FSE

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Chapter 9

"Alright, so this is how it's going down, Broxl, watch the door." Lyndis whispered, motioning for the others to gather around her within the diminutive confines of stone alcove off the main passages, an unconscious guard sprawled out at their feet. Though he'd answered her questions about this place, he couldn't well enough by left to his own devices.

"I just don't get why we have to keep leaving my rope, I paid top coin for that you know." Vishta hissed, her arms firmly crossed against her chest.

"Put it on my bill, gods knows everyone else does." She rolled her eyes. "According to sleeping beauty here, there are two places this book could be. One in the great hall of Nutambar, where the druids perform their rituals, the other the ascension chamber for the new recruits. Now, from what we can gleam from their responses,that place doesn't sound the least bit friendly."

"And let me guess, you want to split up?" Cordenth crouched beside her, "Here I thought that was a rule never to do?"

"More of a guideline." She waved him off, "Unless you fancy spending more time in here than needed."

"I mean, I could always steal some of those fancy scrolls I saw." Vishta rubbed together her claws, "Bound to be some fascinating information on their culture, spells, organization-" Her eyes narrowed as they looked on with apathy, "If you don't want an honest answer, don't ask the question."

It was then that Cordenth looked upon the woman he loved with such doubt, hearing the plan run out of her little maw like spittle. For some bizarre reason, she wished to only take Vishta deeper into the ascension chambers, insisting they'd move faster and more quietly. Did she think Vishta would be able to protect her if trouble reared it's head? She needed the best by her side, and by the stars that _should_be him!

"Lyndis, you can't be serious." He laid a claw on her shoulder as she made the case for he and Broxl to investigate the hall of Nutambar, "Me check in on a bunch of druids? What about you?"

"Flattered." She replied softly, her cheeks blushing from his concern, "But I need you to look out for Broxl over there, we need him to get out of here."

"Hardly. He can't even _fly_us out of the marsh, what's he going to do?"

"Radiant Star." Her hand found his cheek, the softness of her voice disarming him. "Just do it for me alright?"

Damn her and that innocent look, the one that drove a battering ram right through his defenses. He held her hand with a sigh, resting his snout against her head. "Fine, I'll manage to watch over this whelp. But know that it shall not be an easy task."

"Being pared with you is no clear day either dragon." The hunter hissed from the doorway, eyes locked upon the shadowy hallways.

"See? We're both not thrilled with the idea, why pull the thread of this particular point?"

"Because I trust you to keep him safe." Lyndis replied.

Again, with that look, the care in her amber pools. It wretched a rumble from his throat, lifted his spirits to have that amount of trust in one person. When she hugged him to part, he nuzzled against her, wishing her safety in her efforts.

"And don't forget to meet us here." She kissed his scaled cheek, "Or else we'll have to go looking for you, then _that's_an entire thing. Been down that road I'd rather not."

"What she'd meaning to say, we'd rather not waste the time looking for your tail." Vishta groaned, "Get in, get out."

He growled at the rather crude way of putting it, but wished his beloved well regardless. "And Vishta." He called to the kobold, wearing a malevolent smirk, "Do hope you're with her when we meet again, I wouldn't want to waste time looking for you either."

*

Not a soul stopped to question to siigonis striding as though they belonged within these weathered halls. Cordenth stuck close to Broxl, hoping the siigonis was far better at mapping out instructions than he. The shadows here seemed to flow like ink, hardly broken by the distant glowing algae that clung to sconces instead of torches that adorned the human abodes back in Drenedar. Branching hallways told tales of libraries, temples to the other gods, of acolytes practicing their magical arts away from prying eyes. Though what magics were deemed so reclusive they avoided the light above? Cordenth shivered at such a thought, as the oppressive walls seemed to draw ever closer towards them.

What felt like hours passed in minutes as the pair kept to themselves. They passed frail and weakened siigonis, clad in various leathers and feathers. Each of their faces was one of misery made manifest, scars of a whip's touch clear as day upon their scales. None spoke, or offered a questioning look, all meandered along, staring off into realms unknown or ensuring they didn't stumble over their own two feet. With every hallway the pair crossed, the stench of iron hung heavy on the air, making them long for the earthy, floral scents from above.

Either by the anticipation or the lack of fresh air, Cordenth found his steps ever sluggish. Everything seemed to be in a shrouded haze, even the sounds of their steps grew muffled and dull. Beyond the walls of stone and root, he sensed something deep within, a familiar sense of being. It called to him, spoke of younger days, when the world was fresh and carefree in his eyes. How he longed to touch it, embrace it, hold it close and cherish it till the end of time. He found himself on the floor in the blink of an eye, Broxl looming over him, nudging him awake.

"Now is not the time for a nap."

"Was I?" Cordenth shook his head, uncertain exactly what had transpired. He took an offered claw and pulled himself up, trying to piece together the sensation. For a moment, he was certain that his mother was here. How he wasn't certain, but less crazy things had happened to him before. Of course he didn't share this with the hunter, why would he even bother? But that didn't stop the inquisitive look of concern on the scaled man's face.

"What shadows have you crossed paths with?" The hunter asked, pausing to lay a claw upon a chipped doorway, the stone adorned with the etchings of draconic all but lost to time itself.

"The creatures I thoroughly bested or the ones you chase away with a flame?" Scoffed Cordenth hiding his concern with a playful swish of the tail. "Cause both, obviously."

