*I ask that specifically because, if I recall correctly, you unlocked the human racial Ability when I unlocked the Dragon racial Ability. BeastScape allows us to take the forms of other creatures that live here on Earth. Maybe you can transform into a human,* Garath explained. *And if you can, then maybe you can help me conquer the Dungeon.*
The Dragon seemed to consider Garath’s proposal for a moment before responding. *I see now that there was a purpose to your question, although you should be more deliberate with your choice of words. I am relieved that you are not quite as stupid as I had assumed.*
*Wow, Aldrasyl. Thanks,* Garath said with mock sincerity. *That really means a lot to me. Anyway, what do you think? I can walk you through how to use the BeastScape Ability if you want.*
*I am a Dragon.*
*Now who’s being thick?* Garath asked. He was just called stupid by a gigantic winged reptile who then went on to answer his question by pointing out literally the most obvious thing in the world. Garath felt a sense of danger as the Dragon got to his feet and the Necrologist hurried to smooth over his insult. *Obviously you are a Dragon. I just don’t see how that’s relevant.*
*It is relevant,* the Dragon replied simply. *Why would a Dragon take the form of a human? I am clearly of the superior species.*
*I don’t mean to be a dick, Aldrasyl, but maybe that superiority complex you Dragon’s seem to have is the reason the Sandrani hunt you.* Garath regretted the words the instant they escaped his lips. To be fair, if Garath could be a Dragon, he would always be a Dragon. *What I mean to say is. . .* he was cut off with a snarl before he had a chance to recover.
*Do not apologize,* the Dragon said with a threatening tone. *You said what you meant. Another difference between humans and Dragons is that you will rarely hear an apology from a Dragon. You are far from the first to accuse the Dragons of arrogance, Garath. Regardless, I grow weary of this conversation, so let me phrase this in a way that leaves no room for confusion. I have no desire to assume the form of a human, nor any desire to accompany you to the Dungeon.*
*Ohhhh kay,* Garath replied. *Well, been nice chatting with you. As always,* he said, standing up to leave the rooftop. Then, an idea occurred to the Necrologist and he turned back to face the Dragon. *Aldrasyl, where do you do your hunting when you leave at night?*
Aldrasyl swung his long neck around to face the Necrologist. *East.*
*The mountains?* asked Garath.
Aldrasyl nodded and slowly began to stretch his wings.
*Would you mind terribly if I joined you?*
Not long after their almost-friendly conversation on the roof, Garath was in his Osprey form nearly half a mile behind Aldrasyl as they soared due east toward the mountains. The Ice Drake grudgingly agreed to let the Necrologist tag along, but he had warned Garath that a ‘tiny feathered raptor’ wouldn’t be able to keep pace with a Dragon. Garath didn’t disagree, but he did promise to do his best not to fall behind.
The airborne Necrologist fell behind almost immediately, but pushed his Stamina bar to the limit in his desperate attempt to keep up. His chest and shoulders burned with every flap of his wings until he couldn’t continue the grueling pace. Resigning himself to being wrong once again, Garath spread his wings wide and coasted on air - losing a great deal of speed and falling even farther behind the Dragon in the process. He called out to Aldrasyl in the silent language of the Dragons, but the big white reptile either didn’t hear him or didn’t respond. Silent language, go figure.
It occurred to Garath that he may know a way through that little loophole and sent a Party invitation to Aldrasyl. He wasn’t sure it’d work, but was delighted when he received a prompt stating that Aldrasyl had joined the Party.
*I know you said I wouldn’t be able to keep up,* Garath told Aldrasyl on the newly established Party communication channel between heavy breaths. *And you were right. You mind taking this trip a little slower?*
Aldrasyl responded with what Garath took to be the laughter of a Dragon. It sounded in his mind like the delighted I-told-you-so of an overly-smug volcano.
*Acceptable,* was the Dragon’s simple response.
The Ice Drake slowed his pace considerably, and eventually Garath caught up. Together they glided through the moonlit night, toward the mountains east of the Guild Hall.
*Any particular destination or quarry in mind?* Garath asked as they passed over a heavily wooded area outside what had once been the city lines.
Aldrasyl made eye contact with Garath briefly before pointing just ahead with his white scaled snout. Garath was amazed at how easily he could make out the Dragon’s expressions even from so far away, wind hammering at his eyes, and at night while in his Osprey form. The Necrologist was relieved that they wouldn’t be making the long flight to the Cascades and turned his attention to the direction Aldrasyl had indicated, his eyes scanning both the countryside and the sky for danger. He pulled up his World Map to try and figure out how far they’d flown and was slightly alarmed to see that they had left the ‘safe zone’ as indicated by the soft green overlay on the semi-transparent map.
The white Dragon began his descent, and Garath followed closely. Aldrasyl’s eyes were glued to the landscape below as he followed a large river that wound between the heavily wooded peaks. Garath traced Aldrasyl’s gaze to the forest below.
*What exactly are we hunting?* he asked when Aldrasyl continued straight past an unnaturally large elk without a second look. Garath couldn’t be sure, but a huge freaking elk sounded like a perfect snack for a Dragon.
*I am not particular about the
