A dragon in Fellsguard? (Open)

[Dessrexin]

Professor Zeal was quietly eating breakfast watching Dessrexin snore loudly. The dragon was sleeping on top of a sizeable horde of coinage and precious stones. Today was leisure day for his precious student who would ordinarily be up by now dedicating his time to the art of knowledge. However, once a week was when they rested doing whatever form of entertainment each decided on. Sometimes it was a group activity others it was a solo pursuit.

Today, Johnny decided to let his pupil sleep while he read a book on flora of the jungle. However, from his guest room that the luck dragon carved out of his den for the old man felt unusually curious. So, he went into the main part of the cave and admired his housemates rarer treasures. A whole wall of books and scrolls in every language the teacher knew of. He pulled out his gift that got his wish granted using the password. If he didn’t the powerful creature would wake up immediately just as with any of his treasures. Simple magic, but highly effective as a defense.

The elderly man couldn’t help smiling as he examined the well worn cover. It was a biography of Cecilia written by her father after her unfortunate demise by a lucky shot. In scholar circles this volume was priceless due to there only being twenty five copies ever found. Dragons were interesting creatures. Dez only learned to read five years ago yet he already had a collection that rivaled a small library. As he slipped the book back on the shelf his student stirred.

“Johnny it seems we have a guest please help her feel welcome in the luck dragons cave.” Suddenly, a young women’s shriek broke the silence of his home as she realized the monster was awake.

The female in question had braided shoulder length brown hair. Green eyes full of determination and fear. Also, by human standards she was a truly rare beauty. She quickly sunk to her knees and lowered her eyes as clear words followed. “My name is Hannah, Holy beast please grant my wish. I bring you a silver necklace that I spent all my wages for an entire year on. My sister was taken three days ago by the mage hunters from the tavern she performed at called the Black sheep in Fellsguard. I beg you save her.” Then tears began to flow like a river of sorrow.

Dessrexin was speechless for several minutes, because he hadn’t heard a human speak so quickly since the one that raised him from an egg. The man was constantly hawking his prize pets lofty powers. Though, he never saw any of the wishes come true. The young dragon assumed fate itself took care of it until he was old enough to take over.

Meanwhile, mister Zeal patted the poor girl in a reassuring manner. “It’s okay child Dez is only scary when you are hostile to him, or try to take his treasure without permission.”

Next, a head bigger than the woman’s entire body spoke plainly, “Offering?”

The beauty simply nodded her head and slid the necklace down his heads center horn. Dessrexin’s eyes picked up the detailed harp that was the focus of the piece and smiled. I’ll grant your wish human. Please allow the professor to keep you company while I’m away.”

The young woman smiled nervously and spoke. “Thank you sacred beast.”

Soon after the dragon took off for Fellsguard. Flying there didn’t take as long as walking would by a large margin. He landed about a mile away from the city gate at sunrise. He walked the rest of the way in the glamored form of a fourteen year old boy. The shape was similar enough to Hannah that he could be mistaken for a realative.

A little while later a merchant traveling to Fellsguard unexpectedly broke one of his front wagon wheels. When he got out to check he tripped into a shallow hole as big as his cart. As the first rays of the sun hit the depression he realized it was a giant claw print. In shock he exclaimed. “A dragon in Fellsguard?” However unlikely, he would let the gate guard know just in case. Well in a few hours after he fixed his cart.

[Vanessa LaNore]

Vanessa was frowning intensely as she was hustled off the heaving horse she’d been riding. She had been well into studying an interesting research paper from a colleague abroad when a House Nyshasa guard had come bursting into her office without so much as a knock. They’d waved a seal about, and then hustled her out of the academy with barely enough time to don her heavy jacket and scarf.

On the rough ride over - the men around her insisted on pushing their horses to near breaking - her escort had spoken of a merchant’s encounter with a massive clawed imprint. The first thought was a dragon, and so all relevant experts were being collected and hurried to the site. Vanessa had been chosen for her recent published work on the habits and housing of such varied creatures.

Her foul mood and equally stormy expression carried her all the way into the hastily constructed tent that occupied a good half of the smaller trade road. She was greeted by another House Nysasha official, this one with a writ of allowance already held out for her. She nodded her thanks on reflex and turned her attention to the main attraction.

Vanessa froze, her visage flipping from rough-tempered to curious excitement in a single flicker of the low lamp light. She glanced around the poorly lit tent and slipped the writ of allowance into her satchel.

