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Story Hour
Bitterness Overcome: (Now A Completed Story!)
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<blockquote data-quote="Nonlethal Force" data-source="post: 3208237" data-attributes="member: 35788"><p>Inside the Tongra-Quehalost Mountains, Ischarus used the magical light granted to him by his dragon father to easily traverse the tunnels between himself and the location that the party was supposed to be staying with the villagers. Without having to guide Elistra or wait for anyone else, Ischarus was able to make better time than average. In spite of this ability to move more quickly, Ischarus continued hard toward the underground chamber well after the draconic battle in the sky had ended. Even at his greater speed it would be nearly a full day journey that deep into the ground.</p><p></p><p>Outside the mountain, the three dragons descended to the small level surface of land outside the tunnel entrance that Ischarus used to go underground. Llywessiar looked to his dragon cohorts and smiled. <span style="color: Yellow">“That was a battle well fought. It’ll take a few days for the villagers to come to us from their safety under the earth. I suggest we take the days and recuperate while we protect the entrance from this side.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ausaphaborishan shook his large silver head from side to side as he replied to the leader of this draconic flight. <span style="color: SlateGray">“We all have the ability to take human form, you know. Why don’t we go into the tunnels after them? We could still heal through our magic and meet them halfway!”</span></p><p></p><p>Llywessiar nodded in acceptance of the suggestion but frowned. <span style="color: Yellow">“I know that you are anxious, Ausaphaborishan. In a way, through Ischarus these people are the fruit of your labor. And I know that even if we were to take a more human form we would still be an aggressive force to be reckoned with. But we can better serve the villagers underground by protecting the entrance and allowing the village to come to us.”</span></p><p></p><p>Sappurapolician continued where his flight leader had left off. <span style="color: Sienna">“And remember that these are people who are accustomed to dragon worship. They will be more accepting of us if they see us in dragon form the first time.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ausaphaborishan conceded with a nod. <span style="color: SlateGray">“I suppose you are correct, although I would rather go into the tunnels and ensure their safety. May I at least contact the one they call Rhema and tell her to meet Ischarus halfway in the tunnels?”</span></p><p></p><p>Llywessiar smiled in return. <span style="color: Yellow">“I think that would be especially appropriate. I wish I would be there to see Ischarus’ face when they meet him half-way.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ausaphaborishan laughed, spilling a deep rumble through the nearby forest. <span style="color: SlateGray">“I believe he will appreciate our efforts.”</span> The silver dragon closed his reptilian eyes and concentrated upon Rhema, trying to discern her location under the ground. After a few minutes of mental searching his face relaxed and he seemed satisfied. <span style="color: SlateGray">“Rhema, this is Ausaphaborishan, Ischarus’ dragon father. The path is safe for you to come into Tongra. Ischarus has already been sent in to meet you. Join him and come forth with the people that you protect.”</span></p><p></p><p>The silver dragon opened his eyes and Llywessiar nodded to him. <span style="color: Yellow">“A verbose message, but it’ll do the trick.”</span> </p><p></p><p>The bronze dragon smiled, <span style="color: Sienna">“Leave it Ausaphaborishan to be verbose, of course.”</span></p><p></p><p>Deep within the mountain, Rhema was in the middle of a discussion with Tierna. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“But what I hear you saying is that we have enough water for the remainder of the shift rotation at least?”</span></p><p></p><p>Tierna turned to reply, but noticed that Rhema’s face suddenly turned pale. Rhema’s eyes lost their focus and it appeared as though she were about to faint. Tierna looked to Rhema and spoke out of concern. <span style="color: Lime">“Rhema? Are you alright? Should you sit down?”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema didn’t hear Tierna’s words. Her mind was occupied now with the heavy bass speech of Ausaphaborishan. The voice was not audible; that is to say that it could not be heard through one’s ears. However, it did seem to echo through Rhema’s mind. Even when the magical message had ended Rhema was still caught captive by the dragon’s deep rumbling voice. After a minute her eyes returned to normal and the color came back into her face. As her mind returned back to her present situation she looked back to Tierna, <span style="color: PaleGreen">“What was I saying?”