Dragon Revived, Chapter 1- Surprises from the Past

[Lady Blue03]

"Wonderful...just wonderful." Alaerth muttered, getting out of the throne and setting the letter on a brazier, making sure it burned away. As he turned to leave and go see Sylquis, he bumped into someone, stepping on their foot in the process.
"Ow! What did you do that for?" Alaerth directed his gaze down and found he had stepped on none other than his sister, Alae, looking dirty and sweaty, but still beautiful. He quickly jumped off and chuckled.
"Sorry sis, I guess I didn't see you down there."
Her fist thumped his chest, "Very funny." Her silver eyes sparkled as she looked up at him, but concern drew her brows together, "You look distraught, brother. What is wrong?"
Alaerth relayed the contents of of Calaethis's letter and informed her that his young son was here as well.
"Wonderful...just wonderful." Alae said when he was done, bringing a smile to his lips, Well, Aunt Alliene will be here in a few days. Can we go speak with Lady Sylquis? I want to know what Calaethis told her about this."
"We can indeed. Lets go."
Alae accepted his arm and the two made their way to Sylquis's chambers. Alaerth knocked once and opened the door, letting Alae step in before him.
"I hope we are not disturbing you, Sylquis." Alae glanced curiously at Arlyth before speaking, "But we would like to discuss this note Calaethis sent us."

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Sylquis looked up, and inclined her head. Now they were in private, she could be less formal with them. "Children," she replied, "This is really not a good time. Could it not wait?" she said with a sigh, "I have not even opened the letter from my brother-in-law yet." looking at her nephew, she placed a kiss on his forehead, and told him gently in elvish, "Go and wait in the other bedchamber. In fact, bathe and then rest for a while, my nephew. I shall converse with you later." Giving him one last squeeze, she released him, and gave him a gentle push. Arlyth took a look at his cousins, and bowed deeply, and went off to do as he was bade. He was quite fatigued, and it showed. Sylquis had been addressing him as a child; not as a noble and the two waiting for her to address them could not really blame her for putting them to one side.

"Now that the child has been seen to, what is it you wish to discuss?" she paused, "If you will give me a moment." She opened her letter, and briefly scanned it, and smiled at it's contents. Then she looked at it again, and spoke a word in another language. Calaethis's image; an ethereal one formed in the room. It's resemblance to Arlyth was uncanny, though it's eyes were far older and wiser. Upon closer inspection, it's hair was different; and it seemed to have scales for skin. Arlyth was by far more handsome then the figure; strikingly so. But the image of Calaethis was no troll; indeed, by most standards it was incredibly handsome. It spoke.

"Greetings Sylquis. As you can see, your sister and I joined, and I would formly welcome you, as my sister." the image smiled. "Though this image is animated, you may ask it questions; I have put enough magic into it; for it to answer as you would. Do not fear, for only you could activate it. Ask what you will." It turned to look at the twins. "And you... you are my cousin's children. I would appologise formally for not writing to you sooner, or in more detail. You will be unable to contact me, for by the time you get this, I will be long gone." the image turned back to Sylquis. "Your sister is safe and well, and wishs you all the best. The boy does not know of what will - what has become of us. He will not know until it is too late. Take care of him, please. I am glad to see you have propsered. I look forward to seeing you again, in the future. For we will meet. But for now, ask your questions."

[Lady Blue03]

Alaerth leaned forward to get closer to the image. That was Calaethis? He noticed the golden scales right away and could probably guess why Avalon wasn't keen towards him and why Alliene had disowned him,
"What is this danger that is coming to our kingdom? And what must we do to stop it?" He demanded of the image. After his sister and family, concern for his kingdom came next.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

"Of that, I cannot say. I know only that a darkness is coming; and there are demons behind it. Baator, or Tanar'ri, I cannot say; one of the two, definately. But I expect you'll have to deal with pit lords, and balors and all manner of nasty beings. I would advice you to seek out my one-time cousin; she will be more familiar with creatures such. As for how I found out... you need not know; only that it was at great cost to myself and to my other half. Have you any more questions, Prince? My time grows short."

Throughout this, Sylquis had remained silent.

[Lady Blue03]

Alaerth scrubbed his hand through his hair and Alae frowned.
"How much time do we have? Matron Alliene will be here in two days."

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

"Enough time, young prince. You have several weeks at least. However, I would have thought the sooner you set off; the better. I would also not trust this to any of your henchmen, but to go yourself. Your army will be needed to defend your lands... my suggestion is that you go in a small party, of no more then eight or ten at the very most. Six would be a better number. I would also advice that you leave a trusted advisor to watch over things until you return. Sylquis would be my suggestion; as family, she will not betray you."

[Lady Blue03]

"I do not wish to leave my city when it faces such danger." Alaerth grumbled, and Alae set her hand on his shoulder to pacify him before he lost his temper,
"Forgive him, Lord Calaethis, he puts great care in his kingdom. Where must we go to find these demons? I hope it is not far."

