cmdrnemo

Chapter 3:

Marfouna Deeptank (arlessa of the dragons)

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Mellie circled overhead. Delighted to see dwarves. Of all the fantastical races in the many worlds she had seen; dwarves were the most consistent. If not the friendliest creatures at the least there was a predictability about them.

She lit upon the stone. Dust billowed about. The wings shattered to join the motes in the wind. She strode through the cloud. Eyes at a level with the dwarves. The sky pulled at her. Mindless here, uncaring, only the tie of her nature. Pulling against her humanity, the desire to forget all else and fly.

Both guards took her appearing out of the haze with aplomb. The beard on the one on the left was slightly longer and a faintly darker shade of brown. Otherwise the pair of them were very nearly identical. Short stocky men in finely crafted armour. An assortment of plate and chain, slightly anachronistic, dwarven armour of the most typical form.

“Hello! How are you? I am fine. My name is Mellie. What are your names?” She called from what felt like a safe distance. Every ounce of available joy injected into her voice. Could it be that the language itself holds?

“Hail Mellie.” The less beardly one called back gruffly. “You will hold there for questioning.”

“Apologies, could I request some water?” She took no further steps.

Poised over the stone two dozen paces from the dwarven guards. The beardly guard called something into the cave. Entrances large enough for a any aircraft surrounded them. On the far side that one dwarf still swept the stone. A moment passed. Then another.

“I am Drystan Rubysmiter, guard master of the dragon’s den.” The less beardly guard called out after a moment. “This is Shandre Hardcalcite second of this gate.” He seemed to have concluded Mellie was not an imminent threat.

“I am delighted to meet you both.”

“How is it you can fly?” Shandre cut in. “I’ve not heard tell of such power save by the most powerful of riders.”

“Riders?” She glanced about. “Of dragons perhaps?”

“You’ve not heard tell of the Dragon Riders?”

“I’m sure I’d like to.”

“They ruled this land for centuries. Mages of the highest power. Elves and men of unparalleled abilities. Until they were betrayed and murdered by the current emperor.”

“Interesting, thank you. I appear to have travelled very far, in what may be the wrong direction.” She looked ready to say more.

A wave of servants passed through the passage. Cleaning products bouncing against the clanking mail.

Another dwarf, gilded of armour and beard marched up behind them. More guards in her wake. Mellie bowed. Gilded dwarf whispered to guards and master. Words are carried by the wind. Dwarves should not trust it. The content limited. Merely a summary of events so far.