"Not that." His snout traced the edges of the stone, drawn to the darkness beyond. The usually stoic siigonis shivered, his jaw clenching tight. "There's a foul wind about us, your collapse all but confirms it. I hadn't thought we'd ever cross paths again with such a thing."

Intrigued by this sudden chance of tone, the dragon kept close, keeping out an extra pair of eyes. By his account, no one was drawing any more attention than they had before. Was Broxl simply getting a cold pair of feet? He merely offered a nod, letting the siigonis blather on and unburden his troubled soul. It was quaint, but he supposed understandable. When around a creature as wonderous as he, it was only natural for the weak to need validation from the strong.

"The song it sings might be different, the face it wears clever, but deep within it remains the twisted disease that its ever been. It lurks within the hearts of us all, whispering promises of prosperity and growth. But at what cost?"

"All because we split up? The dark book? The eggs? You've seen this before?"

"I speak of demons." He hissed softly, eyes darting around as if some foul force could hear them even now, leap out with gnashing teeth and terrible claws. "Last I'd heard of them within our lands, my village paid the finale price. In a single night, many were lost, cast away by the great storms they summoned, or ripped apart by their ravenous, followers, with bodies that even we didn't recognize."

It was then that they came across a vast door of limestone, draconic etched into it's weathered surface. Along it's edges were plates of solid gold, marred with the dried blood of lives long since spent. The hallway before it had seen combat, if the signs of chipped stone and clawmarks were any indication. Even Cordenth paused as he saw the valleys of dragged claws, victim's last pleas falling deaf upon the ears of their tormentors. The gems that rested atop this grim entrance gleamed with a malevolent crimson light, a warning to not tread any further.

"This does not bode well for your theory." Cordenth uttered softly, feeling a vibration through the stone beneath his paws. His heart stilled, what could be so great that such a thing could be achieved?

"Siigonis blood." The hunter replied callously, kneeling, and wiping the dried smears, tasting it with a flick of the tongue.

"But where they traitor to the order? Or victims when the changing of the guard transpired?"

Broxl paused before the door, resting a claw upon it's surface. Where bravery had once dwelled, only indecision and fear seemed to permeate. He stared, his tail shifting only slightly, pondering what terrible sight they might behold at a mere opening of a door.

"Found something you're lacking in?" Cordenth took this chance to press forward, joining the hunter and giving him a confident smirk. "It's alright to admit weakness, I will compensate of course."

"These people were supposed to be above killing of any soul. Yet here, within these shadowy halls they abandon their principles. What chance do we have from whatever horror lurks within?"

"Broxl, you can stow that tentativeness, you have me by your side." He rested a claw on the hesitant siigonis, taking charge as was his birthright. "Lyndis and the others count upon our deeds, and thus it will be so. Take heart, should you perish, I will succeed where you fail."

For some reason his inspiring words did little to enlighten the spark of hope within the siigonis' eyes. "You're terrible at whatever you're doing."

"It wasn't for you." He took a deep breath, chest filling with pride. "But for myself, a cementing of what will happen. Now stow what tribulations you have and follow, quivering like little kobolds will serve us ill." With a grin he tossed open the stone doors, throwing any caution to the winds.

With the force of a storm, he was bombarded by a noxious wind most foul. Rotted and decaying meat that shivered his snout, made him wince, his entire body rebelling and wishing to wretch at the prospect. He gaged and doubled over, wheezing to get a semblance of control over his functions. The only solace that he took over such an embarrassing situation was that Broxl was mimicking his actions right beside him. Even as they suffered, the scent was not the only thing, the air trembled at the groan of some thunderous force, a cacophony of suffering to still the heart of even the most callous in nature.

"What in the nine hells could that be?" Cordenth coughed, whipping away the spittle from his maw, eyes darting around the vast hall.

From the ceiling came scores of intertwining roots, spreading towards the edges like thousands of little fingers. They were home to swarms of fluttering insects, whose bodies glowed with a natural viridian light. Their prominence gave a life of sorts to the siigonis carving of Nutambar that watched over them all. But where pride might have been found years ago, what lay below was nothing but disappointment and suffering to the silent god.

Stone slabs were arranged around the circular hall, slathered with dried blood. At each was a defeated, exhausted looking siigonis, clutching a cruel blade, slicing through meat with grim efficiency. They were hallowed shells of crimson gore, taking their work and dropping it into baskets to be plucked up by others of their kin. At the center there were steps leading up, blackened rivers from previous victims speaking of the untold suffering they'd endured. Surrounding a great statue hidden in shadow, were siigonis with their heads bowed, chanting a foul spell on the air.

As Broxl stood on, awestruck and without words, Cordenth could only scoff. It wasn't as bad as he'd thought. There were no skewered bodies, heaps of discarded organs, no effigies to some dark god. When one thought of demons and devils, you'd think the horrors would be exceptional to say the least! "Not going to lie, I can see why this might be a place for the book to be found."

"What...What have they done?" The hunter's voice was but a whisper as he took a labored step. "How could they do that to him of all things?"

