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<blockquote data-quote="Nonlethal Force" data-source="post: 3143594" data-attributes="member: 35788"><p>Semeion reached the hidden cave where Rhema should have been waiting for him. However, when he arrived there he found that he was alone. <span style="color: Plum">“Rhema?”</span> He called out softly at first. He was used to having to be quiet in case the dragon should get curious about a noise that he heard.</p><p></p><p>After several panicked moments of being unable to find Rhema, he remembered that the dragon had been lured out of its lair and his volume began to increase. As far as he knew, the Provenience wasn’t much to fear. She should be the only threat remaining in the lair and her hearing would likely not be good enough to hear him calling at this distance. </p><p></p><p>With this revelation, Semeion called out much more loudly. <span style="color: Plum">“Rhema? Where are you?”</span> His voice echoed through the chamber and tunnel leading up the mountain. For nearly a minute there was no reply.</p><p></p><p>Semeion moved further into the tunnel to take a closer look at the rough carved steps that lead up to the dragon’s main chamber. There wasn’t any evidence that Rhema had passed over them and begun the day’s important task without him. Then again, they were worn from centuries of foot traffic and they were stone after all. Rhema wouldn’t have left much of a trace even if she had gone up them. Making the situation even more complex was Semeion’s lack of training in the department of being able to track a person. As Semeion focused on the steps, he heard a sound calling him back out of his thoughts. </p><p></p><p>Rhema’s voice shot through the cave and into Semeion’s ears like a warm breeze on a cool autumn day. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Semeion? Semeion, what’s wrong? Your voice is panicked!”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion left the stairs deeper into the tunnel and returned to the cave entrance. As he did, he heard the sounds of heavy breathing and some snorting. Once his eyes had adjusted to the limited amount of light offered at the entrance of the cave he noticed that Rhema had brought Thana, Shauvry, and Abijou to the cave entrance with her.</p><p></p><p>When Rhema saw Semeion approaching, she smiled and spoke quickly. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“I thought the horses might be helpful. Our time might well be limited and I’d rather not be caught on foot in the forest between the mountains leading to our freedom and the dragon’s lair. Especially if we have yet another stolen Provenience with us.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded and looked to the horses. <span style="color: Plum">“Likely a wise precaution, I suppose. Shall we?”</span> As he finished speaking, he gestured to the area where the stairs were located.</p><p></p><p>As Rhema slid off the back of Shauvry, Semeion took the reigns of the others and secured them just within the cave entrance. Rhema continued to speak as they worked, <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Ischarus was as surprised to see me as you seemed to be about not finding me here. I decided to leave shortly after you left this morning. You had gone a bit earlier than normal – no doubt wanting to make sure that everything went according to the schedule. But after you left I reasoned that I had just enough time to walk the distance and return back with the horses before you would need me.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion teased, <span style="color: Plum">“Yeah. And you came up just a minute short!”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema smiled. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“True, but while the dragon was in sight I didn’t want to move rapidly and draw unwanted attention. When I realized that I would likely not make it back in time to be concealed by the cave I decided to find a thick spot in the canopy and wait. Once the dragon was lured far enough away so that I was sure it wouldn’t hear the horses, we moved again. Had I not had to be cautious, I would have beaten you back here.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion replied and briefly hugged her, <span style="color: Plum">“Either way, well done and thought out.”</span> He motioned to the back of the cave.</p><p></p><p>Rhema nodded and moved with speed. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“I suppose we should.”</span></p><p></p><p>The two began to lightly jog up the stairs. The wide stairs were a bit on the awkward side to climb because they had been carved in a spiral pattern large enough to allow the dragon to come down. There was little doubt that the stairs would be a bit on the narrow side for the large draconic claws; but they were definitely wide for the typical human gate. Even with a pace of jogging Semeion and Rhema found themselves putting two or three feet down for each step. The winding, spiraling ascent seemed to take longer than they hoped that it would.