“Kip, show me,” she said softly, pushing on the woven threads inside her mind that bound the cat spirit to existence. Kip sprang into being with a pop that sounded strangely pleased. The cat spirit, appearing as a small water dragon, zipped around the room making soft chattering before he landed himself squarely in the massive claw print.

Just at the edge of the tent the House Nyshasa representative was looking distinctly outside, his back held rigid. Magic was not allowed in Fellsgard, and even the power of great house was restricted to secrecy and circumspect use. Vanessa felt the sealed document in her bag weigh heavily. It would perhaps allow her to be handled by House Nyshasa rather than killed on the spot, assuming whoever had caught her was feeling up to bureaucracy.

There was a moment of silence and then Kip’s foot grew equally massive, filling the print exactly as the tiny spirit’s body floated above the now giant appendage. Vanessa grinned at the size of Kip’s initial estimation. Kip had chosen a northerly dragon’s claw, and so the body would be equally massive.

“Cycle through them, we want one where the length here matches a quick landing,” she said as she stared intently at the slight mismatch of Kip’s spectral imprint and the ground marking. Kip yipped and shifted wildly, the claw changing shapes every few seconds.

The cat spirit went through all of the types of dragons Vanessa was familiar with and nothing seemed quite correct. “Match the shape instead, and we will make a guess,” she instructed the spirit. Kip warbled a reply and Vanessa nodded as the claw became something only vaguely familiar. “Good enough, let’s go then and speak to this merchant.” Kip mewled softly and popped out of existence. It would not due to waste her writ on simply walking around.

Near an hour later Vanessa was back to a soured mood. The man had been as helpful as he could be, but couldn’t provide much detail. She was now without a solid lead, only a vague possible shape and the knowledge that Dragons could take many forms. Hopefully all of this did not become a colossal waste of time.

[Dessrexin]

As Dessrexin approached the gate guards a few minutes after the sun rose, four watchmen gave him a suspicious look. The eldest with the rank insignia of a captain adressed the boy. "Awfully strange that a boy your age is alone at this hour. State your name and business now child?"

"My teacher calls me Dez, and I'm looking for a performer." The dragon gave his best smile following his words.

"Oh really aren't we all, isn't that right soldiers." The three other warriors nodded in unison. The youngest gave an extra wink. "Right, but you look like a thief to me. So watch yourself kid, we take pride in our job. Stay out of trouble and move along."

Dez did just that and entered Fellsguard. After he had been walking for twenty minutes he realized something. In his focus on the task at hand he had forgotten to ask which district the Black Sheep was in. He didn't ask Hannah's sisters name either, but that was on purpose. This was because he tended to be more honest than was prudent. If he didn’t know the girl his quest would go smother.

He wandered the streets asking anyone where the tavern was. Most ignored him others said it was too early for drinking. Eventually the normal morning bustle began in ernest. His walking space shrunk quickly. Just as Dez was feeling confined a muscular man dressed in sailor garb knocked him hard into an ally.

The luck dragon's chosen form wavered slightly in the blink of an eye. His massive tail took out a small building on one side. A loud crash followed by a lot of rubble drew attention immediately. He stabilized his form rapidly hopefully no one noticed. Fortunately, he landed on the opposite side of the stone from where he was pushed. The stone dust coated his glamored body from head to toe.

"Poor child are you alright? Let me help you up." A kerasoka women of indeterminate age wearing garb fit for sailing kindly asked. As she took the younger human's hand a sudden sense of forbidding took her. For a moment she felt an echo of magic. She shrugged it off convinced this boy was not the threat she felt.

"Thank you lady, I'm a bit lost could you tell me where the Black Sheep tavern is?" Dez said in his most charming voice.

"That's not a place for children, It's full of pirates. Did you know they draged a young singer out of there a few days ago. Her name was Hilda she was accused of using magic. Her voice was truly divine to hear I'll grant." The woman’s concern deepened as she talked.

"Please lady, Hilda is my cousin. I have to find her." Dessrexin’s words had magic power behind them as he cast a weak charm spell.

The elf was unable to resist since she already wanted to help. It just allowed her to overlook the danger she expected. "I'm no lady, but sure kid your actually real close. It's here in the dock district this way."

[Vanessa LaNore]

There was a steaming mug of tea in her hands as she sat in one of the local House Nysasha libraries along the northern edge of the South district. These places were always busy with folks looking to learn further skills and improve their lot. A mandatory education often made the requirement for work be specialized skills and the scattered libraries served as localized trade schools and centers of knowledge.

