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Chapter 31: One Chapter Closes

Unfeeling and cold was this winter night as the breeze swept across the snow-covered streets. Darkness lurked around every corner, stone, or beam, broken only by the lanterns. The sky above was wrapped thick in clouds, not a trace of the stars, nor even the usually comforting sign of the second moon Welun. Such was Fred's luck.

The halfling rules of procurance, published by the center of commerce, taught numerous things a halfling should know over their life. From tiny things about kissing up to the boss, to wise men can hear profit in the wind, or every man has a price, or most important of all, never have sex with the boss's sister, these were just a few. Fred had lived by these rules all of his adult life, having them seen him through his youthful days of a simple stock boy, waiting for his chance to shine. Then again in his years spent on merchant vessels, serving as a waiter, and most importantly in his very tavern. One thing it didn't teach however, was how to face down a copper dragon without shivering in terror. If he survived, he'd have to add an amendment, maybe even get royalties for it.

Fumbling with his buttons of his replacement vest, (one instead from his father.) The businessman struggled to find words to speak. Though he fancied himself a silver-tongued rogue, able to slither his way out of any trouble that found him, even he was starting to worry if he could do so. Everything had seemed so simple on paper, but when you were standing here, getting sized up like a tasty morsal, his mind was as messy as a wizard's study.

"Well look at that. Can't say I've seen you speechless before." Smiled a well-dressed anthropomorphic lion, the Covanian brushing his fluffy brown mane as if he didn't have a care in the world. "I'd almost say cats got your tongue." He chuckled as if he were clever, joined by those he'd brought with him. Men and woman of various races, mounted on scaled beasts with batwings, equipped with scorpion tails and cruel eyes devoid of sentience. Wyverns.

Of course he would be tongue tied! The copper dragon resting atop the building across the street was giving him a predatory eye! Already he could feel the dragon fear twirling up his leg, making it tremble. He had to stomp it down and pull out his trusty pipe, just to now fall to his knees and plead for his life. "Quintus, you surprise me. Out this late? I thought you and your associates would be out partying, enjoying your rightfully earned spoils. Do you perhaps need something? Keg of foggy mountain whiskey? A tray of bubble berry tarts? Rousing tankards of Mitarinok?" He forced a smile, hiding the cold coiling up his spine as Quintus slid off his monstrous mount and sauntered over, eyeing the tavern with a sigh.

"You can keep your wretched minotaur coffee. Though its fascinating you'd play this little game between us could be, wouldn't you rather just cut to the chase?" He slung an arm around the little halfling, turning him away from the dragon, with it, the trembling fear.

"And...What chase would that be?" Fred chuckled, offering the man a smoke. "I'm just a simple tavern owner, you know that, looking out for my business. You and your friends have a...peculiar way of doing things, but who am I to argue, you pay well enough!" He burst out laughing into the cold night air.

Quintus frowned, turning sharply as he strolled to his wyvern, pulling something from it's saddle. He shook his head, "If that's the way you wish it to be, who am I to argue?"

"Come now Quintus, you're starting to make me feel as though you've got some terrible news! Especially on a night such as this." Fred turned, freezing as he gazed into the golden eyes of the dragon. Even though the dozen or so wyverns that rested impatiently in the street, snapping at each other, this dragon drew all the attention. Fred would have had faced down at least four dozen wyvern knights instead of this lone dragon. He gulped, lighting the pipe as Quintus returned with a scowl, offering him the parchment.

"Don't you recognize this?"

"Recognize what?" He grabbed the papers with a scoff, though going wide eyed as he noticed a familiar unicorn patch scrawled on the page. Dread coiled in his gut, but he played it off with a laugh. "Never seen it before in my life. Poor animal to choose though, if you ask me, "Should have made it a dragon!" He nodded to the frightful beast, not even getting a shiver or reaction, just that deathly stare.

"Really, is that so?" Quintus uttered coldly, pulling Fred closer. "Then why is it that the assassin chose to mention your establishment had offered him poison?"

"Assassin? What Assassin?" He chuckled into his pipe, "If you interrogated him, he'd admit to being anything. Even a giant pink rhino wouldn't be out of the question."

