Wednesday, 3 August 2011

Dragons attack! (Apparently)


Friday 17th December 356 AC

Suddenly a cacophony of bells erupted across the sombre compound. My companions expressed confusion at the sound, having apparently been absent for the entirety of the War of the Lance, but my ears were all too familiar with the sound of the dragon attack alarm. Though it had been some time since the dragon bells were rung, my response to them during the war on so many occasions helped earn the rank I hold today. Despite my protest that I should be defending the walls with my brothers, Sir Andrew of the Sword ushered the group swiftly away to a secure location. To call the Tower dungeon a secure location is, of course, generous at best but I have to assume that Sir Andrew was genuinely concerned for all our safety and not simply intent on incarcerating us at the first opportunity. Why he felt the need to place a guard on our locked door I have yet to understand.
We found ourselves in the large common room of the dungeon - upon the walls are ten doors, the one through which we entered and the doors to nine secure cells. The only one of these holding rooms that had any obvious occupant contained the Aurak draconian arrested by ourselves not two days ago. Immediately I felt some irritation that the creature had not been executed upon arrival but I understand some care must be taken while undertaking that task, given the magical nature of the beast. That circumstance does not help me comprehend why the aberration was given a book to read.
From a dark corner of the room (either from an open cell or simply the shadows in the curve of the wall) a well built, young human approached us. He introduced himself as Ariakan, though we quickly recognised him as the son of the Dragon High Lord Ariakas. Some discourse was observed between Brother Ithariel and the Dragon Lord’s son before they engaged themselves in a somewhat tense game of chess, while Sir Dominic & Starsong attempted to interrogate the draconian prisoner. I cannot record the details of either conversation with any clarity as, I must confess I was so infuriated at our unjust confinement.
Eventually my blue blood won the battle over my patience & I beat upon the door demanding to be attended to. When the dungeon door opened I found myself confronted by a Knight of the Crown - my junior in rank, years & experience. I commanded an immediate audience with Sir Andrew and stormed off like the duke I was born to be, trusting the young knight to follow in my wake at his own discretion.
I was led to a board room where, after a vexatious delay, I was joined by Sir Timothy McCarthy, a ranking member of the Order of the Rose and very much my superior. This humbled me somewhat & neutered my pious rampage. Sir Timothy explained, with extreme diplomacy, that we were brought to the dungeons in haste & that it was indeed an error of judgement. He did point out that Ariakan was believed to be the target of the attack and he was reassured to have Sir Dominic & myself in place to defend the asset.
Bowing graciously & showing the appropriate decorum, I thanked Sir Timothy for his time before noticing that Sir Dominic had joined us. My brother at arms took this opportunity to once again request access to the scroll he sought in the Tower library but again he was denied.
This left Sir Dominic somewhat upset, as he was quite determined. I later learned that in communion with the Great God Paladine, Sir Dominic had been given clear guidance that he should acquire this scroll - by any means.

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