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[Ochita]

"I am sure you do know.. B, But that doesn't mean that I want your touch upon me again."
Ochita repressed a shudder as the dragon took her step towards him. He would have to play this safely.
"I believe this is *my* answer, if you would accept it or not."
Ochita gave a knowing smirk, and took a stride towards her, a benign smile on his face.

[Dwarmin]

Ravena seems to take a longer, closer look admiring his courage, maybe. Her features seems to soften somewhat.

"The road ahead is harder than you think, Ochita. You are strong, but perhaps not strong enough. Too many burdens. I could relieve you of them. After all, what I afflicted you with...would not have killed you. No, you would have become something far greater to me.

...just know, when it becomes too much for you to handle...my name carries great weight and power in the Fortress, after all-my true name, "Revanacu"-and if my plot comes to fruition, it will be greater still. Mayhaps, you shall invoke it in your time of need, and I will aid you, for a price."

Ochita finds himself looking Ravenas eyes, which resemble nothing more than jet black obsidian now. He can see his reflection in them, distorted wildly.

..he feels something immaterial connect between them. It's not a good feeling. Ochita thinks he's been marked somehow.

Gained: Dragon Bond/Ochita can utter the name of Revancu the Dragoness to aid him in the fortress-the exact nature of this help, or what it may cost is unknown.

She turns away with a knowing smile.

"Is anyone else brave enough to face me? What about you, Lizardfolken, Daughter of Ruin, Shame of your Order?

I know what you flee from. And I know they are coming. Perhaps we could share words as well...you might be surprised what I have to tell you."

[micelus]

((I meant if I had enough mana then I wanted to conjure a wall on top of her, otherwise I would talk. Nevermind about that.))

Saren stood her ground. "My cousin has something to tell me? Tell me now then...If you may."

[Dwarmin]

Ravena leans forward toward Saren conspiratorially, but her voice is easily loud enough for everyone to hear.

"The Lord of your city has dispatched his the Guild of Mage Slayers to apprehend you, for the crime of practicing summoning without the councils approval. They are using the Planar Paths...and shall be here in little more than a day. Yes, your former Company has even turned against you-they hunt alongside them. Hated foes unite against one...

Or, did you think that Spider you conjured was not noticed? It was...my sources say you've become quite the prize in Guild Circles-a bounty of 25,000 Gold alive, half that on proof of death-and the prestige of slaying or capturing such one as you.

I just thought you should be prepared for the inevitable. If the Fortress does not claim you, they certainly will...does this make you afraid, young one? Hmm?"

Saren certainly has reason to fear. The Order of Mage Slayers are the elite law enforcement in Tyria against practitioners of the Arcane arts. While some are honorable, many are zealous and cruel-Saren knew of several friends who were 'vanished' by the Order for crimes they were never well defined. The current Lord of Tyria is their enthusiastic supporter.

She knows that they are specially trained and equipped to capture or kill even the strongest mages-and can track those who use spells with the aid of their Phasehounds-a sort of extra dimensional canid that smells expended mana like a normal hound would fresh blood on the ground...few, if any marks escape them for long.

[lawastooshort]

Once Saren had finished talking, Goseki would step forward. For the first time since she'd set eyes on these folk she seemed to walk forward without a back burdened by the passing of so much time.  She was so close to death another few steps wouldn't hurt.

"Dragon. My name is Goseki, Elder of the Sakane clan. You talked of an accord. Speak."

[Dwarmin]

She turned back to Goseki with a nod that was almost respect, or at least an obvious lack of disdain.

"Ahh, it feels good to tell the truth, doesn't it, elder one? Even now. To be fair, I might even have missed you otherwise-but your kind once tried to take my life as I stood in a form similar you see now. I never forget a scent...or a taste, for that matter."

Ravena licks her lips slowly.

Goseki thinks back in the history of the missions her people had undertaken...failures are easier to remember then successes...she does recall one of the worst, almost 50 years ago. Three Sakane had been sent to kill an influential Noblewoman who had been manipulating the local kingdoms into war...it should have been a routine mission. The three were found literally torn to shreds and partially devoured-and there was no more sign of the target...ever. Well, that's one mystery solved perhaps.

"...but for the accord, I merely ask you to do one thing.