The lion merely smirked, continuing to shake his head as he laid out his case. He listed dates, time of meeting, the assassin's accomplices. "You think they'd concoct a story such as that? Please Fred, you wound me." He placed a paw to his scale mail clad chest. "To think I'd be that amateurish."

"W-Well, it seems as though you've been quite thorough." Fred gulped, his cheeks flushing from the cold. "Which person was this?" He innocently rose a brow, making the Covanian scoff and throw up his hands.

"You know them."

"But if I did, do jog my memory. I do meet so many people coming and going, it's hard to ever keep track."

"Elf, goes by the name of Ena."

"Oh her!" Fred laughed cheerfully. "The one with the curly hair and the traveling circus how could I forget? They paid for everything up front, lovely people, have you _ever_tried their pelmeni? Wonderful little dumplings, quite tasty-" The lion frowned, eyes sharpened.

"The elf tried to kill my master Fred. The matter is quite serious, for yourself and your tavern." He gestured cruelty to the tavern doors, where the sign's gentle clattering clove through the silence of the street.

"How serious are we talking about?" The halfling winced as the lion leaned in with a cruel grin.

"Deadly serious I'm afraid."

He gulped, color draining from his face as the other humans laughed and chuckled cruelly among themselves. Some where trading coin, betting on how long this conversation would continue before their master decided to end it. "And...Why am I still alive then if you've such overwhelming evidence?"

"See The Lord of Fire there? Quite the task master. Likes things done fine and orderly, me? Same way. Now we differ on the outlook of things, myself? I'm quite the optimist, I see the good in people!" The lion smiled, grasping Fred's shoulders tightly with both his paws. "So, I wanted to help you Fred, give you a chance to explain this _dreadful_misunderstanding."

"Well of course it's a misunderstanding!" Fred blurted, making sure the dragon could see him. "It's not exactly wise business sense to poison the customer, and you the _benevolent_Lord of Fire are the greatest customer I've ever had! The girls were talking of you!"

The dragon rose its brow, fluffing it's wings to fight off the cold. Sensing a rising interest, the halfling continued, spirits starting to rise.

"Yes, the great Lord of Fire they said. Mighty and strong, quite the looker! I do believe the words used were dazzling, strong, viral, and...ahem...Sexy."

"Did they now." The dragon rumbled, raising its head in thoughts most salacious. "Fine tastes your concubines have little halfling. Perhaps another night."

"Sire. May I interject." Quintus spun around, giving a simple bow. "Fred here is engaging in a diversion tactic. Using one's own pride and lust against you."

"Is he now?" The dragon cocked it's head, crawling a few tentative steps down the roof. "You don't think his concubines could think such things?"

"I'm sure most concubines think so sire, it's just he's trying to fool us...Ahem, your greatness."

The dragon reared it's head in shock, eyes sharpening like blades. The snort that came was so vicious and smoke filled, Fred believed he might be roasted right then and there. "_Such_a clever little thing he thinks he is. Its most unwise to lie to a dragon."

"Why would I lie about that! Do I look like I'd wish the worst punishment of my tavern being burned?" Fred blurted desperately, trying to regain some semblance of control.

"Burned huh?" The dragon stroked it's snout, amused by this punishment.

"I speak only truths our great Lord of Fire! My concu--, ladies speak only the greatest of praises. Even..." He swallowed down the lump in his throat, blushing as he fumbled with his buttons. "I would do anything to please you."

There was a moment of silence around Quintus and the guards, in which they all exchanged amused looks. They waited for the dragon's reaction though, the Lord of Fire had seemingly frozen. A great smile spread across its snout as it threw back it's head, unleashing a harrowing laugh that did little to quell the halfling's fear.

"You never told me he was a jester Quintus. Perhaps we should take him back to the fort, dress him up in frilly stockings and bells!"

"If that's what you would wish of him sire." Quintus bowed, turning back to Fred. "Though I do suggest making an example of him."