</span> A confused look came over her face.</p><p></p><p>Tierna looked on toward Rhema with amazement and spoke. <span style="color: Lime">“You were talking about the water and food rationing and trying to decide how many water collection teams were going out tomorrow. But you expect me to let you go back to that topic? What just happened to you?”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema blinked a few times and frowned. Her mind was struggling to put together all of the pieces that she had received. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“I think I just received a magical message.”</span> Her voice filled with concern. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Tierna, could you go find Semeion and Charis for me? We’ll continue this discussion later.”</span></p><p></p><p>Tierna had since come to learn her new place among the villagers. It had been a rough beginning at first because the people still attached her to the oppression they had suffered at the hands of their dragon father. But the people eventually responded to her leadership, especially when she was paired with Rhema in rationing the supplies. She would likely never be the leader of the people, but they respected the new role that she desired to play among them. Knowing her place, Tierna nodded to Rhema. <span style="color: Lime">“I’ll get them both. Do me a favor and sit down, though. You don’t need to take another spell like that until I get back with help.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema took Tierna’s advice and sat down on the cold hard stone floor as Tierna left the storage area. Within a minute both Charis and Semeion burst into the room with worried looks upon their faces. Tierna joined them and stood in the background.</p><p></p><p>Charis ran to Rhema’s side and knelt beside her. <span style="color: Orange">“Rhema, Tierna says that something weird has happened to you?”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema nodded to Charis but turned to Semeion. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Semeion, I need your advice on an arcane matter. I just received a message from someone claiming to be Ischarus’ dragon father. He said that Ischarus is already in the tunnels coming to tell us that it is safe to come to the Tongra side of the mountains. Does this make sense?”</span></p><p></p><p>Tierna gasped at the thought of Ischarus’ dragon father waiting for them. Of course, that piece of information only confirmed that she had been wrong to resist in the beginning. It also meant that the draconic father of the children she carried within her was most likely dead. Her children were already fatherless without having even been born! There would be nobody left to help these powerful children to learn how to use their draconic talents.</p><p></p><p>Semeion thought for a moment and nodded in the affirmative. <span style="color: Plum">“My mentor used to use such messaging techniques with me, although I am certainly not capable of accomplishing a message of that distance. But for a being as powerful in arcane matters as a dragon, I would think it quite possible.”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis turned to Semeion as she knelt beside Rhema. <span style="color: Orange">“What’s the possibility that such a message could be faked?”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion shook his head from side to side. <span style="color: Plum">“Depending on how familiar Rhema is with Ischarus’ dragon father’s voice it could be quite likely. I am assuming the message that you heard in your head sounded like Ischarus’ dragon father?”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis frowned. <span style="color: LightGreen">“I wouldn’t really know. I know that the message sounded like a dragon. Or, I suppose I should say that the message didn’t sound like you or I at least. The voice had too much bass and power behind it to be from someone like you or I. But I wouldn’t know the voice of Ischarus’ dragon father well enough to know if it was real.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion replied, <span style="color: Plum">“But, you did say that Ischarus was coming down the tunnel? We have a few tricks up our sleeve to meet him. If the message is legitimate and it is really Ischarus, we’ll be able to know. If we are walking into a trap and somehow the red dragon has managed to get a duplicate of Ischarus we should be able to sniff that out as well.”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis smiled, <span style="color: Orange">“Or, at least Elistra should be able to. Our eyes might be able to be fooled, but Elistra knows Ischarus by smell if not by sight.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema smiled and nodded as she spoke in approval of the emerging plan. