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<blockquote data-quote="Emperor Valerian" data-source="post: 1363582" data-attributes="member: 15043"><p>These last two sections were typed up by drag n fly exclusively... enjoy!</p><p></p><p><strong>Of Surprises and….More Surprises </strong></p><p></p><p>After everyone had enjoyed a good wash in the pool that Xanadu’s little magical prying eyes had found, the party decided to camp near to the pond. Everyone was busy helping set up camp, so only Tess saw Xanadu head off into the trees that surrounded the pool.</p><p></p><p><em>I wonder where he’s going? It’s not safe to wander around alone.</em> Also, some small part of her mind still fummed over Rogar’s betrayal, and she briefly worried if Xanadu might be planning a similar betrayal. </p><p></p><p>She tried walking silently through the forest, but somehow the half-elf still heard her.</p><p></p><p>“What are you doing out here, Tess?” he asked somewhat sadly as he turned to face her.</p><p></p><p><em>Well, might as well square up to it.</em> she thought, and taking a leaf from Siabrey’s book, asked rather bluntly. “What are you doing out here Xanadu? It’s not safe.”</p><p></p><p>Xanadu sighed, and for a moment looked his immesne age of over 700. “I’m from around here, Tess. This area was my home, a long long time ago. I just wanted to sleep out by myself tonight.”</p><p></p><p><em>Oh really…</em> “Where?” she asked, crossing her arms.</p><p></p><p>“Out there.” He said, motioning with his arms through a break in the trees. The forest ended a short ways off and a series of rolling hills began. “Beyond that hill.”</p><p></p><p>Tess frowned. “I still don’t think it’s a good idea, Xanadu. I think you should come back to camp with me.”</p><p></p><p>“No, I don’t think so.” Xanadu looked at her sharply and his eyes glowed brassy for a moment. Tess felt a strange sensation wash over her, and almost in a dream state, she vaguely heard Xanadu say “Go back to camp, Tess.” Obediently, her feet moved of their own accord and she found herself back in camp in no time. </p><p></p><p>Siabrey was preparing to unroll her bed-roll when she saw Tess wander back into camp with a completely blank look upon her face. The warrior watched the unmoving bard for several minutes, then got up and walked over to her. </p><p></p><p>“Tess?” Siabrey waved her hand in front of her friend’s face. There was no response; Tess didn’t even blink.</p><p></p><p>“Yo, Tess? Tess!” Siabrey wacked the tall women on the back of her head.</p><p></p><p>“Huh, what?” Tess blinked as her eyes came back into focus.</p><p></p><p>“You were pulling a zombie trip on me, you alright?”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah…yeah, I’m fine. Hey, what am I doing back here at camp? Where’s Xanadu?”</p><p></p><p>Siabrey blinked. <em>Maybe I hit her a little harder than I intended…</em> “You followed him off into the woods like ten minutes ago, then came back here completely glassy-eyed.”</p><p></p><p>As her words sunk in, Tess’s mind switched from confusion to anger in a split second.</p><p></p><p><em>That jerk! He commanded me!? How DARE he!</em></p><p></p><p>“Come on.” Tess snorted, grabbing the confused Siabrey’s arm and dragging her along behind her. “We’re going to find out what’s going on with that half-elf.”</p><p></p><p>Siabrey shrugged and followed, motioning Lucius, Shaun and Eleyna to come too. Together, they followed the angry bard as she stomped through the short stretch of woods and onto the hill that Xanadu had indicated earlier.</p><p></p><p>“Now, he said he would be camping just past here….” Tess and the others crested the hill and looked around. A short distance away lay another large hill, but only Siabrey and Shaun noticed something a little strange about it.</p><p></p><p>“Um…guys…” Siabrey pointed and they all quickly saw what she meant; the hill was a little metallic-looking.</p><p></p><p>Tess bent down silently and scooped up a short stick.</p><p></p><p><em>Wait, what is she…</em> the entire party had but a moment to think before Tess flung the stick, striking the hill neatly three-quarters of the way up its side.