"Go ahead, you try it," Kutur said, pushing the book to her end of the table. He tried to recall how exactly his master had explained it to him. She was better with words than he, and under her tutelage he progressed far in the Red Discipline. "Try to . . . focus your energy. Be honest with your thoughts regarding the text. Your own opinions on the subject and its contents will reflect themselves on the page . . . I think." No, that was definitely not how his master had said it. Still, it wasn't too far off the mark. Kali could probably figure out the rest on her own.

Yssil just stared at the sylph as she laughed, the reason for her mirth completely beyond his understanding. "I wouldn't dare try anything that I know I am not ready for, Your Ladyship," the dracon young adult assured her. "And I am working towards gaining the necessary skill and experience. I am aware that it might take years to make significant progress. But if all goes well I should live long enough so I am willing to make the needed time investment," he commented. He took a moment or two to think about what kind of things he would like to conjure. "Whatever would best suit survival purposes first. A sword and a knife, a rope, blanket, clothes, perhaps a tent and a travelling bag...And if there's a way to conjure water and fire that could be useful. And whatever else you might suggest, ma'am." He finished with a light bow, intending to remain respectful to the sylph.

@Eviledd1984

Surprised by Leonore's sudden entrance, Kara let out a little yelp and rose to her feet. "Oh! S-sorry about that. You startled me. I-I'm fine. We were just getting some food and relaxing."

@TheForgottenArc

"Sounds like an elf or maybe a half-elf" Kos remarked, thinking about it as he took the note. "Still, I am helping you with this. The least you could do is let me know what I ask about him. I'll wait before opening this, but if it doesn't contain anything substantial, I may have to reconsider giving you my aid. Seriously, I need to know what he did, for one thing."

@bloonewb

"It's not exactly my energy. I'm a cleric, not a mage" Kali explained as she attempted what Kutur had asked her to do. She closed her eyes in concentration as a determined look came over her snout. "Still, if the gods will it, I should be able to focus their power... yes. I think it's working. Hold on." The image flickered above the page, lighting the tome up as Kutur had done. Kali opened her eyes and smiled.

"Looks good, doesn't it?"

@SilverPaw

"If you expect me to help you with those supplies, then I am afraid I must disappoint you. In a few minutes, I will return to the elemental plane of air. Still, you have shown that you earnestly desire to do good and you are able to temper that desire with practicality. Possessing idealism and practicality in equal measures is a rare trait among mages, after all. I can give you this" The slyph reached into the folds of her clothing and pulled the blue talisman which Aerta had given her and touched it with two of her fingers. This caused the bauble to glow slightly, and there was a faint but definite glow around the gem."

"I have modified the talisman to grant you my aid one time, should you need it. If the situation is desperate, smash the gem and I will be called to your location, as long as you are on the material plane or the elemental plane of air, and as long as I am not trapped or compromised in some way."

@Aristocles

Leonore looked over at Kara and the food Smith was eating, "My apologies I just wanted to check on how Smith was feeling" She said looking at Smith. "I'm fine" Was the short respond he gave her. He looked still angry at her and Leonore was looking alone and lost.

Kutur looked at the page where Kali left her mark. The symbols were . . . different, to say the least. There was no wrong way to illuminate a text, but the way her patterns arranged themselves was vastly different from those of him and his fellow magisters. Usually, the Red Discipline students had much the same signature about them, allowing them to weave and intermingle with each other, stretching down page after page. Kutur, in fact, was often seen as the odd one out, simply because his scale patterns reflected the small links of kobold scales, rather than the large layering scales of dragons.

Kali was something else entirely. It was simplistic in its style, nothing like the complex whorls Kutur's master taught him to do. It was just her, and her opinion, on the page. "Yeah . . . I think that'd about do it," he said. "Maybe we should wait till after lunch. I'd rather not attract stares." A few curious kobolds were looking their way already.

@Aristocles
It's all in the note.... He sighs, he seems worried. " But despite my code I will tell you" He Raises his arms up "He's the one who screwed up my arm. Why it's always sagging. The potion I drink helps the pain. We are Looking for him cause he's killed my mentor, my parents and most nearly me. He knows our organization well. He used to be a cleric. Why he went to necromancy is unknown. What we do know is he's working for someone." He pauses and decideds not to go down an unnecessary rabbit hole. "The letter contains his full description and details. But I ask whenever you do open it.... You don't judge me for the mistakes I've made" He finally drops his arms to his side's. He drops his head slightly out of an unknown shame. In the distance a city's buildings become visible.

