Ironworks Gaming Forum - Dragon Revived, Chapter 1- Surprises from the Past

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Arlyth's ride was pleasant. The creatures of Avalon's domain kept the forest well maintained, it seemed, for there were no hostile creatures hidden in the trees and the vegetation thrived.
A loud roar alerted the young elf, and he turned towards the sound, which had come from the castle. He was startled to find a huge silver dragon hovering at its highest turret. Then his eyes made out Alae and Alaerth, both giving the dragon a pat on its snout. A few moments later, the dragon pulled back and flapped a steady pace towrds Arlyth, gaining altitude as it did so. It passed overhead, blotting out the sun for a significant amount of time, and he caught a glimpse of a dead...deer it lokoed like, clutched in one of its paws. He watched the dragon catch a thermal and soar up...then dissapear around the mountain.

Arlyth began to feel hungry as the sun passed its zenith and descended towards the trees. It was probably close to dinner. He turned his steed around and headed back, where the page who cared for his horse gave him directions to the dining hall.

When he finally arrived, he found his two cousins talking together near the head seat. Alaerth seemed to be in a much better mood, and when the two noticed Arlyth, they smiled identical smiles
"Little cousin!" They said at the same time.
"Jinx!" Alaeth shouted, and Alae's mouth dropped open in surprise, then she stuck her tongue out at her brother, who laughed before turning to Arlyth, "Come here, little cousin, dinneris almost ready! We are just waiting for your aunt to escort our aunt down when she arrives." Arlyth could see that Alae's word of him lightening up were true indeed.

Arlyth smiled in delight at the sight of his cousins; especially to see that Alaerth was in a much better mood then before. "Alae! Alaerth," he cried happily, and shot a sidelong wink at Alae, and hugged them both, literally throwing himself at the pair. Looking up at Alaerth, the young elf asked, "What do you mean? Your aunt to escort our aunt? Do you mean Aunty Sylquis will be bringing Aunt Alliene here?" neither of the pair failed to miss the affectionate "y" Arlyth placed on "aunty" for Sylquis, nor how he left it off for Alliene, though it was more a term of respect then anything. Looking at Alae, the boy asked almost immediately, "Whats for supper, cousin?" His tone was so childlike and innocent, you could have easily replaced the word "cousin" with "mother"; for it was the same voice a child would use when asking it's mother.

"Venison." Alaerth said with a wolfish smile, "Father was nice enough to catch one for us and drop it off. As for what else, I wouldn't know. Whatever the cooks decide go with it."
He was interrupted when several pages bearing platters lined in, setting the silver trays down at the center of the table, then filling the goblets up with wine, before they retreated back out of the way, on hand incase they were needed.
About half a dozen more people filed in-close advisors to the the twins, all chatting in a lively way as they took their seats. Alae started to look distressed, and Alaerth obliged her with her name, releasing her from the jinx. She favored him with a punch in the shoulder before they took their seats at the head of the wide table.
Alae took Arlyth's hand and placed him in a seat adjacent to hers, which had another seat-Sylquis's, open, and the one across from Arlyth on Alaerth's side open as well.
The general ruckus quieted down, as Sylquis swept into the room, Alliene close behind her. Arlyth noticed now she was wearing drow chain instead of the leather she had before, and the flail was gone, though her swords remained.
Everyone at the table stood as Sylquis curtsied to the twins and took her place next to Arlyth, giving him a small smile. Alliene approached Alaerth, a warm smile on her face, one that didn't touch her eyes. Alaerth took her hand with a smile and kissed it, then nodded, and everyone took their seats.
Even though Alliene sat across from Arlyth, she took no notice of him,
"After we eat, we will discuss what needs to be done about this problem." She told the twins in draconic, not wanting the advisors to overhear and get worked up. The two nodded.

Arlyth turned and looked at his aunt, and asked softly, "Hello Aunty Sylquis; might I ask what will happen after the meal?" the young elf said, keeping his tone low, so as not to disturb his other aunt. His eyes shifted over to her and then snapped back. He really didn't want to make eye contact with him. "After this, little cousin, you are going to bed." his cousin replied kindly, winking at Sylquis, who added, "Yes child, you must be tired from all that riding; and from the journey here, and you didn't get a chance to rest earlier, and an early night would do you good." Her eyes were looking into Arlyths, but she exchanged a look with Alae which said it was probably best to keep the boy out from underfoot. Out from under Alliene's foot. Arlyth, possessing at least, some inteligence, replied in a little-boy-voice full of meek obedience, "Yes cousin, yes aunty." his voice had overtones of 'yes mother' in it, and held a very faint note of cheek, but nothing they could punish him for. "Now hush, and eat your food." Sylquis told her nephew, and looked over at Alliene, her eyes clearly warning her not to touch the boy. She nodded her head to the drow matron, showing her the proper respect, but it was fairly clear that she didn't want any family disputes going on. Arlyth continued his food, totally unaware of the silent exchange.

Dinner was soon over, and one by one the advisors said their good nights to the twins and left, while the servants cleared the plates. Alliene stood up,
"Come," She said in a voice of cold command, "The study awaits our presence."
The twins nodded and stood. Alae turned to Sylquis,
"If you wish to take Arlyth to bed, we will wait for your arrival before we begin."

