The Greystone Chronicles Book Two: The Dire Lands Read online

  After a few minutes, he joined the others downstairs, and volunteered to help with breakfast. Sasha put him in charge of scrambling a bowlful of eggs in three large pans, saying even he couldn’t screw up scrambled eggs. He wasn’t so sure. Luckily cooking in Io was largely on autopilot, once you added in the ingredients.

  Carrying two large platters of lightly peppered scrambled eggs into the dining room, he found the others already seated at the table, along with Fitz and a grumpily silent Fibble. Fibble was apparently still holding a grudge over his bath two days earlier. When he’d managed to escape Lainey and streak naked past King Thalgrin’s party, Fitz had stunned the little goblin, who’d ended up in the garden fountain, unintentionally getting a bath, of sorts. He was wearing the small leather armor set that Lainey had crafted for him. And he didn’t smell all that bad…

  As they ate breakfast, Fitz filled them in on his visit with the dwarves. He reported that Thea would be returning that afternoon with the additional masons and their families. He winked at Brick, and informed them that she had hopes of joining the Greystone guild, along with Harin, Garen, and Dvorn, the three crafters. All of them had received more experience, levels, and loot in the week they’d been with Greystone than they’d had in their entire lives. Crafting could award experience, but at a much slower rate than killing a dungeon full of demons and some high-level players. They’d each received 5,000 gold as their share of the dungeon spoils. That was more gold than they’d make in several years as apprentice crafters in Broken Mountain. Not to mention the fact that there was a dragon forge in the Greystone compound, and a fancy new mason’s workshop at the newly discovered quarry near Whitehall.

  Fitz also informed them that Master Ironhammer would be returning with Thea, and would be bringing a dragon.

  “Shit, Fitz!” Max thumped the table. “Way to bury the lead! You couldn’t have started with the fact that a fire-breathing lizard the size of our house is on its way here?”

  Dragons, for the most part, disliked adventurers. Mainly because adventurers were usually trying to kill them, or steal their eggs to raise as mounts.

  “Ummm… Fitz?” Alexander began. “This dragon. Is it going to come swooping over the city, terrifying the citizens and getting us into hot water?”

  The old wizard snorted. “Of course not. Prince Kaibonostrum will arrive through the portal with Master Ironhammer. Do you think us fools?”

  “Prince?” Lainey asked, eyes wide.

  “Aye. The dwarves have a mutual defense pact with the dragons of the mountains. Dwarven patrols move through the dragon’s mountain territories, and discourage treasure-seekers and adventurers. And, in return, the dragons come to the defense of the dwarves when needed. King Thalgrin sent a message to the Dragon King, asking for a dragon to light the new dragon forge. The Prince was curious, and decided to come himself.

  “No pressure,” mumbled Brick.

  “Master Ironhammer will be arriving in less than an hour. I suggest you all get cleaned up. Alexander, you and I need to inspect your guild vault for a suitable gift for the prince. He is, after all, doing you a great favor by gifting some of his magic to the forge,” Fitz added.

  So, the friends hustled up to their rooms and donned their best clothing. Brick took some time to shine his armor. Alexander changed quickly, and then led Fitz to the guild vault.

  The wizard began to root around in the section of items they’d found in Fibble’s hole. There were items on the back shelves that were still unidentified, and of unknown value. Fitz took his time inspecting each one, before rejecting it and setting it back on a shelf. He seemed to be able to tell what they were, and had some idea of their value. After about the fifth item, Alexander couldn’t contain himself.

  “Fitz, we couldn’t identify any of those. But you seem to have no trouble. Can you tell me what they are?”

  “Hmmm… what? Of course, I can tell what they are!” He lifted a metallic rod about 18 inches long. “This is Skymetal. Very rare and valuable. This rod, if you were to sell it to the dwarves, would bring you a lifetime of spirits, maybe your own noble title.” Setting the rod back on the shelf, he moved to the next item. After a brief inspection, he said, “This dagger was owned by Queen Aristania of the Elves. It is enchanted to allow one of the elven race to levitate. Aristania was killed in the orc wars more than a thousand years ago.”

