Shortly bothFeatherdown and Granwell appeared.
‘Thank you for all coming. Last night I had short visit fromthe old Grand Druid who told me that there would be a druidconclave today to discuss the recent problems, which you all nodoubt have heard about. The old High Druid and many of the druidsare unhappy with the methods of the new High Druid and were goingto discuss them.’
‘A few minutes ago I received a message from Quab who is atthe conclave. He said that there was a fight among the DruidCouncil members resulting in the deaths of some of the Council. Therest were severely injured but are being healed.’
‘I am not sure who died or what the problem is but I havedecided to go to the conclave and find out. There is no immediatecause for alarm, but until we find out more about what has happenedwe should be on alert.
‘Consequently I am now declaring a Dragon Warning.’
‘Anything you see out of the ordinary, report it to thenearest town watch guard. The gateway will be closed until furthernotice.’
‘Lord Granwell will be here closely watching the situation.I’m hoping this is a false alarm but if it is upgraded to a DragonAlert you should move quickly and calmly and wait patiently andquietly as in our drill sessions. It is absolutely imperative thateveryone treats this seriously and do not move from the sheltersunder any circumstances. If Lord Granwell has to fight he mayconjure horrible creatures, which will not care if you are a friendor foe. If you or your children get ripped apart or eaten you willbe to blame.’
With the helpof several members of the guard the crowd was disbursed butreassembled in the town square near the fountain where theyremained talking amongst themselves. This was the most excitingthing to happen for ages. Chantalot with Helix on his shoulderraced over to Featherdown.
‘Can we go too.’ asked Chantalot. ‘You might need someone towatch your back.’
I suppose thatwould be okay but I suggest that Lord Helix stays hidden and keepsquiet. Take this ring of teleport and use it if there’s trouble.’said Featherdown. ‘You do remember how to use it?’
‘Of, course I can dear brother. I haven’t forgotten how to usewands and rings, maybe a few other things but not them.’ saidChantalot.
‘Good.’ said Featherdown. Get your fighting gear on we betterprepare for the worst.’
‘What did Featherdown mean about whether you could remember ornot.’ asked Helix curiously as they went back to the inn to getChantalot’s fighting leathers and a sword.’
‘Well I died and was resurrected a few months ago and I seemto have forgotten a few things.’ said Chantalot.
‘I’ve heard of that happening before.’ said Helix. ‘Do youremember anything from the other place.’
‘No.’ said Chantalot. ‘Not a thing.’
‘That’s normal. I wouldn’t worry too much.’ said Helix as ifhe knew all about dying.
When theyreturned Featherdown was wearing his favourite old leather battlegown. On his hands he wore two gold rings and had an iron circleton his head inlaid with a ruby. He was carrying a Staff of Power.He handed Chantalot a ring of teleport , a wand of fear andbandolier of small healing potion bottles. If there’s a fight,leave and come back and notify the wizards here to be prepared fortrouble. The new High Druid is very unpredictable.
Featherdownpicked up the crystal ball waved his hand over it and an imageformed of a scattered tents on rocky flat ground. He willed theviewing sphere backwards away from the tents to get a widerview.
‘I gave Quab a communication crystal which had a signal markerin it in case we needed to go to the conclave.’ he said with amischievous smile.
‘They are at the Crown of Elements. It is the most amazingsight from a distance. It is circular volcanic mountain that risesa thousand paces out of the sea. On the top around the edges of thecrater are seven spires evenly placed around the crater and insidethe crater it is flat. It resembles a gigantic crown hence itsname. It looks like the camp is set in the middle of the flatcrater area.’
They saw alarge central oval shaped green canopy a hundred paces long andabout thirty wide. Completely surrounding the oval area scatteredrandomly were a couple of hundred small tents.
To the north ofthe oval area they saw a large charred circular area that lookedlike the remains of a tent that had burnt out but the mostconcerning thing of all was that there were groups of druidseverywhere who were arguing and with some sporadic fights here andthere.
‘By the powers, that doesn’t look good.’ said Featherdown.‘Hold onto my shoulder.’ and they teleported to the conclave twentypaces to the east of the central oval structure.
Close up, theoval area was a small wonder. It was actually three linked circularareas covered with a living mesh of vines forming an open tent likestructure. At the northern end there was a sort of amphitheatrewith stage and the southern end were tables covered with food andgoods. In the middle section there was a tiered fountain with alarge statue of a rearing unicorn, surrounded by benches, potscontaining unusual plants and cages containing small birds andanimals.
There wasshouting everywhere. It seemed like pairs of druids would randomlystart fighting, others would race over and quickly stop the fightonly to have another fight break out somewhere else.
Chantalotspotted Quab and called out to him. Quab turned, saw them and cameracing over.
‘What are you doing here. I didn’t send the signal to comeyet. It’s not allowed unless you’re invited. If the High Druid seeyou he’ll explode.’
‘I guessed he might have been one of the survivors.’ saidFeatherdown.
‘Can you feel it.’ said Helix using mindspeak to themall.
‘Feel what? asked Chantalot.
‘Close your eyes and use your mind.’ replied Helix.
They all didand Featherdown suddenly said.
‘Yes. I can feel it. It’s a sort of an evil, malevolentfeeling. What is it?’
‘It’s a Malign crystal, also called a Mutiny stone. Itradiates an aura of fear, mistrust and hate. They’re used to causerebellions and discontent amongst friends and allies. I’d say it’sthe current cause of the trouble.’
Featherdowncast a simple
