Vasorn, the World Under Dragonfire

[Keia]

Zykovian, Half Sapphire Dragon Fighter/Rogue: 101/101 hps, 40pps

Traveling through the tunnels and running from the retrieval squads was harsh living – much worse than Zykovian was accustomed. Even with the hardships and the tension, there was something else there as well, he was uncertain exactly how to define it, but there was something, something that made the hardship worthwhile. After his first cycle of rest, Zykovian felt much better as both his power and his health were restored.

Zykovian remained relatively protective of Antiphia and tried to get her to relax when he could. He felt uncomfortable asking questions of Grim and the others that he traveled with, as he was uncertain of what he was going to do – and he didn’t want to seem as tough he was trying to gather information about them. He took his turn at watches, if allowed, or took them on his own if he was not part of the watch schedule.

 

[Dark Nemesis]

*She was pleased that she had managed to draw blood from one of the dragonkith, and so she attacks again. More than likely she would have that same bravado had one of them actually attacked her... but she decided to worry about that when one of them actually did.*

 

[Zerth]

"Of course beholders don't ever officially join a fight, so officially Grathax isn't here, he just likes the tea I carry," Sekyen comments. Grathax makes a sound that sounds suspciously like a snort of amusement, but it's hard to tell behind the teapot. "Zass'sk, you said you were betrayed by your masters when they killed your elders. How did you find your way here, then? And why here?

*Zass'sk listens as the mind flayer speaks and sips the tea - certainly the first beholder-made tea he has ever had.*

"When I first came underground, I was fleeing the dragons and their minions, who destroyed my home and slaughtered my tribe. My only hope was to swim deep underground, where my enemies could not follow, for one reason or another. The dragons could not fit in the narrow tunnels and noone could hold their breath as long as I - for I have the Breath of All with me," the lizardfolk explains holding his amulet in one of his claws.

*The lizardfolk pauses, but sits still, with his mouth only moving as he tells his story.*

"I told I was maybe the only one left of my tribe. Well, there is one other, that I know still left. The traitor, who betrayed his own tribe and now serves the dragons. His name is Grass'khra and I had heard rumors he might work for the dragon, who is in command of this area. I had simply wandered near the mine during my travels, when I noticed the battle and the fleeing slaves."

When Eleth returns, Zass'sk turns his head to look at him, "You are back, elf. It is good. I have never seen one with such a deadly aim."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"There shouldn't be any following us, no one else thought to try our path. We're probably safe for now. Do you intend to stay here for the night, or continue on as soon as they're rested?"

*Eleth drops crosslegged to the ground, pulling out a small knife and beginning to make a hole in the new tooth to string it on his necklace.*

"So, is there any tea left for a tired rear-guard?"

*Sekyen pushes over a glass of reddish tea, with warm steam rising from it. The tea is robust and vaguely sweet.*

"Help yourself. We're staying here, the slaves have to rest, as we made them work pretty hard today," Sekyen says.

"When I first came underground, I was fleeing the dragons and their minions, who destroyed my home and slaughtered my tribe. My only hope was to swim deep underground, where my enemies could not follow, for one reason or another. The dragons could not fit in the narrow tunnels and noone could hold their breath as long as I - for I have the Breath of All with me," the lizardfolk explains holding his amulet in one of his claws.

*The lizardfolk pauses, but sits still, with his mouth only moving as he tells his story.*

"I told I was maybe the only one left of my tribe. Well, there is one other, that I know still left. The traitor, who betrayed his own tribe and now serves the dragons. His name is Grass'khra and I had heard rumors he might work for the dragon, who is in command of this area. I had simply wandered near the mine during my travels, when I noticed the battle and the fleeing slaves."

"Not bad... a good escape that sounds like. Hmm... Grassk'khra, that doesn't quite sound familiar. Grathax?"