Arlyth swallowed slighly, wincing at his Aunt's cold tone. Bowing deeply to Alae, he said "Goodnight cousin, thank you for the meal. See you tommorow." he hugged her, and then bowed to Alaerth, "Goodnight, Lord Alaerth. Cousin." he said, his tone not quite as warm as for Alae. With stiff shoulders, he bowed extremely low to the drow, and said in near perfect drow, "Goodnight, Aunt Alliene." his tone wasn't cold, but it certainly wasn't warm. He waited for Alliene to reply. If she didn't,
then he'd turn to address Sylquis, leaving Alliene and the others.

Alliene's cheek twitched,
"You are no relation of mine, and if you address me with that title again, you'll feel the flat of my blade." Her voice was a deadly growl.
Alaerth chuckled nervously and seized Alliene's arm, "Thank you Matron, I'm sure he won't make the same mistake twice." He shot a warning glare at Arlyth; it had been a foolish move calling Alliene "Aunt". He and Alae, with Alliene between them, made their way out of the dining hall and up a flight of spiral stairs to the study, where they would wait for Sylquis (or whenever Alliene's patience ended) to have their discussion.

Arlyth sighed, and embraced his other aunt, who hugged him close then lead him by the hand back to her quarters. "You, sleep in there." Sylquis said kindly, pointing to a small bedroom. Her tone was firm though, "My bedroom is just across the living room, the door on your left, Arlyth." she told him, "Now, there is a bathroom attached to your room, and I expect a bath will do you good. You have been riding all day after all." she planted a kiss on his forehead. "The door right in front of you is another room, and through that is a storeroom, study, library and a dinning room. I expect you not to explore, but to go straight to bed. If I discover you've been nosing around, you'll be in trouble, understood?" she informed him, her tone stern. "Yes, Aunty." Arlyth replied, too tired to argue. With a long look at the boy, she finished, "I have to go to this meeting now, but I'll come in and say goodnight to you later. If your still awake, I'll be very annoyed, as I expect the meeting will run late. You may sit up for half an hour and read, after your bath. I expect you in bed though." Arlyth nodded, and hugged her. "Goodnight Aunty." he answered. "I'm not going yet" Sylquis replied, "I want to make sure you've settled in, first. Now, come with me."

The cleric led him through to his bedroom, and nodded in approval; his bags were already there; and so were several clothes of similar size to his. He could be measured for more tommorow. Arlyth's bedroom had two more doors to it; one lead to the bathroom, the other lead somewhere else. There were several bookshelves in the room, a small four poster bed, and a couple of wardrobes and a chest of drawers, and a chest at the foot of his bed. The floor was carpeted, and warm to the touch. Sylquis held her nephew in a tight embrace, and whispered, "Do not concern yourself with Alliene. Though somewhat untactful in calling her aunt, you were polite." she kissed his forehead, "Well you weren't to know. Just try not to call her that again, dear. I can only protect you so much, and patronising her would not be a wise move." the boy only nodded, confused and clung to his aunt. "Hush dear, it's all right. I'm not angry with you - if I was, you'd know it. Now, its time for your bath. If you need anything, just call a servant." With gentle hands, Sylquis began to undress him, lifting his tunic over his head. About three minuets later, Arlyth was in his bath, and Sylquis was outside her quarters, and marching towards the meeting. Entering the room without knowing, she closed the door, and chanted under her breath. The room became warded, and she nodded to Alliene. "I have placed my enchantments upon the room, and it is sealed. If you wish to place your own wards upon it?" she didn't mention her nephew, and it didn't look like she was going to. She ignored the twins as well.

Alliene nodded,
"I have already done so. Anyone who manages to open that door from the outside will be disintigrated, unless it is one of the four of us." She looked at the twins, who were lounging on a couch, "Now, tell me what the problem is, Alaerth."

After hearing his concerns for his kingdom and sister, Alliene remained quiet for a moment in thought, then spoke up "Normally I would tell you to remain here, Alaerth, and protect your lands, and I would accompany Alae and protect her." A frown creased her ageless face "But this is stirring troubles at House Streea. I can only stay with you for awhile before I have to go back and deal with this dead's House's upstarts. That is why I want you to go with us, so that after I am gone, you can protect your sister in my stead." The prince nodded soberly, and she looked to Sylquis, "You will remain here and keep the kingdom in their stead, I assume."

Sylquis also stood, and replied her tone cool, but respectful "If that is their wish," implying the prince and princess, "then yes, I shall do so, Matron Alliene." her eyes flashed, distant pain momentarily seen in her eyes. Her tone softened, "I had thought... that they were all dead. How is it that your enemies still live? Not a one of them should draw breath... They're House... we wiped it out. Completely..." the clerics voice came from another age, another time. Almost wonderingly. "But it seems that we did not." she finished, her tone cold. "Are they still able to invoke that rule? The one that will bring the city down upon you, Matron? Surely after all this time... no-one would heed them... that is, if a single heir survived. And Alliene, one other thing." Sylquis's voice was calm, but her eyes were sharp. "I would appriecate it if you did not touch my nephew. I will keep him out of your way; but if he irritates you, let me deal with him. His father's past... transgressions should not extend to him as well. He has done nothing to show that he is as foolish as Calaethis was." she nodded to the Matron, knowing she was treading on dangerous ground. She expected a sharp reply back, and expected Alliene to reply with something akin to 'keep him out of my way'. Her request, after all, was not a demand, nor was she threatening the Drow. "If you would grant this boon," she said, emphasising the request, "then I would be indepted to you deeply. Please Alliene?" she added. "I... would rather not see further strive between any of us." she nodded to the Matron again, and awaited her reply. It was not something that she usually would have done; and clerics did not beg. Ever.