CH 10: The Tharkadan Towers

[Jenara]

Laurana says nothing, adjusting her cloak she follows, trying to hide her disgust for the creatures.

[Jerrard]

Back in the cells Sturm draws Brightblade and cleans the ancient blade carefully.

After a few minutes he sits near the little Gully Dwarf, who nurses the blade Laurana passed her, giving her a smile, "Do you wish to learn to use that blade? Or do you want to just look at it?"

[Jenara]

"Me learn this sword? Me fight like you warriors?" She grins, cuddling the blade. "You teach me?"

[Jerrard]

"I do not know how to use that blade, but I can help you somewhat, it will give me something to do." The Knight admits, he spends some time teaching the little dwarf to use a blade.

[JadedDM]

Having obtained permission, Maritta leads the party back to the area where they were last time, but this time Maritta leads them to the south door, which is barred from the outside. With the help of some of the party, she removes the bar and leads them inside.

The large, open room has no furniture. Scattered about are small bits of wood and rags carved or sewn into dolls, wagons, balls and other toys. A tall arch on the east wall leads into darkness. Next to the arch is a normal wooden door. A pair of huge doors in the southwest corner apparently lead outside, since four windows in that same wall admit some cool, fresh air.

"Through the arch," Maritta says. "Remember, try to act casual when you see her. We don't want her to be suspicious if she's awake."

The arched tunnel enters another room, even larger than the playroom. No windows shed light into this area, but a soft, wheezing noise gives evidence of another presence here. The party sees massive crimson flanks that rise and fall with a slow, rhythmic pattern.

Next, they see the great head; eyes closed, forked tongue extending from wicked jaws, and nostrils flaring ever so slightly with slow breaths.

Flamestrike looks every bit as awesome is usual for her kind, but a close look reveals that the dragon suffers some of the ill effects of age. Many of her teeth are blunted or broken, long scars mask her weathered flanks, and she looks unusually slender--maybe even scrawny. Still, she's a sight to behold, over 30 feet in length from head to flank (not including her tail). Fortunately, she is not radiating the same aura of fear as Onyx did--perhaps because she is sound asleep.

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"Shh! She's sleeping, poor thing," Maritta says.

There are many children in this room, playing quietly. It's difficult to get a full head count, but there could be as many as 200, or somewhere around that amount. They seem to recognize Maritta at once, and their faces brighten.

Gesturing for the heroes to follow her, Maritta walks out toward the children. Some of the older kids, around 12 or so, approach her. She gestures them forward to speak to them quietly.

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(OOC: Maritta and the others have been gone for about 10 minutes now.)

[Jerrard]

(Post will be changed now)

[Jenara]

Moving past the Dragon slowly Laurana watches her closely, shaking despite herself she tries to keep herself moving.

[HorizonsDream]

Tika watches the dragon closely as she follows after the rest of the group.

[JadedDM]

As the party gets closer, they overhear what Maritta is whispering to the older children. "Gather everyone up, especially the little ones. We're all going for a nice walk, okay? Keep quiet, let's not wake up Flamestrike, alright?" The children nod and start at the task of organizing themselves.

There is a faint buzzing in the air. At first, it's almost imperceptible, but as the party gets closer to the dragon, it gets louder and louder. Flamestrike begins to stir, clenching her eyes shut tighter as if the noise was somehow hurting her ears.

Gilthanas puts a hand on Tika's shoulder. "It's you," he whispers. "It's coming from you." Sure enough, beneath her cloak, the sword, Wyrmslayer, is shaking in its sheathe as if trying to free itself. It has been many centuries since the blade tasted dragon's blood, and it could sense one so close.

Flamestrike's eyes snap open. One of her eyes is covered in a milky white substance. But the one good eye immediately focuses on the group. "Maritta? Is that you? What is that noise?" the dragon asks.

Maritta freezes in place. "I...uh...w-we're just taking the children out for a walk, that's all."

"All at once?" the dragon asks, raising her head a bit. "Is it not easier to take them out a few at a time?" The dragon snarls. "What is that infernal noise? It feels like it is clawing into my skull!"

[Jenara]

"The sword.." Laurana curses, "Move away, move now, Caramon go with her." The Elf maiden frowns, pushing the woman, away from the dragon.

"Take the children." She whispers.

[HorizonsDream]

Tika frowns as she tries to steady the sword as she starts to back away.

[Nuke]

Riverwind is a bit frustrated. He never thought about trying to lead this group without be able to give any orders. He frantically points at Tika and waves his arms, trying to get the message across for her to leave.

[JadedDM]

As Tika backs away, the buzzing softens in volume until fading altogether when she is far enough away. But the damage is already done. "Who are you?" the dragon demands of Laurana. "I do not recognize your voice or smell." The children start to file out into the next room slowly.

[Jenara]

"I am.. I am new, I was captured recently." Laurana stammers, thinking on her feet, she steps away in fear. "I wanted to help, to be useful."

[JadedDM]

"Step closer, so that I can see you better," the dragon says, turning her good eye to the elf. By now, at least half of the children have been evacuated from the room.