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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 2081942" data-attributes="member: 143">Let's get ready to rumble!* * * * * Chapter 342The dragon launched itself from the cupola, sweeping out over the city in a slow, lazy arc, barely over the level of the rooftops. It drifted in and out of view as it cut through the haze of smoke rising over the city, and it almost appeared to be...“Looking for something,” Dannel said, his keen eyes fixed on the massive creature.“Us, likely,” Hodge grunted.“What makes you say that?” Mole asked.“Ha’ ye forgotten our record with drakes?” the dwarf railed.  “By Clangeddin’s puckered buttocks, this one’s prolly the sire... or gran’sire, o’ the baby red we killed at that crazy bastard’s hut up in the mountains!”Mole looked thoughtful.  “Oh, yeah, that one.”Jenya turned from where she’d been issuing curt commands to those members of the Watch and the Hammers that were still present.  The square had been transformed into a sea of chaos, with people now dropping all of the possessions they’d hoarded earlier, rushing for the gate in a press.  A few leaders were trying to maintain order, but even at this distance, all of the companions could feel the familiar tinge of dragonfear.“This will get worse,” Jenya said.  “If that dragon decides to attack the refugees, there will be a slaughter.  We cannot stand against a red of that size...”“We’ll take care of it,” Beorna said.  Amazingly, she appeared calm, her face hard like chiseled stone.  “Templar...”“Go, the people need you.  Without your presence, the flight will become a rout, and more will die in the panic.”A loud roar and a crash sounded out over the city.  The companions readied their weapons, but the sounds seemed a good distance off, and after a few seconds they turned back to Jenya.“Probably looting the city,” Mole observed, with the air of a lecturer speaking to students.  “Reds are greedy bastards.”“Well, unless any of you can sprout wings, we’ll need to draw its attention,” Beorna said, unlimbering her rarely-used bow.  “I believe I can handle that,” Dannel said, drawing out his own longbow from his magical quiver.“Yer all insane,” Hodge said.  “That ain’t no piddlin’ wyrmling yer wantin’ to pick a fight with!  That there drake’s a fully-grown adult wyrm!  Why, them things snack on giants fer breakfast!  Yer all stark, blasted, raving...”“Hodge,” Arun interrupted, without turning; he was preparing his own bow.  His string had been broken during their encounters in the city, so Dannel gave him one of his spares.  “Go with Jenya; she’ll need your help with the refugees.”“Go stuff yerself.”The paladin looked up.  “Excuse me?”“Ah, sorry.  I mean, go stuff yerself, most holy champion o’ Moradin.”  With an angry shake of his head, Hodge unlimbered his heavy crossbow and winch, and began loading the weapon, a more or less constant stream of muted curses accompanying every stage in the process.Arun glanced over at Beorna, whose face cracked into a hint of a smile. “He’s right, though,” Dannel said softly.  “This one won’t be easy.”Arun sighed.  “They never are, not with us.”Jenya had taken a scroll from one of her acolytes, and was reading from it in a steady cadence of magical syllables.  Each of the companions in turn felt a tingle as a protective ward settled around them, and the High Priestess did not stop until all of the magical writings on the scroll had faded.  She then laid a blessing upon them, followed by a healing spell that sent a surge of positive energy through them. “I’m sorry, that is the best that I can offer,” she said, as the effects of the mass cure moderate wounds spell faded.  “Almost all of my divine spells are depleted, and I doubt that there will be many chances to pray in the next few days.”“Thank you, High Priestess,” Beorna said, bowing deeply in respect, her armor clanking noisily about her at the awkward movement.  It was an odd moment, the six of them standing there in the midst of a sea of chaos, taking a few precious seconds for another leavetaking. “We’ll join you at the Monkey, if we’re able,” Arun said, testing the new string on his bow.  Jenya nodded, but did not respond.  The companions shared a look, and then started back down the now-deserted street behind them.  Jenya only lingered for just a few seconds as the five heroes rushed down the street, then turned to join the last remnants of the flood of survivors pouring out of the city, hoping to find some sanctuary in the wilds beyond.</blockquote>

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