They also functioned as convenient meeting places for those acting on behalf of the House. With secluded meeting rooms and easy to find locations. As long as you weren't in the destitute East District everyone knew where to find the nearest library.

Vanessa was on her third cup of tea and second round of bathroom trips borne from nervous energy when a watch guard burst into the building heaving lungfuls of air. He snapped off a ragged salute when she showed the House Nysasha seal on her writ, and so she surreptitiously ushered the man into a side room, letting him catch his breath and saving him from the mild panic he was starting to cause.

When he'd caught his breath he gave his report. "Private Uric. Building hit suddenly, matches reports of dragon activity. Already watch in the area, not too many injured."

Vanessa frowned at the man and set down her tea. "Lead me there please, Uric. The sooner the better. If there are traces I will find them," she said in a clipped but cool tone. It was a voice she'd learned for dealing with rough workers, the sort willing to travel halfway across the world to dig up artifacts under close supervision. She found it worked equally well on people expecting authority.

Private Uric nodded and snapped off another salute, immediately turning and moving back out to the street. When he looked like he was about to start running down the cobble Vanessa shook her head and motioned to a stable across the way. Uric looked sheepish and fell in step behind her.

They were able to get fresh horses without delay. Many such stables kept quick animals for couriers and the occasional watch needs. The city would pay the small rental promptly when the paperwork was filed. Vanessa had tried to wring more details from Private Uric as they rode, but the man knew little. "Orders to check the libraries for folks like you. Ones that didn't fit and had the writ. They say there's a dragon, but not to start a panic," he offered finally when she refused to relent.

The pair rode up to crowd of people looking past several guards at a small pile of rubble. There were bricks, smashed crates, and other debris in a rough cone to one side. Vanessa didn't even bother unmounting for several minutes. Instead she remained perfectly still looking out at the spread of building remains and building an idea.

Finally, she hopped down and offered a hand to the important looking woman - clearly a watch captain - impatiently staring at her. "Apologies, time is of the essence," she said, holding out her writ by way of greeting.

The woman rolled her eyes after a thorough inspection of the document. "Right, need anything from us? We've contained the injured, no one knows a damn thing. Building just popped like a drink giant hit it," the captain offered with a scowl for the scattered rubble.

"I will move on shortly, all I ask is to keep the private with me for now." Both the captain and private Uric looked surprised by her request, but neither complained. The captain simply nodded and moved away after a moment. For his part, Private Uric simply hovered nearby, waiting for instructions.

Vanessa frowned as she looked over the rubble from the safety of the street. It fit with the little she knew of assumed forms for dragons, or at least inexperienced ones. They tended to react poorly to sudden things you might find in a crowd, like full body collision.

"Kip, quietly now, show me," Vanessa mumbled under her breath. Her eyes began to faintly glow as the detection spell took effect. It would be noticeable to an experienced mage, but to others she simply looked like a half-fae with their strange glowing eyes. The fact that they were suddenly glowing blue instead of orange didn't seem to matter. People often relied on mysteries that could be easily explained away. It was simpler to pretend than worry about magic in Fellsgard.

After several seconds the magic took effect and Vanessa could see a series of lingering auras. There was her own, the magic in her body that was always there, but there was also a faint imprint beside the rubble. She stared intently, learning the imprint. When she felt she could recognize it she looked around the area. There was nothing else she could easily see, so she returned to her horse and began a slow circuit of the accident.

There, on the far side of the rubble, was a much fainter aura. 'Likely the remains of the dragon facing fluctuations in their chosen form,' she thought as she turned her head to follow the faintest wisps of magic to the West. "Why would a dragon walk to the docks?" she suddenly asked Private Uric conversationally.

The man jumped in his saddle at the sudden break in silence before frowning intensely. "Maybe it wanted to buy something? I've heard stories about the half-dragon people going out to buy things and collect books and such," the man provided, sounding terribly unconvinced.

"What if I told you it was about the size of a child?" She added with a sudden grin. She'd spotted an outline just outside the rubble, almost an after image. It must have been where the dragon had forcefully reasserted its form. There were no real details, only the size and rough shape, but that would be enough.

Private Uric looked even more unconvinced, but didn't offer anything further. Vanessa released her spell, feeling the tingling sensation of danger tickling at the back of her neck. She always felt it here, the looming knowledge that she could be taken away for what they've taught her. Just because folks refused to accept that tools could be misused.