</p><p></p><p>The moment seemed to freeze as the five friends held their breath in anticipation. Not one of them was prepared however when a brightly colored slit opened, and the hill began to uncurl…</p><p></p><p><em>Oh….crap... must... run... now….</em> Shaun and the others all gasped as the first waves of fear washed across their minds. Even as they all struggled with the desire to flee while screaming for their lives, a soft voice sounded in their heads.</p><p></p><p><em>”Do not be afraid…I will not hurt you…”</em></p><p></p><p><em>Xanadu?</em> Tess and Siabrey both thought aloud. "Is that you?"</p><p></p><p>“Xanadu, can you PLEASE tone the fear factor down a bit?” Tess whimpered. <em>I'm going to soil my armor if he doesn't...</em></p><p></p><p>The silver dragon that was, indeed, Xanadu, blinked. Immediately the party felt better, and was able to straighten up and fully gaze at the magnificent figure standing before them.</p><p></p><p>He was 200 feet long, with huge glistening wings and a tall, sharp-looking frill that ran from his forehead down to the tip of his tail. Siabrey felt tears on her cheeks, and as she looked around, so did Eleyna and Tess. Both Lucius and Shaun were too shocked to do more than stare. Finally, Tess and Siabrey found their voices and said, practically at the same time.</p><p></p><p>“Oh my God…Xanadu…you’re so beautiful.”</p><p></p><p>Despite the fact that the dragon that currently sat on its haunches like a large dog could have killed them all with a single twitch of his claws, he looked strangely nervous.</p><p></p><p><em>”You….you’re not afraid of me?”</em></p><p></p><p>“Oh Xanadu, why would we be afraid, you are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” Siabrey walked fearlessly over to the dragon and touched one of the glistening claws reverently. She heard a soft sniffling from behind her as Tess walked over and did the same to the other foot.</p><p></p><p>“You’re amazing.” The bard whispered. If dragons could have blushed, Xanadu would have been a red dragon at that moment.</p><p></p><p>“Xanadu, why did you never tell us?” Lucius asked, finally finding his voice.</p><p></p><p><em>”I was afraid to. Dragons are hated and feared by so many. And then there’s that dragonslayer…</em> Xanadu gave a slight shudder. To his surprise Tess began to laugh softly.</p><p></p><p>“Um, Xanadu, Pelleron isn’t really a dragonslayer.”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah, more like a ‘shoot a young dragon in the chest with a ballista at close range’ slayer.” Siabrey added with a grin. </p><p></p><p><em>“You mean…he doesn’t hate dragons?”</em> Xanada’s surprised thought echoed through their heads.</p><p></p><p>“No more than we do.” Tess said as she stroked his paw gently. To her great surprise and pleasure, Xanadu lowered his head to ground level.</p><p></p><p><em>“Thank you for not being afraid of me.”</em> he said quietly as he tried to nuzzle her and Siabrey. Lucius watched for a few moments, then walked down the hill and reached up to scratch behind the dragon’s huge ear. A deep contented purr, like the largest jungle cat that ever lived, filled the air.</p><p></p><p>Up above them on the hill, Eleyna gave a sigh of happiness at the scene playing up below her, then froze. “Oh no…” she whispered, and the rest of the party looked wide-eyed at each other as they heard what the former barmaid had heard; the distinctive sound of the four paladins heading through the woods.</p><p></p><p><em>“Oh no, what do I do?”</em> Xanadu’s frantic thought skittered through their heads.</p><p></p><p>Siabrey stood in front of the dragon’s lowered head in an attempt at a protective gesture. “Stand proud, Xanny. They’d find out sooner or later. Might as well be sooner.”</p><p></p><p>The rest of the party did likewise, and so when Pelleron and the others crested the hill, they were shocked to find not only a tall silver dragon staring anxiously at them, but their friends lined up in front of him, arms crossed and eyes narrowed.”</p><p></p><p>“Wha…..” one of the paladins stammered before Siabrey cut them off.</p><p></p><p>“Guys, this is Xanadu. You know, our half-elven friend? Turns out he’s really a silver dragon.”