To The Moon And Back

With a deep sigh, Henri Fitzroy settles into a plush armchair in the parlour of Orianna's home. The jacket he had been wearing, now caked with dust and reeking of smoke, hangs just out of sight in the entryway - the rest of his garments faring no better but remaining on in for present company.

Absent-mindedly, his hand works the ruby eye that he received, twisting and turning it over in his hand as he watches the others shuffle in.

"Would anyone like to have some tea or kaeth?" Orianna asks, quickly moving to deposit her equipment before leaving the others to settle in the front room.

"Kaeth would be so good right now, thanks Orianna." Toothy says with a smile before realising his still topless state and quickly putting his Hawaiian shirt back on.

“Ohhhh I’d love some tea, please”, Lolli says cheerfully. “Would you like any help Orianna? I know a spell that can help”.

“I would not say no to some assistance,” the tiefling calls from the direction of the kitchen.

Lolli smiles and pulls out her magical Lollipop wand. She whispers some words, waves her wand and directs her magic towards the kitchen. A colourful glow is sent toward the kitchen with a flourish of sparkles. Then, all of a sudden, all the teacups and plates come to life. They start doing their own jobs in the kitchen. The plates move towards the pastries, each of them scooping up a few cakes, pastries and biscuits and before heading towards the sitting room. While in the kitchen, the teacups march over to Orianna and wait patiently to be filled, in a single file and ready to head once filled up.

“They’ll move when you pour in the drink”, Lolli says to Orianna. “Hope that helps.”

Elarris, keen to seem useful (and well aware that he was woefully out of his depth with powerful elementals) heads to the kitchen to help Orianna. His chainmail feels out of place in the homely rooms, so he unbuckles his sword belt at the kitchen door, holds it for a second, hears the song of the sword and regretfully buckles it back on before walking into the kitchen.

“You are welcome to put your equipment whenever you wish, Elarris. You do not have to worry about anyone taking it, despite what Henri said earlier,” Orianna says as she bustles around the kitchen, bringing a large kettle over to a stovetop whilst using her tail to indicate to Lolli where to find the cups.

Elarris smiles a thank you at Orianna and his hand strays towards his belt for a second before it jerks away. ‘Can I help?’ he surveys the kitchen cautiously.

She purses her lips, having noticed the motion but choosing to wait to ask about it. “Yes, there are some baked goods, I think, in the cabinet there,” she gestures, “and plates over there. Feel free to take them all into the other room.” She smiles and begins to prepare the tea and kaeth accordingly.

Elarris opens the cabinet and surveys the cakes, biscuits, muffins and donuts filling its shelves. His stomach gives an audible rumble and he guiltily grabs plates and fills them with as wide an assortment as he can cram onto them then balances the precarious stack on his arms as he walks very carefully back next door.

Lolli’s animated dishware shuffles in behind him, and Toothy, Henri, Lolli and Elarris each receive a plate in front of them with a selection of treats. Another plate with treats waits for Orianna to return.

Toothy looks to the group as a whole before asking "How are we feeling? Is everyone doing okay after all that?."

Lolli turns towards Toothy “I am glad to be back here. Those elementals at the end seemed pretty tough. I’m happy we didn’t have to fight them…”.

Henri nods in agreement. "It would not have gone well for us, trying to fight four Incarnates. From what we heard of the last time someone fought with Glastor, it was tough. And, that wasn't in his home." Henri wags a finger to punctuate the addition, shaking his head lightly.

“Ohhh wow! Yeah no good… But you had seen them before, right? And wait so with them all getting together you think a war or something is about to happen now?”, Lolli then reaches for a biscuit and takes a bite.

Toothy nods, happy with the answers. "Well I'm glad we're feeling okay, I dunno, it could have been fun to take them maybe... if they're banding together and powering up to fight on their home turf then it's gonna be even harder to confront them when that time comes. At least I'm assuming that's what will happen against Glastor and these Incarnates right?"

The question hangs in the air as Toothy is temporarily distracted by the magical arrival of treats into the room. It would be rude to not pile up his plate, after all.

Orianna is the last to come in, bringing in two large pots, one stout, one tall. The short one has the tea, which she begins to pour for those who wish to have it. Her expression is pinched when she answers Toothy’s comment, “Something of that sort, yes. Soon.” Her gaze flicks up to Henri.

Henri holds her eye, briefly squinting in thought. "Yes.." He turns his head towards Toothy and then Lolli, his eyes following moments after. "It's a long story, but these Primordial Incarnates are still bitter about how the Dawn War ended. Not all of them, luckily." Henri's tea cup begins to float up towards his lips, and he takes a sip. "But enough to be trouble."

Elarris leans forward, swallowing heavily. "I'm sorry," his mouth is still grappling with a few crumbs of muffin. "The Dawn War? Primordial Incarnates?" He pauses, slightly embarrassed. "I'm new in town."

Henri smiles, and after taking the tea cup by its handle, a napkin floats over to Elarris. "No need to apologise. The Dawn War between the gods and the Primordials is what set the current balance between the inner and outer planes. The Primordials lost, thanks to the Archwyrms-" Henri says, stopping with a smile once he has realised what he's said "-the first dragons, created by Asgorath."