The Lord of Fire looked to him fondly, swishing his tail against the building. "That's why I always liked you Quintus, such a devious, goal-oriented mind. When we get back, I'll see to it your rewarded. But that brings us back to you." With a threatening growl, the dragon's attention was back to the now trembling halfling. "Quintus pleaded for this chance to spare you. I've heard no reason to do so halfling. You've aided an assassin in their attempt. You and your tavern will prove examples of what happens when you do such heinous things. Which is a pity, I did_enjoy your dwarven ale." He averted his snout to one of the other guards, insisting the man remember they had to find _another favorite tavern. "Such a shame too, it's so hard to come by good food now adays. I suppose I'll have to find enjoyment of making you watch as your tavern is burned to the ground."

"Excellent choice sire." Quintus smirked as the other guards around them gleamed in malevolent glee.

Heart racing, palms sweating, Fred shot up his hands, desperate to save his life. "Wait! Wait, Wait!" He shouted, voice cracking. "That would be a mistake!"

The men chuckled to themselves, wondering what excuse he could give. They'd heard them all from gods and devils to attempts of bribery or prostitution. They crossed their arms, leaning forward in their saddles. Even Quintus among them scoffed in derision.

"And what mistake could it possibly be?" Lord of Fire levied the halfling with a terrifying stare, one that pierced through the fabric of his soul.

"I have a treasure within you might want." He stammered, mind locking on the first thing to mind. "Very valuable, powerful, an artifact of no equal."

"And where would it be?" The dragon mused with a chuckle, rolling it's paws. "That it appeared mere moments from your punishment?"

"In the tavern! It's called a dragon orb I b-"

At the mention of the orb, the dragon's eyes shot open. In all his wildest dreams, he never thought a great treasure like this would fall into his claws. He'd be rewarded beyond his wildest dreams for this. How could this halfling even know about them? Only a select few knew of their existence, all of the dragons! With a fluffing of his wings and growl, the dragon returned his hardened look, enjoying how the halfling squirmed and sweat. "Speak how you came of this orb. And do it quickly."

In an ever-heightening voice, Fred explained the adventurers within the tavern, and how they'd come by the orb. To his relief, there was no more doubt within the dragon's eye over the validity of his story. The same could not be said for Quintus. The man was all but ready to chop off his head himself.

"He's lying sire. Obviously, anything to preserve his life. Let me cut this halfling's tongue out of his-"

Lord of Fire cut the lion off with a wing, amusement within his golden slits. "This prize and reveal have prolonged your life little halfling. With it, I could...excuse your transgression." He gestured to the building with a growl, eyeing the lights still lit, eyes pressed to the window, no doubt taking in his magnificent form, trembling with terror. He smiled in wicked glee.

"Why thank you great Lord of Fire! Let none say you aren't merciful!" Fred fell to his knees, hands clasped together, his praises cut off by a savage snarl that nearly stopped his heart.

"You have ten minutes to return it to me...Or I shall burn the tavern down to cinders and recover the orb from the ashes." There was no questioning in his tone, only the cruel, wretched facts. "Do I make myself clear?" With the halfling nodding faster than a butterfly's wings, the dragon bid him leave with a wing. "Better hurry along. Time is ever ticking."

Deep laughter overtook the dragon as the halfling scampered across the snow, stumbling on his bare pads up the wooden steps of the tavern. He was echoed by his minions as the tavern door slammed shut, Fred's face a perfect expression of terror. It would only be rivaled by the look of surprise and dread when Lord of Fire revealed he had no intention of sparing the little man. Oh, that would be positively to die for.

*

Fred caught his chest, swearing his heart was going to leap out of it. Somehow against all this, he'd bought himself ten minutes to escape to his underground tunnels. Oh, how he could kiss Glenreich's gold soled boots. The goddess of wealth would surely be proud of him. He looked to his employees, eyes filled with terror over what was going to transpire, not knowing if they were to live or die. Dom was the first to ask, stuttering as he usually did.

He gestured to them to all gather what they could, they were going to escape. "Though I have some good news and bad news." He whispered to Dom as the other halfling's scattered away. "Saw through the dragon's ruse. He's going to torch the inn, no matter what I do."

"You sure?" Dom asked innocently, "We don't deal with many dragons."

"No, but I've looked into the eyes of a killer before. He's going to do it, bet all my gold."

"So...What's the good news?"

"I'm going to be rich." Fred rubbed his hands together greedily, "Cousin Gala may have mocked me for dragon insurance, but the jokes on him!"

