging into her tough hide, enraging her. I finished the assassin in front of me, just as Jaethal ran past surrounded by shimmering energy. A moment later, Valerie was beside me and we went at the thin cluster of lightly armored cut-throats like shit through a goose.

Heavy armor and shields, against leather, when the enemy had to stand their ground? Without something to tilt the odds strongly in their favor, there was only one outcome. Within seconds we went through three more men cutting them to pieces. I expected to see Sunfire savage the wizard, but instead, I staggered when a wave of fear struck me through our bond. The Drake shrieked in terror and ran away flapping her wings in an unsuccessful attempt to take flight.

The bloody wizard turned to face us with a smirk on his face. He gestured and said something and just before we could reach him, he split into five ghostly images, that left no clue as to which one was real, and which an illusion. A bolt flew through one dispelling it, then an arrow struck my right thigh, nearly bringing me to the ground. I huddled behind my shield as much as I could and it was a good thing because moments later I could hear and feel two dull thuds – arrows biting into hard wood.

Tartuccio cast his spell again and golden moths rained upon the enemy. I dared a glance and grinned. Three of the archers collapsed, sleeping soundly, while the scythe-wielding elf fell upon a fourth. The last one had to drop his bow and go for a sword when Valeria ponderously charged him. He managed to parry one strike, then she buried her blade into his throat.

I kept hobbling towards the wizard, whose images pointed their fingers at me. A wave of fear passed over me, slowing me for a moment, but instead of taking hold, it only angered me. The wizard's movements became more frantic when Jaethal went for him as well and cleaved through two of his mirror images. Valerie struck down another and I plunged my sword into the next just as the few remaining pointed their open palm at us.

My blade struck true. I could feel the resistance, good steel cutting through flesh and scraping over bone. There was nothing like that sensation. I pushed the blade deeper and twisted it, before pulling it out for another strike. Harrim dispelled another illusion, and suddenly there were no more ghostly images, just a single bleeding man clutching his chest. He was trying to speak and made a gesture at us, when two swords and a mace struck him, finishing him off.

Our charge was one strike too many. It bought the guards precious moments to rally and overwhelm the assassins they fought without magic and arrows raining upon them within moments, the great hall was secure. The glowing barrier fell, revealing Lady Jamandi and her Cleric. Both were unscratched and the Frost Giant laid on the ground in a bloody unmoving heap.

At that point, relief and exhaustion crashed upon me and it was all I could do to keep myself from collapsing.

"I'll take care of that." Harrim's gruff voice helped me focus.

Sunfire's anger at being terrified sent a jolt of energy through my system – she was raging and hissing at the far corner of the hall.

"Do it. I need to calm down my Dragon before she does something regrettable."

Harrim nodded and didn't too gently tear the arrow out of my leg while chanting and pumping healing magic into me. It not only healed the wound but rejuvenated me a bit, giving me back a bit of energy.

"Thank you." I voiced my gratitude and staggered towards Sunfire.

"It's all right, girl," I said soothingly.

Her slit eyes stared at me with burning anger. Her whole frame shook with her low, barely audible growl. I approached her slowly and knelt in front of her. Sunfire sniffed at me, then butted her head into my chest, allowing me to pet her. She rumbled in satisfaction and slowly calmed down while I rubbed a particularly sensitive spot behind her horns.

While I was busy with Sunfire, the guards tended their wounded and dragged away the assassin's corpses. Any survivors of that bunch might regret not dying, and wouldn't that be a shame…

Our respite didn't last long. Soon, Lady Jamandi gathered us in front of the dais.

"Thank you for your valor and bravery!" She saluted us with a weary smile. "The enemy was strong, but you were stronger!" Swordlord Aldori declared with a tired smile. "And that means I made the right choice. Just as I thought, there were worthy leaders among you. Duncan Targaryen and Tartuccio in particular." She acknowledged us with a nod. "I'm particularly grateful for the courage and common sense you showed defending the mansion… But this attack means we have even less time than I thought. Someone already knows of our plans and is moving against us. You must begin your expedition immediately."

