Yssil listened to Aerta attentively then nodded. During their conversation, they had both eaten a light meal, but Yssil didn’t want to overdo it in case Adykon decided to put him through some gruelling practice right away. “This is all for now. Thank you for your time, truly. I sincerely appreciate it. I will go to Adykon, now. I will relay to him my wish to train with you both and hopefully we can begin tomorrow with something sorcery-oriented, Aerta,” he gave a respectful nod in her direction, something that was almost a bow, then left out to the back, where Adykon was already waiting. “Aerta and I are done now. I’m ready,” Yssil informed him.

@Eviledd1984

"Hmm. Guess I'll be waiting here until then. Just a heads-up; my mother will probably check in on me during that time. She's probably scrying on me now, come to think of it. Oh, my mother's name is Aerta, a sorcreress. You know who she is?" Kara explained.

@bloonewb

Mazdak rode with Rebat for a short time more. "Just remember to file up alongside Seleucus' forces, and try to cooperate. If he does something obviously stupid in battle, don't listen to him, but if it makes sense, listen to his orders. And please take my words as advice, not orders! Your two columns are meant head out as soon as your business in Hekaga is done. For both our sakes, please try to get along with Seleucus. That's probably going to be harder than any battle you may have to fight."

@SilverPaw

Adykon stood outdoors in the bright glare of the day's sun, his feet planted on the rich green grass of his farmstead. Next to him was a rack filled with melee weapons for every style of close-quarters combat; daggers, shortswords, longswords, spears, quarterstaffs, axes, maces, a halberd, clubs, a morningstar, even a few exotic weapons such as a sai and a kukri.

He immediately turned around to address Yssil. He was wearing his suit of blue-colored steel armor, complete with gold-painted edges. His hands gripped a steel greatsword, which he swung around as though it was weightless. He drove the blade into the receding soil, planting it for a moment. Adykon spoke in a voice which was deep and firm, and yet it was once which gave away a certain kindness hidden just beneath the surface. [OOC: Try imagining something like Kevin Conroy's Batman, but a bit deeper.]

"Ah, good to see you. I imagine that my wife has taught you one of her esoteric lessons by now. I was never really one for that mystic stuff. You'll find that I can be strict, but fair... and very direct." He drew his sword from the ground and passed it over to Yssil. "Have you ever wielded one of these greatswords before? It's based on a human type called a claymore, though its design was modified by dracon bladesmiths. I'd like to see how you use a sword, and we can work on things from there. Go on, don't be shy. This one isn't enchanted. Just a piece of metal. Not like everything I touch is filled with legendary significance."

@Aristocles

Leonore thought for a moment, "I do not think I have met your mother" She said softly rubbing her chin. Standing up from the chair looking around, "What is she like if I may ask?" She asked Kara wondering what this Aerta was like.

Yssil stepped into the warmth of the outside, carrying the two weapons he had brought with him. When he saw the arrangement of weapons Adykon prepared for him, he put his own dagger and short sword next to the rack, expecting to be tested in his proficiency in all sorts of weapons. He was admittedly excited to see some exotic ones that he might have only seen before briefly, if at all, and had certainly never used him. Even when considering the standard weapons, he had training only with some types of swords, knives and daggers.

Yssil faced Adykon, impressed by the image he created – a deservedly confident posture, the sun glinting off his armour, the flawless manner in which he handled his weapon. The title of a legend and a hero most certainly befitted him. “Aerta’s lesson was very eye opening for me. Incidentally, she has agreed to help me train my sorcerous abilities as soon as tomorrow. If your schedule for me permits it, of course,” Yssil gave Adykon a respectful nod.

Yssil took the weapon which Adykon handed to him. “No, I’ve only received some training for smaller and lighter weapons. I don’t believe a large and heavy one such as this one will suit me much. But I am interested in trying it out, of course,” he said as he shifted his grip on the greatsword in a manner that would make wielding it more manageable and comfortable. He then took one of the basic fighting stances he had learned, adjusting it to suit a heavy two-handed weapon. Facing Adykon, Yssil took calming breaths, clearing and focusing his mind, dispelling the faint tension and nervousness he had felt, determined now only to perform as he knew he was able to.