</p><p></p><p>After more than a few moments of climbing, they could hear the faint sound of a mandolin playing in the distance. They paused for a moment and listened. The singing was well done, although it certainly seemed to come from a sense of nervousness. The songs seemed to be of a calming nature, but the singer sounded as though she were stressed.</p><p></p><p>The pair paused for a moment and listened closely. When they were sure that there wasn’t any other sound accompanying the mandolin and the singing voice Semeion and Rhema advanced forward again. Within moments they were able to see the dragon’s main chamber ahead of them and they slowed their pace to a walk. They stepped lightly so as to hopefully remain unheard over the playing of the mandolin.</p><p></p><p>Rhema approached the entrance first and saw the Provenience sitting alone on a simple straw mattress that had been provided by her dragon father for her comfort. In truth, it was Darrok who had provided it, collecting the straw himself and offering it to the dragon father for his daughter’s convenience. The dragon father readily accepted Darrok’s loving work and greedily took the credit as he brought it into his chamber for his Provenience.</p><p></p><p>The young woman sat on the straw mattress and played, her music suddenly slowing and softening. Rhema and Semeion couldn’t make out the words. For all they knew, the words could have been a simple song of gibberish made up as a child. Of course, it could have been in a language that neither of them understood. The pair entered a short way into the chamber as they took full advantage to the fact that the Provenience sat with her back to them. She was facing the area of the dragon’s perch.</p><p></p><p>Semeion and Rhema gave each other a questioning glance regarding what the next step should be. Both knew what needed to be done, but somehow this was not what they had anticipated as a beginning. They had expected a challenge or a fight. They had not figured on walking straight into the dragon’s main chamber unchallenged. Of course, normally there was little reason for a great and powerful wyrm like Grixanthrosilithiss to need guards. There were few that could challenge him directly, especially in his lair.</p><p></p><p>After a few moments of listening to the melody, Semeion spoke. <span style="color: Plum">“Time to go, Provenience.”</span> His voice was strong and demanding. As soon as the words left his mouth he realized how silly they sounded as an introductory comment. But then again, Semeion was rather unsure exactly how one would begin a conversation explaining that they had broken into the dragon’s lair, lured Grixanthrosilithiss away, and planned on kidnapping her and forcing her away as well. All this was done against her will, of course.</p><p></p><p>As she heard the words, the Provenience leapt off of the mattress in shock and spun around. She gripped the mandolin tightly around its neck almost as if she were prepared to use it as a weapon if need be. She stared in amazement as the two before her were not only complete strangers but not even Drakontos! Her eyes locked in a gaze as her mind raced to try and understand the most unusual events of the morning.</p><p></p><p>Rhema smiled at the coldness of Semeion’s introductory words. Under her breath so that the Provenience could not hear she added, <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Now there’s a good way to say hello!”</span></p><p></p><p>For a second the air in the main chamber of the dragon’s lair seemed to stand completely still. The Provenience appeared to stop breathing. Rhema drew her lips together in anticipation of a strike against herself and Semeion. Semeion’s hand subconsciously began to slowly creep to the hilt of his rapier before he realized what he was doing and stopped it. At a time where wasting time could not be afforded it felt as though minutes slipped uncontrollably past.</p><p></p><p>[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]</p><p>Semeion reached the hidden cave where Rhema should have been waiting for him. However, when he arrived there he found that he was alone. “Rhema?” He called out softly at first. He was used to having to be quiet in case the dragon should get curious about a noise that he heard.