Kill my Father, Sithyr'Sone. I am too weak to face him directly-but, with your help...I can beat him, and gain the power I am so long denied. The Station I deserve, by right of blood!

A mighty task to slay an Elder Dragon, I have no illusions otherwise. But he is not a God. His scales warp. He grows slower in body, and slower in mind every year...given time, I would destroy him myself. But I believe he will do so to me before I can.

You may ask, why not risk my wrath, and simply bypass him?

Simply put, I do not believe you can. Even if my father only controls the top levels of the fortress in strength, his soldiers are almost endless-and his wrath unquenchable. He commands the great doors, and the bridges and the cages-all of which are under his command by power of blood.

He will hunt you down, no matter how far you go. You will find yourselves beset from behind, even as worse things attack you from the front. I have seen many expeditions that might otherwise have gotten closer to the source perish to his interference.

So, here is the deal, mortals-slay him. I will inherit the fortress, it's soldiers and powers...take his place-and allow your quest to continue unhindered by my forces...I may even feel like helping you. For, this Fortress has been my home for longer than your mortal lives-I know it's secrets, and it's dangers.

Aid in me in this endeavor, and your Source becomes that much easier to obtain. Though I do not actually think any of you have a chance...

Deny me, and I shall be content watching you die from afar on the blades of our legions.

What say you Mortals? Do you need time to confer amongst yourselves?"

Ravena crosses her arms and shines a predatory grin.

[lawastooshort]

"Dragon, amongst my people, when we swear to something, we give our word. If we break it, our honour is stained for centuries. But we have an even stronger bond. A bond of blood: and when that is broken, we are cursed throughout the ages, even when we have been hunted down like dogs and all memory of our bloodline and of our disgrace has been rubbed from the pages of history."

"I have heard that a dragon's word when truly given is held."

"I will agree to help you, if you will also give your word that you, and those that you command, will never act bar in self-defence against the mountainfolk. Neither the Sakane nor the Jiang."

So saying, Goseki produced a blade from within her many folds of cloak, held her hand out palm upwards towards the dragon, and drew the blade across till blood began to show.

With her other hand she held out the blade.

"Do you agree, Dragon?"

[micelus]

They would have been sent eventually.

"Of...course I'm scared...of course I fear the Hunters and their...ways...but I must march on even so; is that not what courage is?"

[IronyOwl]

((Holy crap. I am now very curious what would have happened if I'd tried to seduce her instead. ))


"YOU DARE?!" Rykmar bellowed, enraged at his audacity. "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DEALING WITH, MAGGOT?!"

His eyes lingered on that shape. He needed to strike quickly, decisively, but he didn't trust things to be this easy. Paranoia or wisdom?

He mentally commanded the ash shadow to attack it, if it was living. If he could pinpoint Vorathu's location, it'd be far harder for the slippery worm to get away again. If he couldn't, he'd likely avoid an intentional ambush or costly mistake.

Reminders of his abject failure at attempting to do things halfway with Lust briefly haunted him, but he shook them aside. This was different, and there was no sense making different mistakes for the sake of them being different.


Ash shadow attacks Vorathu Shape. Rykmar remains at the ready, but does not engage unless the ash shadow's attack proves successful.

[Ochita]

"I see. Well, if what you say is true, then I don't think I can see any problem with this.. But fighting an elder dragon.. I.. Agree. I shall help you dethrone the elder dragon. As long as you are content with the deal that is being made, and as long as you hold up your part, this will help us both."

Ochita looked calm, and he seemed indifferent to what was said by the dragon. He leaned onto a tree, and rubbed his face a little, seemingly tired.

"Now.. If no-one actually minds, I would like to sleep. Its been a long day, dragon, I have given my answer, and if you would excuse me.."

Ochita set off towards his tent.

[Tiruin]

{Lwy'nna, what do you think of this? The dragoness-- Ravena, is asking for our help to overthrow the 'master' of the Fortress, well, the Gatekeeper. She also states that many will die trying. I'm not one to trust assumptions and guesses, but I can't think of any other way but to help her. I'm unsure of my allies, but I don't want to see them die to this. I cannot force you to join me in this venture, even if I wanted to. Dragons are very cunning, and I'm at an impasse to decide.

