Runic Renewal, Pt 2.
Once again, this is not edited or proofread, so excuse a rough spot here and there in my grammar. I think the hardest part of speaking in the tones I used for this setting is keeping the character dialogue correct throughout the pieces, especially if I do not write it all in one sitting. Anyway, with a couple weeks between part 1 and 2, I would like your opinions on whether I was able to keep character and dialogue consistent between the two. This will help my own opinions on whether I am keeping consistency over the time I develop characters and settings in this little world of mine. Enjoy. ^.=.^
Ramah looked over the platform, the glow written as a ring of draconic letters all around him on this center stage of some ten feet squared. It didn't take him long to find what he sought after in the middle, two metal plates shoulder width apart next to a heavier metal disk in the cut stone the size of a manhole cover. The forging design shown a kite shield with crossed thunderbolts in the center with two handle locks on either side of it. It took only a moment for the dragon to find his stance on the two plates and knelt facing the disk.
A deep breath came from Ramah, slowly taken but violently exhaled as electricity carried on his breath and found their way onto the shield of the disk. A small audible click as the two locks ejected from the disk, their purpose apparent to the dragon working on it. He wrapped both of his armored hands and turned each lock in an opposite direction before pulling upwards. By now, the electricity that played along the shield now joyfully danced around the rest of the disk and, for now, the metal plates that encompassed Ramah's hands. The disk must have been burdened with something underneath, as he grunted a bit to lift it until it started to move under its own power upwards.
The glow of the runic ring on the platform died as the disk rose up, revealing five metal rods, four smaller around a larger, ornate one. Ramah didn't stand, nor act upon the strange device until it had stopped its motion, fully exposing the rods to the dragon. Although the light from the platform was no more, the glow from the rods made up the temporary absence with their own luminescent runes decorating them. Ramah took this moment to blow gently on the center rod, a few electrical sparks hitchhiking off of the rod and onto the moved air. It was the first time he smiled as he worked, satisfied with his quick test.
This ritual continued for several minutes with electricity jumping along different segments of the platform while he used himself as a test connector between different parts of the rods with one another in a strange sort of magical maintenance. He never once touched the center rod, and once finished he stood up from his kneeling position to grasp the same locks to push it back from whence it came. To the villagers, this was an entertaining thing to behold as the dragon finished up from his elaborate process. But, to the dragon, it was more of a relief that he needed nothing more than to check up on this ancient power source this time.
The disk with its rods in tow returned back into the platform, the runic ring's glow returning as the rods slunk away from view. Only when the locks had depressed back into the disk did Ramah move towards the edge of the platform and the captive audience of Henry and those that held the man in place. The dragon looked slightly winded from his experience with the protective runes and their power source as he stared at the Master Hunter in a moment of silence.
"Well? Does chaos take form in ordered repair? Would a creature truly ferocious and destructive care for such a task as what I have performed?" Ramah broke the silence, speaking directly to Henry and his dumbfounded look. If anything had changed, the white man's face had turned paler as he saw traces of electricity still on the dragon's breath. "I would ask where your God was in all of this, but I know not what form He takes."
Those words brought Henry from his stupor as he glared into the dragon's eyes. "He would take no pity on the Devil and his minion's sorcery. By God, I will see to this town's end when I leave!" He renewed his struggle with his captors until he tired himself out in his blackened armor.
Ramah tilted his head slightly in a questioning manner at Henry's statements and threats. "Still not in a mood to be reasonable? Let my answer come in the form of a story, more an overview, passed on from my ancestor's times." The dragon cleared his throat before continuing. "While this land still knew not of man's influence, storms ran rampant along the plains, mountains and deserts. In these regions were the Storm Clan, whose bloodlines run deep and their understanding of the elements deeper. The plains nourished the dragons of water and earth, while the despairing deserts were home to the dragons of fire and air. The mountains made these creatures distinct and separate." Ramah made dramatic gestures with his hands to emphasize points in his story.
"Then came man, who's inquisitive nature was second only to their fear what they do not know. Their tools of metal and stone congregated and reproduced, unchecked in their growth to make a cancer of a keep to hold their numbers. The perversions continued to the Clan's distress. Man raped nature and its bounty, until creatures of the region knew only anger towards them." Ramah raised one finger to silence what seemed to be an inhalation from Henry in retort. "The clan walked a delicate line between nature's fury and man's transgressions, until they themselves were hunted. Most of the dragons were content to move away and leave Man to their destruction, but the dragons of the desert were not so. They attacked that cancerous splotch in their region, killing many save a few. Although this had staved off Man's ambition, it broke laws of their own to do so. In penance, the dragons of the desert were forced into agreement to protect what they were willing to destroy, and to walk on the same two legs as Man had. This agreement stands one generation for each life taken, the curse of penance weakening as each generation passes. In return, the survivors keep the rest of Man from corrupting this land further and keeping the clan a secret from the world."
Ramah took a deep breath as he let the last part sink in. "I am one of those in penance for laws broken before my birth. Although the curse of penance runs within me, I am strong enough to run with my feral kin for a moon's cycle between summers. This agreement has turned more benefit than could have been realized by my furious ancestors." The dragon leaned forward and raised Henry's chin to expose his neck, noting a golden chain and possibly a cross hidden under his armor. "As able as I am to take your life should you threaten me, it is this town's purpose to keep my interests safe. Thus, choose your next words carefully: What will you do upon your release?"
Henry frowned at the question posed by the dragon. The story did little to temper the man, though it did pose a dangerous consequence if he so answered inappropriately. "This town will not live a year from my release. Others will search for me, and if they do not find me, then they will send an army." He answered truthfully, if a bit uncertainly.
Ramah smiled at the answer, making Henry feel discomforted in his short answer. "If your finding is important, then they shall find you." He replied, releasing his hold on the man's chin. "I will take a rest for the night before returning to my own dwelling. You, Sir Henry, will be staying for a while longer. I know not what these townspeople do, but I will guarantee you will be alive and well by the end." With a gesture, Henry was once again dragged around by his captors, this time away from the dragon and towards a larger building. The man's complaints and howling could be heard by the citizens of the town, even after he was shut away from prying eyes. As for Ramah, he turned for the tavern to grab his pack and sleep for the night, not a thought of spite or pity spent on the visitor he finished speaking with.