Tender Mercies

"I know the area you speak of," Martin said, thinking of stories he had heard. "It lies to the Southwest of Belurian, and the waters you speak of are so dangerous that only on the calmest of days in the middle of the Growth Season will ships dare the straits."

"More importantly," Kelnozz said, "We need to find out where these elder dragons are."

Regaining control of the meeting, the speaker of the council, a dark elf named Tandethill, said, "We believe the blue elder is named Elluviatel, and lives in a desert not far from the Belurian city of Sanctuary. Kaergothryl, the eldest white dragon, lives in the northern reaches of Belurian, lairing in the tall mountains of The Periphery where the air is cold enough to provide him with comfort. The eldest black is named Aglarond, and he lives in the great swamp surrounding the Gottwache, in the heart of the Lost Lands. Of the two remaining, one is named Cuivegirth, and is the greatest green dragon. He lives in a great forest along the western ranges of the Lost Lands. Finally there is the greatest dragon said to live on Viconia, some claiming him to be as old as the world itself. His name is Ancaruin and he lairs near to Mezarbolle itself."

"What help can you give us?" Martin asked, thinking that the three of them were hardly enough to battle dragons as mighty as the type being discussed.

Tandethill blinked in surprise at the question. A few of the other elves began talking amongst themselves. Finally Tandethill got the room silent again and responded, "We have given you all the help that we can. Our help is in the form of Kelnozz and Luingirth."

Nordan snorted derisively and Martin just nodded, surprised but somehow expecting as much. Kelnozz chuckled humorlessly, he had grown to know the elven council over the years and knew they would commit themselves as little as possible. Farathallion caught Martin's eye and shrugged apologetically to show his own actions were limited by those around him, not of his own volition.

"How long do you think this will take you?" An elf who had remained largely silent spoke up to ask.

Both Nordan and Martin turned to Kelnozz, uncertain of who the speaker was. "We begin today, Marthollin," Kelnozz said, putting a name to the silent elf. "Luingirth will take us, beyond that, I do not know. If we succeed in these tasks, then aided by Luingirth I hope we can be done with the questing before the Death Cycle sets in, then we can set about raising an army to do battle with Alesha before she marches on us."

"How can you be sure she won't come sooner?" He asked.

"Tell your mother that we are certain. She has met with setbacks and can not marshal her forces until the following year. By then if we do not have the support of the metallic dragons, an army of men, dwarves, and others, and the support of the elves, she will roll over us and Belurian will enter dark days unknown since the defeat of the dark elves thousands of years ago."

Marthollin bristled at the reference to his mother, but otherwise had no comments so he sat down and glared at Kelnozz.

"Put away your dark looks, Prince Marthollin, he speaks the truth!" Farathallion said. "Your childish dispute must be set aside, understand the gravity of these risks. Failure this time will not only bring about the destruction of life on Belurian, but this time they will only be content by spreading over the seas and bringing the war to us as well!"

Farathallion continued to stare intently at the young elf, trying to drive home his point. Marthollin looked suitably chastened, but he feared that by the time the meeting was adjourned, all would be forgotten. Silence reigned over the council chamber for a few embarrassing moments.

"Are we done?" Nordan asked, breaking the tension.

"By no means!" Tandethill responded instantly. "We have many things yet to discuss!"

Kelnozz chuckled and stood up. "No, you have many things to discuss. And discuss them you will, for hours and days and weeks on end, all with no conclusion." Motioning to his companions, Kelnozz continued, "Come friends, let us be off on these quests and see if we can be done with them before they are done talking."

With a disrespectful grin, Nordan followed Kelnozz out. A bit slower, Martin trailed after, not sure what was going on. Kelnozz waved off the questioning look in Martin's eyes until they had left the palace behind them and walked through the courtyard towards the city proper or Loralost.

"Marthollin is the son of the Queen. She's a good woman, but she's to caught up in the courtly intrigue and games of power. The King died in the Kinslayer War and she will not take another.." He stopped long enough to chuckle softly. "The Prince also doesn't like me because he was chosen for the same thing that I was, save that he fell short during the testing. We grew up together and share the same blood, but when it came down to the wire, I bested him time and again, so he doesn't really like me."

"You share the same blood?" Nordan asked, continually surprised at the turn of events surrounding his long time companion.