"Him?" Cordenth's brow rose as he stuck close. If anyone was to have the cursed book they were supposed to find, it would be those siigonis casting spells at the top. "We're looking for a book of spells Broxl, keep focused. Don't lose sight over a hall turned into a bizarre butchery. Now let's go have an aggressive chat with those casters hmm? "

But as sound radiated from above once more, Cordenth recognized what it could only be. How could he have not recognized it earlier? With but a step the bravado was gone, the thrill of adventure dying. That was not just any sound, that was that the pained song of a dragon, pushed to their limits of agony. "They have a dragon down here?" Cordenth snarled, a raging fire lighting within his chest. Clenching tight his claws he stomped his way forth, shaking by the time he laid eyes upon the feather adorned siigonis that dared called themselves druids beforehand.

One siigonis, draped in crimson robes that flowed over his scales like a waterfall approached, a look of relief upon his snout. "Good, you must be the help that we've been expecting. It will be good to have an extra pair of hands down within these most sacred halls. The mistress' work must be continued after all."

But this gibbering lizard's words might as well been nothing at all, for Cordenth hurled him aside, practically racing towards the statue's side. With every step what he knew became blatenly apparent. This was no statue that they were surrounding, but a green dragon whose scales had been shifted to stone in an attempt to better shield himself from the attendants that surrounded him, carving off sections of his flesh as though he were a roast ham at festival. The mighty beast that was larger than himself in his true size, was bound with thick chains and leathers that the Drenedarians wish they'd secured him in when he lay trapped within their dungeons. He nearly fell to his knees and wept at such a sight, to witness frills pinning in such a manner, or the wincing the dragon gave when their special blades dug into his hide.

What right did these pathetic creatures have to do this to a divine beast as this? Did they expect nothing to come of their transgressions? That they would emerge from this sinful act with no repercussions? Had they so little fear within their hearts? Cordenth approached the dragon, resting a trembling claw upon his stony hide, regretful he'd not gotten here sooner. He admired the blunt horns, sawed off to nothing but stumps, did their audacity know no bounds? Was this what mortals would do if left to their own choices? As he stewed in a cold fury, it was all he could do to hear the pair behind him.

"Ah, your friend must be moved. It is a hard sight to behold firsthand. The Benevolent Overlord he was called, watched over us, guided us. But when the time of our evolution was nigh, he stood in the way of such things. What remains now is a testament to our mistress' will, and what will become of those that stand in the way of progress. We will cherish his sacrifice, but remember, in the end, he was on the wrong side of history."

"I'd only heard the rumors that he existed. But how can you bring yourself to do such a thing? What is the reasoning?" Broxl asked with a sneer.

The head druid could only sigh, resting a hand on the hunter's shoulder. "In time you will understand young warrior. The Queen of Flame brought a way to guarantee our people's survival in the world ahead. You and your friend will bear the fruits of this sacrifice in time, be enchanted with the dragon's strength so that nothing will compare. Your scales will become like theirs, molded to suit whatever environment you live. Your strength will be tenfold, your claws like swords. Our previous lifespans will be ever increased, and our people will follow our grand mistress as she spreads her plan to the rest of this unenlightened continent."

"And allowing one to lead us like the human's dogs is worth the trade? What happened to the pride of making our own way?"

The druid shook his head, "Such is the way of the past. The mistress did not ask, she ordered those to follow them. What you see is those that had the courage to follow her to the future ahead."

"And those that lacked the courage?"

"Look around at the blood, that's all that remained of them fair hunter." He paced around Broxl with an inquisitive eye, shaking his head. "It was a terrible choice to be sure, but so is the way of life in which we hold dear. The strong survive and evolve, prey of the weak. Your days ahead I suppose will have you asked which one do you wish to be? The strong or the weak?"

"And what of the other clans? What have they to say of this?" Broxl's eyes narrowed, sharper than any arrow he'd fired. "When they find we've butchered a creature from legend within our walls."

Again, the head druid gestured to the imagery of gore around them. "Plenty know the evolution of our people. Some might go against the current of fate, but will be whisked away in the end. Their choices will strengthen our people for the eons ahead, rid of us of our weaknesses. All that will remain is the strong, the cunning, and those willing to embrace the will of the mistress."

"That's what I needed to hear." Hissed Broxl, unsheathing his blade in the blink of an eye and plunging it into the unsuspecting druid's gut, painting the ground below with his blood. "I'd rather have the old ways."

There was a moment of pause as the siigonis' blade gleamed with the life blood of his enemy. It drew every eye, demanded time slow, even brought an end to the spell the druids had been casting. But in that time, a glass had been shattered, a lever had been thrown within Cordenth's soul. When he rounded on them, his eyes were like a forge, burning bright, deadly, and knowing just what reward these little insects deserved. With a flick of his tail, he cast off his lesser disguise and let forth the regal majesty that was his true and divine form. An emerald bulwark swelled into being to shield him, wings thrust forth to carry him to greater heights unwitnessed by mortal men, his claws and teeth sharpened in the blink of an eye, ready to sink into the wretched forms of those before him.

Some screamed out of fear, some dropped to their knees in reverence for him, but it mattered little to the haze that overtook him. The closest druids were the first victims, falling to the stone at sickening angles, blood pooling from them, justice for their crimes. He was a dervish of pure carnal fury, swatting or crushing aside any that tried to stop his righteous might. It was all he could do to stop himself from crushing Broxl underfoot, or enveloping him in a cloud of noxious, deadly gas. To them he became what they should have feared, the dread to stave back their sins against this noble dragon they had bound. Those that called for mercy found themselves too late, they should have thought twice before going along with this cult.

"But they would have killed us!" Some yelled in hoarse voices, blood seeping from their grievous wounds. To them Cordenth glared, eyes sharper than any sword, sympathy all but departed from his mind.

