Road Trip to the Dragon Isles - One Night in Ak-Krin

10 Newkolt 349 AC

The Village of Ak-Krin, the Nation of Khur...

Before Arthur sleeps, he reads some of the book Agnes gave him, detailing the early history of the Solamnic Knights.

Arthur sleeps for several hours. When he wakes, his body is still bruised and battered from all of the magic missiles he was struck with during the raid on the mercenary camp. Agnes sits near the doorway, watching the villagers go about their daily routine.

The smell of grilling meats, onions, and garlic fill the air. Boys wrestle in the streets where the riders were showing off their skills earlier. Few girls can be seen and those who are, more often than not, are carrying leather buckets, bundles of furs, or smaller children from one place to another. When she hears Arthur awaken, Agnes turns to face him, "We have been invited to eat with Batu in his yurt."

The guards Batu posted earlier are still present outside.

Arthur sits up, stretches, walks over and gives her a hug. "Let's not keep him waiting then." The knight puts on his gear and marks the page he ended his reading on before sliding it into hig bag. "Is there anything in particular you would like to get before we leave here?" He walks over and hold out his hand to her.

"Let's just make it through dinner," the dragon replies.

The guards take charge of the travelers, leading them to a large pavilion tent near the center of the town. When they reach the pavilion, the guards turn Arthur and Agnes over to a separate pair of guards who order them to leave their weapons on a table just outside the entrance.

Within, servants tend to Batu. A circular plate the size of a large table sits in the center of the room. A cook stands at the grill stirring and flipping thinly sliced cuts of meat with onions, mushrooms, and cabbage which is then topped with a cream sauce. Another man pours fizzy white liquid into shallow bowls and passes them to each of the diners.

Batu takes a seat on pillows arrayed on the floor and motion for his guests to do the same."Now," the horseman begins, "What can my people do for you?"

Arthur takes his seat. "We are seeking food, water, and potions if you have them, all for a fair price." He looks to Batu, attempting to gauge the Khur's reaction.

Batu leans forward, "We can provide you with food and water but we are not a nation of wizards, so we have no potions for trade. What about horses? Or a guide across the steppe? It is a long way to your Dragon Isles."

"How long will it take to get across the steppe?" Arthur looks to Agnes. "What do you think, should we get horses?"

Agnes purses her lips, "Horses could be helpful. It's probably another 220 miles to the ruins of Shalimsha..."

Batu shakes his head, "Shalimsha is home to Highlord Maldeev and his the Black Dragonarmy. And the Greens have a sizeable force in Delphon. Long way to go just to get killed. My people can get you to Ak-Baral and from there, you can make for the gap between the Skyfire and Taol Mountains."

Proposed Route 

Arthur nods. "Could you tell me more about this Highlord Maldeev? Any information would be appreciated. Also food, water, horses, guides, and two fur-lined cloaks, one for me and her. How much am I looking at?"

"All I can tell you is that Maldeev is there. My people don't go looking for trouble, my honest fool," Batu pauses, scratching his chin, "As far as payment, coins are out - too heavy, take up too much room - so it's gemstones or we can barter. That ring of yours would get you a dozen horses and all the food they could carry."

Arthur pulls out two gems he acquired in the Grimmlands and sets them on the table. "Unfortunately, the ring is not up for barter, I have a feeling i may need it in the near future."

Batu shrugs and leans forward to look at the gems. He picks one up and holds it to the light. "These will do. I will give you two horses as well as food and water and provide you with a pair of guides to lead you as far as Ak-Baral. If nothing goes wrong, you should be there in seven, maybe eight, days."

"Thank you, Batu, for your generosity and assistance. How long will it take to prepare everything?"

The Khur chieftain tells Arthur, "Two or three hours, but by then, it will be sunset so you may as well stay the night and leave fully refreshed in the morning."

"That sounds reasonable, again, thank you."

The pair return to their tent. As soon as they are inside, Agnes turns around to peer out of the flap. "I don't know if I trust Batu. I will be glad to be out of this town. There are too many eyes upon us."