"The King was slain trying to come to the aid of my his fallen brother, my father," Kelnozz admitted heavily.

"Doesn't that worry you, if we leave that he might be plotting something?" Martin asked, glancing nervously around and suspecting that a world of courtly intrigue lay just under the surface of everything.

"Oh, I know he's plotting something or other, there's not much to be done about that. If we stay here longer, we put far more at risk then what his scheming could do though." Kelnozz smiled and continued walking towards the guest quarters they had been given.

"We leave now?" Nordan asked, excitement showing in his previously bored posture.

"Aye my barbaric friend, we get our gear and head out now."

Nordan grunted, a smile coming to his face. Martin kept up with his friends but was plagued with worries inside. Worries of what Marthollin might do to them, worries of what was ahead of them, and worries of whether he would be up to the task. No stranger to conflict, he had no seen nearly as much action as either of his companions, nor had any of his feats been as impressive. Lurking in the back of his mind the entire time was his concern that Alesha might learn of their mission and seek to thwart them. Or worse yet, that she might intervene herself, for he was not sure how he would face her.

*****

It had taken them ten days to fly from Innowendyn to the northern reaches of Belurian. During the flight, Nordan and Martin had looked on in marvel at the many islands that showed signs of inhabitation that they flew over. Belurians thought themselves the only inhabitants of Viconia, but apparently they had much to learn about their own world still.

Another four days of searching passed before Luingirth spotted the lair of the great white dragon, Kaergothryl. It was high up atop a mighty mountain amongst The Periphery, with a great opening to the sky and a smaller, though still large opening near the base of the mountain. For fear of discovery, they landed more then a days walk from the lair.

"We must go alone," Kelnozz explained after they had set up a camp for the night. "Luingirth would give us away, and I hope to be well inside the lair before we are discovered."

"How?" Nordan asked, "Luingirth is a chromatic dragon, they would think him one of them."

"It's cold up here, Nordan," Martin explained, hiss breath visible in the cool night air to prove it. "Blue dragons prefer dry warmer climates, such as deserts."

Nordan grunted understanding, still not convinced his idea did not have merit. "Kaergothryl hath dominion up here, only others of his ilk exist in this part of the world. Any dragon not serving him he would know about or would hath destroyed for being a rogue."

Nordan looked up at the answering dragon, still not quite at ease with a friendly dragon. He nodded after a moment and scowled. "How then are we to get in?"

Kelnozz smiled at that question. "Leave that to me."

With little further to talk about, they spent the remainder of the evening in private reveries. Martin worrying over how events were transpiring, Kelnozz planning for the upcoming raid on the dragon, and Nordan already drifting off to mundane dreams of some of the more interesting times he had spent with Alesha in his arms. Luingirth waited patiently until only Kelnozz was awake, then after a few moments of quiet conversation, he took to the sky and flew to south, in search of Aglarond's lair.

The next day saw them moving higher into the passes of the mountains. All signs of natural wildlife was missing. No animals scurrying to hide from them, no birds chirping in the brisk morning air, not even the tough grasses and moss known to grow in harsh environs thrived there.

Night fell and the three had come to close to the mountain to risk camping again. Following Kelnozz's lead, they moved through the treacherous terrain, avoiding the trails and any signs of life. Another hour put them hidden behind some rocks that had fallen in a landslide. On the other side of it was an open expanse nearly 1000 feet to the entrance of the mountain lair. While the cavern was obviously enlarged by miners, it remained largely natural, with no gate or doors.

"No guards?" Nordan said, looking about but seeing nothing.

"Who wants to enter the lair of a dragon?" Martin replied, also seeing none.

Nordan grunted, but still looked about warily. Kelnozz studied the landscape as well, looking for more then just defenses, but also for the best way for him to attack. "Wait for my signal," He said, and slipped out from behind the rocks.

Martin and Nordan watched, barely daring to breathe. Kelnozz slipped into a small gully and moved towards the mountain, then when that ended, he endured a few heart pounding moments of being completely exposed before he found some more rocks to hide behind. Waiting again to be certain no one was after him, Kelnozz set out again and approached the side of the entrance. Risking a look inside, he found the entrance unguarded.

Martin and Nordan ran forward when Kelnozz signaled them, joining him at the side of the entrance. "Why are there no guards?" Martin asked, the hairs on the back of his neck rising.