"Brother...You didn't..." Dom muttered in disbelief, "But that's insurance frau-"

"Oh shush. Like they're going to know. And you're not going to tell anyone."

"Why is that?"

"Cause you're getting ten percent."

"Ten?" Dom pulled back, looking insulted at the offer. "I want at least twenty!"

"Fifteen." Fred hissed, starting across the hall. "Take it or leave it."

Just as his brother agreed to the arrangement, the adventurers had barged into the hall, all equipped and ready to depart. It was if they were not even aware there was a dragon waiting outside to kill them. The elven girl looked truly upset, her arm tightly wrapped around the ilbir who was marching with purpose towards the door. His face of a typical warrior, ready to brandish his sword.

"Now, just take the others and run." Tenzin muttered softly, easily tearing her off. "Do as I say. Please."

The others filed in, no arguments to be found in them. Asterion was stoic as usual, Feku was unconscious, and Nivra was too busy holding at her sides and attempting to keep down her stomach. Achaaz was the only one to turn to Fred and shout at him with the strength of a dragon's roar.

"You, halfling! Can't you find it in your heart to forgive us?" She latched again to the ilbir, at least preventing him from opening the door. "I know he broke some things that meant a great deal to you, but there has to be something we can do. He's going to throw his life away if you don't."

"It's not throwing my life away." Tenzin growled, "Now stop this senseless arguing and let me do this."

Fred watched as they struggled, almost moved by the girl's words for this hairy brute. He had to remind himself that no good deed went unpunished. "No, there is no way I will let that brute use our escape. That goes for the rest of you as well. Good luck in escaping the dragon, you're going to need it." He went to turn, follow his brother, but the girl's sigh and request stopped him dead in his tracks, he nearly fainted.

"How about we pay you triple, will that do?"

In the time it took to breathe, Fred whirled around, the greatest of smiles on his face. "Of course, that will do my dear!" He said warmly, gesturing over his shoulder. "You should have led with that, now come on, lets get out of here before we all perish!" With a wink he raced towards his cellar, the adventurers exchanging looks of stunned relief before rushing after him.

*

"Touch that chest and you're dead." Asterion blurted sternly, scaring the now trembling Fred away from his chest of diamonds.

"Noted! You can't blame a man for trying." The halfling quipped, noticeably falling back to get back to his conversation with Achaaz over the price of their payment for safe passage. Evidently the dragon was none too pleased with the amount that'd been offered. She was desperately trying to negotiate the halfling down. Her cheeks were red as she made her case, fumbling through what the halfling had insisted was a fair trade. You could see it in her eyes, the urge to simply change back to her dragon form and make the demand, but miraculously, she held that card to her chest.

They'd been walking for hours along these narrow caverns, led by Dom and the other halflings. The few lanterns they carried lit the dank quarters, not a word being shared between them. Sounds of the tavern's destruction had long since faded away into nothing, the dragon noticeably not waiting the full ten minutes that Fred had insisted would be given. Feku and Nivra were now up and about, groaning at the toxin's final gift, a headache so foul it drove Nivra to curse under breath every few minutes. Tenzin himself was staring off, thousands of miles away, staring off into the shadow rich passage before them.

"You've been quiet for a while." Nivra broke the silence, eager to find something to do rather than groan at her ache and shake her head over the squabbling dragoness and halfling. "Realizing its better to not throw your life foolishly away? One might think you want to die."

He gave her a cross look, fighting down the urge to break his stoic composure. She was either foolishly optimistic or crazy. If not for Fred loving money rather than his words, they'd have no other choice. He supposed she could have simply been crazy, one would have had to been to even think of facing the Abolyth back in the watery depths. "It wasn't foolishness. I know my duty, there is no desire to end my life so soon." He shrugged his shoulders, averting her inquiring gaze. "You surprise me with your brazen optimism."

The mage held her staff tight, using it more like a cane, her answer coming laced with her discomfort. "It's not like that at all. We proved with a well thought plan and action, such...simple solutions are not required." She forced a smile, holding it before it faded with a groan. "Don't worry, you'll learn in time."