*The beholder suddenly stops in the slurping of his tea, and lowers the pot to the ground. It's hard to read the expression of a beholder, but you get the impression he's troubled.*

"That one is one of Sssarendor's surface lackeys," he says shortly. Eleth would recognize the name of Sssarendor, as would Sekyen. That is the name of an ancient shadow wyrm so twisted, cruel, powerful, and clever that he has yet to be touched by the resistance.

*Zass'sk would know the name of Sssarendor as well, though mostly as rumor. It was said that Sssarendor had been ancient at the time of the Ascension, and if it weren't for the fact that he hated sunlight, he could be considered the one possible rival for the Great Red Wyrm.*

~~~

*Gortag, seeing his main enemy down, turns to the enemy that Kilvash is harrying. Between all four of them, they quickly manage to dispatch the two dragonkin, Alyshia drawing blood again as she dabs the dragonkin through the back. Renea slowly slides out of her lion form, and winces at the wounds she has. She then curses and dashes for the two fallen resistance members.*

*She touches them and curses again, her face a bit wet.*

"They're dead..." she says, and takes a shuddering breath. "Come on, I don't think we can stay very long here. Help me, we have to take their things."

*Kilvash, blinks for a moment, stunned at Gortag's immensely powerful blows, then shakes herself out of it. She dashes into one of the overseer's rooms and comes out with a small stone statue of a dragon, as well as two more sizable chunks of it. She shoves them into her pack and shoulders it.*

"Silly twist actually carved a bloody statue out of it!" Kilvash says with an air of offended sensibilities, trying to cover an expression of sorrow as she looks at the two fallen Cagebreakers.

 

[Zerth]

"That one is one of Sssarendor's surface lackeys," he says shortly. Eleth would recognize the name of Sssarendor, as would Sekyen. That is the name of an ancient shadow wyrm so twisted, cruel, powerful, and clever that he has yet to be touched by the resistance.

*Zass'sk would know the name of Sssarendor as well, though mostly as rumor. It was said that Sssarendor had been ancient at the time of the Ascension, and if it weren't for the fact that he hated sunlight, he could be considered the one possible rival for the Great Red Wyrm.*

*Zass'sk listens eagerly, what the beholder can say about the traitorous lizardfolk.*

"So he works for Sssarendor." *Hmpf.* "Like master, like servant," he spits out in disgust and takes another sip of the tea, seemingly buried in his own distant thoughts.

The revenge will have to wait. But all the more time will only make my anger grow, make it even more formidable, when it's time to unleash the fury of a whole tribe upon the foul traitor.

 

[Velmont]

Gortag, seeing that his opponents are down, obey to the order he is given. He knows he have taken many wounds and could hardly figth against another half-dragon, so the quicker they will be out, the better it is.

 

[Dark Nemesis]

*Alyshia, on the other hand, tried not to look at the two fallen Cagebreakers. She had not had the opportunity to work with either of them, but she thought she recognized them. It was a heavy price to pay for a raid.* "Is there anything else interesting in that room, Kilvash?" *She asked quietly. Concentrate on work now.... mourn when it was safer.*

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"Other statues, but this is what I was looking for. I don't think we have time to loot the rooms, unless we're very fast, we are very much alone in here right now," Kilvash says, her slight veneer of cheer beginning to crack.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

*At the name Sssarendor Eleth's face goes cold. He stands up, turning to the lizard man.*

"Scaled friend. When you go after your traitorous friend, you will have an ally. I too have a grievance against Sssarendor."

*At this, he holds up the necklace he was working on. You see that it consists entirely of dragons' teeth, strung on a fine piece of cord. Where the largest stone on a necklace would normally be, there is a hole.*

"I am saving the spot of honor for him. One of the two of us will not die of natural causes. I will kill him or be killed.*

 

[Dark Nemesis]

"Fair enough. We do not have much time, and may have our hands full anyway." *She gestured toward the two fallen Cagebreakers. "I think perhaps we should try and bring them back with us. We would need to make haste, but I do not think they should be left behind."