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Yes, we could probably come up with a few tests to demonstrate whether the one that we meet is truly Ischarus. If it is truly Ischarus, then the message of our deliverance is also true!”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion turned to Tierna and gave her another task to accomplish. <span style="color: Plum">“Tierna, go and get Druff and Xando about what has happened. Tell Xando to send out a few squads to reclaim the water reclamation teams we just sent out and then have Druff and Xando return to us here. And tell nobody else about what we have spoken of here. We don’t need any disorganized flurry of excitement before we are ready to move based upon this information.”</span></p><p></p><p>Tierna nodded, turned, and left the room without a word. Rhema looked to Semeion with a confused look and then she glanced to Charis before speaking. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Could it be true? Is Ischarus coming back victoriously to us?”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis embraced Rhema in a hug. <span style="color: Orange">“I hope so, Rhema. I was allowed to have Semeion returned to me. I hope for your sake that this is also real.”</span></p><p></p><p>[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]</p><p>Inside the Tongra-Quehalost Mountains, Ischarus used the magical light granted to him by his dragon father to easily traverse the tunnels between himself and the location that the party was supposed to be staying with the villagers. Without having to guide Elistra or wait for anyone else, Ischarus was able to make better time than average. In spite of this ability to move more quickly, Ischarus continued hard toward the underground chamber well after the draconic battle in the sky had ended. Even at his greater speed it would be nearly a full day journey that deep into the ground.</p><p></p><p>Outside the mountain, the three dragons descended to the small level surface of land outside the tunnel entrance that Ischarus used to go underground. Llywessiar looked to his dragon cohorts and smiled. “That was a battle well fought. It’ll take a few days for the villagers to come to us from their safety under the earth. I suggest we take the days and recuperate while we protect the entrance from this side.”</p><p></p><p>Ausaphaborishan shook his large silver head from side to side as he replied to the leader of this draconic flight. “We all have the ability to take human form, you know. Why don’t we go into the tunnels after them? We could still heal through our magic and meet them halfway!”</p><p></p><p>Llywessiar nodded in acceptance of the suggestion but frowned. “I know that you are anxious, Ausaphaborishan. In a way, through Ischarus these people are the fruit of your labor. And I know that even if we were to take a more human form we would still be an aggressive force to be reckoned with. But we can better serve the villagers underground by protecting the entrance and allowing the village to come to us.”</p><p></p><p>Sappurapolician continued where his flight leader had left off. “And remember that these are people who are accustomed to dragon worship. They will be more accepting of us if they see us in dragon form the first time.”</p><p></p><p>Ausaphaborishan conceded with a nod. “I suppose you are correct, although I would rather go into the tunnels and ensure their safety. May I at least contact the one they call Rhema and tell her to meet Ischarus halfway in the tunnels?”</p><p></p><p>Llywessiar smiled in return. “I think that would be especially appropriate. I wish I would be there to see Ischarus’ face when they meet him half-way.”</p><p></p><p>Ausaphaborishan laughed, spilling a deep rumble through the nearby forest. “I believe he will appreciate our efforts.” The silver dragon closed his reptilian eyes and concentrated upon Rhema, trying to discern her location under the ground. After a few minutes of mental searching his face relaxed and he seemed satisfied. “Rhema, this is Ausaphaborishan, Ischarus’ dragon father. The path is safe for you to come into Tongra. Ischarus has already been sent in to meet you. Join him and come forth with the people that you protect.”</p><p></p><p>The silver dragon opened his eyes and Llywessiar nodded to him. “A verbose message, but it’ll do the trick.” </p><p></p><p>The bronze dragon smiled, “Leave it Ausaphaborishan to be verbose, of course.”</p><p></p><p>Deep within the mountain, Rhema was in the middle of a discussion with Tierna. “But what I hear you saying is that we have enough water for the remainder of the shift rotation at least?”</p><p></p><p>Tierna turned to reply, but noticed that Rhema’s face suddenly turned pale. Rhema’s eyes lost their focus and it appeared as though she were about to faint. Tierna looked to Rhema and spoke out of concern. “Rhema? Are you alright? Should you sit down?”