"I see our escape has only fueled this belief of yours. That we shall travel, fight and struggle, but always emerge unscathed." He flicked his eyes to Feku, the kobold's scales a bright crimson as she glared at Fred with the intensity of a sun. Evidently her poisoning had not gone over well with her.

Nivra scoffed at the notion, "You make it sound like we're a bunch of naïve fools. I may have been a tad...conflicted when this all began but go ahead and recount our triumphs." With a weary smile she counted off their victories one by one. "And to top off this pattern of success, we have escaping the jaws of a dragon!"

Silence held the ilbir in it's sway as he focused on the weathered path. How so much like himself she reminded him of, before the years had been stripped from him. Eventually after the minutes had passed he returned his attentions, trying to offer words that had once been instilled to him, "Queen, if I may be so bold, may I speak frankly?"

The queen's brow lifted, such a strange thing she'd never been asked. She chuckled at his politeness, this delicacy on display on a man so above her in height and strength. "Assume you can with me Tenzin, I always like to know what's on the mind of my allies and advisors. Never create an echo chamber I always say-"

"You're arrogant, and it's only grown." Despite the look of bewilderment on her face he continued, "You think yourself clever and strong, fostering a cavalier belief nothing can go wrong. I was foolish to not heed this advice when I was younger, perhaps I wouldn't have found myself on the eastern shore of Azemeth, believing we could fight the Covanians on our own..." The dark night of his capture stilled his tongue, remembering how he flailed in the watery grip of the sea elves, how he'd fought them tooth and claw until he'd passed out. With a cough, he continued. "One day your magic will fail, your tongue will fall slack, tricks will not avail you. On that day a hard choice will have to be made, you must understand the risks and danger you expose yourself to."

At the ilbir's blunt words, Nivra averted her gaze and held her tongue. Debate over ideology was the furthest thing from her mind as she squeezed her aching temples that throbbed like a Stiton frogs with two heads. She rested a hand on his broad shoulder, "That well may be, but trust me, I'll endeavor to put as much distance between that day and now as possible. Now, what I've learned for the eve is to have someone test whatever it is that I'm about to put in my mouth, no matter how charming the one doing the offering."

"Do you think that will get in the way of your beloved?" He laughed, making the queen's cheeks flash bright crimson as she floundered and tried to better describe what she'd exactly meant. He continued with an amused smirk, knowing unlike him, she'd at least take his words to heart.

Conversation soon shifted to the Bloody Mermaid and her crew, what would become of them with the group's departure and the reveal of the copper dragon. Fred piped in that the dragon would likely head to their ship, find whoever was on it and insist upon their loyalty. Frowns spread to the adventurers when he added that those who resisted would be burned before the others, to show what happens to those that refuse a dragon. Those that were left would be added to the standing force of mercenaries.

"That's what they did with the other mercenaries after all. Consistent the beast was, only good thing I can say about it."

"And they paid your inflated prices!" Rom chimed in.

"That they did." Fred sighed heavily, stashing his hands into his pockets as the family behind him struggled with their packs of gear and supplies. "Going to miss that about them. Think the people of Struport will be equally loose with their coin?"

Looks of concern were shared between the adventurers but there was nothing that could be done. Words were said for Tehya, hoping the minotaur and Aeros were smart enough to keep their heads down, possibly even work out an escape in the coming days. Feku asked about going to their rescue, but the ideas was shot down.

"We can't risk the dragon getting it's claws on the orb." Nivra had muttered, holding the white scaled kobold close, staring into her frightful eyes. Despite her reluctance she admitted defeat, sticking close to Asterion, and making the cleric say a prayer for them.

All night they traveled until their feat ached and weariness proved too strong of an opponent. They huddled close in the shadows, fearful of the sound of scraping claws and pleased trills from their draconic pursuer, luckily, they did not. After breakfast and spells they broke out from their passage and into the sprawling copperneck mountainside, where the metallic dusting of the rocks winked in the rays of first light. Snow covered every which way, disturbed already by the passage of nature. The path was tight against the mountain, providing ample places to hide around the rocky terrain. To their eyes the sky was calm, not a cloud within the sky, yet what would be peaceful, instead inspired an aura of silent dread.