"Lady Aldori!" Tartuccio proclaimed with a flourish. "I know who is behind tonight's attack! It's the vile King of Pitax, Irovetti! What's more, I know who among us works for him!" He paused dramatically, basking in everyone's attention. With a grand gesture, he pointed a finger at me. "Duncan Targaryen! Show everyone the ring you're wearing! You think I wouldn't recognize Irovetti's seal? That's why he wasn't killed, the bandits recognized him as one of their own by the signet ring!"

That little sly bastard! That's why those two assassins didn't slit his throat when we ran into him! Sunfire hissed at him and flashed her teeth in his direction. I sighed in exasperation, damning myself for a fool and gathering every shred of the lessons I once had to learn the hard way.

"Tartuccio is trying to set me up. He is the one who gave me this ring." I spoke calmly and to the point, doing my best to not only be sincere but look like I was telling the truth and only the truth.

"Yes, such a gambit would be typical for Irovetti and his ilk." She nodded at me, relaxing a fraction. "Yet it does seem suspicious." Lady Jamandi sighed, showing just a hint of weariness. "There is definitely a spy among us, but who? Duncan Targaryen or Tartuccio? All I have is one word against another. I'm afraid you're both under suspicion."

Well, that went better than it could have. Sensing my emotions, Sunfire relaxed a bit as well, though she still glared at that damn Gnome.

"They both came to your aid, Lady Jamandi." Kaesi piped up. "But a liar's cunning knows no bonds. I've never met these two or their companions…" My head snapped her way at those words. What game was she playing?! "For all I know, they're all conspiring spies!"

"How could you say that?!" Linzi exclaimed before anyone else could speak. "We fought together! We went through fire together!" The way she spoke, the burning passion of her words, it left little doubt that she was telling the truth. Yet, she was a bard, a performer, and for all anyone else knew, this was one of her masterpieces. "And then you vanished in thin air – after you promised you would wait!"

"My words might be rash…" The thiefling looked away in obvious embarrassment.

"I bet the spy is anyone but Duncan Targaryen!" That boisterous vote of confidence came from an unexpected corner. Amiri pushed her way through the small crowd until she stood beside us. "I saw how he dealt with those creeps with my own eyes!" She proclaimed. "A true warrior that one! I'll go with him through hell and high water! This purple crook on the other hand," Amiri spat on the front in front of Tartuccio, "He's got the eyes of a spy! And the mug of a spy!" She declared as if his appearance was irrevocable evidence. And she started so well…

"Lady Aldori, don't listen to this thick-headed Barbarian!" He scoffed and made a dismissive gesture at Amiri.

"During the attack, Duncan Targaryen showed his true colors!" He made another grand gesture at me. "He forced us to break into the armory and rob it!"

Everyone looked at me again.

I made a show of rolling my eyes.

"The armory was open and empty. We did make use of it to better arm and armor ourselves." I rapped my knuckles on the breastplate I wore. "If it wasn't for this armor, and this shield," I raised my left hand, showing the wooden shield still strapped to it, complete with several broken arrows stuck in it, "I would be dead, along with some of my companions."

"Considering the circumstances, that was more than reasonable." Lady Jamandi said aloud after gazing at the arrows for a few seconds.

"Isn't it insane to stop in the middle of a battle to ask yourself if you might be breaking some rule? Duncan Targaryen acted wisely in this!" I received another vote of confidence, this time from the gloomy Dwarf.

"There is a difference between taking initiative in battle and blatant arrogation!" That came from Valeria. What did arrogation mean anyway? "How someone who so easily disregard rules claim to be a proper leader?"

And just like that, she managed to fall quite a lot in my eyes. What was wrong with that woman? Did she hit her head or inhale a bit too much smoke?

"What about that trick he pulled right before we came in here?" Tartuccio continued on his crusade do damn me. "He knew very well you were fighting the enemy, but instead of rushing to your side, he dallied as long as he could!" The little bastard exclaimed with barely restrained glee. "Dropping everything to save people from the fire, even though the guards were handling things just fine! Duncan Targaryen was obviously hoping to show up too late and find you already dead!"

That was his argument? Really? I stared at the bastard incredulously and wasn't the only one.

"People were burning alive in front of me!" I all but roared, while memories of my own death came to the surface. "How could I possibly walk away?!"

Lady Jamandi was on the same opinion, thankfully. She stared flatly at the cunt. "Really, Tartuccio? You're trying to blame someone for saving people from a fire? My people?"

There were a lot of approving murmurs, especially from the guards who could hear us.