"You should have died instead of become what you are." He snarled, putting an end to their time on this earth.

The cavern was soon a symphony of death and pain, the blood being spilled a grim vengeance for those that had been slain. Bodies were cast aside like crimson ragdolls, arranged in chaotic fashion. There was no escape from the viridian death that had assailed them, none escaped through the hall's doors. They were slain by claw, tooth and breath, if not that, put to a swift end by Broxl's blades or bow. There were cries for guards, but they would not arrive in time. The last soul fell inches from the door, trying to drag their sorry form for a fleeting promise of safety. Their reward was the weight of a dragon being pressed down on them, with a delighted smirk upon his snout.

"There." Cordenth hissed, blood dripping from his teeth. The satisfaction over the scores of bodies before him, hardly to be contained. "Such is the reward for these unforgivable wretches. Our world would be better without their ilk." With a heavy snort he dismissed them like trash, no one would weep for their passing. They would only remember him, the dragon that saved their captive, ending their tyranny.

*

The queen of Drenedar snuck through the shadowy halls with little effort, years of practice falling into place as she clung to the shadows as a fish does to water. She slithered around statues, keeping out of sight of any wandering eye, adopting a more casual stride when she couldn't. To think they had so much defense at the chokepoints, but none deeper down, they probably never suspected anyone getting this far. This dank place reminded her of ancient dungeons, where mold and decay lingered heavily on the air, with each step she half expected for a skeleton or some other unsavory beast to spring out, try to end them at the end of a weathered blade.

But instead, they found uninviting rooms, littered with rusted chains, tattered clothing and stains of blood to mark the passing of some terrible test. She paused in these moments, hands tracing on the stone for any sign of traps, reminded of her time in Lumara and adventurers beyond. She could almost hear the suffering of the victims over the sound of her heart, or the gentle breaths of Vishta at her side.

"More we see, less thrilled about finding this book." She whispered, eyeing the siigonis passing casually in the hall, oblivious to their presence. "Last time we saw something like this, people were being turned into mana crystals. You know, I used to think the Lumarians were rare in their cruelty, but looking at this...Knowing about the eggs....I _really_hate being wrong."

"If its not one cult or terrible monster, it's a righteous leader wanting more power." Vishta replied calmly, "You get used to it. Every city has something like this, you just need to dig deep enough."

She gave the little lizard a questioning look as they slipped back into the halls, as if nothing had transpired. Was this the same kobold that had pleaded with Cordenth to find the whereabouts of her lost friend? The bleeding heart that had played his emotions like a fiddle? The wheels slowly clicked into place, it of course had all been an act. Chortling she shook her head, of course it was, she should have seen it before.

"Doubt its mana stones, unless the Queen showed them how." Replied Vishta, as they passed the entryway to a shrine dedicated to Partunga, the god of fertility. Unlike the rest of these halls, it was empty, the stone slabs inside defaced and scattered across the floor like garbage. "Cause Lumara doesn't like sharing that little detail. You remember Florimel."

That she did, the crazy mage of her youth. Regret gnawed at her, reminded of his condition back in Lumara, his mind all but destroyed over breaking apart a crystal. She crouched low as the hallway gave way to a room not unlike the smaller ones previous. Here chunks of flesh still dotted the floor like daisies, the scent of death fresh and revolting to the senses. The light here was fleeting, the room enveloped in thick shadows, but it proved little consequence for the queen's sight, her people could see as easily in darkness as light. She went to take a step, but Vishta held her back, holding a finger to her lips and pointing above, where a pair of siigonis watched from an overhang, gazing down upon the horrific display of agony below. They were discussing something in the draconic tongue, but thankfully her spell from their previous encounter with the guards was still active, she could make out what they were saying.

"How is the newest batch?" One asked, in a raspy tone, an elder garbed in strips of leather, bones woven into the fabric. "It would appear more survived than usual."

"Much improved, the method is getting more refined." Replied another, "Think not of the lost below, for they were weak, unsuited for the world ahead of us."

"But is it right? So many young, bright lives ahead of them...Snuffed out for progress."

"It is the way of the world, just ask the Mistress if you have doubts."

The second siigonis gave an exasperated sigh, "And you trust her word? The lofty description of her father? This Emperor?"

"Praise him, for he is the rightful ruler of our people. The gods placed them atop us, we are to respect their decision. If you have your doubts, feel free to question her, see how she takes your questions, you know what happen to the others."

"How much longer till she pierces the veil of the swamp?"

"It can't be long now; she hasn't left the hall in many days." With a heavy sigh, both turned and left, leaving Vishta and Lyndis to advance unseen, finding the stairs leading up to the overhang.

Progress of their race? Lyndis scowled at the thought, nothing ever good came from forcing one's progress_on someone else, just look at the Lumarian's and their _enlightening."Must be those dragon guards we saw above, guess the survival rate isn't that great."

"Yea, but how many places would _kill_to get their claws on durable, muscled guards like those?" Vishta replied, a grim look about her face. "Too many."

"Careful now, you're starting to sound more surprised. But good news, sounds as though the boss is here."

"And I can only guess where the book is." Sighed Vishta, "Cause of course that's what would happen."

"We can always turn back." Smirked Lyndis.

"I hope that wasn't in jest because it wasn't funny. It just means we might have to stick around a bit longer, she can't be hanging off it at every second."

