#dreaming

The Ravens flutter in a disturbing swan like formation.... the skies of the Dreaming filled with dark feathers miming their more beautiful kin

Earl looks up, a giant in truth here...frost on his breath, and skulking in his shadow, his lady

"More beautiful." As if.

A deep chuckle from the troll. "Aye, Ravens over swans, always"

"Aye. Swans, bless, are dumb as rocks. Notlike these beauties..."

The lands look familiar, for she has been here before. Passages into cyclops ruins, items retrieved by a mistress of stealth.

"Is it just me, or are there more chimera around here? odd... I thought dragons tended to make them flee"

"He is not a typical dragon, nu?"

"I prefer him to Skallstryke" He says

"I as well."

that causes the Chimera i nthe area to pop up.. look around, and then flutter deeper closer to the lair.

Zara realizes that's why there are more ... they seek Nocturnus area, however shadowy, as a haven

"Terrible pests" A dignified voice says from further in, "Must I devour some of you for peace?"

"I fear I have a dreadful aftertaste."

"Why bless my scaled soul, could it be the lady who so once engaged me in a riveting game of chess?"

"It may well be."

"I see you have found happy residence where I quested for thee."

Nocturnus rises. Oh she remembers, but he is so grand to see. The dragon's plate-like scales are the color of obsidian, getting finer and less thick on his neck and tail. He has a muscular body. His powerful limbs with five closely-mounted digits on each foot end in sharp claws. Nocturnus has elegant, frill-like wings running from its shoulders to its lower back. The dragon's head is bluntly-formed and it has a mouth that runs most of the length of its face with a pronounced overbite and two serpentine fangs in front. It has angular mirror-like eyes that are red. The dragon has no visible ears.. his chin is very pointed. Bony knobs surround its nostrils. Two horns extend from Nocturnus' forehead. He appears, more or less, to be the size of a greyhound bus

"Happy enough, ah, " A sniff, "you've grown in power, little ghost. As has your mate."

She reaches to touch his snout in admiration and affection. "And you are yet the most handsome and genteel of drakes."

"Oh remind me not, these creatures of late confuse Genteel with Gentle. I may have to devour a few. That idiot is on the move and has sent all scurrying. Far too many to me." A hiss. But she can sense his ire is not with her.

"Ah. The heart of the matter."

Earl bows, "Better a dark wyrm of power and dignity than a crazed drake.... not that I wish to die to either, but if I had to be dined on by one.... I would choose you. Not that one gets a choice"

Nocturnus chuckles then twists his head, "The heart of the matter?"

"The one who comes. My honored friend, I am here to beg a boon."

"Where you talking to any creature but a dragon, I would tell you beg not, but well, dragons are different. But hold little one. You were a fine host to me once of sorts. I would not be a pour one to you. Have you tea you can prepare so you make talk in comfort?" A swat of a tail, and a giant thimble rolls to her, a moment later, a large throne from a forgotten king ... table and seat

"Aye. A wondrous brew, from a Grey One held captive by a False Unicorn..."

"Mmm a most interesting tale I sense. Please, arrange to your comfort. Tell me what you will?"

Zara settles, making a small ritual of tea and stories - indeed, the whole Library quest.

Including the encounter with Skallstryke.

Nocturnus hisses at the name. A dangerous sound like a thousand knives being scraped across a thousand wetstones slowly at the same time.

"So aye. You know of him."

"Know him? I can tell you how he tastes" A hurumph

"He threatens those I care for."

"And the favor involves him?" A frown, well, the draconian equivalent

"Well, your enmity is known."

"Perhaps to the educated, but then, that group includes you, Ravensoul. " Nocturnus says "I am pleased I am studied. I am worthy of much research"

"Indeed." She agrees. "More tea?"

"Yes," The Dragon says

She pours. "There is, they say, a prophecy. One of Hearth, Storm and Mountain. Three."

"Trolls they must be" The Dragon nods.

"They are. One is a breaker of shackles... and the second, the Wild Heart. My dear friend."

"The Wildheart allies with the Shacklebreaker? Intriguing. They might have a chance. Though it might cost them their lives. I wish them fortune's favor"

All hail Brekke Schacklebreaker! Hero! Chieftain! Troll ! ...boinker of Frank!

"They might. But... perhaps you can offer more than wishes?"

"Perhaps. They have asked you to come on their behalf?"

"I offered to negotiate a meeting. They must make their own plea and offer what they will. I would not direct them to your lair, that would be indiscrete and..." nose wrinkle "rude."

"There is something they might do to increase the odds.... yes," A chuckle, and Nocturnus' eyes spark with ..amusement, "I might rather enjoy it. Yes. I will meet with them"

"Thank you. Would you have a preferred place? Firnost, mayhaps?"

"The Near Dreaming near its gardens ,yes that will do. " Agreement. "But I have a favor to ask of you."