</p><p></p><p>“A good one.” Tess interjected.</p><p></p><p>“Yes, a good one.” Siabrey continued. “So there will be no slaying of any sort, nor jokes about dragons. Is that understood?”</p><p></p><p>The four paladins stood with gaping mouths; apparently slaying was the last thing on their minds as they struggled just to get over their shock and not soil themselves. It was several minutes before their mouths closed enough so that they could speak.</p><p></p><p>“Pl…pleased to meet you.” Pelleron finally said with a gasp.</p><p></p><p><em>“The pleasure is all mine.”</em> Xanadu gave a little bow that was essentially a sinuous movement of his shining head.</p><p></p><p>There were several moments of silence until the ice was broken as Shaun said with a snort, “Isn’t this ironic. In the temple of Pelor, the dragon was sleeping in the same room as the dragonslayer.” Xanadu gazed down at the rogue, lowered his head, and promptly sneezed on Shaun, covering him in dragon boogers.</p><p></p><p>They all broke down in laughter at that, including Eleyna who said in a giggling aside to Tess, “I think you need to update your ‘Why Not To Anger A Wizard’ song!”</p><p></p><p>Eventually, the group headed back to their camp by the pond. Smiling, Tess asked Xanadu if he would like first watch, to which the dragon greatfully agreed. Settling down in a ring around the camp, his body heat added a pleasant warmth to the night air, as well as lending an immese feeling of safety. Who would attack them with a dragon hanging around?</p><p></p><p>As Tess took Eleyna’s advice and sat down with her harp to compose a new song, Lucius, who had been gazing at Siabrey all night, walked over to Xanadu and whispered something into his ear. The dragon smiled and nodded. Lucius walked over to where Siabrey sat and extended his hand, blushing softly, and asked her, “So Siabrey, would you care to go swimming with me?”</p><p></p><p>She gazed up into his adoring green eyes and smiled. She slipped her hand into his own and they headed over to the pond, which Xanadu had politely partitioned off with his tail so that they could have some privacy. The two were so engaged with each other at that moment that they both failed to notice Eleyna, who had been sitting watching Tess for some time, finally stand up and make her way nervously over to the bard.</p><p></p><p>“Um…Tess…I…I have something I’d like to talk to you about.”</p><p></p><p>“What is it dear?” Tess asked, tuning an errant string carefully with an ear to the instrument.</p><p></p><p>“Tess…I…I’M LATE!” Elenya hissed in a panicked whisper.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Emperor Valerian, post: 1363582, member: 15043"] These last two sections were typed up by drag n fly exclusively... enjoy! [b]Of Surprises and….More Surprises [/b] After everyone had enjoyed a good wash in the pool that Xanadu’s little magical prying eyes had found, the party decided to camp near to the pond. Everyone was busy helping set up camp, so only Tess saw Xanadu head off into the trees that surrounded the pool. [i]I wonder where he’s going? It’s not safe to wander around alone.[/i] Also, some small part of her mind still fummed over Rogar’s betrayal, and she briefly worried if Xanadu might be planning a similar betrayal. She tried walking silently through the forest, but somehow the half-elf still heard her. “What are you doing out here, Tess?” he asked somewhat sadly as he turned to face her. [i]Well, might as well square up to it.[/i] she thought, and taking a leaf from Siabrey’s book, asked rather bluntly. “What are you doing out here Xanadu? It’s not safe.” Xanadu sighed, and for a moment looked his immesne age of over 700. “I’m from around here, Tess. This area was my home, a long long time ago. I just wanted to sleep out by myself tonight.” [I]Oh really…[/I] “Where?” she asked, crossing her arms. “Out there.” He said, motioning with his arms through a break in the trees. The forest ended a short ways off and a series of rolling hills began. “Beyond that hill.” Tess frowned. “I still don’t think it’s a good idea, Xanadu. I think you should come back to camp with me.” “No, I don’t think so.” Xanadu looked at her sharply and his eyes glowed