"Unless it's tied to her like a wizard is to their spell books."

"Then we get a knife and cut it off...We're not leaving without it."

Guided by that sentiment they pressed onward through the halls, the number of siigonis within continuing to diminish as they neared what they suspected was the queen of eternal flame's sanctum. With every step the air seemed to warm, a sense of unease digging deep into their flesh, whispering doubt into their convictions. Even still, they found themselves at the top of circular hall, wrapped in thick shadows, the only lights being torches in the distance, their dwindling lights flickering in a phantom wind, practically consumed by the darkness around them. They stuck close to the overhang's wall as they caught wind of a spell being sung, a terrible song that sent shiver's down their spines.

With reserved breath they stuck close to one another, any sense of good feelings seemingly drained out of their entire beings. Lyndis clutched tight her blade with white knuckles, eyeing the entrance and almost retreating the way they'd come. The only thing that stilled her was a peer over the edge, where a pale skinned elven woman dwelled, looming over the pages of a grand book, it's cover of human flesh. She wore a dress of black threads that would rival the elegance of any royal and it billowed behind her as she rose her arms, calling out her spell for the nine hells to hear. This must have been the Queen of Eternal Flame.

Around her were three sacrificial bowls, each the size of a wagon, lined with rows of human skulls. Within were dozens upon dozens of siigonis eggs, helpless and wiggling before the Queen's ravenous hunger. One by one they began to crack under her prodigious power, diminutive whisps of light escaping them and slithering through the air like ribbons. They condensed around the elf's sender fingers, twirling and winding to her every word. There they throbbed and swelled, their light overpowering for the briefest of moments before forming a pure white sphere within her grasp. Like that her spell was finished, the phantom wind dead, the torch's light returning to prominence, forcing Lyndis and Vishta to crouch, praying to the gods they'd gone unseen.

"Such a beautiful thing, from such a modest beginning." The elven woman spoke, her voice like the winter winds as she fondled the sphere between her digits. "Lets hope my dears that you will be what fools the blighted spell of that imbecilic equine." She froze, stashing the gem into one of her many pouch pockets, gently shutting the book and gazing upon the overhang above.

If hairs were on Lyndis' back they'd be standing tall right now as she pressed low as she could against the stone. Had she noticed them? Already she was pulling free her rapier, ready to spring into action at the slightest provocation. She doubted this pale faced woman would enjoy having her personal time interrupted, thankfully for Lyndis, their savior came in the bloodied scales of a siigonis, rushing into the hall.

"Mistress! Mistress! We have Intruders in the temple!" The wide eyed siigonis shouted, having to catch himself from tumbling down the stairs in his haste. "A dragon, they're killing everyone!"

Cordenth! What trouble had he gotten himself into? Why did he reveal his true form? Was it due to necessity, or had his dragonish pride overtaken him? She grit her teeth and pulled free her weapon, even if she could run to him, she had no idea where he'd gotten off to.

The queen of Eternal flame seemed more interested then mad as she approached the fatigued siigonis before her. With a gentle hand she took hold of his snout, clicking her tongue as if to chastise him. "And you come to me as if this is news?"

"But the dragon is killing everyone Mistress! The acolytes, the young recruits! Everyone! I barely escaped with my life!"

"And what is being done to this dragon with a heroic complex?"

"The others...They were fighting as I ran-" The siigonis was sent sprawling to the ground, spitting out blood as the Queen of Eternal flame struck him with an open palm.

"The others were trying to slay the dragon?"

"They were killing us!"

"Then you should have died! Do you know how precious a dragon life is? Look around at your kin, many can be replaced. But a dragon's life is a grand, beautiful thing. When it is snuffed, something precious is lost. For your and the other's sake, I hope this dragon still lives." She turned away, grabbing the book, and padding her way past a stone sarcophagus. She placed the cursed object on a set of shelves, littered with skulls and other vials of crystal. With a command the shelves were consumed by the very wall, shut off from the world as though never having existed. "What did this dragon look like?"

"Green! It had the grandest green scales. Like that of lord Revaramek. But their under scales were the brightest gold, if not for the blood that was soaking them, I would have thrown myself down to bow before their paws."

"Gold underscales you say?" She mused, interest swirling within her icy blue eyes. "I didn't expect a visit from her so soon. Usually, she doesn't take such direct actions in her schemes, most unusual to be sure."

"Mistress?"

"My sister, the Emerald Lady. It was she that you beheld." She gave a relieved sigh, "At least I know now you could not harm her. Now come, lets go see what she wants, I do love our little chats." With a nod she climbed the stairs with her siigonis in tow, departing without even breaking her stride.

What power does she wield that the Emerald Lady doesn't hasten her gait? Lyndis sat rooted, heart racing as she gazed upon the Queen of Eternal Flame's departing form. She could only speculate what terrors she was capable of, of what she might due to Cordenth. She had to do something! When she went to rise, courage in her chest, she found herself held back by a pair of kobold's claws.

"Where do you think you're going?" Vishta hissed, practically lifted off her feet.

"After them, they can lead us to Radiant Star. You heard her."

"I heard she wouldn't kill him. All dragon's have grand lives and all that. Plus, what are you going to do when we do_catch up with them, fight her? I'm not sure what powers she's packing, but you saw that, a dragon and she didn't even _rush."

"But I can't just do nothing." She brushed the kobold off.

