The Dragonmire – Sheryl, the Fae-Touched – 28.09.2020

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Despite the desert sandstorm that battered the bustling metropolis of Kundar, Astra strutted through the streets like she owned the place, forelegs clopping down onto the sand packed ground with purpose.

“Astra, you could tone down the showmanship a little bit,” Sheryl chides her companion.

“Why would I when they all stare at me expectantly?” Astra chuffs, tossing her mane as a small gust of sand dappled wind blows past them on the street. “I am a magnificent creature, Merla. These desert folk have clearly never seen anything like me before, and they never will see the like again once we leave.”

“I do not think this will be the last they see of us, Astra,” Sheryl says with a little laugh, shaking her head as she pulls the piece of cloth over her nose and mouth a little higher. “We will have to return – or perhaps another group will. Our job in the catacombs was merely a reconnaissance mission. The copper dragon from the prelet’s vision wasn’t found.”

“Hmm,” was all the winged unicorn said.

The kobold and dragonborn of Kundar really were not subtle in their reactions. At least there weren’t city guards coming at them every third or fourth street from the surprised shouts and commotion the people were making. Being stared at wasn’t anything new to Sheryl though, so she took it in stride, waving hello to those they passed, even offering a little witty quip should it seem the kobolds or dragonborn gathered would be receptive.

That was another thing Ghesh had pointed out to them since he was from the desert jewel city he caught on first. Since Lady Khaosborn’s demise six or so months ago, it seems Kundar has gotten… better. The level of oppression on the dragonborns has dropped considerably, with slavery seemingly being banned overnight. Sheryl was glad for it and she could see her black dragonborn friend did not feel the need to use his hat of disguise after a time.

No one should have to hide who they are for fear of being ostracised by others.

“The elderly kobold, Krep, we met in the bowels of the catacombs was working for the Temple of Tiamat,” Sheryl started. Astra’s left ear flicked back to her indicating she was listening as she continued to strut down the street. “He had been bringing wheelbarrows full of gold to the drain we found for months. Of course, he did not know why, he was merely being used. A new, nefarious plot that uses subterfuge, and it seems like the Temple of Bahamut has decided to play the game too. Prelet Loran does not want the other temple to know they know what is going on.”

“That is why we are bringing that gaudy golden armour back to Daring Heights with us?”

“Yes. If it is needed, we can at least keep it in a place that’s inconspicuous and safe.”

“I heard the fire-bird man mention Daring Academy.” Astra glances back to Sheryl. “I take it, that's where you mean?”

Sheryl nods, looking around at the bustling crossroads they have gotten to where the teleportation circle is. They queue up, Bones, Igrainne and Faye in front of them, Ghesh deciding to stay a few extra days to reconnect with the city he is from.

“The vision the prelet had…” The grip the fae-bard has on the vines around Astra’s withers tightens slightly. “We found something that I believe is the tar Prelet Loran saw in his vision. It’s not natural Astra. I could sense the corruption within it.”

Astra is silent but Sheryl can sense a shift in her companion’s mood. Gone is the vaunting attitude, replaced by a clear, hard edged attention.

“All I felt from it was pure evil - the kind that takes over, erasing any trace or memory of Goodness and Light. The kind of thing that is not driven by wants or desires, but just… is.”

Their small group is called forward to stand in the centre of the teleportation circle. As the operators start to cast the spell and the sigils start to glow Astra finally speaks.

“The darker the night, the brighter we will shine, Merla.”

As the sigils flare to life and the teleportation magics begin to activate there is a moment where the kobold casting the spell sees a light brighter than the magics he is casting from the gem in the small female’s circlet. They blink and swear they can see a similar light reflected in her eyes. Then sand blows into their face and they have to wipe the small granules from their eyes. When they have finally gotten the pesky sand cleared the group is gone, the assistant operators already clearing and preparing the teleportation circle for the next group.