</p><p></p><p>Rhema didn’t hear Tierna’s words. Her mind was occupied now with the heavy bass speech of Ausaphaborishan. The voice was not audible; that is to say that it could not be heard through one’s ears. However, it did seem to echo through Rhema’s mind. Even when the magical message had ended Rhema was still caught captive by the dragon’s deep rumbling voice. After a minute her eyes returned to normal and the color came back into her face. As her mind returned back to her present situation she looked back to Tierna, “What was I saying?” A confused look came over her face.</p><p></p><p>Tierna looked on toward Rhema with amazement and spoke. “You were talking about the water and food rationing and trying to decide how many water collection teams were going out tomorrow. But you expect me to let you go back to that topic? What just happened to you?”</p><p></p><p>Rhema blinked a few times and frowned. Her mind was struggling to put together all of the pieces that she had received. “I think I just received a magical message.” Her voice filled with concern. “Tierna, could you go find Semeion and Charis for me? We’ll continue this discussion later.”</p><p></p><p>Tierna had since come to learn her new place among the villagers. It had been a rough beginning at first because the people still attached her to the oppression they had suffered at the hands of their dragon father. But the people eventually responded to her leadership, especially when she was paired with Rhema in rationing the supplies. She would likely never be the leader of the people, but they respected the new role that she desired to play among them. Knowing her place, Tierna nodded to Rhema. “I’ll get them both. Do me a favor and sit down, though. You don’t need to take another spell like that until I get back with help.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema took Tierna’s advice and sat down on the cold hard stone floor as Tierna left the storage area. Within a minute both Charis and Semeion burst into the room with worried looks upon their faces. Tierna joined them and stood in the background.</p><p></p><p>Charis ran to Rhema’s side and knelt beside her. “Rhema, Tierna says that something weird has happened to you?”</p><p></p><p>Rhema nodded to Charis but turned to Semeion. “Semeion, I need your advice on an arcane matter. I just received a message from someone claiming to be Ischarus’ dragon father. He said that Ischarus is already in the tunnels coming to tell us that it is safe to come to the Tongra side of the mountains. Does this make sense?”</p><p></p><p>Tierna gasped at the thought of Ischarus’ dragon father waiting for them. Of course, that piece of information only confirmed that she had been wrong to resist in the beginning. It also meant that the draconic father of the children she carried within her was most likely dead. Her children were already fatherless without having even been born! There would be nobody left to help these powerful children to learn how to use their draconic talents.</p><p></p><p>Semeion thought for a moment and nodded in the affirmative. “My mentor used to use such messaging techniques with me, although I am certainly not capable of accomplishing a message of that distance. But for a being as powerful in arcane matters as a dragon, I would think it quite possible.”</p><p></p><p>Charis turned to Semeion as she knelt beside Rhema. “What’s the possibility that such a message could be faked?”</p><p></p><p>Semeion shook his head from side to side. “Depending on how familiar Rhema is with Ischarus’ dragon father’s voice it could be quite likely. I am assuming the message that you heard in your head sounded like Ischarus’ dragon father?”</p><p></p><p>Charis frowned. “I wouldn’t really know. I know that the message sounded like a dragon. Or, I suppose I should say that the message didn’t sound like you or I at least. The voice had too much bass and power behind it to be from someone like you or I. But I wouldn’t know the voice of Ischarus’ dragon father well enough to know if it was real.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion replied, “But, you did say that Ischarus was coming down the tunnel? We have a few tricks up our sleeve to meet him. If the message is legitimate and it is really Ischarus, we’ll be able to know. If we are walking into a trap and somehow the red dragon has managed to get a duplicate of Ischarus we should be able to sniff that out as well.”</p><p></p><p>Charis smiled, “Or, at least Elistra should be able to. Our eyes might be able to be fooled, but Elistra knows Ischarus by smell if not by sight.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema smiled and nodded as she spoke in approval of the emerging plan. “Yes, we could probably come up with a few tests to demonstrate whether the one that we meet is truly Ischarus. If it is truly Ischarus, then the message of our deliverance is also true!”