"Aye, we saw orcs when we found it," Nordan reminded them.

"It's a trap," Kelnozz explained. "We must have been spotted on Luingirth."

Martin's breath hissed between his teeth. "Why are we here then?" Nordan angrily demanded.

"Are you afraid of a few orcs, Nordan?" Kelnozz responded, ignoring Nordan's tone.

"A few orcs? No. A score of orcs? No. A hundred orcs with a dragon behind them? Yes!" He responded, his voice raising above a whisper.

"Be silent!" Martin spat out, looking around nervously.

"They know we are coming, might as well head on in," Kelnozz said, stepping into the entryway and walking forward.

Martin's eyes widened in surprise, while Nordan growled deep in his throat. The two looked to one another before Nordan, with a scowl, headed after Kelnozz into the tunnel. Martin looked to the night skies and muttered a prayer to Carson before he too, followed the suicidal elf into the depths.

The entry passage was easily 30 feet wide and almost as high. It stretched deep into the bowels of the mountain, with smaller occasional side passages branching out. They stayed in the large one, knowing that with each small one the past the odds of being trapped within by an army of orcs increased. Then the tunnel bottomed out and began to slant back upwards. Torches set in stone sconces lit the way, but in the distance they could see a light that did not come from the torches.

Nordan had resigned himself to his fate, and hoped now only that he would go down in battle. Martin was filled with apprehension and growing dread as they neared the end of the tunnel. Kelnozz had mentally set aside his worries and concerns, determined instead to see their task to the end.

"Is it cold in here?" Martin asked, his voice strained as he fought to keep his teeth from chattering.

"It's been cold for days," Kelnozz pointed out dryly.

"No, I mean it's getting colder," Martin responded.

"He's right," Nordan stopped walking and spat on the rocky floor of the tunnel. Within moments his spittle thickened and froze.

"Then we must be close," Kelnozz stated, starting forward again.

Looking behind them nervously, Martin thought he saw some movement in the distance. He waited a few minutes longer, staring into the distance of the tunnel. Figuring he had seen nothing, he hurried to catch up to Kelnozz and Nordan.

They had both stopped in the tunnel, waiting for him to catch up. Ahead of them was the end of the passage, opening into a magical blackness. The light from the torches set into the sconces along the walls of the passage ended abruptly at the edge of the tunnel. Martin also noticed how much colder it grew as they approached the wall of darkness.

"What is that?" He hissed, staring intently at it.

"Magic," Nordan growled, flexing his grip on his warhammer.

"Another part of the trap," Kelnozz said, approaching the darkness and trying to peer into it. "It is magical, I can't see into or through it."

"And if we try to leave?" Martin asked.

"Then the orcs we didn't see on the way in will no doubt be waiting for us," Kelnozz said.

"I thought I saw something behind us, but when I waited and watched, I figured I was seeing things."

"Come, we have no choice." Nordan's eyes grew wide when Kelnozz stepped into the blackness. It was as if he had ceased to exist. He looked to Martin, who's face mirrored his alarm.

Martin swallowed loudly and gripped his sword, which he had drawn without realizing it. He closed his eyes and walked forward as well, determined to give Kelnozz whatever support he could. Nordan stared at the magical barrier for a long moment, warring within himself at his fear of magic. He looked behind him at the passage, wondering if there was another way in. Finally he let loose a growl of frustration and charged forward at a run.

*****

"I must call this meeting to end, I hath guests."

"Guests, Kaergothryl?" Alesha asked, turning to face the shimmering portal through which she could see the white dragon.

"Verily, 3 foolish mortals hath come to challenge me! It hath been many a years ere I hath been challenged, I shall enjoy feasting upon their flesh!"

Alesha's eyes widened. She opened her mouth to speak but the dragon had already severed the magical connection to the meeting. Alesha turned to face the other 4 portals, each showing a powerful dragon looking at her with an amused expression except for the one mysteriously empty one that Aglarond should be using.

"Thou hath fear for Kaergothryl?" Cuivegirth, the eldest green dragon spoke.

"I think Kaergothryl is hunted by my former companions. She underestimates them, they will be her undoing." Alesha said. Cuivegirth chuckled, the sound deep and dangerous.