Elarris sits bolt upright in his chair. His eyes fix on Henri and his hand strays briefly to his belt, then flutters away. "... dragons, you say...?"

Henri's smile fades slightly, his eyes narrowing. The ruby he had been turning slowly in his hand as he spoke stops. "Yes. In fact, you just missed one."

Elarris does his best to seem unconcerned. "Oh yes?" He looks around the room briefly, puzzled. "Not in here...?"

"Well," Henri sighs, "you've met Valethra. But no, no Archwyrms are here now."

Elarris nods cautiously, his eyes flickering across each person in the room. "Like the ones who beat the Primordials..." his voice is flat.

“In the long ago, yes.” Orianna’s bright eyes study the curious and unknown man. “Do you have an interest in dragons, Elarris?”

“I have met some,” his voice stays flat, devoid of emotion. “Two, maybe three. In human form. In a way that’s why I’m here. I have found them… to be complicated. I don’t mean to offend those, ah, archwyrms present.”

“There are none present,” Orianna says, trying to assure him. “But you are right. They are quite complicated at times. You say you have met a dragon or two before. Where did you meet them?” Her expression is open and curious as she puts another muffin on the plate in front of him.

Elarris hesitates. “It’s a long story,” he says eventually. “I was a knight in training when the Twins asked a favour and I agreed. She…” he catches his breath. “She was so beautiful… But it wasn’t quite what it seemed. Many things changed as a result and I am looking for understanding. But they left me with a gift so for that at least I am grateful.” As he says gift, two large spectral dragon wings spring from his back and curl around him protectively before disappearing in the blink of an eye. “But tell me sir,” he turns to Henri. “What did you mean when you said archwyrms were here?”

Elarris catches Henri's eyebrow raised in curiosity as he turns, though a breath later it is gone. His eyes flick to Orianna before returning to Elarris. "Out in the Dawn Market. That figure that bumped into me?"

Henri opens his palm, and the ruby begins to float upwards of its own accord, spinning slowly a few inches from his palm. "You were in the presence of the Gemstone Prophet, The Great Seer, Throdrazz the Garnet Dragon."

Elarris gives a small, sad smile. "I've never heard their names before," he almost whispers, then looks up at Henri. "You know her then? There are still archwyrms? They're not lost to legend...? And... is that to do with the Primordials... returning?"

And quietly, so as to not disturb the flow, Toothy asks "And when did Throdrazz even show up??"

"Sorry, Toothy, one moment. Before I continue-" Henri raises a hand, palm out, a finger extended in pause. "You must forgive me, Elarris, but there are very few that even know of the Archwyrms, let alone seem to be familiar with them. These Twins. Do they have names?"

Henri flicks his gaze over to Orianna once more to see that she, too, is hearing what Elarris is saying. She watches Elarris intently, studying him. In her mind, she hear's Henri's voice.

She glances at him, offering a partial frown and tip of her head. A gesture that clearly means possibly, maybe, unclear.

Elarris considers for a moment. "I don't know. They didn't tell me if they did. A brother and a sister, almost identical, I think. There was a quality about them that... I don't know. I suppose I should have guessed they were more than they seemed but I had been in barracks for most of my adult life. Looking back, I was very naive despite the body count. I only saw them twice."

He sits in silence for a long beat and adds in a low shuddering voice "and then there was the king... and his daughters... whatever they were. Something dark and amorphous in the end..." he shakes his head. "But I don't speak about that."

He looks up at Henri again, oblivious to the exchange of glances. "But whoever she... they were they were as elusive as Th... as your friend in the marketplace."

Henri nods, though the explanation surfaces more questions than it answers. "These Twins don't sound like anyone I have met, but yes, the nine Archwyrms have been awakened. The Primordials seek the keys that they guard."

His eyes linger on Elarris while he turns to Toothy. "As for Throdrazz... they enjoy taking different forms." From around Henri's neck, a strand of silver begins to float out until it weaves an image in the air.

!300

"They bumped into me in the Market."

Toothy gawks at the conjured image, slightly confused before putting things together. "Oh right! Sorry, I forget the “other forms” part sometimes. But thanks for explaining and showing. And it's cool Elarris you already know so much, there's a lot going on so having a head start is good." He gives him a reassuring smile before looking back to Henri. "If Throdrazz is showing up like this, does that mean they have plans for you too Henri? Do you want help?"

"Well," Henri grins, snatching the ruby out of midair. "Throdrazz's words were, 'Apologies my Herald. I'll watch my step next time.'"

"Well shit, look at you!" Toothy grins widely back and offers Henri a hearty slap on the back as congratulations.

"Aha-" Henri stammers, rubbing his shoulder. "Thank you, Toothy. Though why they didn't say anything last time, I don't know. My next steps are clear, though - I'll have to get Throdrazz's key back."

Elarris gives a wry grimace. “So, without wishing to sound like a child bugging teacher… herald? Key? I mean, if it’s ‘need to know’, of course, no problem. Not looking to compromise op-sec. But… if you don’t mind?”