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

"Then do not leave, young prince. Stay here and defend it. Send your sister in your stead. You may, or may not be able to avoid destruction on your own, Princess, but if your brother's will is to stay and fight the demonic hoards that will surely pour through the rift, then so be it. Many will fall, including the capital if this is not stopped." the image paused. "There is nothing to forgive, I understand his devoltion to the kingdom, and it is to be commended. However, in this case it is misplaced. It would be far better for you to attempt to stop the demons." Sylquis spoke, her voice hurried, "My lord, brother... what do you mean? Are you well?" The dragon-elf's voice sounded again, "My time grows short. I wish I had more time to converse with you; but I do not. You must travel to one of the planes, I fear. I do not know; ask Alliene when she arrives. And Sylquis, we will meet again, never fear. But for now, you cannot know; must not know what has happened to me. I... am... undergoing another change. Tyra is fine. However, I fear that Arlyth will be our only child. I know that you will care for him; and you have our blessing; do with him what you will; I - we trust your judgement entirely, dear sister.

You will not see us for at least another hundred years, I suspect. Take care, all of you; and farewell. I would say 'give my regards to Alliene'; but I doubt that she would accept them. Instead tell her that this darkness concerns her as well; and has spawned from within her home. The house we once defeated... well... they are involved. They're survivors at least. Tell her the time for petty hatreds is past; and she will need to aid us - you - if we are all to survive. Tell her that the Underdark will fall next. It is her that they are after as much as you two. They would wipe our linage from the face of the earth. All of us, myself, Arlyth, Avalon, Alliene and Sylquis included. They would also dispose of you two, my dear cousins." Calaethis spoke, looking at the two half-dragons, his gaze both at once sharp and sympethetic. "I would help further... but I have my own war to wage. If the gods are willing, we shall meet again before all of this is through. Do not try to contact me for your own safety. Now, farewell. And may the gods go with all of you."

The image was fading even as he spoke the final words; leaving the room in silence. The only sound was that of distant splashing, as Arlyth was obeying his aunt in bathing; though it was quiet and muffled. Eventually Sylquis spoke. "I... would wish to be alone for a while, children. I have much to think about, and would confere with my deity... but... if you wish to ask your questions, do so now." the elven priestess swallowed, and both half-dragons could see she was almost on the verge of tears; she hadn't seen her brother in over two and a half centuries, or indeed, her sister and it was clear that she still loved them both very much. It was evident at least in the way she treated they're child. "And children, I don't want to hear any comments about the outline of my brother; I'm sure you both noticed that he was more draconic then elf, and the vauge outline of wings. His neck is more arched then I remember it. I expect you both noticed the horns..." she sighed, "I had hoped he was over this... I see he is not." she looked at them both, "It is a long story, and I do not wish to repeat it, but after Calaethis left with my sister, he was almost elven again; the draconic changes gone from his system. Something has made them... begin again. My brother... used chaotic, wild magic at one point; and could invoke wild surges; I fear that he may have delved too deeply into it. Though, I suspect not. I would think... by his words... that he has to find answers himself. I wonder whom he fears. Or who his nemesis is... it does not matter. Ask me what you will." she sighed, and sat down on the edge of the couch, guesturing for the two half-dragons to do the same. "And Alae, I suspect your journey will take you far further then you could ever have suspected..."

[Lady Blue03]

Alaerth had been pacing, obviously upset about this whole thing. His eyes were tinted a faint red, a sure sign of danger, which Alae quickly recognized. She gripped his arm and nodded to Sylquis
"We understand, Sylquis. We will speak to you at supper." The princess proceeded to drag her twin from the room, closing the door behind them. Alae turned to him, "I know you are concerned for our people, brother. You should remain here. Aunt Alliene and I will go by ourselves."
"What!" he roared, "You'll be doing no such thing! I don't care how strong our aunt is, you're not going to face danger and certain death without me! What would I do if you died! Its-" He choked off his words with apparent difficulty. A vein was popping out on his neck and his eyes were shining red.
"Then think, Alaerth! Lord Calaethis suggested leaving the kingdom in Sylquis's care. You know she would do a good job!"
Alaerth growled and stalked down the hall, leaving his sister in the hall. She sighed and shook her head, knowing better than to chase after him when he was in a mood like that. He would calm soon, as it was obvious being torn between protecting his kingdom or his sister was stressful. Perhaps she should use the mirror to contact Alliene. Her council would help set Alaerth's decisions straight.
Decision being made, Alae went up to her rooms where Alliene's mirror stood.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Arlyth emerged from his bath, and dressed in silence. Knocking on his Aunt's bedroom door, as she was nowhere to be seen, he asked softly "Aunt Sylquis? May I come in?" A muffled reply of "Of course, sweetheart." was heard, and Arlyth entered her room. Beckoning him over to the bed, she put her arm around him as he sat down. Briefly, she explained what had occured, leaving out a few minor details.

Afterwards, Arlyth nodded, and went to look for his cousin, Alae; leaving his aunt alone in her room. Where she began to summon her deity to confere with...