</p><p></p><p>After several panicked moments of being unable to find Rhema, he remembered that the dragon had been lured out of its lair and his volume began to increase. As far as he knew, the Provenience wasn’t much to fear. She should be the only threat remaining in the lair and her hearing would likely not be good enough to hear him calling at this distance. </p><p></p><p>With this revelation, Semeion called out much more loudly. “Rhema? Where are you?” His voice echoed through the chamber and tunnel leading up the mountain. For nearly a minute there was no reply.</p><p></p><p>Semeion moved further into the tunnel to take a closer look at the rough carved steps that lead up to the dragon’s main chamber. There wasn’t any evidence that Rhema had passed over them and begun the day’s important task without him. Then again, they were worn from centuries of foot traffic and they were stone after all. Rhema wouldn’t have left much of a trace even if she had gone up them. Making the situation even more complex was Semeion’s lack of training in the department of being able to track a person. As Semeion focused on the steps, he heard a sound calling him back out of his thoughts. </p><p></p><p>Rhema’s voice shot through the cave and into Semeion’s ears like a warm breeze on a cool autumn day. “Semeion? Semeion, what’s wrong? Your voice is panicked!”</p><p></p><p>Semeion left the stairs deeper into the tunnel and returned to the cave entrance. As he did, he heard the sounds of heavy breathing and some snorting. Once his eyes had adjusted to the limited amount of light offered at the entrance of the cave he noticed that Rhema had brought Thana, Shauvry, and Abijou to the cave entrance with her.</p><p></p><p>When Rhema saw Semeion approaching, she smiled and spoke quickly. “I thought the horses might be helpful. Our time might well be limited and I’d rather not be caught on foot in the forest between the mountains leading to our freedom and the dragon’s lair. Especially if we have yet another stolen Provenience with us.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded and looked to the horses. “Likely a wise precaution, I suppose. Shall we?” As he finished speaking, he gestured to the area where the stairs were located.</p><p></p><p>As Rhema slid off the back of Shauvry, Semeion took the reigns of the others and secured them just within the cave entrance. Rhema continued to speak as they worked, “Ischarus was as surprised to see me as you seemed to be about not finding me here. I decided to leave shortly after you left this morning. You had gone a bit earlier than normal – no doubt wanting to make sure that everything went according to the schedule. But after you left I reasoned that I had just enough time to walk the distance and return back with the horses before you would need me.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion teased, “Yeah. And you came up just a minute short!”</p><p></p><p>Rhema smiled. “True, but while the dragon was in sight I didn’t want to move rapidly and draw unwanted attention. When I realized that I would likely not make it back in time to be concealed by the cave I decided to find a thick spot in the canopy and wait. Once the dragon was lured far enough away so that I was sure it wouldn’t hear the horses, we moved again. Had I not had to be cautious, I would have beaten you back here.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion replied and briefly hugged her, “Either way, well done and thought out.” He motioned to the back of the cave.</p><p></p><p>Rhema nodded and moved with speed. “I suppose we should.”</p><p></p><p>The two began to lightly jog up the stairs. The wide stairs were a bit on the awkward side to climb because they had been carved in a spiral pattern large enough to allow the dragon to come down. There was little doubt that the stairs would be a bit on the narrow side for the large draconic claws; but they were definitely wide for the typical human gate. Even with a pace of jogging Semeion and Rhema found themselves putting two or three feet down for each step. The winding, spiraling ascent seemed to take longer than they hoped that it would.</p><p></p><p>After more than a few moments of climbing, they could hear the faint sound of a mandolin playing in the distance. They paused for a moment and listened. The singing was well done, although it certainly seemed to come from a sense of nervousness. The songs seemed to be of a calming nature, but the singer sounded as though she were stressed.</p><p></p><p>The pair paused for a moment and listened closely. When they were sure that there wasn’t any other sound accompanying the mandolin and the singing voice Semeion and Rhema advanced forward again. Within moments they were able to see the dragon’s main chamber ahead of them and they slowed their pace to a walk. They stepped lightly so as to hopefully remain unheard over the playing of the mandolin.