"Oh," Yssil said, not exactly disappointed, but surprised. He had though she had been summoned as a teacher, but apparently that was not the case. "Thank you. I shall treasure your gift greatly," he said, bowing to her formally. Then he put the talisman around his neck and tucked it under his shirt, only part of the bronze chain the hidden gem was attached to remaining visible.

He waited until the sylph disappeared, thinking on the situation. Then he turned to Aerta, curious about something. "Did you simply want to test my character? Motivations? Or desire for power? I can understand why, but surely that's not the only reason you summoned her for..." he trailed off uncertainly, frowning lightly. He had enjoyed meeting the air elemental but he couldn't help wondering what Aerta's reasons for having him do so were.

@Eviledd1984

"I, uh, I think that I should excuse myself..." Kara remarked, getting up.

"Hold on a moment!" Kara's head whipped around to see that Adykon had entered the room.

"Oh! H-hi dad. You look... determined." Adykon's eyes were fixed on Leonore.

"I need a moment with Leonore. Alone. If my daughter is to marry her son, certain details need to be accounted for." He turned to face the fae. "Care to join me in the next room?"

@bloonewb

Kali shut the book and grew nervous once she noticed the stares she had received from the crowd. She briefly glanced down at her feet, a sign of embarrassment for dracons and kobolds alike. "I think I messed it up somehow, didn't I?" There was an awkward moment of silence. "Er... let's just get moving, shall we? Lead the way, handsome."

@TheForgottenArc

"Alright, I'll accept that" Kos explained. "Thank you for your honesty. I see the city up ahead. It'll be another few minutes before-" suddenly, Kos felt a sharp tug on the spur toe of his right foot. He pulled his leg forward, but something yanked him back. He drew his greatsword with one swift motion and spun around as best he could, bringing the blade down on his assailant. Unsurprisingly, he encountered a dracon skeleton which had burst from the ground. Several others began breaking through the soft dirt on either side of the road.

"Looks like your necromancer has sent us some of his playthings! Cut these down as quick as you can! I'm positive he only intends to slow us down with these dusty bones, but that means he knows you're here!"

@SilverPaw

"Ah, it was a hidden test of character, one which you passed with flying colors" Aerta admitted. "I had hoped that she'd teach you a few things, but I can handle that just as well as she could. As it is, you should count yourself fortunate to have received a boon from her. Para-elementals don't hand those out easily, you understand." She looked around to make sure they were alone. "The fact that she did so means she is interested in you, y'know. Don't be surprised if she tries to start an affair if you're alone with her. Just treat her with respect, no matter how you choose to handle it."

@Aristocles

Leonore was looking over at Adykon who looked quite serious, "Of course we can talk about our children's mating rituals" She said bluntly following Kara's father. Following him to the other room and stopping in the middle of the room and turning to face him, "So what do you need to speak with me about?" She asked Adykon placing her hands on her sides.

@Aristocles
Daniel puts his left hand forward and castes a spell, a thin purple bolt comes out of the center palm of his hand and it strikes Kos and a thin layer of purple covers him. He drops his hand "Don't worry," He screams "It's only a spell, Hardens your skin... An armor of sorts." He raises his other hand and after a short time of gathering energy a white bolt strikes 2 of the skeletons vaporizing them. He sighs, Obvious the attack drained him a lot he drops his hands and a skeleton slashes hitting him only barely He unsheathes a dagger hidden in a pouch close to his left arm and slices it. Doing very little damage.

"Damn it! I shouldn't be this weak....what's up with me?" He says audibly, Disheartened. He charges and slashes the same skeleton again destroying it.

Ardasa gazed out of the carriage windows, stealing a peek at the walls of Hekaga. They were large and worn, like all dracon walls were. While it lacked the stunning beauty of Traeton's, with their inlaid gold and silver, the walls of Hekaga looked thick and sturdy, built entirely of stone. She took the opportunity to marvel at its magnificent height. Dracon walls were built higher than kobold walls, often twice over. As the carriage pulled toward the gates, she felt a slowly growing sense of amazement wash over her. Perhaps it was good to make the best of this trip.