brassy for a moment. Tess felt a strange sensation wash over her, and almost in a dream state, she vaguely heard Xanadu say “Go back to camp, Tess.” Obediently, her feet moved of their own accord and she found herself back in camp in no time. Siabrey was preparing to unroll her bed-roll when she saw Tess wander back into camp with a completely blank look upon her face. The warrior watched the unmoving bard for several minutes, then got up and walked over to her. “Tess?” Siabrey waved her hand in front of her friend’s face. There was no response; Tess didn’t even blink. “Yo, Tess? Tess!” Siabrey wacked the tall women on the back of her head. “Huh, what?” Tess blinked as her eyes came back into focus. “You were pulling a zombie trip on me, you alright?” “Yeah…yeah, I’m fine. Hey, what am I doing back here at camp? Where’s Xanadu?” Siabrey blinked. [i]Maybe I hit her a little harder than I intended…[/i] “You followed him off into the woods like ten minutes ago, then came back here completely glassy-eyed.” As her words sunk in, Tess’s mind switched from confusion to anger in a split second. [i]That jerk! He commanded me!? How DARE he![/i] “Come on.” Tess snorted, grabbing the confused Siabrey’s arm and dragging her along behind her. “We’re going to find out what’s going on with that half-elf.” Siabrey shrugged and followed, motioning Lucius, Shaun and Eleyna to come too. Together, they followed the angry bard as she stomped through the short stretch of woods and onto the hill that Xanadu had indicated earlier. “Now, he said he would be camping just past here….” Tess and the others crested the hill and looked around. A short distance away lay another large hill, but only Siabrey and Shaun noticed something a little strange about it. “Um…guys…” Siabrey pointed and they all quickly saw what she meant; the hill was a little metallic-looking. Tess bent down silently and scooped up a short stick. [i]Wait, what is she…[/i] the entire party had but a moment to think before Tess flung the stick, striking the hill neatly three-quarters of the way up its side. The moment seemed to freeze as the five friends held their breath in anticipation. Not one of them was prepared however when a brightly colored slit opened, and the hill began to uncurl… [i]Oh….crap... must... run... now….[/i] Shaun and the others all gasped as the first waves of fear washed across their minds. Even as they all struggled with the desire to flee while screaming for their lives, a soft voice sounded in their heads. [i]”Do not be afraid…I will not hurt you…”[/i] [i]Xanadu?[/i] Tess and Siabrey both thought aloud. "Is that you?" “Xanadu, can you PLEASE tone the fear factor down a bit?” Tess whimpered. [i]I'm going to soil my armor if he doesn't...[/i] The silver dragon that was, indeed, Xanadu, blinked. Immediately the party felt better, and was able to straighten up and fully gaze at the magnificent figure standing before them. He was 200 feet long, with huge glistening wings and a tall, sharp-looking frill that ran from his forehead down to the tip of his tail. Siabrey felt tears on her cheeks, and as she looked around, so did Eleyna and Tess. Both Lucius and Shaun were too shocked to do more than stare. Finally, Tess and Siabrey found their voices and said, practically at the same time. “Oh my God…Xanadu…you’re so beautiful.” Despite the fact that the dragon that currently sat on its haunches like a large dog could have killed them all with a single twitch of his claws, he looked strangely nervous. [i]”You….you’re not afraid of me?”[/i] “Oh Xanadu, why would we be afraid, you are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” Siabrey walked fearlessly over to the dragon and touched one of the glistening claws reverently. She heard a soft sniffling from behind her as Tess walked over and did the same to the other foot. “You’re amazing.” The bard whispered. If dragons could have blushed, Xanadu would have been a red dragon at that moment. “Xanadu, why did you never tell us?” Lucius asked, finally finding his voice. [i]”I was afraid to. Dragons are hated and feared by so many. And then there’s that dragonslayer…[/i] Xanadu gave a slight shudder. To his surprise Tess began to laugh softly. “Um, Xanadu, Pelleron isn’t really a dragonslayer.” “Yeah, more like a ‘shoot a young dragon in the chest with a ballista at close range’ slayer.” Siabrey added with a grin. [i]“You mean…he doesn’t hate dragons?”