</p><p></p><p>Semeion turned to Tierna and gave her another task to accomplish. “Tierna, go and get Druff and Xando about what has happened. Tell Xando to send out a few squads to reclaim the water reclamation teams we just sent out and then have Druff and Xando return to us here. And tell nobody else about what we have spoken of here. We don’t need any disorganized flurry of excitement before we are ready to move based upon this information.”</p><p></p><p>Tierna nodded, turned, and left the room without a word. Rhema looked to Semeion with a confused look and then she glanced to Charis before speaking. “Could it be true? Is Ischarus coming back victoriously to us?”</p><p></p><p>Charis embraced Rhema in a hug. “I hope so, Rhema. I was allowed to have Semeion returned to me. I hope for your sake that this is also real.”</p><p>[/Sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nonlethal Force, post: 3208237, member: 35788"] Inside the Tongra-Quehalost Mountains, Ischarus used the magical light granted to him by his dragon father to easily traverse the tunnels between himself and the location that the party was supposed to be staying with the villagers. Without having to guide Elistra or wait for anyone else, Ischarus was able to make better time than average. In spite of this ability to move more quickly, Ischarus continued hard toward the underground chamber well after the draconic battle in the sky had ended. Even at his greater speed it would be nearly a full day journey that deep into the ground. Outside the mountain, the three dragons descended to the small level surface of land outside the tunnel entrance that Ischarus used to go underground. Llywessiar looked to his dragon cohorts and smiled. [Color=Yellow]“That was a battle well fought. It’ll take a few days for the villagers to come to us from their safety under the earth. I suggest we take the days and recuperate while we protect the entrance from this side.”[/Color] Ausaphaborishan shook his large silver head from side to side as he replied to the leader of this draconic flight. [Color=SlateGray]“We all have the ability to take human form, you know. Why don’t we go into the tunnels after them? We could still heal through our magic and meet them halfway!”[/Color] Llywessiar nodded in acceptance of the suggestion but frowned. [Color=Yellow]“I know that you are anxious, Ausaphaborishan. In a way, through Ischarus these people are the fruit of your labor. And I know that even if we were to take a more human form we would still be an aggressive force to be reckoned with. But we can better serve the villagers underground by protecting the entrance and allowing the village to come to us.”[/Color] Sappurapolician continued where his flight leader had left off. [Color=Sienna]“And remember that these are people who are accustomed to dragon worship. They will be more accepting of us if they see us in dragon form the first time.”[/Color] Ausaphaborishan conceded with a nod. [Color=SlateGray]“I suppose you are correct, although I would rather go into the tunnels and ensure their safety. May I at least contact the one they call Rhema and tell her to meet Ischarus halfway in the tunnels?”[/Color] Llywessiar smiled in return. [Color=Yellow]“I think that would be especially appropriate. I wish I would be there to see Ischarus’ face when they meet him half-way.”[/Color] Ausaphaborishan laughed, spilling a deep rumble through the nearby forest. [Color=SlateGray]“I believe he will appreciate our efforts.”[/Color] The silver dragon closed his reptilian eyes and concentrated upon Rhema, trying to discern her location under the ground. After a few minutes of mental searching his face relaxed and he seemed satisfied. [Color=SlateGray]“Rhema, this is Ausaphaborishan, Ischarus’ dragon father. The path is safe for you to come into Tongra. Ischarus has already been sent in to meet you. Join him and come forth with the people that you protect.”[/Color] The silver dragon opened his eyes and Llywessiar nodded to him. [Color=Yellow]“A verbose message, but it’ll do the trick.”[/Color] The bronze dragon smiled, [Color=Sienna]“Leave it Ausaphaborishan to be verbose, of course.”[/Color] Deep within the mountain, Rhema was in the middle of a discussion with Tierna. [Color=PaleGreen]“But what I hear you saying is that we have enough water for the remainder of the shift rotation at least?”[/Color] Tierna turned to reply, but noticed that Rhema’s face suddenly turned pale. Rhema’s eyes lost their focus and it appeared as though she were about to faint. Tierna looked to Rhema and spoke out of concern. [Color=Lime]“Rhema? Are you alright? Should you sit down?”