</p><p></p><p>Rhema approached the entrance first and saw the Provenience sitting alone on a simple straw mattress that had been provided by her dragon father for her comfort. In truth, it was Darrok who had provided it, collecting the straw himself and offering it to the dragon father for his daughter’s convenience. The dragon father readily accepted Darrok’s loving work and greedily took the credit as he brought it into his chamber for his Provenience.</p><p></p><p>The young woman sat on the straw mattress and played, her music suddenly slowing and softening. Rhema and Semeion couldn’t make out the words. For all they knew, the words could have been a simple song of gibberish made up as a child. Of course, it could have been in a language that neither of them understood. The pair entered a short way into the chamber as they took full advantage to the fact that the Provenience sat with her back to them. She was facing the area of the dragon’s perch.</p><p></p><p>Semeion and Rhema gave each other a questioning glance regarding what the next step should be. Both knew what needed to be done, but somehow this was not what they had anticipated as a beginning. They had expected a challenge or a fight. They had not figured on walking straight into the dragon’s main chamber unchallenged. Of course, normally there was little reason for a great and powerful wyrm like Grixanthrosilithiss to need guards. There were few that could challenge him directly, especially in his lair.</p><p></p><p>After a few moments of listening to the melody, Semeion spoke. “Time to go, Provenience.” His voice was strong and demanding. As soon as the words left his mouth he realized how silly they sounded as an introductory comment. But then again, Semeion was rather unsure exactly how one would begin a conversation explaining that they had broken into the dragon’s lair, lured Grixanthrosilithiss away, and planned on kidnapping her and forcing her away as well. All this was done against her will, of course.</p><p></p><p>As she heard the words, the Provenience leapt off of the mattress in shock and spun around. She gripped the mandolin tightly around its neck almost as if she were prepared to use it as a weapon if need be. She stared in amazement as the two before her were not only complete strangers but not even Drakontos! Her eyes locked in a gaze as her mind raced to try and understand the most unusual events of the morning.</p><p></p><p>Rhema smiled at the coldness of Semeion’s introductory words. Under her breath so that the Provenience could not hear she added, “Now there’s a good way to say hello!”</p><p></p><p>For a second the air in the main chamber of the dragon’s lair seemed to stand completely still. The Provenience appeared to stop breathing. Rhema drew her lips together in anticipation of a strike against herself and Semeion. Semeion’s hand subconsciously began to slowly creep to the hilt of his rapier before he realized what he was doing and stopped it. At a time where wasting time could not be afforded it felt as though minutes slipped uncontrollably past.</p><p>[/Sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nonlethal Force, post: 3143594, member: 35788"] Semeion reached the hidden cave where Rhema should have been waiting for him. However, when he arrived there he found that he was alone. [Color=Plum]“Rhema?”[/Color] He called out softly at first. He was used to having to be quiet in case the dragon should get curious about a noise that he heard. After several panicked moments of being unable to find Rhema, he remembered that the dragon had been lured out of its lair and his volume began to increase. As far as he knew, the Provenience wasn’t much to fear. She should be the only threat remaining in the lair and her hearing would likely not be good enough to hear him calling at this distance. With this revelation, Semeion called out much more loudly. [Color=Plum]“Rhema? Where are you?”[/Color] His voice echoed through the chamber and tunnel leading up the mountain. For nearly a minute there was no reply. Semeion moved further into the tunnel to take a closer look at the rough carved steps that lead up to the dragon’s main chamber. There wasn’t any evidence that Rhema had passed over them and begun the day’s important task without him. Then again, they were worn from centuries of foot traffic and they were stone after all. Rhema wouldn’t have left much of a trace even if she had gone up them. Making the situation even more complex was Semeion’s lack of training in the department of being able to track a person. As Semeion focused on the steps, he heard a sound calling him back out of his thoughts. Rhema’s voice shot through the cave and into Semeion’s ears like a warm breeze on a cool autumn day. [Color=PaleGreen]“Semeion? Semeion, what’s wrong? Your voice is panicked!”