The air grew colder the closer he
rode to the coast, and Remenissions made another prayer as the scent of salt
air led to the sight before him: The Sword Coast at last.
The water ebbed and flowed with a
violent rhythm as waves crashed against the shore, the light of Selune and her
tears spray glow like liquid silver.
A biting chill blew off the water.
Warm months were gone, and the sea before him spoke of cold months ahead.
Remenissions
pulled the broken amulet from his pouch and stared at it, “A lot more trouble
then I'd have expected just to let the world be rid of this thing.”
The
paladin pulled his arm and back and threw his pieces as far forward as his
strength would allow. The dull and broken
remnant of a tooth flew into the water.
Whether it sunk to the bottom or floated he could not tell, as the waves
obscured most of his sight, and the crashing obscured his hearing
He
breathed in deep and let the cool air hit him for a moment, “I guess ideas of
traveling to the Moonshae Isles will have to be put on hold for a couple
seasons. But I suppose anywhere is better than home.”
His
face numb from cold, Remenissions turned his dappled grey around and started
the return trip to Daggerford, the roar of the waves gradually fading to a
whisper before being replaced by the silence of fall.
Remenissions had lost track of the
time, and the moon was little help in that matter. He knew he had not slept in
some time, but he had expected to go a while longer before delirium set in. He
was sure he must be unbalanced from loss of sleep, because what he saw in the
distance did not make sense.
He
was unsure of what it is at first, but as he approached was almost positive
now. He had found a giant boulder made
of steel.
"What
the?" Remenissions mumbled to himself. This was not the way he came. He
would have noticed something like this on the journey westward. He swung out his warhammer, resting its bulk
on the pommel of his saddle.
"Tread
lightly little warrior, what decision you make next may be your last." A
massive voice came from all around him as the boulder stretched out a
serpentine body, and flexed its reptilian wings.
The
dragon, for Remenissions recognized it for what it was, yawned. Its steel
colored scales shined bright in the moon light. Remenissions could not help but
gape at the beauty and awe he felt in this creature’s presence, at the same
time he felt his bladder constrict, and feared he would mess his breeches.
The dragon stood on its haunches, staring at
Remenissions. The paladin was unsure what to do. He would not stand long
against the dragon. He held the reins of his mount tight lest it try and run or
buck him off. The horse seemed to care little that the dragon was there,
enjoying the chance for a rest as it chewed on some of the dried grass of the
plains.
"Can't I take a nap with people trying to slay
me?" The dragon chuckled.
"You... you... you're..." Remenissions found he was unable to complete
a sentence as every story he had ever hear about dragons rant through his head.
"A dragon yes, and you are or were a warrior in the
charge of Torm." The dragon turned its head and eyed the paladin.
"A... pal-paladin... w-were...?" Remenissions
warhammer fell from his grasp, landing on the ground with a loud thud. The
creatures voice both soothed and terrified him.
"I am surprised you have not noticed yet," the
dragon clucked its tongue, and reached down placing one of its claws on
Remenissions horse. A bright light briefly lit the area around the paladin,
healing the wounds of the paladin’s mount.
"What species of dragon are you?" Remenissions
blurted. Terrified and embarrassed the paladin tried to apologize, “didn’t mean
to…”
"I am a steel dragon, I am known as
Steelheart."
Remenissions sighed and let himself relax. He did not
know much about dragons. He knew there are many classifications, and fortunately,
he knew he should be able to trust this
one not to devour him just because he felt like it. He also knew that
regardless it was a dragon and only a fool disrespects a dragon to its face,
"Thank you for healing my horse."
Steelheart the dragon chuckled and nodded, "but you
have greater problems than a dragon. You do not have to be the most powerful of
creatures to tell you are in turmoil."
Remenissions looked down at his own,
"you knew Torm by my tabard?"
"I knew Torm by the cloud hovering over your head,”
Steelheart replied, “it has his distinct method of justice about it and about
you." The dragon craned its neck down to look Remenissions square in the
eye, "You are at a crossroads."
"As I have been for the past year. This time the
paths are just clearer."
“You do not seem to
understand,” Steelheart replied, "you need to atone for what you have
done. I think Torm had great hopes for you. I can smell on you what he is
doing, and only one who has grieved him so much would have this done to
them."
"I suppose you are
right,” Remenissions replied “though a quick death would be an easier passing
then this." The paladin remembered the feeling of the lizard man’s blood
as it washed over his hand. “No,” Remenissions said, “everything I have done
has been by his law. He has no reason to punish me."
Steelheart the Dragon chuckled again, a deep throaty sound,
"are you sure? You are still early in your change. What have you done in
the last few days that may have angered him?"
"I have done nothing,” the paladin snapped. “I have sought justice when companions have
fled. I have fought for the defense of other people. And I have given swift,
painful death to the traitorous."
“'Swift
painful death to the traitorous?’” Steelheart replied, “and who were these
traitors?"
"A member of
a tribe of lizard men in the swamp that had turned on their other tribes and
started attacking human villages,” Remenissions said as he dismounted and
retrieved his warhammer. He could feel the dragon’s gaze never leave him.
"I killed him quickly seeing as he was a traitor to his people. Other's I
killed in combat, thus more slowly."
"Lizard men
tribes fight each other for dominance. As they have always done, did he betray
his own tribe?" Steelheart asked.
"No,” Remenissions shot back. “Though he did not
stand and fight valiantly. And if they have always fought, then why were they
all at peace until this one tribe found an amulet to allow them to control the
dinosaurs and use it to betray the peace of the land?"
"Are
you sure everything is as you claim?” The massive dragon sat back, shaking the
ground as he his oversized body came to rest, “Seems as if you may have
executed a lizard man, when you had the chance to bring him to justice. The
villagers he harmed may have been done some good seeing the creature go on
trial."
Remenissions snorted, "Justice and good coming of a
trial executed by those put in positions of power are rarities. I have seen
these trials often and have been taught by the ones that performed them. People
in positions like that are not to be trusted to make the right decisions."
"I can only surmise, young warrior, that you acted
in haste,” Steelheart let out a long slow breathe, “you can seek atonement, or
forgiveness. If you will excuse me, it is a beautiful night, and I wish to
enjoy it." Without a word Steelheart stood up on his back legs and
launched himself into the air.
A mixture of fear and awe once more filled the paladin as
he watched the steel dragon fly off into the night.
"Good night then, dragon." Remenissions mumbled
before once more mounting his horse and heading east, at least he hoped it was
east.
He rode for several more hours, or at least it felt like
several more hours. His eyes were growing heavier and heavier as he pushed on.
His eyes and ears were playing tricks on him. Many times he reached for his hammer
only to realize he was about to attack a shadow created by clouds and the light
of the moon.
That is why when he
finally realized his danger, he thought only of riding past his minor
hallucinations. That was until the first goblin attacked.
From piled grass the small creature leapt, mace in hand,
scoring a blow on the exhausted paladin.
He felt ribs crack and could smell the rust form the goblins mace as it
stained his tabard.
A second goblin tried to followed suit, only to trip and
stumble, dropping the mace on its own foot.
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Steelheart, dragon and adviser. |