Rebat followed his host, occasionally having to run to keep up with the mount. His mind was somewhere else entirely. Mazdak almost seems afraid of the eventual meeting between him and this general Seleucus. Was it because of him? The kobold customs were often said to be far less formal, but Rebat had thought that everyone was quite civil in his last visit. Perhaps he needed to make a better effort this second time around.

The kobold army marched right through the gates of Hekaga, and poured into the city. Dracons, upon seeing them, kept a wide berth, and drew an invisible line between them and the army that none cared to cross. It was then that Rebat realized his mistake. Obviously, the dracons must think this an invasion, and he, like a fool, sent the army through to the city simply because the gate was open. He reminded himself that dracon ways required a bit more tact, and resolved to clear this up as soon as possible. "Wait here," he commanded, then crossed the invisible line towards the palace. "Pardon me," he said, as he approached dracons watching in suspicion and a bit of fear. This was unnecessary, though, as they all seemed to part, some of them even flinching back, to let him pass.

Quick as his warped legs can take him, he ascended the steps leading up to the palace. The sooner this incident is sorted out and the people pacified, the better. Last time he was here, he was expected to clean himself up and present formally before the court. However, this time it should be alright for him to go right through. They were familiar with him now, right? Armed with that thought, he pushed in the main door with a resounding screech, and found on the other side a sea of stunned faces. Oops. Did he misjudge something?

(Looks like the guild is back and working again. Here's hoping it will stay that way and that if/when it is fully fixed, it will stay that way too Schedules and website operation allowing, it's time to get this into high gear. Sorry for the delay, although it was something well beyond any of our power to fix. There shouldn't be this big of a gap between posts in the future. Unless the guild becomes unplugged again, or they let their cat back onto the keyboard.)

@Eviledd1984

"My mother? She's an archmage sorceress, named Aerta. She looks a lot like me, but a little taller, with somewhat brighter scales, bright blue eyes, and a somewhat longer tail. She dresses in clothes which match her eyes, and she has horns which are pretty close to mine" Kara explained. "She's very nice and smart. You'd like her, I think."

@SilverPaw

"My wife keeps her own schedule. I don't tell her what to do. She doesn't tell me what to do either. If Aerta wants to teach you magic, feel free to go ahead and learn it. Just keep in mind that she can be a bit... motherly. Like most females who have a large brood. Got those maternal instincts going. Affects her head. She'll tell you the same thing. She'd proud of it, really. She'll teach you what she can, but keep in mind that Aerta is a sorceress. Magic is in her blood, not her mind."

Adykon advised him on how to hold the greatsword. "Grip the sword with your dominant hand above your less dominant one. If you are ambidexterous, place your right hand above your left. Hold your sword so that the pommel is level with your stomach. Don't rest it on the stomach, though; keep it a little way out and point the tip somewhere between your sternum and throat." Yssil reminded Adykon of several of his sons. The young male was eager, callow, and not yet ready. Still, he had potential, even though he had much training to go. "And please, don't worry so much. I'm here to train you, not harshly judge you. If you mess up, you won't lose any favor in my sight."

@bloonewb

The palace staff had been alerted to the kobold army marching through the city. Although news traveled quickly, misinformation traveled even faster. Many had assumed that an invasion or even a kobold uprising was underway. It took all of the speed Grand Prince Ternoc could must to keep the situation calm. Fortunately, his intelligence agents (known as the Prince's Claws) had informed him that there was no danger at hand, only a mistake at worst. The streets would not run red with blood today.

Several of the prince's personal guards came over to meet Rebat. Their leader had a simple message.

"Come. The grand prince will see you for a few minutes. You'll be back in charge of your army in no time, but we need to set a few things straight."

@Aristocles

"Aerta? I do not think i have met her before, However i have only met few dra'cons before in my life" She said stopping for a moment fixing her long dress, "I would like to meet your mother" She said softly now turning to face Kara her soft eyes looking down at her sadly. "I only hope they will not judge me for my crimes against my son" She said referring to her abandoning her son.

@Eviledd1984

"Well, I can arrange for her to meet you if you like. She's probably busy at the moment, but if you want to visit her on our farm, you are certainly welcome to. That's where Smith and I are living right now" Kara explained. "I guess that if you have a good reason, my parents can be quite forgiving. Or if you're sorry for what you did."

@Aristocles

"Indeed I am, Again however I do not think my son will be so forgiving" Leonore said sadly, She would be happy to meet Kara's family and we see of they were as nice as the young dracon.