"We won't be." She gestured to the wall where the book had disappeared within. "We got what we wanted, the halls empty, the book is essentially ours. You heard the woman, at worst she'll capture Cordenth, possibly ransom him back to his mother. Win Win."

"How is that a win win?" She hissed.

"I mean, living is a win win...Gods you and he really hate his mother."

"Yea, we really do." She snapped, sheathing her blade. Unlikable as it was, Vishta was right. Complete the mission, get the book. If Cordenth wound up getting himself captured, it would just turn into a textbook rescue mission. Just with a pale faced, almost guaranteed vampire. "You remember how my last encounter with a vampire went down?"

"Pinned and stabbing her in the gut? Shandalar was quite thorough in her report you know."

"Lets not have a repeat of that." She padded down the grime infested steps, breathing deep the heavy, incense filled air. The smell of death was strong here, demanding she be reduced to a vomiting mess. The wall proved to be a simple thing, without a trace of where the shelves had once been. The only evidence was a tiny square carved into the stone, surrounded by draconic runes that the rogue couldn't read. Even with her handy spell to read language, the runes didn't even shift at her touch. "It must be old script." She whispered, "It usually works."

"Old draconic then." Vishta gently pushed her aside, donning her goggles and adjusting them. "I know enough to translate some stuff, let me see..." She tapped her foot, leaning in close, "It says here that we need the eye of the guardian."

"Guardian?" Lyndis looked around, eyeing the skull lined bowls, the torches fluttering innocently away. "Don't tell me this is going to be one of those elvish riddles, speak friend and enter sort of deal."

"Not that I'm aware of. But Hurta spoke something of this." She rose her goggles and retreated, pacing as she rubbed her chin. "Question is, what is the guardian?"

"That's just what I said." She rolled her eyes, crouching down to inspect the only thing they'd neglected. Here was a stone sarcophagus, that couldn't just be a coincidence. Even if it was, things like this were typically filled with treasures and other sort of goodies. The adventurous spirit within her, practically begged to find out what lay inside. "What of this?" She gestured to some draconic runes, "Here be the guardian for the riddle? Open now for treasure?"

"For someone learning about their beloved's danger, you're quite cheery."

"Looting tombs and vaults lets me cope, give me this."

"Fair enough." She leaned in, snout hovering inches over the runes. Over and over her eyes darted across them as she silently mouthed the words. "Close enough to your assessment actually. Something, Something, within is the guardian of the vault, I'm guessing we need whatever's within to open it?"

"Calling it now, the block of stone comes to life." She snapped her fingers, "Seen it enough times." With a circular motion of her wrist and a word of power, she cast the spell to detect magic. Warmth spread to her eyes as a red aura appeared over the stone's surface. She couldn't help but smirk, "Yup."

"Spell?"

"Bet your tail. By the looks of it...Abjuration school. Which means...Protection, banishing, anything in between...Your guess is as good as mine."

"So...It could shield whatever's inside...Or-"

"Send us teleporting to a realm of fire, yes." She sighed, "Not terribly sold on that prospect. Course I'm biased mind you, quite allergic to flames."

"Can you disable it?" Vishta sighed, "My tools can't disable magical traps."

With a chortle she grabbed the kobold and retreated to a safe distance. "Good thing you have me eh?" She whispered another spell, fueling even greater power into the weave. It left a chill on every inch of her, the illusion she'd cast upon herself wavering in the light, almost failing. With a thrust of her hand the red aura on the chest flickered and died. "One magical trap bested."

"Good, now I can-" Vishta found herself pulled back by her collar. "What are you doing?" She hissed, "I can disable any trap it has you know."

"Again, I've seen stuff like this before." Lyndis replied, sitting the little lizard down as she summoned a pair of spectral hands to hold fast her toolkit for disarming mechanical traps. "Put a trap that's obvious on the exterior, hide one within. Open it up, bam, pressurized acid. Then you have a bunch of people, holding their face, screaming for their mums as their bones turn to gel."

There was a brief pause as Vishta looked to her with horror, "And the sight of blood strewn rooms and chunks of flesh give you pause?"

"I didn't say that didn't upset me." She shivered, "Just, you learn by trial and error. So sit back and watch." With her raised arms she guided her phantom constructs towards the sarcophagus, working methodically from a safe distance. The gentle scraping of her file and pick soon filled the air, as she tested the weathered stone for any pressure plates or hatches to spring it open. When she found such an opening, she bid her hands to press, a plume of dust being released from the edges.

"And how can you see from this distance?" Asked Vishta, peering over her shoulder with the wide eyes of a child.

"I can see from the hands perspective if I wish." She muttered, bidding the hands to guide her tools through the small crack. Sure enough, a box attached to a hook and wire remained. "Look at that, bet there's more pressurized acid in here, classic."

"And you picked up this useful trick from where exactly?" She hissed, "You don't hear this trick being standard for...Adventurers of your talents."

"Which you'd be correct, if I'd not swiped the spell from a dragon's lair."

"Any dragons we know? And should we expect scaly, very cross individual?"

"Long as he doesn't notice." She whispered, already picturing herself slipping free of any paw. "And don't you go telling him, I'd rather not pay whatever ludicrous fee he'd charge for such a slight."

"Speaking of which, why the attraction to the green dragon? He's a bit...Scaly for a mammal like yourself. What gives?"