"Follow me, but please remain quiet. I doubt the folks we'll be taking to will take kindly to a watch Private asking questions and I do so terribly need to find my lost little brother. He was hurt in the building collapse you see, and most have wandered away in all the confusion." Vanessa grinned before adopting a perfect mask of the beleaguered and desperately worried older sister. It was not a terribly strong ruse, but her age was difficult to guess and people enjoyed the simple comfort of belief when it was offered.

[Kelwin]

Kelwin was prone to wandering wherever he felt like. He hadn’t spent a lot of time in Verdant row, because the dream he had there was unsettling. However, he would admit what he remembered that night was usefull. He was not Kerasoka like he believed before the revelation. No he was of the mystic elves instead. He did wonder why his own father cursed him though. Oh well it was a problem for another time, he knew fire magic. It did make him curious what other powers he'd forgotten.

He didn't really understand why he felt the urge to return to Fellsguard after learning he was gifted with what many call a curse there. His personal thoughts were interrupted by a remarkably loud crash as a building collapsed. He followed his ears to the sight and found devastation and pain. People were running about in panic trampling each other in their rush to escape.

In a stern voice he shouted. "Be careful, calm yourselves the situation is worsening in your carelessness!" Remarkably the citizens responded to his words and became mindful of each other. Kelwin rested his hands on his head in surprise. Where did that come from, he thought to himself. He projected authority like he was born to it. Maybe he was from a family in power.

The monk started helping the fallen first as order started to exert itself. As he helped a muscular human up that was dressed in sailor's clothes. He was surprised to see his entire arm was covered in a dark bruise. "We're you helping move the rubble?"

The young pirate answered like his captain gave an order. "No sir, I was just walking along when I ran into something. I didn't see it, but the pain was so great. I felt like I had just run into a mountain at full speed. Right after that the building came crashing down."

Kelwin pondered this information before whispering back to the man. "Really, I suggest you watch where your going next time. It's hard to know what trouble you could cause being so unwary."

The man simply nodded to that and started helping with the crowd. The sorcerer kept to himself that he felt a residual touch of strong magic on the man. He didn't know what it was, but the power continued on past the rubble in a straight line. He stood as he heard the city guard coming.

Suddenly, he felt nervous and decided it was time to go. He took a running start and jumped over the scattered stones flipping foward as he landed on his feet. The magic continued to the edge of the alley then it just stopped. Kelwin looked around confused and decided to ask around the docks. Something powerful was here, and he wanted to know what.

[Dessrexin]

"Forgive my human manners lady. Teacher says I should always be considerate of those that help others in need. What is your name and occupation?" The dragons words were delivered with ernest sincerity.

"You're a weird kid, did you know that. I'm Selara a sailor looking for a worthy captain." She unconsciously drew her cutlass and boarding axe. Then gave them a little flourish in her practiced hands before returning them to her hips. "You don't happen to have an attractive older sibling do you? Preferably, with a ship of their own."

"I'm sorry to say I wouldn't know. I was taken from where I was born at a young age. The man that raised me was nice though." The child was twitching bodily as he spoke in a strange manner.

The woman could only describe it as someone who didn't fell comfortable in their own skin. The boy must have finally let her earlier warning sink in. He was such a strange one. "Everything will be fine kid, I'll protect you. Why don't you tell me your name?"

"Right, that's probably good manners as well. You can call me Dez if you like." The sacred beast lowered his voice before continuing to speak. "Tell me lady, how do you feel about magic?"

Selara made a gesture for quiet before answering. "First off Dez keep that to your self, as much as possible around these parts. Secondly, I'm a warrior that's proud of her heritage. We Kerasoka may have lost our power, but I could never hate my ancestors gifts. No matter what others say that is my truth."

Good to know, have you ever heard of the luck dragon Dessrexin?" The boy smiled broadly as he awaited an answer.

"That's just a story kid, wishes don't come true unless you make them." The sailor suddenly stood up straighter as she saw the sign of the Black Sheep. "Look sharp kid this place is rowdy and busy. It's just after lunch so stay ready."

"Understood Selara, remember the luck dragon is rumored to walk in many forms. To help a stranger without hesitation is a heroic quality. Good deeds are worthy of remembering." Suddenly the child's voice deepened as he cast a spell. "May the wind of freedom carry you thru the storm".