[/Color] Semeion left the stairs deeper into the tunnel and returned to the cave entrance. As he did, he heard the sounds of heavy breathing and some snorting. Once his eyes had adjusted to the limited amount of light offered at the entrance of the cave he noticed that Rhema had brought Thana, Shauvry, and Abijou to the cave entrance with her. When Rhema saw Semeion approaching, she smiled and spoke quickly. [Color=PaleGreen]“I thought the horses might be helpful. Our time might well be limited and I’d rather not be caught on foot in the forest between the mountains leading to our freedom and the dragon’s lair. Especially if we have yet another stolen Provenience with us.”[/Color] Semeion nodded and looked to the horses. [Color=Plum]“Likely a wise precaution, I suppose. Shall we?”[/Color] As he finished speaking, he gestured to the area where the stairs were located. As Rhema slid off the back of Shauvry, Semeion took the reigns of the others and secured them just within the cave entrance. Rhema continued to speak as they worked, [Color=PaleGreen]“Ischarus was as surprised to see me as you seemed to be about not finding me here. I decided to leave shortly after you left this morning. You had gone a bit earlier than normal – no doubt wanting to make sure that everything went according to the schedule. But after you left I reasoned that I had just enough time to walk the distance and return back with the horses before you would need me.”[/Color] Semeion teased, [Color=Plum]“Yeah. And you came up just a minute short!”[/Color] Rhema smiled. [Color=PaleGreen]“True, but while the dragon was in sight I didn’t want to move rapidly and draw unwanted attention. When I realized that I would likely not make it back in time to be concealed by the cave I decided to find a thick spot in the canopy and wait. Once the dragon was lured far enough away so that I was sure it wouldn’t hear the horses, we moved again. Had I not had to be cautious, I would have beaten you back here.”[/Color] Semeion replied and briefly hugged her, [Color=Plum]“Either way, well done and thought out.”[/Color] He motioned to the back of the cave. Rhema nodded and moved with speed. [Color=PaleGreen]“I suppose we should.”[/Color] The two began to lightly jog up the stairs. The wide stairs were a bit on the awkward side to climb because they had been carved in a spiral pattern large enough to allow the dragon to come down. There was little doubt that the stairs would be a bit on the narrow side for the large draconic claws; but they were definitely wide for the typical human gate. Even with a pace of jogging Semeion and Rhema found themselves putting two or three feet down for each step. The winding, spiraling ascent seemed to take longer than they hoped that it would. After more than a few moments of climbing, they could hear the faint sound of a mandolin playing in the distance. They paused for a moment and listened. The singing was well done, although it certainly seemed to come from a sense of nervousness. The songs seemed to be of a calming nature, but the singer sounded as though she were stressed. The pair paused for a moment and listened closely. When they were sure that there wasn’t any other sound accompanying the mandolin and the singing voice Semeion and Rhema advanced forward again. Within moments they were able to see the dragon’s main chamber ahead of them and they slowed their pace to a walk. They stepped lightly so as to hopefully remain unheard over the playing of the mandolin. Rhema approached the entrance first and saw the Provenience sitting alone on a simple straw mattress that had been provided by her dragon father for her comfort. In truth, it was Darrok who had provided it, collecting the straw himself and offering it to the dragon father for his daughter’s convenience. The dragon father readily accepted Darrok’s loving work and greedily took the credit as he brought it into his chamber for his Provenience. The young woman sat on the straw mattress and played, her music suddenly slowing and softening. Rhema and Semeion couldn’t make out the words. For all they knew, the words could have been a simple song of gibberish made up as a child. Of course, it could have been in a language that neither of them understood. The pair entered a short way into the chamber as they took full advantage to the fact that the Provenience sat with her back to them. She was facing the area of the dragon’s perch. Semeion and Rhema gave each other a questioning glance regarding what the next step should be. Both knew what needed to be done, but somehow this was not what they had anticipated as a beginning. They had expected a challenge or a fight. They had not figured on walking straight into the dragon’s main chamber unchallenged. Of course, normally there was little reason for a great and powerful wyrm like Grixanthrosilithiss to need guards. There were few that could challenge him directly, especially in his lair. After a few moments of listening to the melody, Semeion spoke. [Color=Plum]“Time to go, Provenience.”