  Mouth hanging open, Alexander fought to keep from grabbing the dagger out of the wizard’s hands. Instead, he pointed to the first item on the shelf, a sphere of some silvery metal with engravings on it. “And that one?”

  “Bah! We’ve not got time for me to explain all of these to you. Hold still, boy!” The wizard slapped a hand on Alexander’s forehead, and the now familiar sensation of a new spell wormed its way into his brain. “Now you can see for yourself. Just think ‘analyze’ and focus on the item.”

  Alexander did as he was told, focusing on the sphere as Fitz continued to search.

  Mithril Sphere of Influence

  Item level: Unique, Artifact

  When activated, the sphere will negate all magic within a dome surrounding it. The area of influence depends on the amount of mana used in the activation. As will the duration of the effect.

  Alexander’s mind nearly exploded with the all the possibilities present by this artifact. Rogues would be unable to approach him in stealth. Teleport scrolls wouldn’t work. He’d be immune to magical attacks of any kind!

  He was distracted from his musings when Fitz cried out, “Ah ha! This will do nicely!” The wizard held up a silvery torq. Alexander used his new analyze skill.

  Silver Torq of Rebirth

  The wearer of this torq, if killed, will be reborn at a location of their choosing.

  Alexander was confused. The torq was made of simple silver, when other items on the shelf were made of mithril and even skymetal. The rebirth part was unusual, but if he got killed he would just respawn- “Oh, shit,” he said as he realized the importance of the enchantment. “This would allow a citizen, or a dragon, to respawn like we adventurers do!”

  Fitz nodded at his slow but accurate understanding. “Dragons are an ancient race. Beings of pure magic. They have power approaching those of the gods. But they cannot resurrect the dead. Each time a dragon dies, it is a horrible tragedy for this world.” he said solemnly.

  “I think you’re right, Fitz. It would seem a fitting gift for a dragon. And certainly, none of us would use it. Though I’m tempted to give it to Lydia, to protect her.”

  “I created this torq, many thousands of years ago,” Fitz said, mostly to himself. He was clearly focused on a distant memory. “When you’ve grown in your enchanting, I’ll teach you how to make one of these. And before you ask, you impatient imp, it is not a simple spell. It took me months to gather all the necessary components!”

  Alexander had indeed been about to press that very issue. Instead, he closed his mouth and followed Fitz out of the vault.

  Returning to the lounge area, they found Lainey making minor adjustments to Fibble’s armor. The little green warrior was posing, back straight, chest out, while standing on top of a coffee table. Alexander chuckled at their new statue. “Fibble! Getting your outfit straight to meet the dragon prince?” he called out.

  Fibble turned his head to look at Alexander, and Lainey smacked the poor goblin on the head. “Hold still!”

  “Fibble not meet dragon! Dragons eat goblins! Humans promised not to kill Fibble!”

  “The dragon will not eat you, Fibble!” Lainey rolled her eyes. “You are safe with us. And this is a friendly dragon. Good dragon.”

  Fitz added, as he walked toward the door, “Fibble, you will BEHAVE while the dragon prince is here. Or I will give you another bath!”

  Smiling at the wide-eyed look of terror on the goblin’s face, Alexander followed Fitz outside. The two of them walked over to the smithy to find Brick puttering around, adjusting tools and puffing away imaginary dust. He was clearly nervous.

&
nbsp; “Stop fidgeting, boy, and come here,” Fitz told him. Brick grinned and stepped up to the wizard, who handed him the torq. “When the prince arrives, you will present him with this gift as thanks for granting you the gift of dragon fire.” When Brick, looking at a simple silver torq, got the same confused look upon his face that Alexander had had moments earlier, the wizard sighed. Grabbing Brick’s face in both hands, he imparted the analyze ability upon him. To Brick’s credit, he was much quicker to pick up on the value of the gift than Alexander had been.

  He bowed to the wizard slightly. “Thank ye, Fitz. This be a worthy gift.”

  As they exited the smithy, King Charles led the Redmonds and a dozen guards through the inner bailey gate.