[/i] Xanada’s surprised thought echoed through their heads. “No more than we do.” Tess said as she stroked his paw gently. To her great surprise and pleasure, Xanadu lowered his head to ground level. [i]“Thank you for not being afraid of me.”[/i] he said quietly as he tried to nuzzle her and Siabrey. Lucius watched for a few moments, then walked down the hill and reached up to scratch behind the dragon’s huge ear. A deep contented purr, like the largest jungle cat that ever lived, filled the air. Up above them on the hill, Eleyna gave a sigh of happiness at the scene playing up below her, then froze. “Oh no…” she whispered, and the rest of the party looked wide-eyed at each other as they heard what the former barmaid had heard; the distinctive sound of the four paladins heading through the woods. [i]“Oh no, what do I do?”[/i] Xanadu’s frantic thought skittered through their heads. Siabrey stood in front of the dragon’s lowered head in an attempt at a protective gesture. “Stand proud, Xanny. They’d find out sooner or later. Might as well be sooner.” The rest of the party did likewise, and so when Pelleron and the others crested the hill, they were shocked to find not only a tall silver dragon staring anxiously at them, but their friends lined up in front of him, arms crossed and eyes narrowed.” “Wha…..” one of the paladins stammered before Siabrey cut them off. “Guys, this is Xanadu. You know, our half-elven friend? Turns out he’s really a silver dragon.” “A good one.” Tess interjected. “Yes, a good one.” Siabrey continued. “So there will be no slaying of any sort, nor jokes about dragons. Is that understood?” The four paladins stood with gaping mouths; apparently slaying was the last thing on their minds as they struggled just to get over their shock and not soil themselves. It was several minutes before their mouths closed enough so that they could speak. “Pl…pleased to meet you.” Pelleron finally said with a gasp. [i]“The pleasure is all mine.”[/i] Xanadu gave a little bow that was essentially a sinuous movement of his shining head. There were several moments of silence until the ice was broken as Shaun said with a snort, “Isn’t this ironic. In the temple of Pelor, the dragon was sleeping in the same room as the dragonslayer.” Xanadu gazed down at the rogue, lowered his head, and promptly sneezed on Shaun, covering him in dragon boogers. They all broke down in laughter at that, including Eleyna who said in a giggling aside to Tess, “I think you need to update your ‘Why Not To Anger A Wizard’ song!” Eventually, the group headed back to their camp by the pond. Smiling, Tess asked Xanadu if he would like first watch, to which the dragon greatfully agreed. Settling down in a ring around the camp, his body heat added a pleasant warmth to the night air, as well as lending an immese feeling of safety. Who would attack them with a dragon hanging around? As Tess took Eleyna’s advice and sat down with her harp to compose a new song, Lucius, who had been gazing at Siabrey all night, walked over to Xanadu and whispered something into his ear. The dragon smiled and nodded. Lucius walked over to where Siabrey sat and extended his hand, blushing softly, and asked her, “So Siabrey, would you care to go swimming with me?” She gazed up into his adoring green eyes and smiled. She slipped her hand into his own and they headed over to the pond, which Xanadu had politely partitioned off with his tail so that they could have some privacy. The two were so engaged with each other at that moment that they both failed to notice Eleyna, who had been sitting watching Tess for some time, finally stand up and make her way nervously over to the bard. “Um…Tess…I…I have something I’d like to talk to you about.” “What is it dear?” Tess asked, tuning an errant string carefully with an ear to the instrument. “Tess…I…I’M LATE!” Elenya hissed in a panicked whisper. [/QUOTE]
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