A pleasant surprise awaited her at the gates. "Commander Rebat!" she exclaimed, waving from the carriage window. The worn kobold instantly dropped to a knee.

"Your Mercy, it is an honor to defend you within these walls," he croaked, smiling back up at her.

"I'm glad," she said, looking up at the slowly opening gates. "Now, take me to the Grand Prince. I was told we had a few things to discuss."
__________________________________
Rughoi felt like an idiot. He was a master of tunnel vision, a king of myopics. When Ardasa had offered to go to Hekaga and negotiate with the ruler there, he had jumped at the opportunity. The very day after she left, he felt the regret well up inside him. The palace felt . . . empty, and far too quiet. It was not a house built for one, and now even he saw it as too large without her dancing through it, arranging the flowers on the sills or making casual conversation with the captains. He paced around the halls, as he always did, doing huge circuits around the entirety of the interior. On his way, he encountered a chair that he felt sorely tempted to smash, but resisted the urge to do so. He needed to take his mind off his loneliness, but did not know how. Ardasa was just . . . gone, and he couldn't get her back anytime soon. The fastest worgs in his cavalry were tied to that carriage, and there was no way a messenger could catch up until she's stayed in the city for a few days. He looked up at the evening sky, watching as the first of the stars came out. He wished on one of them, on Scen and Arda and Hetuis, that she was safe and happy.

@Eviledd1984

"Mating rituals are something best left up to our children themselves. How they breed isn't too much of a concern for me. It's really a matter of money and alliances. You are a queen of at least a small number of fey, yes? My daughter is marrying your son, the heir to your throne. This will give her a position of royalty, at least technically? And then there's the matter of Kara's dowry. I have saved up a fair sum of money and other assets to go with her into marriage. Smith will receive these assets as part of his marriage to her" Adykon explained.

@TheForgottenArc

Kos nodded, having dealt with similar spells in the past. He smiled as the armor crackled and hardened around him, although he knew that it would only last as long as Daniel's spell would let it, which was probably on the order of hours or even minutes. Seeing that Daniel's magic was starting to fail him, Kos leapt over to the mage and cleaved an attacking skeleton in half, severing it at the waistline. Several more skeletons advanced, but their numbers were starting to run low.

"Mana almost out? Don't worry, I got this!" the dracon warrior swung his greatsword with wild abandon, hacking and chopping at the remnants of the skeletal horde. Before long, only two remained. "Can you finish them off, or should I have the honors?"

@bloonewb

Hekaga's Grand Prince had been contacted on short notice, but Ternoc was more than happy to approve of Ardasa's visit. From all accounts, she was calm, polite, and vastly more diplomatic than her husband, the self-styled "Emperor" Rughoi. Preparations were made at the last minute, but Ternoc was nothing if not good at improvising. His city guards had contacted Ardasa's convoy, sending a rider out to instruct them as to the route they would take through the city.

The Royal Path was a long, wide street which ran through Hekaga, proceeding straight from the southernmost gate through several of the city's infamous walled neighborhoods. Each district of the city was surrounded by a rectangular internal wall, and all such walls connected with the city walls which surrounded the metropolis. A guard could walk across the ramparts from the north of the city all the way to its south and never cross the outer perimeter of Hekaga's defenses, a fact the city's Grand Prince was strangely proud of.
Separating each district was a large gate; each district could have up to four of them, one for each cardinal direction. Whether said gates were open or not usually depended on the time of day and if someone important was to pass through it. Some parts of the city had their gates open at all times, while some districts had them partially opened and partially closed. The city's few wealthy neighborhoods kept their entrances closed to all but those specifically permitted, and this was especially true of the palace district.