She eyed the kobold with suspicion only briefly before returning to her delicate work. True it was but a small box and the acid would not get them from here, but with her luck, it might set off a chain sequence that could collapse the entire room for all they knew. "That's a rather personal question from one I know little about."

"We've known each other for a bit."

"And yet, drawing blanks on anything solid on you, other than you like putting on facades and manipulating dragons into doing your bidding."

"Isn't that what you're doing with the green one? His mother is the Emerald Lady after all, a countless network of spies and information. Would be wonderful for one in your position of power."

"One I don't want, or did you not read my file?" She snapped. "Or is everything plots and schemes with you?"

"Everything is plots and schemes when you look hard enough. All that changes is degrees of truth people let tumble out their maws. So if you're not the schemer, is it him?"

"Not him."

"Then the mother."

She paused, memories surfacing of Emerald Lady's prediction about Drenedar's future. The one where she'd welcome their dragon rulers with open arms. "What isn't she trying to scheme." She rebuffed the notion, focusing on her work, "Radiant Star and I gave her the bird, never looked back. We're the navigators of our fates, not the machinations of a deluded green tart."

"At least for all you know, _that_could be part of the plan." Replied Vishta, an all too smug smirk upon her snout. "She's only been doing it for countless years."

"Shouldn't you be watching the hall?"

"I would, but while you weren't looking, I rigged a little booby trap above." She grinned, "Little black powder and some flint, we'll know when someone comes a walking."

"Not worried about hurting a random siigonis? What about the others?"

"Look around, I'd not call these people innocent even to the slightest degree. We're crouched below a bowl of human skulls and sacrificed eggs for gods' sake. No one can argue _good_magic has ever been done by sacrificing un-hatched lives."

"So why all the concern of my love life?"

With a sigh, Vishta recounted a tale, one lamenting that she'd never get to meet a dragon. She made sure to correct that it was of wonder and child like glee, not because the stereotypical worshipping of dragons her kind was known to do. "But why I got into espionage? That was a matter of boredom. Was a singer and dancer on the stages of Zarcana, trust me, you can only do the same gig a number of times till the heart wants more." She placed her hands firmly on her hips, "That enough for you?"

"Too bad a lick of it isn't true." Lyndis chortled, "Yea have to do better than that if you want anything."

Vishta groaned, "It's hard not to, you know? That's how it is. People cant get close, its not good for them, just leads to pain." With a quivering lip she whispered how she grew up alone on the streets, scavenging for food in a city that didn't care if she lived or died. How each day was a struggle, naming off a few people she'd been forced to backstab, all in an attempt to keep herself from falling into a gang that prowled the streets.

She shook her head, the words falling flat. "What sort of tart do you take me for? Another story of lies?"

Her arms crossed, her brow furrowed, "You're infuriating did you know that?"

"And I'm insulted you think me a gullible rube!" She peered back to the kobold with a devilish smirk, "Fact remains, how badly do you want to know about my feelings for my beloved? Does it fester within your mind? Burn like the sun?"

Fury was found within those little eyes, guiding every step as she paced around the still working rogue. Her claws ticked, she hummed, thinking it over underneath one of many torches. She whirled, retorting with another tale, it was similar to the last but complete with even more sympathetic parts. It might have even brought a more naïve individual to tears. Unfortunately for the silver tongued devil, Lyndis was having none of it.

"Wow." She stood tall as the trap gave an audible click, disabled, unable to harm anyone else. She shook her head as she approached, "Third time in a row, got to say your committed. I admire the commitment, so I'll part with a secret, just to show you I'm amused." She crouched low, motioning for the kobold to lean in as she whispered in her ear. "Radiant Star is a dragon, believe it or not."

There was a pause of silence as Vishta's look could kill, "You don't say." She growled.

"I know, he doesn't look like it, but imagine my surprise! I thought it was a bit strange that he walked on four limbs but hey, I thought he picked it up from a gryphon north side of Whitedell. Oh don't give me that look, you're the one who started it all. Now stow the curses and let's see what we won. Hopefully it's not nothing."

"Nothing? How can it be nothing? You disabled what, two traps on it?"

"Consider it the crafter's trick. Countless of those bastards must get hard, knowing some thrifty adventurer comes up empty." As her hands found the cold stone, the old excitement welled within her chest like a storm. No matter the number of times she'd done it, the thrill was always there. She flung it open, nothing happened, no trap, no death, no screaming in agony. Vishta did leap back out of instinct.

"You didn't even hesitate?"

"What can I say, I'm good." She rolled her eyes, waving her hand to clear the plume of dust that fluttered around the air. What she found was odd to say the least, a siigonis male, clad in leathers, a serene expression on his snout. Eyes closed, arms crossed, his muscles were large for someone who should have been dead. She hung close to her weapon, almost expecting this beast to leap up, snap at them, she'd had enough mummies who'd done it. But nothing happened.

"Whatever they used to preserve this one, I'm impressed." Vishta whistled softly, poking the scaled man, getting no response. "I've heard the thistleberry trees are great, but...This has them beat. He hardly looks a day over when he died!"

"And we're certain he is?" She waited with bated breath, not even catching a sign of his breathing. With a touch she found no pulse, his scales were stone cold. "We'll I'll be, it would appear we got some good luck after all."

"Maybe the spell you disabled was meant to wake him?"