Henri gives Elarris a wry smile. "I am sure Orianna or one of the others can explain more about what it means to be a Herald, but consider it an Archwyrm's... representative, amongst mortals. The heir to their bloodline."

The image Henri's silver threads had woven begins to untangle, until it creates a number of different shapes in mid-air. A disc with eight slots around a central crystal. The pieces that they had recovered, from Kessarax and Azharul and Throdrazz and Vulcunax.

Orianna opens her mouth to start explaining, but sees Henri is in his element: centre of attention and loving it, and so sits back to let him answer.

"To call them keys is a bit incorrect. The nine pieces come together to make the four keys, and the four keys unlock the four... er, locks, that keep the Primordial Behemoths from re-forming." Henri catches Elarris' eye, aware of the further questions that surface. "If the Primordial Incarnates are the representation of their elemental planes, the Primordial Behemoths are the result of combining them all and all elemental forces into four immense beings."

At Elarris' prompting, Henri continues, explaining that the Archwyrms had been sleeping but have since been woken, either by us or by the Primordials. They had hidden their keys across the planes for safekeeping, with only each Archwyrm knowing the location.

Henri holds his hand aloft, all five fingers spread. "We had retrieved five of them from their Archwyrms. But, unfortunately..." Henri trails off, glancing briefly at Orianna. The look he gives her is one of guilt, or regret, or apology.

"Two of them were taken from us. Vulcanax's key, which enables the holder to cause great environmental disasters. And Throdrazz's key, which enables the holder to see glimpses of the future." As he explains, he drops a finger for each.

1.
Elarris gives a low whistle. “These keys are not chopped liver,” he frowns.
"No, they are not." Henri cocks his head to the side in thought. "Now, what else.. Oh yes. That giant black marble door we saw in the Plane of Smoke? That is similar to the ones that I conjure, but it's..." His hands shuffle in mid-air, as though to mime out something being unsteady. "It's unsanctioned. The Primordial Incarnates of Ooze and Smoke conspired in the Court of Sorcery to learn the spell necessary to do such a thing."

Henri shakes his head. "It's impressive magic. But that door will lead them to where the defeated Behemoths were cast out, beyond time and space. If they get a piece of those Behemoths, and undo the locks, then they will become Behemoths themselves." Henri grins, winking at Elarris. "And while I can respect the drive, I quite like visiting the elemental planes as they are."

Elarris gives a crooked grin in return. "You can go far and you can go too far." He pauses. "So... the Archwyrms are awake? Forgive me, this might come out wrong but it's meant respectfully - why are such powerful beings seeking heralds? Why not do the job..." he trails off. "Why would dragons hire humans indeed. Maybe I should have asked the Twins that."

“Would you rather those who have such longevity and power make decisions that could affect us shorter lived people?” Orianna asks Elarris. Then she shakes her head, a small rueful smile curling her lips. “It goes beyond that, of course. The Heralds, we are… possibly the mortal descendants of the Archwyrms. It is, in part, an inheritance, but also in part something we have always been part of.”

Elarris looks around the room carefully. "Are you all heralds?"

“Ah- no. Just Henri and I. Toothy’s partner, Florian, is a Herald. That is why he knows a few things. But the others are not here.”

“Currently.”

Elarris scratches his chin thoughtfully. “When you say it goes beyond that… I’m guessing this is just part of the story. Whatever we did or didn’t achieve tonight. Do you know what they will do - what they need to do - next?”

"Well-" Henri begins, "if their goal, or one of their goals, is to become Behemoths, there are two major obstacles. Reaching the dead Behemoths is one, and the Door to outside time and space will get them there once they manage to open it. They still need, ah, a demi-god's worth of power to do so. Give or take."

Henri looks to Orianna and the others, and eyebrow raised as though to confirm what he is saying. "And then they need to release the power of the elemental planes. The locks keep it diffused and allow for the Incarnates to exist. If they remove the locks and hold pieces of the previous Behemoths, the energy will coalesce on them. And to do that, they'll need all the keys."

Orianna nods, her confirmation that Henri has it right and that the situation truly is that serious.

Henri's eyebrows shrug in response, and he takes another sip of tea. "Regardless, there is little we can do here and now. It would be good to know who the remaining Heralds are, though, if they are even nearby. Curious how all of us, other than Flame, live in Daring Heights. Maybe Eroshria and Azharul should come by and have a drink in the Dragon, do some people watching."

Elarris rasps his fingers thoughtfully over his unshaven chin, nods almost imperceptibly and addresses the room respectfully. "I would like to help if I can be of use. I am not skilled enough as a warrior to tackle the forces we just met, but what skill at arms I have is at your service. It seems to me, somehow, that there is a reason you are all in Daring Heights although I cannot begin to understand it. What I do know is that I am here for a reason and it feels like this might be part of it."

Henri smiles, and raises his tea cup in a toast. "Well then, Elarris. Welcome to the family."

🌺 Soph as Toothy 🌺
🍭 Emma as Lolli (Jennifur Cottontail) 🍭
⚔️ Stephen as Elarris ⚔️

©️ The Kantas Expanse MMXXIV