Clutching their cloaks, they pressed forward, all their eyes glued to the sky. Tenzin led them forward, his tremendous size leaving a path in the snow easy to follow. Not a word was shared to any of them, except for the occasional complaint of aching feet or the cold, but each stopped dead in their tracks when the ilbir sense movement, instructing them to shield themselves behind what they could.

By nightfall they were happy for Nivra at their side, able to craft a hidden shelter with her magic. They could share in a fire, huddle close, and sleep easy knowing they'd just be another rock upon the mountain. In hushed voices they shared stories, though the halfling's could always be drawn back to finance and business. His audience were none too amused.

The days passed quickly for this mismatched group, with information of their journey being shared to Struport by way of one of Asterion's spells. They knew of the orb, and how important it was that they remain hidden. They were to have a dragon come and meet them when they could see the city, the issue was just getting there. Even though the days had been free of any sign of their copper acquaintance, the nagging suspicion was always there in the back of their minds, whispering they were mere moments from capture.

On mid-day of the third day they followed the mountain's downward descent, getting glimpses of Struport in the distance. While the others smiled and cheered, Tenzin couldn't help but itch at his fur, never genuinely liking the packed quarters of humanity. His people like to spread themselves across the land, not press themselves like vermin in the underbrush. He gave a fake smile when they nudged him, and he led them further after Asterion shared this information with the city.

It wasn't long before the air filled with the swift beating of leathery wings and a snow dune came sweeping over them, dusting them all in a wintery coat. Despite the foreknowledge, panic surged through their ranks like an unchecked plague, it was only Nivra and the other's that kept their calm. As the blue scaled beast emerged from his invisibility spell, Tenzin found himself in awe, stunned that he'd counted a third dragon to have seen. He bowed his head, thanking the gods for such an honor.

Storm fluffed his wings behind him to keep his blood flowing in this biting cold. Standing proudly, he approached, his scales sparkling like diamonds as a hard silver gaze fell upon them all. He searched them in the coming silence, already listing off the countless crimes this princess and her group had committed. When he caught Nivra the stern conversation he'd planned to issue to them faded away, as recent events haunted at his thoughts. He bowed his head as the princess approached with all the importance of her station.

"What a surprise to find you here. I thought they'd have sent a team of pegasai or your mate to greet us." She held up a hand with a sigh, knowing the tension that lingered between them. "Yes, I know. I'm sorry for how we parted, but that matters little. Arcturus had told you of the orb?"

The dragon shifted his paws in the snow, armored tail coiling around his hinds. Softly he nodded as his heart stretched and the future queen continued, gesturing to the others to approach. They had nothing to fear from the dragon.

"Hi father." Achaaz waved happily, then patting her pack heavy with treasure. "Wait until you hear our story! Wait until Jandar finds out, he's going to be positively blue with envy!"

Nivra coughed and tapped her staff, reminding them there were more important things than reunions and greetings. They had the orb to secure and hide, "Can you bring us to your mate then? Her mother?" She gestured to Achaaz, who was being gawked at by Fred and the halflings, trying to wrap their heads around this polymorphed dragon, some of them exchanging pouches of coin. The dragon nodded, "Then we have lots of work to do, there is so much planning on what needs to be done, and why the orb decided to call out your mate, if it did call out your mate, don't think for one second I don't have some other interesting theories."

"Nivra." Storm uttered softly, his voice tinged with discomfort. She ignored him and walked to the dragon's side, expecting him to lower.

"What? I've been thinking of this for days now, a plan has to be hatched. We'll use her library, gleam through books after book until we have more information."

"Nivra-"

"Yes I know, it will take some time, but long as we keep the dragons away from the chocolate we should be fine-"

"Nivra." He snorted harshly, pulling her attention with extended paw. When she looked to him with shock of such a motion he recoiled with a heavy sigh, his head drooping. No one else had been brave enough to tell her, "Merlia returned with the others-"

"That's wonderful!" She blurted cheerfully, already counting the moments before she'd hold her fluffy gryphon again. The dragon maintained his stoic look, an empathetic glimmer in his eye. Bitter cold slithered around her heart as she felt the moment shatter. It pierced her soul like a lance as he brought reality to her deepest fears.

"Voidwing...He...Wasn't one of them."

* * * * * * * * *

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