"May Shelyn spare me from ever having to make such a choice…" Linzi shuddered at the very thought. "But Duncan Targaryen behaved decently, as a true leader should!" She added in an upbeat manner.

The undead elf had other ideas.

"A true leader would have their priorities straight. They wouldn't put the life of valuable life in danger for the sake of some servant!" She sneered.

"Enough squabbling!" Swordlord Aldori's voice snapped like a whip. "I still don't know who to trust! Merely being a cold-blooded bastard doesn't condemn someone as a spy." She glared at Tartuccio. "Nor does good deeds wash away the possibility of being a spy, it's what someone particularly cunning might do." She looked straight at me. "I can't risk entrusting this affair to a spy. That's what we'll do the following. Two teams will head out to the Stolen Lands. One led by Tartuccio and the other by Duncan Targaryen. That's why I'll be able to count on one of them to serve my interests."

"Lady Aldori, many of those who were to brave the Stolen Lands are now dead, many more will need time to recover." Valerie bowed to her liege. "Please allow me to join the expedition in their stead."

"I'm sad to lose the services of such a talented warrior like you, Valerie." Lady Jamandi fondly, "But you're right. They have a greater need of you now. Go, and may Abadar keep you. Which group do you wish to join?"

"If Tartuccio allows, I'll join his team. Forgive me, Duncan Targaryen, however, I do not appreciate your willfulness."

The cheek of that woman!

"And I will go with Duncan Targaryen! What wisdom lies in minding laws, rules, and order, in the face of oblivion, knowing not whether you'll be alive tomorrow? I'll go with him!" Harrim gave me a disturbing grin, one that Sunfire matched.

"I like him!" The Drake chirped.

"I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not, dear."

"Duncan Targaryen might be good in battle, however, I care not for all the spiritual agonizing." The undead grumbled. "I prefer the company of those who don't waste time helping every little pipsqueak they meet on the way. I'll join Tartuccio."

"And nothing of value was lost." I couldn't help myself and muttered, making Harrim laugh.

"Oh, Tartuccio is going to take the credit for himself and be done with it! He's a lying bastard too! Shelyn spare me from such allies! I'm going with Duncan!" Linzy happily pipped up. "Besides, he has a Dragon, which is awesome!"

Sunfire preened at that.

"I like her! Can we keep her?"

"Yes, we can keep her," I told Sunfire aloud and she chirped happily. "She likes you if it wasn't obvious," I told Linzy, who beamed.

"As for me, I know neither of them and I wish not to become an unwitting pawn in their schemes. If Lady Jamandi allows, I'll remain in Restov and help mend the wounds the attack inflicted. And who knows, later, my road may lead to the Stolen Lands." Kaesi announced.

What was with that woman? What was with all those crazy women tonight?

"I already said my piece. I'm going with Duncan Targaryen." Amiri grumbled.

"All right, it's decided then. There are two teams. Tartuccio's will head for the Nivakitta's Crossing, where the garrison commandant will offer all the help they might need. Duncan Targaryen and his group will go to Oleg Leveton's trading post. Oleg has been complaining of the Stag Lord's bandits for some time now. He'll provide supplies and up-to-date intelligence." With those words, Lady Jamandi tapped the table and two guards hurried to her side. She offered each a pair of scrolls. "Requisition for basic supplies to get there. These men will give you what you need. I want you on the way at dawn."

Lady Jamandi raised a hand when I was about to follow the guard.

"Duncan Targaryen, I want to believe you. Unfortunately, I know first hand how convincing traitors and spies. If you're truly innocent, I can only hope you can forgive me the precaution. While you're away, Captain Kesten will investigate who in Restov is working for Pitax. Sadly, it's not only them whom we have to contend with. The Royal House of Sutrova might also interfere with our plans. By my best estimate, you have no more than three months to accomplish your objective and bring down the Stag Lord. After that, anything you've done might be pointless."

The Swordlord stood up.

"And now, farewell! This battle was, but the first ordeal on your path, but you overcame it like true champions of Restov! May the obstacles that follow also fall at your feet! Fear nothing my friends and return victorious!"

And with those parting words, the guard ushered us towards the exit and a storehouse near the city gates. We were out by sunrise, without even having the opportunity to get a warm meal or clean up.