somber priest had finally agreed to accept Biff as a member of the group sent to accomplish his liege lord's desire.
'. . and I believe this strongly attests to the absolute superiority of East over West and the irrefutability of the position that the five sorts of evil dragons represent but four elements. To hold that the Western view of five elements is proven by dragons is a complete fallacy!'
This loud challenge was no easy task for the huge barbarian. Gord had spent several hours helping the poorly educated hillman memorize the speeches he would have to make. To Chert and Gord's surprise and satisfaction, the hillman had pulled off this presentation without so much as a stammer.
Chert did not understand many of the words he used in his argument, but he was convincing nonetheless — so much so that Poztif followed up by saying, 'Indeed!' and nodding his head in agreement, Biff, drawn out of his reminiscing, watched with keen-eyed interest as Gord offered his rebuttal.
'What force or merit does this assertion have, my friends?' he said, addressing both the barbarian and the cleric. 'In all due respect, yours is more a scholarly argument than one of theological sort. What say you, pilgrim?'
Biff took the cue easily. 'I cannot fault my spiritual guide's learned and pious opinion, yet I find myself supposing that five elements are possible.'
'Exactly!' Gord said with forceful delight heavy in his tone. 'Red is fire, blue is metal, green wood, black earth, and white air!'
'Your pardon, sirs, but I must suggest that both sides are wrong and right at the same time.'
All heads turned at this. A lean and cadaverous man at a nearby table had been the speaker. As the four turned in response to his interjection, the man arose, smiled eerily, and made a stiff bow. 'Allow me to introduce myself. Sirs. I am Maegus Yeo, a dealer in antiques and rarities. If I may be so bold, I am also a scholar of some repute on the Far West and its metaphysical teachings. My honored father actually came from the Suhfang Kingdom — a place virtually unknown to the Flanaess, but a veritable wonder amongst all lands, I assure you.'
'Your interjection is no offense, honorable scholar.' Poztif said with a pious tone. His three companions murmured agreement and Gord added, 'Your knowledge must be exceptional, Scholar Yeo, and I thank you for enlightening us. Will you tell us how it could be that we are right and wrong at the same time?'
The sallow-skinned man gave his superior smile once again, causing his thin, drawn features to appear more skull-like than living. 'I am always delighted to share my humble learning with those of inquiring intellect,' he replied.
Chert stood up and drew a nearby chair to the table where the four sat, hoisting the heavy seat as easily as if it was a flimsy stool. 'Pray join us then. Master Yeo, and we will learn,' he said.
'Actually it's Venerable Prince Yeo, if titles are to be used,' the man said with a haughty gesture. 'Some refer to me as a savant, others as a sage, but I am a simple man, so Scholar Yeo is sufficient. And whom do I have the honor of addressing?'
After proper introductions and the ordering of a special tea for the strange fellow, Maegus Yeo told them the truth of the whole matter. 'You, Master Gord, and the little hairy fellow for that matter, are correct in stating that Western metaphysical perceptions are the only conceivable expressions of truth. Five elements there are and always shall be. That was long ago proven by Scholar Thu Kin Boh.'
Gord smiled and began to preen. 'Then my argument prevails. .?'
'Not so, young fellow,' Yeo corrected him sharply. 'Dragons of the East have no connection with the elements. Only those of true sort, the imperial Dragons of Suhiang, are born of the elements.'
'There are dragons that stem from the very planes of the four — sorry, five, you say — elements?' Poztif said this with a doubting expression.
Yeo seemed offended. 'Pious cleric of the East, I do not speak of what I do not know. I assure you that there are five elements and five imperial Dragons that are born and dwell within them, visiting the world conglomerate only when they so choose — or are summoned.'
'Most enlightening, Scholar Yeo. Will you please tell me of these marvelous creatures?' Gord nearly pleaded. 'And I am most anxious to learn how each is distinguished from the other.'
'Of course, and I shall oblige in a small way. Golden is the color of the Fire Dragon, green that of Water, while blue is certainly of Air. The imperial Dragon of silvery hue is of Metal, and the one of violet shade is associated with Wood.'
The four others at the table began an animated discussion of the matter then, getting immersed in their quarrel over elements and colors and the possibility of different sorts of dragons existing at all. In the process they apparently virtually forgot that the scholarly Yeo was present. Although not one of the four seemed to notice it, being ignored like this made the scholar frown and grow irritated. After tensely fidgeting for several minutes and alternately picking up and then putting down his cup of tea, the man could no longer restrain himself.
'My honorable progenitor often remarked that the ignorance of your sort is monumental. You four, however, give even greater meaning to his words, and for this I must thank you. In return for such a favor, may I demonstrate the truth?'
'How so, Master Yeo?' Chert asked with forced sweetness.
'Scholar Yeo! Yet, I am also a collector as well as a purveyor of rarities and antiques. My humble gallery is just around the corner on the Avenue of the Temples. I would be forever honored if you would accompany me there now. Perhaps a look at my Five Dragon Bowl will prove beneficial in resolving this unnecessary conflict.'
After a brief conversation regarding, the man's-helpfulness and his undeserved kindness to them, the four disparate debaters enthusiastically allowed that the scholar's generous offer of enlightenment could not be refused. Following after the cadaverous Maegus Yeo like steps, with the halfling first Gord next, then the cleric, and finally Chert bringing up the rear, they departed the Silver Castle inn.
Poztif was pleased. So far everything had gone according to plan, from the rendezvous with the two added members of the party to the enticement of Yeo. Even so, the cleric was a little troubled about his part in gulling the strange man. No! He must not doubt the right ness of his mission, and he had not lied. He did not hold with the theory of five elements, and this business of dragons and their hues was most certainty balderdash. More important, he knew that Maegus Yeo was a vile minion of blackest evil, a servant of the Lower Planes, and the agent of a malevolent conspiracy here in Greyhawk. What Poztif was doing would serve Good and the nations who upheld weal, and would benefit his liege lord in many ways. It was just and proper.
'Here we are,' said the strange scholar Yeo. 'Now turn away while I dispel protections and turn the locks.'
Gord, surreptitiously peeking to see the means by which Yeo manipulated the portal so as to make it safe to enter, noted as he did so that the halfling was likewise engaged. A clever little thief for sure, Gord said to himself. I shall watch him closely when there are valuables about!
However, despite the efforts of both thieves, the evil Yeo was watching the group too closely to allow any discoveries. 'I believe I asked you to turn away!' he snapped at Gord at one point, pausing in his procedures until the young thief had turned his red face away from Yeo.
'Enter!' Yeo said finally.
The four comrades trooped through the portal, and Yeo shut and re-locked the bronze-barred door of oak and iron. The corridor was short, and a lamp burned in the room beyond, so they had no trouble making their way therein.
'My shop.' Yeo said emotionlessly. 'It is not of interest at this time, for what I have to show you is kept elsewhere. Follow me.'
The room they passed through was sparsely furnished with small tables and stands. Each held a leering statue of primitive sort, various jars, or other miscellaneous materials. Gord got the impression of hanging racks and recessed shelves that were crowded with other objects. Then the four were in a hallway. Yeo walked past a flight of stairs leading up, commenting that his own domicile lay above. This was true as far as Poztif knew, for the strange man was known to dwell above his studio and frequent the inn of the Silver Castle, where, if not in his personal chambers, could the fabulous object they sought then be? The answer was forthcoming from Maegus Yeo himself.
'Now we must descend to the cellar beneath us. The steps are old and worn. Use caution. Also, I have guards of unusual sort to protect my property. I must descend first and see that they are properly restrained. When I call, you are to come down — not a moment before. Is that clear?'