[/Color] His voice was strong and demanding. As soon as the words left his mouth he realized how silly they sounded as an introductory comment. But then again, Semeion was rather unsure exactly how one would begin a conversation explaining that they had broken into the dragon’s lair, lured Grixanthrosilithiss away, and planned on kidnapping her and forcing her away as well. All this was done against her will, of course. As she heard the words, the Provenience leapt off of the mattress in shock and spun around. She gripped the mandolin tightly around its neck almost as if she were prepared to use it as a weapon if need be. She stared in amazement as the two before her were not only complete strangers but not even Drakontos! Her eyes locked in a gaze as her mind raced to try and understand the most unusual events of the morning. Rhema smiled at the coldness of Semeion’s introductory words. Under her breath so that the Provenience could not hear she added, [Color=PaleGreen]“Now there’s a good way to say hello!”[/Color] For a second the air in the main chamber of the dragon’s lair seemed to stand completely still. The Provenience appeared to stop breathing. Rhema drew her lips together in anticipation of a strike against herself and Semeion. Semeion’s hand subconsciously began to slowly creep to the hilt of his rapier before he realized what he was doing and stopped it. At a time where wasting time could not be afforded it felt as though minutes slipped uncontrollably past. [Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section] Semeion reached the hidden cave where Rhema should have been waiting for him. However, when he arrived there he found that he was alone. “Rhema?” He called out softly at first. He was used to having to be quiet in case the dragon should get curious about a noise that he heard. After several panicked moments of being unable to find Rhema, he remembered that the dragon had been lured out of its lair and his volume began to increase. As far as he knew, the Provenience wasn’t much to fear. She should be the only threat remaining in the lair and her hearing would likely not be good enough to hear him calling at this distance. With this revelation, Semeion called out much more loudly. “Rhema? Where are you?” His voice echoed through the chamber and tunnel leading up the mountain. For nearly a minute there was no reply. Semeion moved further into the tunnel to take a closer look at the rough carved steps that lead up to the dragon’s main chamber. There wasn’t any evidence that Rhema had passed over them and begun the day’s important task without him. Then again, they were worn from centuries of foot traffic and they were stone after all. Rhema wouldn’t have left much of a trace even if she had gone up them. Making the situation even more complex was Semeion’s lack of training in the department of being able to track a person. As Semeion focused on the steps, he heard a sound calling him back out of his thoughts. Rhema’s voice shot through the cave and into Semeion’s ears like a warm breeze on a cool autumn day. “Semeion? Semeion, what’s wrong? Your voice is panicked!” Semeion left the stairs deeper into the tunnel and returned to the cave entrance. As he did, he heard the sounds of heavy breathing and some snorting. Once his eyes had adjusted to the limited amount of light offered at the entrance of the cave he noticed that Rhema had brought Thana, Shauvry, and Abijou to the cave entrance with her. When Rhema saw Semeion approaching, she smiled and spoke quickly. “I thought the horses might be helpful. Our time might well be limited and I’d rather not be caught on foot in the forest between the mountains leading to our freedom and the dragon’s lair. Especially if we have yet another stolen Provenience with us.” Semeion nodded and looked to the horses. “Likely a wise precaution, I suppose. Shall we?” As he finished speaking, he gestured to the area where the stairs were located. As Rhema slid off the back of Shauvry, Semeion took the reigns of the others and secured them just within the cave entrance. Rhema continued to speak as they worked, “Ischarus was as surprised to see me as you seemed to be about not finding me here. I decided to leave shortly after you left this morning. You had gone a bit earlier than normal – no doubt wanting to make sure that everything went according to the schedule. But after you left I reasoned that I had just enough time to walk the distance and return back with the horses before you would need me.” Semeion teased, “Yeah. And you came up just a minute short!” Rhema smiled. “True, but while the dragon was in sight I didn’t want to move rapidly and draw unwanted attention. When I realized that