"Once again, you have my thanks, Ven. I expected as much, so we'll meet here in an hour. The rest of you, let's just head out and wait in the castle courtyard. That's no command, just a suggestion. I'll be waiting there, so if any of you wish to do something here in Tjed, before we leave that is, now'd be the time."
Aaron bowed to the king and then left the room. Doriana followed close behind, and they left the castle to find a bench out in the courtyard near a small fountain. "So, what made you decide to help me, Drow?" Aaron said as he seated himself.
"Oh, none really. I'm just getting bored again. There's nothing for me 'here', so hopefully battle will be a bit more enjoyable then calm aftermath... It's actually quite anoying, actually."
"Heh... well I never thought I'd reach the point in my life where a female Drow came out of the shadows and offered me help. And what's more, just because she want's to fight?"
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean? You think I'm one of those pittiable women who just sit around all day doing house-hold chores!? Forget that!"
"No, I'm just glad is all. You just so happened to be bored at the perfect time. It's going to be atleast a two day trip, but I'm sure you won't be too bored, what with the frequent water dragon sightings being reported at the northwestern coast, particularly the western coast."
"Water dragon, huh? Well, knowing Jason, he'd probably want to tag along just so he can get the creature's essence."
"Which is why I'm going to," said a voice from behind. Standing behind the bench in his white robes was Jason Tiberius. He was leaning on the bench with his hands grabbing the edge. "And I won't be going alone, it seems..." Behind him stood Jacobie and Dranniconias, ready to join their party and increase their chances.
"We're going to Ariosis, right?" Jacobie asked, "I've heard that they have very few stone castles, and that their cities are made of crystals and silver."
"Tis true," Aaron began, "our capitol is the most splenderous sight a mortal's eyes could ever see in their life time. The crystals have cursed all of Ariosis to remain on the island, except if the emperor says otherwise. And the castles we do have were crafted by the woodland elves in the great forests of Nurngar."
Aaron slowly spoke himself back into another reality where he was still at home, away from war and peace. It seemed as if time had stopped, and with good reason... It had stopped. In this imaginary world, Aaron saw all of his cities at peace. All was calm until a dark shroud began to cover the lands. The cities began to burn, innocent bystanders slaughtered, men women and children alike. Then all went black, as if the shroud had won its battle.
Suddenly, a circle of grass became visible, with him and Dranniconias standing on either side. "This is what will become of your homeland if Retan succeeds in his plot to rule everything. After the war has been won, you must immediatly bring up your army and lead them to Dranniville. That's where you'll find another high general."
Time began to flow again, and Aaron looked back at Dranniconias. He stared deeply in his eyes, seeing once again the blazing cities. "I have a map of Ariosis if you'd like to see it, Lizard-man..." with that, Aaron took out a map and showed it to Jacobie.