[/Color] Rhema didn’t hear Tierna’s words. Her mind was occupied now with the heavy bass speech of Ausaphaborishan. The voice was not audible; that is to say that it could not be heard through one’s ears. However, it did seem to echo through Rhema’s mind. Even when the magical message had ended Rhema was still caught captive by the dragon’s deep rumbling voice. After a minute her eyes returned to normal and the color came back into her face. As her mind returned back to her present situation she looked back to Tierna, [Color=PaleGreen]“What was I saying?”[/Color] A confused look came over her face. Tierna looked on toward Rhema with amazement and spoke. [Color=Lime]“You were talking about the water and food rationing and trying to decide how many water collection teams were going out tomorrow. But you expect me to let you go back to that topic? What just happened to you?”[/Color] Rhema blinked a few times and frowned. Her mind was struggling to put together all of the pieces that she had received. [Color=PaleGreen]“I think I just received a magical message.”[/Color] Her voice filled with concern. [Color=PaleGreen]“Tierna, could you go find Semeion and Charis for me? We’ll continue this discussion later.”[/Color] Tierna had since come to learn her new place among the villagers. It had been a rough beginning at first because the people still attached her to the oppression they had suffered at the hands of their dragon father. But the people eventually responded to her leadership, especially when she was paired with Rhema in rationing the supplies. She would likely never be the leader of the people, but they respected the new role that she desired to play among them. Knowing her place, Tierna nodded to Rhema. [Color=Lime]“I’ll get them both. Do me a favor and sit down, though. You don’t need to take another spell like that until I get back with help.”[/Color] Rhema took Tierna’s advice and sat down on the cold hard stone floor as Tierna left the storage area. Within a minute both Charis and Semeion burst into the room with worried looks upon their faces. Tierna joined them and stood in the background. Charis ran to Rhema’s side and knelt beside her. [Color=Orange]“Rhema, Tierna says that something weird has happened to you?”[/Color] Rhema nodded to Charis but turned to Semeion. [Color=PaleGreen]“Semeion, I need your advice on an arcane matter. I just received a message from someone claiming to be Ischarus’ dragon father. He said that Ischarus is already in the tunnels coming to tell us that it is safe to come to the Tongra side of the mountains. Does this make sense?”[/Color] Tierna gasped at the thought of Ischarus’ dragon father waiting for them. Of course, that piece of information only confirmed that she had been wrong to resist in the beginning. It also meant that the draconic father of the children she carried within her was most likely dead. Her children were already fatherless without having even been born! There would be nobody left to help these powerful children to learn how to use their draconic talents. Semeion thought for a moment and nodded in the affirmative. [Color=Plum]“My mentor used to use such messaging techniques with me, although I am certainly not capable of accomplishing a message of that distance. But for a being as powerful in arcane matters as a dragon, I would think it quite possible.”[/Color] Charis turned to Semeion as she knelt beside Rhema. [Color=Orange]“What’s the possibility that such a message could be faked?”[/Color] Semeion shook his head from side to side. [Color=Plum]“Depending on how familiar Rhema is with Ischarus’ dragon father’s voice it could be quite likely. I am assuming the message that you heard in your head sounded like Ischarus’ dragon father?”[/Color] Charis frowned. [Color=LightGreen]“I wouldn’t really know. I know that the message sounded like a dragon. Or, I suppose I should say that the message didn’t sound like you or I at least. The voice had too much bass and power behind it to be from someone like you or I. But I wouldn’t know the voice of Ischarus’ dragon father well enough to know if it was real.”[/Color] Semeion replied, [Color=Plum]“But, you did say that Ischarus was coming down the tunnel? We have a few tricks up our sleeve to meet him. If the message is legitimate and it is really Ischarus, we’ll be able to know. If we are walking into a trap and somehow the red dragon has managed to get a duplicate of Ischarus we should be able to sniff that out as well.”[/Color] Charis smiled, [Color=Orange]“Or, at least Elistra should be able to. Our eyes might be able to be fooled, but Elistra knows Ischarus by smell if not by sight.”[/Color] Rhema smiled and nodded as she spoke in approval of the emerging plan. [Color=PaleGreen]“Yes, we could probably come up with a few tests to demonstrate whether the one that we meet is truly Ischarus. If it is truly Ischarus, then the message of our deliverance is also true!”