"Perhaps...Now lets go looking around for any..." She slid her hand across the stone, finding a hidden lever behind his leg. With a grin she flicked it, revealing a rapier without a speck of dust upon it, it's hilt a royal blue. Holding it up revealed gems studded within, gleaming with a hidden power. She swished it through the air, electricity flowed like water within it's wake. "Look at this shite! Crimson sky is going to be so jealous! Do you have any idea how much these things are worth?"

"Why do you care?" Vishta hissed, her hands sliding over the siigonis' body, searching for any hidden pockets. "You're a queen. And that doesn't look like a key."

"Where's your sense of adventure? Look at this, how can you not be thrilled? Wonder where the bastard got it though, looks elven made. Think he pried one out of the bloodied hands of a slender someone?"

"Or the elves gifted it to them."

"With how they treated each other in the past? Elves have never been on the best of terms with them...Or the dwarves...Not to mention the superiority they feel to the humans..."

"Yes, yes. Elves have issues with everyone._Now we just have to get _him to the door."

"Wait....Why?" Her head tilted, "You said you hadn't found a key."

"Isn't it obvious?"

Lyndis turned, trying to put the pieces into place. The answer didn't occur.

"He's the guardian! The message was being quite literal. I think we need his eye at the wall."

Shaking her head at the absurdity of it all, she bundled up the magic blade and strapped it to her pack. "Of course it was something that simple, guess the riddle guy was out that day." With her treasure secured she and the kobold grabbed the muscular specimen of the male physique, trying to maneuver him out of his sarcophagus and over towards the vault. They latched onto his scales, grunting and wheezing, but he might as well weigh as much as a fully grown dragon. He wouldn't budge.

"What is he made out of, lead?"

"Fock me." Lyndis panted, tapping his chest. "Wedged in their bloody good. Any chance you have some spell or something to help with this? Otherwise, I'm drawing a blank here."

"Only if you want him bigger...Might solve the out of the sarcophagus issue, doesn't solve the get him to the door issue.... Which if you got nothing else kind of leaves only the one option."

"And what would that be?" Lyndis started, only to see the wincing expression Vishta was giving her. "Oh you've got to be kidding me."

"I mean it's not like we need _all_of him, just his eye!"

"Yea, but...ugh." She quivered at the mere thought.

"How can you even find it gross? You've stabbed countless people!"

"Yea, but that doesn't mean I go and carve their eyes out! Do I look like some psychopath?"

"Well, you best shake off that nerve of yours, cause one of us isn't carving out his eye, and _one_of us likes to talk about how she's one of the best. Might as well add, scooper of eyes while you're at it."

Of course, she'd throw it in her face. Lyndis scowled as she pulled free a dagger, letting her win this little exchange. "Ugh, fine, just...Lets get this over with." She loomed over her patient, his serene snout, unaware of what she intended to do. He was dead she told herself, he wouldn't feel a thing, all this unease and revulsion? That was just her. "You can do this." She whispered, reaching in, her entire body rigid, ensuring the greatest amount of precision needed. The inches seemed like miles as she lifted his eyelid, his gateway into the soul blank, vulnerable, unaware of what she entailed. Down came the blade's point, resting at his periphery, all she had to do was plunge down-

A roar sounded through the halls, distant, yet clearly Cordenth's. In shock she plunged the blade down, cleaving the siigonis' eye in twain. Blood splattered against her cheek as she watched on in horror, thoughts scattering to what could have befallen her beloved.

"Oh my word, you ruined it." Vishta almost seemed ecstatic over her mistake, "Nothing but a goopy, blood stricken mess. Wow, you really messed it up, even got some on your face."

"Why...Are you telling me that." She hissed, procuring a handkerchief to clean herself. "I can clearly see what's going on."

"I guess you should focus on steadying your shaky hands." She gestured, "Only got the one shot now."

"Thanks for stating the obvious." She lined up the blade to the other eye, taking note to have better control of her functions. "He's going to be fine; everything will work out. You heard what she said." The whispered words stilled the rapid beating of her heart, fighting off the need to go galivanting to Cordenth's rescue. "Faster we get this done, faster we depart, no big. It's only carving out an eye." Taking a deep breath, her blade plunged down, slicing straight through his vulnerable flesh. Around she went with grim accuracy, removing his eye with a sickening pop.

"There we are. Deed is done." She grimaced, placing the ball into her handkerchief, smeared with blood. "You know, for a dead guy, suckers packed with blood."

"Oh...Well...About that." Vishta winced, pointing to a line carved into the sarcophagus. "Didn't read this right before, says that he's actually in a state of suspended animation...The spell you disabled would have woken him up."

"You mean..." Cold slithered down her spine, staring into her victims bloody, destroyed sockets. She nearly wretched right then and there. "What the fock Vishta! You said he was dead! Look what I did to him!"

"He appeared to be! What more do you want? It's not like ancient draconic is a standard language to read! Look if it makes you feel better, he's got plenty of druids around! Someone has to know about replacing lost...Parts."

Shaking her head, Lyndis advanced on the vault, trying to free herself from what she'd just done. Whatever came next, she was certain she'd need a long rest, a large cup of coffee, and to cuddle up with her green scaled dragon. "Come on, let's get this over with, we're wasting focken air.... And lets...never speak of this again."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Thank you all for tagging along in this adventure as we follow along with Cordenth, Lyndis, Broxl and Vishta. If you like it, don't forget to favorite and vote it a few stars. If you feel like being awesome, leave a comment below, I certainly read them and respond!

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