The Dragon's Cry

You don't have to wait long. Within a minute or two, you hear low voices, and then a tall, elderly man bearing a small leather packet walks through the door, followed shortly by a much younger man in soldier's finery.

"Your men were incompetent, General." The elderly man speaks slowly and evenly, but it is clear, even from your place in the shadows, that he is extremely displeased. He sits at the desk, leaving the other man to stand. "The assignment was simple: obtain all dragonkin in the town and keep them under guard."

"We did not anticipate--"

"Nonsense! You know the strength of these creatures. Your men should have drugged them instead of merely subduing them with force. Now two of them are loose."

"My men are in pursuit, my lord."

"Of both?"

The general fidgets noticeably. "Of one, sir. The other has not been located."

You find yourself with an uncomfortable urge to sneeze.

"The other has not been located. Then I suggest you start looking harder!" The lord's voice gets louder and he stands up, towering over the general. "I hope I do not have to emphasize to you the importance of this to our operation."

"Certainly not, Lord Shrike."

"Then I suggest you attend to your men, General Kyne."

"Yes, my lord." The general salutes and strides quickly out the door.

Lord Shrike sinks slowly to the chair and opens the packet to reveal a scroll, quill, and inkwell. He begins to examine the manuscript, making occasional notes, when you notice the dagger in your hand growing hot.

A strikingly beautiful woman, clad entirely in silver, walks purposefully into the room, and Lord Shrike suddenly jumps up again.

"How the hell did you get down here!"

"I have my ways, Lord Shrike." The contempt with which she speaks his name is almost palpable as she strides to the table and places her hands on it. "You know what I am here for."

"No, lady, I do not believe I do. Why are you here?"

"The dragonkin. Release them. Now."

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Lady Valeris." Lord Shrike sits down again, composing himself. "As you doubtless understand, these creatures are essential to my plans for Shadow."

Lady Valeris snorts and brings herself to her full height - which you realize is not very high. Yet she has an even stronger presence than Lord Shrike.

"I cannot recruit them for my ends if you keep them enchained."

"Then I am afraid you are at a disadvantage. The dragons will remain in my custody."

Lady Valeris smiles. You would think that her smile could warm even the coldest heart, but instead the room seems to cool several degrees. "Not exactly."

"So you know?" Shrike asks. "Who told you?"

"No one needed to. Your pathetic band of rabble are tripping over themselves all over the cave system, looking for your two escapees. I must applaud the one who got away on his own -- what was his name, Shree?"

Your ears suddenly perk up at the mention of your name, but you get a feeling of warning, as if someone were telling you to stay back.

"How the hell should I know which--"

"And how well are you subduing Sussurr? He required help, of course, but if your soldiers lose his trail -- which would not surprise me -- I have no doubt he will easily make it out."

"You would dare -- you would dare! Gu--"

Lun! Just before Lord Shrike calls for his guards, Valeris shouts some magic word. "Your guards will not come."

"I should kill you here!" Shrike sputters.

"You could do nothing of the sort."

"GUARDS!!!"

"I told you, they cannot hear us. I have blanketed this chamber with a cone of silence."

Shrike regains his composure. "You shall pay for this."

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. You may keep the other dragons captive for now. I only require the two who have already escaped. Call off your patrols. I shall remove the cone of silence, but beware: any false move, and I will destroy this cavern."

Lord Shrike seems to be considering his options, when you hear the woman's voice in your head: "Stay in the shadows. If he disobeys, you do not want to be out in the open."

You nod your head, very slightly. On the other hand, you are behind him -- if you lunge, you might be able to catch him off-guard before he did something horrible. And even if this Lady Valeris seems to want you for something, at least she wants you free -- and she helped another of your kind.

Valeris makes a sign in the air, and nods towards Shrike.

"Guard!" he cries...

What will you do?

Contributed by Kelson Vibber


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