[/Color] Semeion turned to Tierna and gave her another task to accomplish. [Color=Plum]“Tierna, go and get Druff and Xando about what has happened. Tell Xando to send out a few squads to reclaim the water reclamation teams we just sent out and then have Druff and Xando return to us here. And tell nobody else about what we have spoken of here. We don’t need any disorganized flurry of excitement before we are ready to move based upon this information.”[/Color] Tierna nodded, turned, and left the room without a word. Rhema looked to Semeion with a confused look and then she glanced to Charis before speaking. [Color=PaleGreen]“Could it be true? Is Ischarus coming back victoriously to us?”[/Color] Charis embraced Rhema in a hug. [Color=Orange]“I hope so, Rhema. I was allowed to have Semeion returned to me. I hope for your sake that this is also real.”[/Color] [Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section] Inside the Tongra-Quehalost Mountains, Ischarus used the magical light granted to him by his dragon father to easily traverse the tunnels between himself and the location that the party was supposed to be staying with the villagers. Without having to guide Elistra or wait for anyone else, Ischarus was able to make better time than average. In spite of this ability to move more quickly, Ischarus continued hard toward the underground chamber well after the draconic battle in the sky had ended. Even at his greater speed it would be nearly a full day journey that deep into the ground. Outside the mountain, the three dragons descended to the small level surface of land outside the tunnel entrance that Ischarus used to go underground. Llywessiar looked to his dragon cohorts and smiled. “That was a battle well fought. It’ll take a few days for the villagers to come to us from their safety under the earth. I suggest we take the days and recuperate while we protect the entrance from this side.” Ausaphaborishan shook his large silver head from side to side as he replied to the leader of this draconic flight. “We all have the ability to take human form, you know. Why don’t we go into the tunnels after them? We could still heal through our magic and meet them halfway!” Llywessiar nodded in acceptance of the suggestion but frowned. “I know that you are anxious, Ausaphaborishan. In a way, through Ischarus these people are the fruit of your labor. And I know that even if we were to take a more human form we would still be an aggressive force to be reckoned with. But we can better serve the villagers underground by protecting the entrance and allowing the village to come to us.” Sappurapolician continued where his flight leader had left off. “And remember that these are people who are accustomed to dragon worship. They will be more accepting of us if they see us in dragon form the first time.” Ausaphaborishan conceded with a nod. “I suppose you are correct, although I would rather go into the tunnels and ensure their safety. May I at least contact the one they call Rhema and tell her to meet Ischarus halfway in the tunnels?” Llywessiar smiled in return. “I think that would be especially appropriate. I wish I would be there to see Ischarus’ face when they meet him half-way.” Ausaphaborishan laughed, spilling a deep rumble through the nearby forest. “I believe he will appreciate our efforts.” The silver dragon closed his reptilian eyes and concentrated upon Rhema, trying to discern her location under the ground. After a few minutes of mental searching his face relaxed and he seemed satisfied. “Rhema, this is Ausaphaborishan, Ischarus’ dragon father. The path is safe for you to come into Tongra. Ischarus has already been sent in to meet you. Join him and come forth with the people that you protect.” The silver dragon opened his eyes and Llywessiar nodded to him. “A verbose message, but it’ll do the trick.” The bronze dragon smiled, “Leave it Ausaphaborishan to be verbose, of course.” Deep within the mountain, Rhema was in the middle of a discussion with Tierna. “But what I hear you saying is that we have enough water for the remainder of the shift rotation at least?” Tierna turned to reply, but noticed that Rhema’s face suddenly turned pale. Rhema’s eyes lost their focus and it appeared as though she were about to faint. Tierna looked to Rhema and spoke out of concern. “Rhema? Are you alright? Should you sit down?” Rhema didn’t hear Tierna’s words. Her mind was occupied now with the heavy bass speech of Ausaphaborishan. The voice was not audible; that is to say that it could not be heard through one’s ears. However, it did seem to echo through Rhema’s mind. Even when the magical message had ended Rhema was still caught captive by the dragon’s deep rumbling voice. After a minute her eyes returned to normal and the color came back into her face. As her mind returned back to her present situation she looked back to Tierna, “What was I saying?” A confused look came over her face. Tierna looked on toward