"We hath nothing else to discuss, We shall meet again a score of days hence," The red dragon, Ancaruin, spoke, instantly silencing Cuivegirth's chuckle. Alesha and the dragons nodded their heads respectfully, then each ended their magical connections.

Alesha flexed her fists, raging inwardly at how things had progressed. She was not nearly ready for what was happening, more so if Kaergothryl was slain, as she expected she would be. Kelnozz was forcing her hand, she realized. She needed her army ready to march now.

Storming out of the cave and to her magical steed, she found her anger directed mostly at Kelnozz. He was doing this to spite her. She found herself angry at herself as well, for she was not sure who she truly wanted to win, her former companions or Kaergothryl.

*****

Nordan stumbled into Kelnozz, his vision returning quickly. Looking behind him quickly, he saw the doorway and passage they had just left. Of the magical darkness, there was no sign.

The chamber they had entered was immense. A layer of ice and frost covered many areas, from spots on the floor to sheets of it on the walls. A large tunnel arced upwards from the ceiling, curving so that the end could not be seen, but from the light coming from it, it clearly emerged to daylight. Scattered haphazardly against the far wall were mounds of valuables. From gold, platinum, and mithril coins to gems and jewelry. Objects of art and beauty to exceptionally crafted items and works of magic.

And in front of all the wealth stood a woman. Hair so blond it was white, her beauty was unsurpassed. Easily 50 yards away from them, still they could tell that the woman was clearly not human. She walked forward so gracefully it seemed as if she could not really be moving. She stopped 30 feet away from the trio of dragon hunters, appraising them with a gleam of excitement in her unearthly eyes.

"Kaergothryl?" Kelnozz asked after a few moments of silence had passed. With her as close to them as she was, all of them could feel the unnatural chill settling deeper into their bones.

"What doth thou seek, elf?" She responded, her voice deep and musical.

"I'd thought you to be a man," Nordan spoke up, appraising the woman's barely hidden and obvious charms. She wore a long white loin cloth that hung from a delicate mithril chain around her waist. It covered her crotch and her butt, being long enough to hang to her knees. Adorning her chest was a skimpy white halter top adorned with threads of silver, gold, and mithril sewn throughout it. Her skin was a pale creamy white nearly as pale as her clothing.

"Males are inferior amongst mine kind, mortals," She said, staring deeply at Nordan and making him feel awe in her presence. "I would slay thee quickly, save that it hath been long since I hath dealt with thy kind. Thou shalt not leave here with thy life.""That puts a damper on our relationship," Kelnozz quipped, studying her carefully.

The woman grinned, her gaze boring deeply into the dark elf. "Orcs are so limited, I shall enjoy this!"

Kelnozz stared right back at her, meeting her gaze unflinchingly. Nordan continued to ogle at the woman's body while Martin glanced about nervously, gripping his sword so tightly the blood was draining from his fingers. Martin forced himself to take a few deep breaths and relax his strained muscles.

The ranger had fought all manner of beasts, including griffins and even wyverns. He'd even been chased by a green dragon once, though it was a fairly small one. But being this close to something that emanated such fear, awe, and power had him struggling to maintain his composure. He had no idea how it was that his companions could treat it so casually.

Nordan was far from casual, however. He saw the beautiful woman in front of him and it was a struggle for him to remember what and who she was. Most of his thought was directed into the countless ways he could ravage her body.

Kelnozz alone was unfazed by the power magic radiating from Kaergothryl. Instead he was trying to buy time for his companions to grow accustomed to her and planning a method of attack. To that end he sought to distract her as much as possible.

"What of the orcs that worship you, where are they?" Kelnozz asked.

"They await below, thou were permitted entrance for mine amusement."

The dragon in woman form turned to Nordan and smiled coldly. "Doth thou find this form appealing?" She turned slowly, allowing them to examine her flawless skin and perfect build. When she turned to face them again, she made a motion with her hand and she stood before them nude.

Nordan's jaw dropped open. He longed to rush towards her and take her in his arms so that he could thrust himself into her. Her breasts were full and heavy, but very firm and proud upon her chest, with hardened nipples pointing out directly. A small patch of wispy white hair adorned her loins, angling to the beginnings of her slit. Nordan found himself unable to tear his eyes away from the treasures that he knew lay unhidden there.