Walking down the road a lagre blue Ogre is flanked by two robed men. They walk briskly toward the Shady Corner, stopping to look inside before ducking his head and entering the Inn, the men follow in suit.
The Ogre looks down at the angori, then rises from his strained seat. Moving swiftly around the table the ogre deftly ducks the rafters and stands before Kevass. His body is covered in a thick hide of blue skin caked in mud and he has several Carvings handing from his belt. Each is a small stone dragon or a drake of some kind and they clang as he walks. Some are as large as a man's hand.
At his side a large tree stump serves as a club. It is banded in iron and studded with spikes. Dried blood is mingled with fresh mud on the head of the man sized weapon. The Ogre smells like a fat man that has never seen a bath and sweats heavilly. His teeth are a mangled mess of yellow tusks mixed with brown and black rotting nubs of teeth. His breath could knock a buzzard off of a dead man at fifty paces.
He snorts and leans forward, coming face to face with the tall angori. "Bonescale?" he bellows, shakeing the roof and ratteling the shutters of the shady Corner.
?What of Bonescale??
Kirell bellows back over his mug, not bothering to turn and face the smelly interloper.
?I believe you have found your quarry?.
The Angori turns to face the new comer.
?Are you the reason he?s here??
?Are you the one that he has come in search of??
?He awaits you on the edge of town?.
?He has killed a warrior of Jastrey already?.
?One of my overzealous companions failed to heed all warnings?.
?He is a worthy foe, who brings death on swift wings?.
?Perhaps you have the fortitude to best him?.
?You are a mighty warrior, that much is clear?.
?I feel it in the air, your victory is at hand?.
Kirell stands and slowly walks toward the Ogre.
?Yes; I think you are the one?.
?But I fear for you?.
?I could not ask you to face him alone?.
?Are your companions worthy?.
?Are they prepared to give all?.
?That much he will demand?.
?Follow me I will show you the way?.
Kirell motions to the three newcomers as he turns and walks to the door.
As he draws within site of the group, he pauses and as the crowd surrounding the skeleton disperses he points toward the skeleton of Atrius Bloodbrand.
"There is your Bonescale".
(Performance Charm).
?I love the smell of napalm in the morning?
The Huge ogre looks puzzeled at Kirell and bellows, "Bonescale!" Thumping his huge club on a table he booms, "Bonescale, Bonescale, Bonescale!"
He turns from the angori mid sentance and smiles bradly at his two companions that seem to be taking too much interest in the words of the angori. The ogre booms, "See me find Bonescale friends from mests past." he looks very pleased with himself.
The two men seem enthralled to the angori's every word. Even befoe the spell washes over them they seem entranced some how. Their dark eyes flickering a reflection of the hearthfire that warms the room. Their hoods are drawn up over their heads and a slight hiss can be heard from the one on the right as the angori turns to face them.
The spell seems to have effected all who are in the room save the large ogre.
As the Ogre turns away Kirell fosuses his attention on the two robed figures.
"Come friends let us sit and drink, you can tell me all you know of this Bonescale".
The Angori pulls two chairs back from a table and directs the robed figures to them.
"Bar keep bring ale. We will enjoy a drink while we talk".
As the figures sit, Kirell rounds the table to the other side, brushing back their hoods as he passes.
"I love the smell of napalm in the morning"
The men sit and watch Kirell intently. Their cowels come from their heads easily. The first man is older, his face is lit up in a smile and sweat is beading on his bald head. The second man is yonger but his head is equally as bald. They take the ale brought to them and drink.
The older man clears his throat as he sets his mug back down. We are here dragon born to lay an achient wurm to rest and to find the heir of his brood. Drathenix has sent us to this distant shard to do their will. A vile dragon Scorch has met a terrible end by the patrons of this town and the Bonescale have been kind enough to allow us somewhere to stay.
They too reveir the dragon lord and all of his glory. Tell me brother do you know the teachings of the true custodians of time and in fact Orn itself?
The men sit on the edge of their seats for the answer as the ogre thromps over and quietly says, "Bonescale."
The Angori thinks for a monment before answering.
"I was among those tasked to slay Scorch, a fact I assume you have gathered from my appearance."
"This condition came upon me as soon as the death blow was delivered."
"I have not heard of these Bonescale, although I am a student, learned in the history Orn and the Dragons and I know the history of Drathenix."
"Is it I you are in search of? No it can not be."
"What a truly ironic thought. I a loyal student of knowledge and history being sought out by that which I study."
Almost a circular argument don't you think?"
He draws a deep breath, "bartender I need another drink".
?If all you?ve got to live for is what you?ve left behind, get yourself a powder charge and seal that silver mine.?
"You are indeed says the older man. We seek you for the funeral rites of the dragon Scorch. A member of his brood must preside over the ritual. Will you join us? It would end our search and hasten our departure from this shard. It is very cold here and we do not wish to tax our Bonescale allies much farther." the man states.
"Indeed I will."
Kirell answers as he finishes his ale.
"Kevass, I will return in due time".
Kirell says as he gets to his feet.
"Where are we going, and will I need supplies for the trip?"
The Angori exits the tavern and waits in the street for his new traveling companions.
"I would not be in the street when that thing wakes up."
He says to anyone within ear shot.
"I love the smell of napalm in the morning."
"Stay your legs lad, we will not ne ready for several mests. The moons must be right for the ritual to be exicuted. We must gather some reagents and precious herbs as well." The man rises followed shortly after by the younger man. They finish their ale and pull their hoods up over their bald heads once more.
"We will come back for you just before the moon is right." the man smiles reassuringly. "Would you mind lighting my ogre's torch for me. Your dragon breath should do the trick" the man winks.
The ogre tromps down the tavern steps and produces a tree wrapped in a bloody shirt and covered in tar. Holding it up to Kirell he booms, "Bonescale!" once more.
Kirell obliges the request. and with burst of flame from his mouth lights the torch.
"I shall look forward for your return."
The Angori watches the three as they leave town, then returns to the tavern.
"Kevass, if you wish to protect the people of this town I recommend that they are not in the path of that abomination at sundown."
"The first thing we should do is to kill all the lawyers."
"Kirell be careful with these new comers I will go with you if you wish, in case something goes wrong."
"In regards to our ghostly friend, respectfully, I for one am not going to condone Jastrians fleeing from their homes. That is what happened when Scortch and the gnolls came. We have worked too hard to gain some symbolence of security for our fellow Jastrians. It would be destructive to the towns since of safety to evacuate. I say we simply instruct the townsfolk to remain in their homes after nightfall. Who knows this thing might be more like a good watch dog. Anything that enters town after nightfall will have to contend with Atrius. I know I won't know what will happen, but I would hate to destroy what we have worked so hard for over unneccessary panic. Also, I don't like running in fear. If I am to die I would prefer to die with the sword in my chest and not my back. We should stand watch the first night to see what will happen. What do you think?" After his statement Kevass hears the squawk of raven outside he follows Kirell over to the town post where the raven sqawks.
"Thats what I've been saying."
"Don't be in it's way."
"Your right the security of their homes will likly be the safest palce for them to be."
"I intend to be in the Tavern personaly, but then it might as well be my home."
Kirell follows Kevass out side.
"Never More"
Kevass speaks to the to men and the Ogre. " Hello I am Kevass. The Sheriff of Jastrey. What brings you here? May I be of service with anything?"