Rhema with amazement and spoke. “You were talking about the water and food rationing and trying to decide how many water collection teams were going out tomorrow. But you expect me to let you go back to that topic? What just happened to you?” Rhema blinked a few times and frowned. Her mind was struggling to put together all of the pieces that she had received. “I think I just received a magical message.” Her voice filled with concern. “Tierna, could you go find Semeion and Charis for me? We’ll continue this discussion later.” Tierna had since come to learn her new place among the villagers. It had been a rough beginning at first because the people still attached her to the oppression they had suffered at the hands of their dragon father. But the people eventually responded to her leadership, especially when she was paired with Rhema in rationing the supplies. She would likely never be the leader of the people, but they respected the new role that she desired to play among them. Knowing her place, Tierna nodded to Rhema. “I’ll get them both. Do me a favor and sit down, though. You don’t need to take another spell like that until I get back with help.” Rhema took Tierna’s advice and sat down on the cold hard stone floor as Tierna left the storage area. Within a minute both Charis and Semeion burst into the room with worried looks upon their faces. Tierna joined them and stood in the background. Charis ran to Rhema’s side and knelt beside her. “Rhema, Tierna says that something weird has happened to you?” Rhema nodded to Charis but turned to Semeion. “Semeion, I need your advice on an arcane matter. I just received a message from someone claiming to be Ischarus’ dragon father. He said that Ischarus is already in the tunnels coming to tell us that it is safe to come to the Tongra side of the mountains. Does this make sense?” Tierna gasped at the thought of Ischarus’ dragon father waiting for them. Of course, that piece of information only confirmed that she had been wrong to resist in the beginning. It also meant that the draconic father of the children she carried within her was most likely dead. Her children were already fatherless without having even been born! There would be nobody left to help these powerful children to learn how to use their draconic talents. Semeion thought for a moment and nodded in the affirmative. “My mentor used to use such messaging techniques with me, although I am certainly not capable of accomplishing a message of that distance. But for a being as powerful in arcane matters as a dragon, I would think it quite possible.” Charis turned to Semeion as she knelt beside Rhema. “What’s the possibility that such a message could be faked?” Semeion shook his head from side to side. “Depending on how familiar Rhema is with Ischarus’ dragon father’s voice it could be quite likely. I am assuming the message that you heard in your head sounded like Ischarus’ dragon father?” Charis frowned. “I wouldn’t really know. I know that the message sounded like a dragon. Or, I suppose I should say that the message didn’t sound like you or I at least. The voice had too much bass and power behind it to be from someone like you or I. But I wouldn’t know the voice of Ischarus’ dragon father well enough to know if it was real.” Semeion replied, “But, you did say that Ischarus was coming down the tunnel? We have a few tricks up our sleeve to meet him. If the message is legitimate and it is really Ischarus, we’ll be able to know. If we are walking into a trap and somehow the red dragon has managed to get a duplicate of Ischarus we should be able to sniff that out as well.” Charis smiled, “Or, at least Elistra should be able to. Our eyes might be able to be fooled, but Elistra knows Ischarus by smell if not by sight.” Rhema smiled and nodded as she spoke in approval of the emerging plan. “Yes, we could probably come up with a few tests to demonstrate whether the one that we meet is truly Ischarus. If it is truly Ischarus, then the message of our deliverance is also true!” Semeion turned to Tierna and gave her another task to accomplish. “Tierna, go and get Druff and Xando about what has happened. Tell Xando to send out a few squads to reclaim the water reclamation teams we just sent out and then have Druff and Xando return to us here. And tell nobody else about what we have spoken of here. We don’t need any disorganized flurry of excitement before we are ready to move based upon this information.” Tierna nodded, turned, and left the room without a word. Rhema looked to Semeion with a confused look and then she glanced to Charis before speaking. “Could it be true? Is Ischarus coming back victoriously to us?” Charis embraced Rhema in a hug. “I hope so, Rhema. I was allowed to have Semeion returned to me. I hope for your sake that this is also real.” [/Sblock] [/QUOTE]
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