I still remember
the first time that my Atara brought me to Cloudkill City. Our
family lived near the base of the mountain, my parents, and eventually
my toror, created things of beauty from precious metals. My parents
named me for my mothers seler, who had been a kindred herself,
before dying in a fight with a scouting party of giants. Even
then, they said, that they knew my path would be different from
the one they and my brother tread. Thus it was, that when I was
able to, I studied to become a kindred. But, I digress...
We made our way
up Mt. Fang to the top, around which existed the splendor that
was Cloudkill City. I remember how wonderful it seemed to me when
my Atara brought me that day. I remember the sun, nearly dazzling
as it reflected off the white marble columns. Parts of the city
were built upon permanent clouds which cloaked the peek of the
mountain, even upon the clearest of days, held there by magic.
The city itself was not built upon the very peak of the mountain,
but about four-fifths of the way up the mountain. The peak itself
was reserved for a shrine to Io, the NineFold dragon father of
all dragons, Bahamut, the God of Light and wisdom, and Arcanic,
the goddess of magic.
My Atara and
I wandered the streets of the city, passing the great libraries
and soaring spires which various dragons called home when they
were in the city. The city itself was home to hundreds of gnomes,
elves, and dwarves who were vassals to Clan Cloudkill, and even
more who were freeman, and stayed here because they wished to.
My greatest
memory was of the Clans gathering area. It was one of the two,
to my thinking at least, most beautiful spots in the entire City.
The second being the temple at the top of the mountain, which
I would not see until I was a Kindred many years later. The gathering
area was made of dozens of pillars, ringing a large oval stadium
of sorts, where the hatchlings learned and practiced the skills
which would keep them alive. Each pillar intricately carved into
the shape of those dragons, and kindred, whom had done such great
deeds for the Clan that warranted special remembrance.
When we arrived at the gathering place the entire arena had been
taken over by merchant stalls, for we had come to the city on
Market day. Perched on one of the columns was a young adult silver,
sunning himself and enjoying the cool breeze. My Atara had come
to find some more red gold to work into a necklace which she had
been commissioned to make. While she haggled I stayed by her side
and stared in awe up at the young dragon. I couldn't help thinking
how pretty his scales were in the light, shimmering as he breathed,
down his flank. I was young enough that some of the larger words
were a bit out of my reach, but I knew what I wanted, and I wanted
to fly. Which, to my mothers amusement, I shouted out for all
of the nearby merchants and shoppers to hear as I pointed at the
young dragon, who was too busy paying attention to an older female
across the market to hear what I said. I can remember a sense
of disappointment, and of realization as it dawned on my young
mind how small I was to him. Just as that hit me and tears gathered
at the corners of my eyes, a man knelt down before me.
His eyes were
the first thing which struck me, so silver that I could nearly
see myself reflected in them, as he studied me gravely. Fearfully
I clutched at my mothers skirt and stared at the stranger with
wide eyes. Just as suddenly as he had appeared a smile spread
across his features and he winked to me. "When your older,
child, when you are older we will fly". He said, to me and
my stunned mother, who didn't even have time to great him before
he was gone, heading across the market. So went my first meeting
with Lord Sutton, father to Jean Sutton, the current Lord Sutton.
His words stayed with me, and they eventually came true. We flew
in good times and in bad, through war, and through peace. Dear
Bahamut, how I miss him.
----------------
The two of
them were shown to guest quarters inside of the Aerie, the spartan
chamber, easily large enough for a visiting wyrm, was more then
enough space for Jean to remain in dragon form and stretch out
as he pondered. Laureine made herself at home with the cluster
of furniture, around a small fireplace in the corner, for kindred.
The small amount of equipment and meager possessions she had managed
to bring with her easily fit in stone shelves carved into the
walls.
Jean was the
first to speak, thinking out loud from where he lay stretched
out, tip of his tail flipping about as he spoke. His left side
was towards her, so Laureine could even pretend that his crippling
wound didn't exist. The loss of an eye was serious to one who
flew, for with its loss, so did they lose depth perception. A
fatal flaw when engaged in aerial combat.
"Two
days doesn't give us much time Laureine. Where are we to find
enough people to become a clan, or even vassals, before sundown
in two days? If I go home and bring Rhylin and Arielle here they
will be killed for what they are. Even Rhi would not last long,
especially once Bloodtide finds out it was her who killed Malice.
If we return to the clan we will certainly be followed, and they
will be put at risk." His tone was musing, as if he were
working out a simple problem. The elf was silent for a while,
pondering his thoughts, before she shook her head and spoke.
"The
only way I can see is to bring all of the remaining vassals here,
leaving none behind to be attacked. My son will have to hide somewhere,
as will the other half dragons, but they are good at that. The
only problem is, how do we move the entire clan in two days time?"