Ternoc had the Royal path scrubbed and cleansed on just under a three day's notice. Finding labor for such a task was no problem, given Hekaga's vast ranks of the unemployed and destitute. Most vagabonds were more than happy to clean the road for a few coppers an hour for twelve hours straight. On each side of the road, Ternoc had stationed a contingent of his best troops, lining the path with many thousands of soldiers. While they kept Ardasa's path safe, it was clearly more for show than anything else. Hekaga's military was stretched thin ever since it had chosen the wrong side in the war with Dememoras some decades ago, opting to side with the tyrant while the other major realms had fought against him. The resultant loss of status and the demotion of Hekaga's ruler from king to grand prince had left the kingdom lacking a proper monarch, leading to a loss of face among the other major realms. Worse still, many of the vassals under Hekaga's rule had only pledged their loyalty to the city's king, not to the kingdom itself. As a result, many vassals declared their independence outright, and most of the remainder stopped just short of doing so. While Hekaga directly controlled a fair deal of territory, it was barely sufficient to maintain the armies needed to keep the realm as a leading power in the dracon lands.

Despite its weakened state, there was no denying that Hekaga was still a city of grandeur, even as it was tinged by its dark past. Even the most jaded traveler could easily make out large palaces, vast temples, and tall spires poking out from between the fetid slums. Hekaga also had a reputation for publicly allowing necromancy and demonology, practices which attracted certain cults which had no legitimate place in any other major city in the dracon lands. It didn't make for a safe or sane city, but there was no denying that the skull-adorned temples and demonic motifs gave the city a unique architectural flair. Indeed, many demonological temples were ostentatiously adorned in statues and carvings whose figures gave a sense of exaggerated, exuberant, even flamboyant expression as well as a highly developed sense of movement. As questionable as the scenes of murder and sacrifice may have been on many of them, there was no denying the skill it took to create them. Of course, there were plenty of temples to the more benign deities, but few people went to Hekaga to experience houses of worship.

Rebat and Ardasa's entourage made their way down the Royal path, passing through half a dozen gates before approaching the seventh and final gate to the Palace District. To the surprise and even shock of many, Grand Prince Ternoc himself had ventured out to meet them, accompanied by The Prince's Horns; his personal bodyguard. All of the Horns were heavily clad in fine steel armor, covered head to toe, even covering the tops of their feet and their tails.

Ternoc greeted Ardasa, extending his clawed hand to take her's in greeting. "My lady, it is good that we finally meet. Your visit is most welcomed. I greet you as a formal representative of Xigyll, and uniquely, as a female who is second in command of a state."

@Aristocles

"She would be his queen and have political power, however my son would be the next to rule. Your daughter would have absolute power if my son dies, They will be well off as I have my own source of income saved for my son and his elk. On the matter of alliance I can secure a alliance with Dracon, However my people and the council will be highly displeased by this alliance" She said thinking she would have to do some good convincing to accept the Dracon/Fey alliance.

Yssil chuckled lightly. "Yes, those kinds of tests are practically a classic, aren't they?" He then nodded, knowing receiving a gift was rare. As Aerta continued the possible reasons the sylph had for gifting him with the charmed necklace, Yssil blushed and winced almost simultaneously. As beautiful as the woman was, it was also just a bit strange to think about. "O-oh. Um. Thank you," he stammered slightly. "I will keep that in mind. Are we starting with that item creation now? Or something else?" Yssil cocked his head inquisitively at Aerta.

@Aristocles
It doesn't take long for Daniel to make his mind up about it. "I'll take them" He sighs and raises his hands to chest Hight again casting a ball of white energy and lobs it at the remaining skeletons, They evaporate into nothing more than a pile of ash. He drops his hand and lets the protection spell fade from Kos. "May you souls never be disturbed again" He sighs as the skeletal remains shimmer for just a moment. " Sorry I had to exorcise them. To make sure they can never be used like that again." He castes another spell with the last bit of his mana. "Those two attacks you saw, My people call it lightning bow. Uses a lot of energy but once mastered can make even a cleric deadly. I just don't understand why I am so weak all of a sudden.... Usually a fight like this isn't a problem. But now I cant even destroy a group of frail skeletons. At least now I know he's in this region. We should make haste towards town."

Rebat approached the figure of Ternoc first. He bowed, and looked up at him with a vigor he did not show since his posting here, the vigor of duty. "It is my honor and privilege to announce the arrival of Her Mercy Ardasa of Xigyll, Empress of All Kobold and Daughter of the Dr-"

"I think he knows who I am, Rebat," she said. "That's me, alright. Second in command. Best not cross me, I'm told my bound one is incredibly jealous." She smiled, and bowed to the grand prince, giggling a little at her own joke. She looked up at the faces of each of the Prince's Horns, with a look of amusement. "Wow, all this trouble for little old me? Are you afraid I'm hiding an army in my robes?"