  “Greetings, Fitz! Greystones. It’s a fine morning to meet a dragon!” The king seemed quite excited.

  Alexander bowed his head. “Thank you, Majesty, for allowing a dragon into the city so that we might finally activate the forge.”

  Wasting no time, the group of them began to make their way around to the back courtyard where the portal stones were located. Alexander sent a message out in guild chat. It’s time. Fitz is going to open the portal in 2 minutes.

  Max came walking out of the stables, where he’d apparently been checking on the horse. Sasha, Lainey, and a trembling Fibble stepped out the back door of the residence. All of them bowed their heads to the king.

  Fitz waved his hand, and the portal activated. The first to step through were Master Ironhammer, Thea, and a tall man with silver eyes and hair so black it shone with a blue tint.

  Master Ironhammer bowed to the king, saying, “King Charles of Stormforge, I present to ye Prince Kaibonostrum o’ the Dragons.”

  King Charles and all present bowed to the dragon prince. “Welcome, mighty Prince. We are honored by your visit.”

  “The honor is mine, King Charles.” The prince bowed his head slightly. “It is rare for one of my people to visit a human city. Even more rare to do so by invitation!” His smile revealed an array of very sharp teeth.

  Brick stepped forward, bowing deeply at the waist. Holding the torq in both hands, he offered it to the dragon prince. “A small gift, mighty Prince, as thanks for granting yer fire to me forge.”

  Prince Kaibonostrum reached out and lifted the torq from Brick’s hands. He examined it briefly before his eyes rose to meet the dwarf’s. “This is no small gift, Master Paladin. I know this torq, and the one who wore it. It was lost more than two thousand years ago! How do you come to have this?” he asked.

  Before Brick could answer, Fitz growled slightly, distracting the Prince. “We found it in this goblin’s hole at the bottom of a dungeon filled with demons.” He waved his hand toward Fibble. “He’d been sleeping on it, along with some other ancient treasures. Said it was quite lumpy,” the wizard added dryly.

  “Ha!” The prince smiled that dangerous looking smile again. Fibble squeaked and held up his ‘stick’ as if to defend himself. “It is good to see you again, Fitzbindulum.” The prince actually bowed his head lower to Fitz than he had the king.

  “You as well, Kaibonostrum. We can catch up later. For now, you’ve got a forge to breathe on!”

  Taking the hint, the prince and the king led the way toward the smithy. Upon rounding the corner of the building and spotting the obsidian structure, the prince began to laugh.

  “No wonder Thalgrin was so tight-lipped. He told me this forge was special, but wouldn’t say why. He even threatened poor Master Ironhammer here with a shaved beard if he said a word!”

  The rest of the group hung back as the prince, Brick, and Master Ironhammer entered the smithy. The doors on both walls were wide open, so the trio could easily be seen inspecting the interior. The prince ran his hands over the walls, benches, and the forge itself. He chuckled again when he noted the roaring dragon’s head above the forge.

  “This is your work, Paladin?” he turned to Brick. The dwarf lowered his eyes and shuffled his feet uncomfortably. “Aye, partly, mighty Prince. I had help.”

  “Never have I seen a forge that was such a wondrous work of art. I commend you, Paladin Brick. It would be my honor to share my flame with you.” Brick bowed so low his beard touched the obsidian floor.

  Exiting the building, the dragon prince turned and leapt up onto the roof of the smithy. Extending his arms out to either side, his body began to grow and change shape. In just moments, where the human-like prince had stood, now sat a dragon.

  Kaibonostrum in his natural form was more than a hundred feet long from nose to tail. His scales were the same blue-black as his hair had been. Sitting on his haunches atop the smithy, his head extended nearly as high as the nearby wizard’s tower. He extended his wings briefly, as he shifted to make himself more comfortable on his perch, wrapping his tail around the back of the building. Compared to the dragon’s bulk, the 20x20 smithy structure looked like a small pedestal.

  In a voice that shook the land beneath them, the dragon prince called out, “I, Kaibonostrum, grant the power of my ancestors to this dragon forge. May it be used only to create weapons of light!”