@Eviledd1984

"Well, Smith can be very forgiving. As long as you don't leave him again, I'm sure he'll accept your apology" Kara looked Leonore straight in the eye. "If what you say is true, you'll have no other option if you want your son to do well. Since he has all these new powers, you really are the only one who can show him how to use them."

@Aristocles

"Indeed, Now then would you like to see him? I wonder if he has awaken" Leonore said now moving out of the garden, Moving towards Smith's room where he was laying in bed still looking asleep.

"I'd like to see him, yes. And his sexy new body" Kara chuckled at that comment, but something struck her. The Smith she knew was probably changed forever. "I-is he stuck that way? Can he ever change back to his old appearance? Or can he change between forms?"

@Aristocles

Leonore took a moment to look at Kara, She did not know what she meant by the word "Sexy". "Well he cannot change back he has become more fae..but his personality will be the same" She said putting a hand on Kara's shoulder, Just then Smith's eyes slowly opened rubbing them like a child.

"Kara?Where am i?" He asked softly.

@Eviledd1984

"Oh, Smith!" Kara ran over to Smith and gave him a hug, but quickly moved to answer his question. "You're at your mother's place, far from the dracon lands. We're in a forest in another land. She says that you're undergoing some kind of metamorphosis into a more powerful kind of fey."

@Aristocles

"Mother?" He said now looking at Leonore with a scornful look, His mother was looking down at her feet feeling the hate coming from the boy and to her. "I can give you two time to be alone" She said finally after some silence, "Yes that would be better...for all of us" Smith added with some anger in his voice.

@Eviledd1984

Kara wasn't sure what to think of it. She couldn't imagine having such issues with her mother, but she understood why Smith might be angry.

"C-calm down, my love. Please. You aren't finished changing yet. D-did you know that you would change like this someday?"

“Excuse me, I did not mean to imply that either of you orders the other around, I was simply concerned that your schedules might overlap. I have seen a bit of Aerta’s motherly tendencies, yes. I don’t mind overly much. And we’ve already discussed the nature of sorcery, so I know. Actually, we both are sorcerers so there are bound to be some things she can help me with.”

Yssil made some minor changes in his grip on the sword based on Adykon’s instruction and he could feel his balance was better this way. He wondered if he really would be taught the basics of using all the weapons Adykon had put on display. If so, that would be a bit surprising, but might also come in handy eventually. Yssil blinked when Adykon reassured him, bewildered by the action. He swallowed, a brief flash of a memory of past training involving his father, brothers and some others passing by his mind. With a single expulsion of breath, however, he dispelled the past and focused on the present. He was here with Adykon and if the legendary dracon told him mistakes were a natural, permissible and acceptable part of training then that was how it was. A few breaths later, Yssil felt some excessive tension dissipate, but he couldn’t help being eager. “I understand,” the young dracon said as calmly as he could. “What should I do next?”

@Aristocles

Leonore had left the room leaving the two of them alone to talk, "I think..i know my father mentioned it when i was young" He said trying to get out of bed. Of course he recoiled and was laying back on the bed again. "I am sorry..to worry you so much.." He said softly to her holding her hand in his own.

@SilverPaw

"Take some more swings with the sword. Keep it up until you start to get tired. Then, we're going to spar together with some dummy weapons, once you've had a little while to catch your breath, of course." Adykon didn't give any long-winded speech about success or failure; he had made that point already. He assessed Yssil's performance in silence. There was potential in him, but it was something that would have to be teased out over time. Obviously, telling him "how great he was" would only serve to inflame his young ego, and telling him that he perpetually "needed more practice" would only serve to frustrate him. The trick was to walk a fine line between either statement.

@Eviledd1984

"I... Smith. I'm not really the one who should be worried. Y-you do realize that you've changed appearances, right? You may change some more before this metamorphosis is over. H-have you looked in a mirror lately?" Kara didn't know how he'd react to it. She knew that she wouldn't react well to a sudden and unasked for change in looks, and she also knew that she'd be upset to know that such a change could very well prove to be irreversible. "I still think you look as attractive as you did before, don't worry!"

@Aristocles

"Yes..i know my appearance has changed...thanks i guess" He said now turning around so his back was facing Kara, The young dracon could see what looked like a large circle with many fae words and other strange markings on it. "So what did my mother say to you when you two met?" He said with some destine in his voice.