@Eviledd1984

"Hmm. No dracon would recognize her as a 'queen' or someone with absolute power. Their first son would have to take over for their kingdom if Smith passes" Adykon explained. "But that's not a concern for a very long time. For now, it is best not to even consider an alliance. As you may know, there is no one dracon country. We are divided into many different realms; kingdoms, city-states, principalities, and so on. Your realm, wherever it is, is probably better off not getting too involved with dracon affairs" Adykon told the fey.

@SilverPaw

"Items creation will work for now" Aerta explained. "What did you want to make?" The laboratory had supplies and tools which could make a variety of items, although it wasn't set up to make heavy weapons and armor.

@TheForgottenArc

"You think you can fight again today? We just might have to" Kosjurec explained, scanning the area for any danger. "The way is clear for now. We'd better get into the city and continue with your mission. Is there anywhere specific we must go? If not, it may be wise to find shelter in a temple or even a tavern, then plot our next move."

@bloonewb

Ternoc knelt down so his eyes could meet Ardasa's on a more level field. Even so, he was still slightly above her level, though he was no longer towering above the female kobold. "It's really a matter of display, my lady. The perception of power and of the significance of this meeting is important to my people. If they do not take this matter seriously, they will demand that I break off the alliance with Xigyll. Plus, there is always the danger of assassins in Hekaga. These troops are as much for our protection as much as anything else. At least my 'Horns' are. The soldiers in the streets are really just there to keep the road clear and put on a show. Something to distract the people from their grinding poverty."

"Well, we're not going to do the negotiating here, are we?" Ardasa said, turning her head to look back at the crowds. They were rather poor, true, but they at least looked excited to see her. Or, at least, her worg-ridden carriage. "Go on then, Your . . . Might? Is that how you're styled? Lead on to the palace." Rebat approached behind them, and bowed to each of the two autocrats.

"I and my force shall assist in keeping the road clear, Your Mercy," he said. He loosed a worg from the carriage and leapt onto it, and from his perch, began shouting orders at the soldiers that accompanied him. They formed up into neat lines, and went to support their dracon comrades.

(Just in case I seemingly "forget" to reply, keep in mind that I may be replying to one person while another person makes a post. I will get around to everyone, don't worry!)

@bloonewb

"I am usually addressed as 'Your Majesty', even as a Grand Prince. Same as a king. Not too dissimilar to a king. If only there were more similarities between the two titles... but that's neither here nor there. As you say, it is time for us to head into the palace." Ternoc turned around and started back towards the palace district, surrounded on all sides by his guards, who formed a large rectangle around him and the kobolds, carriage and all.

The remaining path to the palace was flanked by large dragon-like beasts known as sirrushes, although they were perhaps more properly known as mushushus. Each sirrush was accompanied by a pike-wielding handler, who also kept the creature on a leash. With the intelligence of a crocodile, the sirrushes were not as intelligent as their sentient dragon counterparts, but their sheer size alone made them deadly.

"Never mind the sirrushes. Protocol demands that I bring six or so of them out for representatives of state. Now, up the stairs. I don't think the carriage can go this way, but some of my guards will lead it around the back."

It took almost another twenty minutes, but the group finally entered the palace gates. Ternoc swiftly dismissed most of his guards and led Ardasa and the most important members of her entourage into a large meeting room. A large rectangular table dominated the center of the room, with a gold-rimmed seat with red cushions at its center letting everyone know where Hekaga's monarch was to sit. The remainder of the room was dominated by maps and charts, although all of them showed generic information about the world, without giving up critical facts about the location of garrisons or the disposition or movement of troops.

@Aristocles

"Well I do not think your affairs will not be a issue, As long as our land is invaded or violated" She said thinking to a indicate where humans had tried to chop down her trees. "There has been many attempts at ending my life, Dracon,Humans and even Fey. But of course they failed, I only bring it up because I have acquired many enemies and I do not want my enemies to be my son's or his kin" She added looking at him with a blank sort of look.