  With that, he leaned forward, gripping the roof of the smithy with his massive front claws, and snaked his head inside the doorway. There was a whooshing sound, and a blast of heat that caused the gathered crowd to step back a few paces. As the mighty dragon withdrew his head, the obsidian stone of the smithy structure began to emit a silver-blue glow. When the glow faded, the dragon settled down on the rooftop, tucking his forelegs under him like a cat. He closed his eyes and began to hum.

  After a few moments, he opened one eye and addressed the king. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll stay here a bit. This perch is nice and warm, and the magic running through it tingles pleasantly!”

  Not one to argue with a dragon under any circumstance, the king simply laughed. “Of course, mighty Prince. You are welcome to stay as long as you like. In fact, you are always welcome here. My ancestors left the mountains ages ago, but we still remember the old ways, and we honor still the ancient treaty between our people.”

  The dragon bowed its long neck to the king. “I am glad to hear that, Majesty. Long has it been since a human has spoken so. We must talk again sometime about renewing ties.”

  He then looked to Brick, Thea, and Master Ironhammer. “I hear a whispering on the wind, children of Durin. Kneel, and ask for his blessing.”

  The dwarves immediately fell to one knee. Taking up hammers, each of them held it to their chest and bowed their heads. A moment later, there was a roll of thunder in the sky, and a bolt of lightning struck the smithy just above the main doorway, momentarily blinding all of those present. When their vision recovered, all could see the hammer symbol of Durin etched into the obsidian where the bolt had struck. The glass and silver highlights within the stone were blazing with light. The dragon prince chuckled.

  “It seems your god holds a grudge. He bids me tell you that weapons crafted in this forge will be a bane to servants of the Dark One.” He smiled, and the end of his tail twitched mischievously. “I could use a snack. Where’d you put that goblin? What was his name? Nibble?” he asked, laughing as Fibble screamed and tore off toward the wizard tower. “I’ve not had this much fun in ages!”

  Seeing the hesitation by the dwarves, he stretched his long neck so that his head was mere inches from Brick’s. “Are you going to sit there drooling? Or are you going to head inside and make something? I’m curious to see how dragon and holy magic will combine.”

  Not needing more encouragement, Brick and Master Ironhammer rose and rushed into the forge. Thea was more sedate, pausing to bow and thank the dragon again before heading inside.

  The king and the others retired inside to the lounge while his guards set up a perimeter around the house, and the three young dwarven crafters, who’d followed Thea through the portal, attempted to unobtrusively peek through the smithy doors. The dragon closed his eyes and resumed humming to himself.

  Sasha was the first to speak once
they were all seated. “I didn’t know dragons could take human form!” she blurted out.

  “Dragons are beings of pure magic, young lady,” Fitz responded. “They can take many forms. And as dragons predate humans by many eons, it would be more accurate to say that humans take dragon form.” He winked at her.

  “As to forms, the one you see him in now is not quite his natural form. He’s scaled himself down to fit his new perch. Kaibonostrum is an elder dragon, the son of the Dragon King. He is… well, let me see.” Fitz looked at the ceiling and appeared to count on his fingers. “He’s nearly six thousand years old now. As you may know, dragons never stop growing. In his natural form, he could cast a shadow over half this city.”

  “Fitz…” Sasha looked at him sideways. “How do you know how old the prince is?”

  “Silly child! I was there when he was born. That torq that Brick gifted him today? That was originally MY gift to his mother.”

  “Holy crap,” Lainey whispered.

  Max coughed and waved his hand at the wizard. “Uh… father time… you just said, ‘his new perch’?”

  Fitz grinned at him “Yes, well. When you are effectively immortal, time has little meaning. When he says, ‘stay here a bit’ that could mean anything from a few hours to several hundred years.”

  Sasha giggled. “He’s just like Fitz! Except we didn’t even have to feed him before he moved in!”

  Lydia and Sasha got up to make some tea and bring some treats for everyone to snack on. Outside, the ringing of hammer on metal had begun. Apparently, it didn’t take long for dragon fire to heat metal to a workable temperature.