The sailor suddenly felt faster and more agile as the spell took hold. She could of sworn that a dragon just roared quietly in her ear. She hadn't heard draconic in over a century. Her mind must have been playing tricks on her. The kids words just brought up echoes of the past. She entered the tavern prepared to fight for the boys safety.

[Sensha Saigen]

"My star's, what in the world is going on so early?" a gruff voice echoed through the early morning sun as he road along on his wagon bench. He'd decided to ride through the night to arrive early at Fellsgard. That way he could set up shop well before his competitor's! This unfortunately meant he'd be a bit on the tired side, but the old soldier was used to long travel on or in a horse drawn carriage. Much like he was now.

His trip into Fellsgard along the trade road brought him to the scene of some kind of crime he assumed. A large tent was pitched and guards and who knows were running hither and tither. Something big was happening, that was for certain. As he road past he called out to a guard in his usual manner, " Tell me Brother, what happens before the cock crows this day? Surely brave soldiers as yourselves aren't needed so early in the morn'?" Sensha's words caught the guards attention and a swift reply, "Nothing we cant handle, move along!" "Aye, fare you well!" Sen bellowed before ushering his steed to keep rolling. So it's something too important to let the news out, he mused with his jaw in his hand. Passing the tent he got a wiff of an all too familiar smell: Magic. Ohh? How fascinating...

Curiosity spiking Sensha hurried to his usual parking spot off the beaten road. The little grove was not only a perfect spot for his small carriage, but also a great camping place away from prying eyes. After loading his wares into his small chest and onto the horse he searched around for a few moments before excitedly pulling a large cloak from inside the carriage. WIth a jittery snicker he threw it over the carriage and it quickly took the shape and even hardness of a large boulder: one of his finest creations. It took him three weeks to get the fine tuning just right!. This little enchantment of his he called Camouflage Tarp. It covered and craftily concealed what ever could fit under it in the shape of a large rock formation. It even was as hard as a rock too! You could only remove it by either smashing it or releasing the spell with a series of hand drawn patterns.

He proudly patted his contraption and mounted his horse, heading into the city with his wares. He'd have to move quickly if he wanted to get a good spot. After a brief exchange with the guards and their usual inquiries as to what land he ailed from and what he was doing they finally let him in and not but a few moments later was he set up on the corner of a bustling dock road. Fellsgard was tricky to sell in for him, any enchantments he tried to sell had to seem more like what ever it was was just made well for the authorities to not catch on. It was also why he normally set up closer to where the less savory people tended to frolic.

Apparently something else had happened given all the murmurs of the sailors. Something about a buidling collapsing? He listened in as he riffled through his chest to look for his enchanted rain cloaks that he wanted to peddle today before something stopped him in his tracks. The same smell of magic wafted his way, and not his own either. Today is going to be quite interesting it would seem.

[Vanessa LaNore]

The gambit seemed almost doomed to fail when they encountered the third dead end of questioning. People saw the watch guard and grew wary, unwilling to help her even if they believed her story. Not that the watch was known for anything particularly horrid in this section of the district, quite the opposite. Becoming involved with the watch meant you’d be stuck giving detailed accounts of things for ages that would likely be carefully followed up on. Mostly folks simply didn’t want to lose their precious time.

The fourth fellow was a whole street westward and an older man. Vanessa wasn’t quite certain if he was interested in helping, or simply couldn’t move fast enough to politely escape.

“Ah, yes, I think I saw a young one after the crash. There was so much dust though, a terrible thing-” the man started to ramble about the accident.

“Please sir, did see where he went? Every moment is another he might be hurt without me. Mother will be fraught with tears if he’s been hurt,” Vanessa interrupted, forcing crocodile tears to her eyes in an attempt to steer the man’s ramblings back to her desired information.

The old man started and frowned at the thought. “He headed that way,” he pointed with a shaking finger towards the a collection of taverns. Vanessa felt her mouth twitch in a frown but she forced the expression down and sniffled loudly instead.

“Oh thank you, please tell the guard everything. I have to go save him,” she managed to sound distraught with a touch of hysteria at the edges. She hoped Private Uric caught her intent as she moved off towards the less savory drinking establishments. She felt the tingle of magic as she moved along the street and lowered her eyes to release her magical sight.

There was a trail, faint and fading, like wisps of mist following a moving adult. Vanessa concentrated and moved forward quickly, finding the trail led into a place she unfortunately knew. She stood on the street looking up at the Black Sheep as she forced her magic away.