"Is there another way through the pass that you know of? If so, we can go on alone leaving his guides here. I will say this place seems...off." Arthur pulls out the sword he took from the leader of the group that stole the money and looks it over while conversing with Agnes. The blade is simple but well-made, with almost nothing noteworthy about it except for its length, being a full foot longer than Lawbringer.

Agnes shakes her head, "I came by ship, my passage provided by one of the many clans who followed my people to the islands. I think we should avoid telling people where we are going as well. Where there are too many eyes, there are also too many ears. Some of Batu's people may be supporters of this Highlord Maldeev for all we know."

Arthur begins to pace. "What do you think of the idea of leaving under the cover of night? Put space between us and them? I have a bad feeling about staying." He sheathes the sword. "There's something off here and I can't figure it out."

"I don't know. It could be nothing. Maybe we're just being paranoid and jumping at shadows. We need the supplies and this is occupied territory. I can't just keep flying around in my natural form and just hope that no other dragons notice us." Agnes pauses, chewing her lip. "Let's wait until morning. For now, you need to get some rest. Your injuries need time to heal."

Arthur pushes a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You should rest as well." Arthur sits on the edge of the bed and pulls out the book and keep reading it hoping to find some useful information for the future.

Agnes sits for several moments watching Arthur read before going over to the flap to peek outside. She closes her eyes and listens for almost five minutes, her draconic senses taking in the sounds of the village, the tone and cadence of voices off in the distance, the chop of a knife cutting vegetables, or tools working steel and leather. Finally satisfied that nothing is out of place, she returns to the bed, takes the book from Arthur’s hands and kisses him, pushing him on to his back before leaning over to blow out the candle lighting their small room. Arthur returns the kiss as darkness falls over him and Agnes, both resolving to make the most of their night together.

11 Newkolt 349 AC

The next morning, the day breaks. A light snow blows in off of the Khurman Sea in fitful gusts that swirl around between the spaces between tents. A voice calls from outside to inform Arthur and Agnes that their horses are saddled and ready to depart as soon as they are.

Arthur wakes and shakes his head "Guess I was more tired than I thought." The First Paladin of Malazzar, rises and stretches, packing his things away and splashing water in his face. He dons his armor and turns to Agnes, "Grab a quick bite and get ready to leave?"

The dragon-in-human-form shakes her head, "We only have eight hours until sunset. If we don't get moving that seven or eight days are going to stretch out to ten. We can eat in the saddle."

Arthur slings the bags over his shoulder and proceeds to the tent entrance. He holds the flap open for her, then follows. He looks off into the sea of tents, committing it to memory before making his way to the horses.

Batu, his breath fogging in the cold, stands in the lane with four horses and two of his men. The horses are all loaded with bundles of food, blankets, and a pair of small tents. The Khur chieftain has a robe draped over his arm. "You shouldn't encounter any Dragonarmy patrols but if you do, your armor will stand out. Put this on over it and maybe no one will notice." He gestures to the two riders beside him. "This is Altan and Davaa. They will take you all of the way to Ak-Baral."

Arthur puts on the robe and nods to his escorts. "Pleasure to meet you, Altan, Davaa. "He looks back to Batu. "Thank you for all you've done."

The chieftain raises his hands, palm out, "It is just business. If you ever wish to rid yourself of more gems you wish to part with, look me up."

Altan turns his horse and nudges its sides with his heels. Davaa follows suit and the two Khurs take off at a trot to the north.

MEANWHILE, BACK IN KASHIN...

The green-cloaked mercenary walked out of Highlord Salah's office. The Khur warlord had been very surprised to learn that a silver dragon carrying a knight had been sighted. A bounty had been posted with 10,000 steel pieces offered for their capture.

Garek Smithstone nodded to his three surviving men and the four of them headed into town, retracing their steps from the day of the attack in an effort to figure out where that knight and his dragon had come from.