#kc_necropolis

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At the Firnost Gardens, all is calm and peaceful

"It really is so pretty back here," Siv says, "Colton is meeting us here right?"

Sylvi nods. "That's what he said. Not sure which trod he's taking." She looks around, alert. The gardens are big, but big enough for a dragon? And it occurs to her that she's not at all sure just how big this particular Nocturnus is.

The gardens are huge, seeming to just sort of join the dreaming like a combination football field and eternity pool... somewhere out there is a temple to aphrodite.

A shift and Colton manifests along a path of silver flowers, armed and armored. When he sees Sylvi she barely has time to say hi before he's at their side.

"Hey..." she smiles, a brushes her hand with his briefly, but they're on a mission, so it's not time to cover him in kisses...though she kind of really wants to. A deep breath, focusing. "Okay, so...Siv, any idea where we're all meeting?"

"Further into the garden... I sent Dagmar a text but not sure if she got it."

"Okay..." and she heads in the indicated direction.

"I can't believe you guys are dealing with a dragon. " Colton says starting to take a protective lead without thinking about it.

Siv notices, "Colton, we're trolls too."

"Well, of course you are I..." he realizes what he's doing "Ah, sorrry."

"Don't scold him," Sylvi says loyally. Then adds, "That's my job." And she elbows Colton in the ribs, though with his armor it probably doesn't make much of an impression. "We'll be fine."

"So it is, apologies, Sylvi" Siv smiles and lets it be.

Colton oofs obligingly despite the fact the armor blocks it.

The gardens grow more magical, the flowers begin to get to the size of small trees, and the trees gain bark of almost metalic hues of gold, silver, and copper.

A bit of a grin, and she smoothes her emissary sash.

A soft sigh. "This is always so beautiful."

"So it is," A voice says and a shadow wings above them.

Nocturnus circles them, getting lower each circle. 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.

Sylvi blinks, looking up at the very impressive creature as it circles. "I....oh...."

"I am Nocturnus. I am the challenger of champions. I am he who has a different night's sky in every scale. A hundred hundred warriors have thrown themselves against me, and a hundred hundred warriors minus one did not live through the attempt, the last let go only to spread word of the price of foolhardiness against a dragon. I have given sage wisdom to witches, and kings. I have been dark hope and bright doom." He lands, a strong wind buffeting them all as he does, but only for a moment.

Sylvi recovers her balance, takes a moment to smooth her hair, then steps forward and gives a respectful bow. She straightens and clears her throat. "Nocturnus, powerful and glorious, I thank you for coming to meet us. I am Sylvi, emissary of Rivervale Lodge in County Bergen, Kingdom of Apples. With me are Captain Siv Waveborne and Squire Colton. We come not to throw ourselves against you, for that would be foolish, and we seek your counsel instead. But before we speak of that...I am told you enjoy tea?"

"I enjoy the respect implied in the offering of it greatly," Nocturnus tilts his head, "Well met, Emissary Sylvi. Greetings, Captain and Squire. You are wise and brave both to turn to a dragon for counsel for we are dangerous as we are are sage."

"Wow," Siv says "I mean, greetings your dragonliness."

Colton bows.

"I think..." Sylvi admits "...that we might not have been so bold to do so if we hadn't heard of your wise nature from a friend."

"No doubt you would not, but I try to be gracious from time to time. Free advice, little trolls. When someone compliments you, accept the compliment, but be ready to say no to whatever they try to sell you after." a throaty chuckle that sounds like it's coming from a large echoing cavern.

A tentative smile and a nod. "Point taken, and thank you. I..." she pauses. "How should I address you properly? By name, or do you prefer a title?"

"Just by name, I have titles, but we might want this conversation over before the year is. Besides, my name IS a title. So Nocturnus will do." The dragon says

"Then, Nocturnus, we come in need of advice and possibly assistance. Would you hear our story?"

"Bring forth the tea, and talk," A nod.

Siv brings out the barrel of tea, and tears the top off, getting smaller cups for themselves.

The dragon observes as Siv takes just a drop of greek fire, puts it on the tea, and lights it up to heat.

Nocturnus is not a creature that surprises easily, but this might be new to him.

"Gerd says it's a very fine blend," Siv says

The dragon shakes his head, "and a thousand sluagh wept. Still, it is the thought that counts." He takes the barrel and sips it, "mm better than I expected. Go on."

"I'm glad it pleases, Nocturnus. Siv's clever like that." She takes her own cup and sips as well before continuing. "Nocturnus, the troll lodges of Concordia face a dire threat. It has come before, and it has killed before. And now it comes again to destroy a lodge, though we don't know which one. It is Skallstrike...and we need help."

"Skallstryke may only be slain by trolls, one mountain, one storm, and one hearth"

"Yes, I've heard this. But...can those trolls have help? Do you know of any weakness the three should know about? Or maybe if there's a good way to distract Skallstrike at a crucial moment?" A pause. "For such information or aid, I would be in your debt."

"As would I" Siv says.

"I'd join in too," Colton says

Sylvi looks at the other two, a tense nod of gratitude.

Nocturnus says "Ah, wilders, their blood is often the grease of the machinery of any adventure. Are you so eager to be in debt to one such as I?"

"No." Sylvi shakes her head honestly. "I'm not eager for it. But...it is what it is. My Chieftain, Siv's mother, is one of the three. My Lodge, my home, is at risk. My family and my friends are at risk. Other lodges, other trolls' homes, other trolls' families are at risk. I'm not eager to be in debt to you, Nocturnus...but there is a need, and I am willing, if not eager."

"There is but one thing to do to drive Skallstryke mad with fury to distract him even in the middle of a battle to the death and yay, even weaken him. It is not safe. "

Siv looks ready to say something impatient.

"Yes?" A calm sip of tea, a curious tone, though like Siv she wants to jump on the notion.

"Steal his hoard while they fight him. Rob him blind."

Siv blinks.