Mort considers the captive girl, who is said to be a shapechanging spy for the dragon. "You heard the accusations. You'd better think hard on your answers to them," the Lord of Aavenloche says with a subtle but threatening wave of his snake-shaped staff. "Tie her up so she will not escape. We will interrogate her later."
Turning to Darius, Mort smiles. "Dragonslayer, you have convinced me. Allow me to make my speech in a moment and I'll prepare the mission with you. Do you think that a surprise attack today would be better, or should we stick to tradition and present the Princess next week, with a surprise up our sleeve?"
Lucius Mortimer de Vicomte, Lord of Aavenloche, takes the stage and demands the attention of the crowd. The paper with his speech lies crumbled at his feet. "People of Aavenloche, people of the plains, travellers and visitors; I bid you welcome to our annual Festival. As you know, this day marks the anniversary of a ancient treaty, a fiendish bargain with a terrible evil. Every year a Princess is elected from amongst us, to be a symbol of Goodness, a personification of Virtue. An honourable sacrifice to the Dragon, she gives up her life so that we can continue our peaceful existence. For many years and many generations, this dreadful tradition has plagued our life, and none more so than the young women and their families. But this year," and Mort pauses for dramatic effect.
"This year is different. This year, a Princess has volunteered. I present you, Princess Jhadzia!" Allowing the crowd to see and applaud the woman, Mort claps his hands along with the crowd before continuing.
"This year, a Champion has stepped forward. I present you, Darius Dragonslayer!" Once again, Mort allows the crowd to admire their potential savior.
"Yes, this year will be the end of the Dragon, because Darius Dragonslayer, Princess Jhadzia, and their fierce allies are blessed by the Gods, divine blood running through their veins. They will be the instruments of Divine Will, they will be the Children of the Gods, confronting and defeating the unholy evil of the Dragon!"