She wasn’t worried for her own safety here, she was quick, smart, and controlled an extremely protective mother ursine spirit. What she was worried about, was things going further sideways and more people dying. The inquisition would be coming before over long, following the same trails she was, and they were far less forgiving and kind.

[Kelwin]

Sailor's were a very tight lipped bunch if you aren't part of their boat club. At least that's what Kelwin gathered from the snubbing and threats he had received so far. However, there was another person that he couldn't help, but notice. The beautiful woman even had a literal knight in shining armor at her side. She was small in stature yet walked and rode with an attractive confidence. What he didn't get was why her words were not entirely true.

The martial arts was a lifelong discipline. When you spent years honing your body into a weapon body language became a little too obvious. He knew his artform so well that knowing how he learned mattered less. He had been following her awhile at this point. Grace from long practice made him quite hard for the untrained to notice.

Finally, something tipped the balance for him, her eyes changed color. Then she started moving with increased surety. So he had to speed up making his stealth attempts obvious to most. He did pass a merchant with marks on his hands that spoke of familarity with weapons. That alone made him hesitate as he walked up beside the woman. Kelwin gave up on hiding his presence from her any longer. "Greetings miss, my name is Kelwin. I believe you may be in need of assistance. That tavern doesn't like the city guards very well." He gave a respectful bow after that. Please allow me to help." He stood up straight and listened to her response.

Unfortunately, a woman came running out of the tavern shortly after that. "Help magic, Selara the swiftwind is too fast she's never been this quick before!" The terrified female practically sprinted down the street repeating her claims of magic.

The monk gave a brief shrug of his shoulders then ran inside. The scene was disturbing, a boy of perhaps fourteen summers was crouched behind the bar amongst numerous shattered glass bottles. While a female kerasoka was handling eight armed men at once with a flurry of strikes that were unaturally fast. Sadly there were twenty other sailors, men and women wielding weapons awaiting an opening.

The boy seemed remarkably unhurt, just a little disoriented. At that Kelwin leaped into the air taking out two with kicks to the head. "How unfair two versus so many, and one's a child. You discredit yourselves, well it's not two anymore." The warrior prepared himself for the trial to come by taking a battle stance.

[Dessrexin]

Selara tried to walk in slow and confident, but for some reason one step took her twice as far. The establishment smelled stangely of salted pork with a hint of lime. She adjusted quickly and headed straight for a scar faced human woman in her early thirties.

Her voice carried across the room drawing every eye. "Captain Mida I believe we have a disagreement to settle." She pointed at Dez and continued speaking. "You took this boys cousin and he deserves justice! I know you have been running a human trafficking ring, the past couple weeks. I shudder to think how many innocent people you've taken. The cloak of mage hunter only goes so far."

Mida laughed hysterically as she stood. "Wow, who gave your courage back. Fifty years ago you were feared on every shore Selara Swiftwind. No pirate would dare cross you back then. How the mighty have fallen. I admire guts care to become a pirate?"

Selara spit on Mida's face and glared daggers. "I may no longer be a agent for house Lericyro, but my honor is not a commodity easily traded! I refuse." The warrior's courage had been gone, but was never forgotten.

Meanwhile, the luck dragon smiled inwardly because the story of lady Swiftwind was an entertaining one. His teacher used it as an cautionary tale. She was undefeated in battle for a seventy years until a sea serpent demolished her boat and she almost drowned. Imagine a captain losing her whole crew and surviving alone. She was treated as a coward by many causing her to quit such a prestigious job. The message was clear enough there's always someone bigger and stronger. So never presume you are unbeatable. He supposed for a dragon it was an important lesson.

Mida snapped her fingers and spoke. "Mates kill her, disrespect will never be tolerated." She drew a cutlass and dagger and struck Selara with practiced speed. Her targets steel was drawn in the blink of an eye blocking easily. Then a slight movement disarmed the pirate queen easily. "Better to live to fight another day." The pirate dropped low and crawled between the crews legs. Her escape was successful thanks to the intervention of her sailors. As she fled she pretended innocence yelling about magic.

Suddenly, Dez was picked up by his throat and flung into the shelves behind the bar. The cheap alcohol stunk horribly burning his nose. He was glad he didn't breath fire or the whole building would be destroyed. Now the puzzle was how to help and still maintain his cover.