I would likely not make it back in time to be concealed by the cave I decided to find a thick spot in the canopy and wait. Once the dragon was lured far enough away so that I was sure it wouldn’t hear the horses, we moved again. Had I not had to be cautious, I would have beaten you back here.” Semeion replied and briefly hugged her, “Either way, well done and thought out.” He motioned to the back of the cave. Rhema nodded and moved with speed. “I suppose we should.” The two began to lightly jog up the stairs. The wide stairs were a bit on the awkward side to climb because they had been carved in a spiral pattern large enough to allow the dragon to come down. There was little doubt that the stairs would be a bit on the narrow side for the large draconic claws; but they were definitely wide for the typical human gate. Even with a pace of jogging Semeion and Rhema found themselves putting two or three feet down for each step. The winding, spiraling ascent seemed to take longer than they hoped that it would. After more than a few moments of climbing, they could hear the faint sound of a mandolin playing in the distance. They paused for a moment and listened. The singing was well done, although it certainly seemed to come from a sense of nervousness. The songs seemed to be of a calming nature, but the singer sounded as though she were stressed. The pair paused for a moment and listened closely. When they were sure that there wasn’t any other sound accompanying the mandolin and the singing voice Semeion and Rhema advanced forward again. Within moments they were able to see the dragon’s main chamber ahead of them and they slowed their pace to a walk. They stepped lightly so as to hopefully remain unheard over the playing of the mandolin. Rhema approached the entrance first and saw the Provenience sitting alone on a simple straw mattress that had been provided by her dragon father for her comfort. In truth, it was Darrok who had provided it, collecting the straw himself and offering it to the dragon father for his daughter’s convenience. The dragon father readily accepted Darrok’s loving work and greedily took the credit as he brought it into his chamber for his Provenience. The young woman sat on the straw mattress and played, her music suddenly slowing and softening. Rhema and Semeion couldn’t make out the words. For all they knew, the words could have been a simple song of gibberish made up as a child. Of course, it could have been in a language that neither of them understood. The pair entered a short way into the chamber as they took full advantage to the fact that the Provenience sat with her back to them. She was facing the area of the dragon’s perch. Semeion and Rhema gave each other a questioning glance regarding what the next step should be. Both knew what needed to be done, but somehow this was not what they had anticipated as a beginning. They had expected a challenge or a fight. They had not figured on walking straight into the dragon’s main chamber unchallenged. Of course, normally there was little reason for a great and powerful wyrm like Grixanthrosilithiss to need guards. There were few that could challenge him directly, especially in his lair. After a few moments of listening to the melody, Semeion spoke. “Time to go, Provenience.” His voice was strong and demanding. As soon as the words left his mouth he realized how silly they sounded as an introductory comment. But then again, Semeion was rather unsure exactly how one would begin a conversation explaining that they had broken into the dragon’s lair, lured Grixanthrosilithiss away, and planned on kidnapping her and forcing her away as well. All this was done against her will, of course. As she heard the words, the Provenience leapt off of the mattress in shock and spun around. She gripped the mandolin tightly around its neck almost as if she were prepared to use it as a weapon if need be. She stared in amazement as the two before her were not only complete strangers but not even Drakontos! Her eyes locked in a gaze as her mind raced to try and understand the most unusual events of the morning. Rhema smiled at the coldness of Semeion’s introductory words. Under her breath so that the Provenience could not hear she added, “Now there’s a good way to say hello!” For a second the air in the main chamber of the dragon’s lair seemed to stand completely still. The Provenience appeared to stop breathing. Rhema drew her lips together in anticipation of a strike against herself and Semeion. Semeion’s hand subconsciously began to slowly creep to the hilt of his rapier before he realized what he was doing and stopped it. At a time where wasting time could not be afforded it felt as though minutes slipped uncontrollably past. [/Sblock] [/QUOTE]
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