“I am Ogren,” the man began in a deep voice, “mayor of Valegis. I understand you are in something of a hurry, and I have no interest in kirii dung, so speak plainly and we can see how we may assist each other.”
Eric already liked him. “Forgive me for not being more forthcoming with Talis and your guards, but there are things we mean not everyone to hear. You trust those in this room to not speak of what we discuss?”
Ogren looked at them one by one, and Eric had the impression he was silencing them by doing so before turning his eyes back to the rogue. “Yes.”
Eric held his gaze. “I am Andier of Roir, one of the Ellorian Champions. My companions, Soliander, the Lady Eriana, and Lord Korrin, are nearby and awaiting help. You know that there is a Quest Ring at Castle Arking? They summoned us to help this world and now we need some help from you if we are to succeed.”
Ogren stared silently at him for several moments and then leaned back in his chair. “I heard the champions have been missing.”
“No longer.”
“I heard this as well. What proof have you?”
“None. And it doesn’t matter. You know that a force of men recently left Castle Arking for Ortham in Gisla. We are here to stop them.”
Ogren studied him. “And you believe sparis from the Kirii Cave will help this? How?”
“Do you know what this force of men carries with them?”
“Perhaps.”
“One orb of Dominion. They have already enthralled the dwarven queen and King Orin of Minari. We require the fish for a spell that will prevent us from being similarly affected by the orb.”
“And yet you are on a mission from that king to stop this orb from reaching Ortham?”
“Not exactly. His wizard Denir still thinks for himself and summoned us without the king’s awareness.”
“So then you are not on a mission from the king, as you told Talis. Why should I believe a man who lies?”
That was a fair question, and Eric thought quickly. “We are here on behalf of the Kingdom of Minari, and the rest of Rovell and other worlds, despite the Minarin king being compromised. It is at my discretion what to reveal to a man of Talis’ authority as compared to your own.”
Ogren seemed to appreciate that answer and looked at Jolian. “And who is she?”
“A dragon.”
A murmur from the guards caused Ogren to hold up a hand to silence them. “Will you honor me by proving that?”
Eric turned to Jolian, who slowly rose from her seat to stand near the fireplace and a window that was partially open to the darkening sky outside.
“Listen for the sound,” she began, “of your falcons screaming. I have done what I can to prevent them from sensing my presence, but know that they have no predators save my kind, and they will react when I let them know I am here.”
She whispered something Eric didn’t hear and morphed from her current appearance into the red leather-clad vixen he had become accustomed to. At the same moment, a horrible screeching of many birds erupted outside along with the shouts of men that Eric assumed were trying to control suddenly terrified giant birds. And Jolian’s shadow on the wall stopped looking humanoid, the silhouette of a dragon replacing it. Several of the guardsmen put their hands on swords’ hilts until Talis told them to stand down. Eric turned to Ogren and saw a sobered expression on his face. He gestured for her to sit, a glance at the window suggesting he wanted the reaction to stop. Jolian nodded as she resumed her seat, the disturbance outside ending.
Eric said, “We knew we would terrify the town, so we stopped nearby and hiked the rest of the way here.”
Ogren asked, “Why is a dragon involved?”
Eric answered, “It speaks to the seriousness of what is happening. The Orbs of Dominion are real and are a threat to the world order on Rovell and other planets. It is being taken to Ortham to the portal in the Hall of Worlds. Once it leaves, we may not be able to find and destroy it. Many kingdoms would end up under the control of whoever has the other orb. We need to prevent this and you can help.”
“How?”
“First, we need you to let Jolian transform into a dragon outside and fly back to the Kirii Cave entrance, and bring the rest of our group here without your people getting upset, or the guards attacking her.”
“How many are we talking about?”
“Just three, and another dragon that is in human form and bound.”
Ogren cocked an eyebrow. “Explain that.”
“It is my brother,” answered Jolian. She revealed how the orb compromised Brazin and the measures they had taken to ensure he was not a threat for now.
“And you would leave him here?” Ogren’s frown left little doubt as to his feelings about it.
“Listen,” began Eric, “it is getting late. My priority is to arrange for Jolian to go get the others before dark, which is any minute now. We can decide what to do with Brazin after. Will you let us do this? What can you do to calm everyone as she comes and goes?”
Ogren sighed but ultimately agreed to this much. He sent Talis out to spread the word and getting people to gather at the town square, where he soon stood before them as Eric and Jolian listened to him answer questions and concerns as darkness quickly descended. Eric wasn’t sure how well all of it was going, but it no longer mattered. He watched with a mixture of apprehension and amusement as Jolian walked through the throng to a clear area on the great lawn, where she assumed her true form. The wave of audible fear that swept through the crowd had hardly begun when she took to the sky with powerful thrusts of her wings. Several people hastily left as