However, remember that you are free. I vow not to use your true name to chain you to my will, unless my act will end us both. You have my word for that.}

Feleris nodded at the agreement of his allies.

"Dragon, ahh- Ravena. I...agree to your proposition. You have my hand in this task. But I ask you only this favor, other than keeping your word to the letter: tell your father to spare a man in the attack-- a towering, tanned skin human with eyes as green as the forest and black hair weaved into triple braids; wearing the skins of dead animals and heavy leather. You can tell him apart by two axes he wields, he goes by the name of Vusted.

"I cannot speak for him, or any of the others. But...tell me of his fate either way, if you can."

(Go to sleep afterwards, if possible)

[Dwarmin]

Ravena seems to conceal an obvious smirk, out of respect to you all. It's clear she has nothing to lose from her vantage point.

Feleris inquires about the fates of Stromgands camp. But on the request of mercy for Vusted...she frowns.

"Sylvan, if I were to do such a thing, it would bring far too much attention upon myself-perhaps even retribution. My father is no less a tyrant than you would think, and he brooks no dissent or calls to reason. I can not reveal my intentions, yet.

In my own estimation, his methods are... inefficient. We could easily have used the Fortress to expand our forces into the world, and seize real power...something I will one day rectify, hopefully.

Instead, he is fit to guard this tomb, as our ancestors have. For all his strength, his lack of ambition is blatant.

...but, I know you Feleris. You will have a difficult choice-whether to risk everything, and try to warn the other camp before my father strikes with the rising of the sun. Oh, moral quandary? I'd advise against it, lest you become caught in my fathers flames before you are useful to me, or slain by those you would save out of distrust. But, that is your choice to make..."

Saren has a degree of courage...

"I guess it is, daughter of woe.

I wish you luck in your quest, alone of all here-for we are kin, however distantly related...and our kind should hold the source, don't you agree?

Be assured-if we are successful, and I encounter these hunters...I will lay waste to their numbers. Less a favor than you think-my hunters will still need blood, after all, and keeping them from harming you and your friends will tax their reserves of self control."

Goseki offers a pact of blood...

Ravena's eyes widen for a moment-perhaps her first hint of something other than smug arrogance. It might even be fear.

"...you spill your own blood here at great risk, Sakane. This is a hungry land. Willingly offered sacrifice is an invitation to things that would be best kept unappeased. Take this lesson with you-it will remember your taste now."

She motioned to the ground-which had begun, in a disturbing fashion, to drink the fallen drops of Gosekis blood at a far from natrual rate. The Dragoness seemed to shudder, and to compose herself before speaking.

"But, it is a small price, I suppose-to earn your trust.

The Draconic do indeed abide by their promises. I hope I can say the same of you.

Your word then, Sakane-that you will not shirk this duty I set before you, until Sithyr'Sone is dead beyond all reasonable doubt."

Goseki offers the dagger, but Ravena shakes her head. Instead, she raises her wrist to her mouth and bites-and for a moment, her teeth look awfully long and sharp. Then she holds out a slightly bleeding wrist toward Goseki.

Of course, cupping her hand underneath it, to make sure no blood hits the Earth.

"Have we a Blood Compact, Matron?"

OOC: @Zako: Did you catch my last post btw? You've got a deal to decide on too.

[lawastooshort]

Goseki took the dragon-woman's hand. As she looked straight into her eyes the rest of the world, her companions, as much as they were, seemed to fade away.

"We do."

She turned back to search out Tsuna, and walked over, signalling for the younger woman to stoop so she could whisper into her ear. Her hand tightened imperceptibly on her staff.

"Are you with me, Younger Daughter?"

Goseki hadn't yet given thought to the practicalities of murdering a dragon.

[Dwarmin]

Tsuna hesitates for a full second.

"...follow, and I shall lead, Old Mother. But know, I will bind myself to no one, not even you. At least one us must be able to continue...if things go badly..."

[Zako]

Rhogar kept smiling, it was coming together finally.

"I shall agree to your demands with a slight change. I shall swear to Kron the Thunderous that you will not die by MY hand, but if you die from, for example, a trap that was placed there by your kind or by the hands of another being, then I will not be held responsible for your own stupidity or carelessness.

Do not try to trap me with your binding words kobold. It will not work out well for you."