[Mkguild] Indy’s/Kamau’s part – merged

[Indagare]

Sorry for the delay. Many snafus.


-Indy

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It didn’t take much time for him to close the distance and clearly see what
the creature was. In a word, it was huge.



It stood at least nine feet tall and looked almost like an ogre except for
its brilliantly red skin, wild white hair, and a pair of large, yellow
horns on its head. It wore what looked like an elegantly embroidered blue
loin cloth with pouches around the waist. There was another band of thick
leather that looked like tiger hide, and that held a huge spiked club to
its back.



The winged mage focused on the manna about the creature. There was no doubt
that it was carrying something that was magical. Giving a tap to his
protective medallion he slowly spiraled down making sure that his descent
would not be seen as aggressive. Coming within hearing of this creature
Rorlyn  ready some of his magic just in case there was trouble. The gryphon
called out “who and what are you?”



The figure looked up. “I am Hikariarashi Kasaima. You might call me an
ogre, though I’m really an oni. We’re related but not the same. Why don’t
you come down and introduce yourself? I don’t like straining my neck.”



Rarely did he make first contact as his size and form frighten many, but he
made an exception for this sizable visitor, “Good to meet you Mr. harry
rush you ka simon, er, Harry I rash you, ah,” Rorlyn felt somewhat
embarrassed and so simply continued “Mr. Long name. I am Rorlyn. Being on
patrol I must remain airborn.





“Rorlyn, eh? I’ll remember that. Not too many griffins where I’m from. It’s
been a long journey and through a lot of hostile territory. If you’re not
going to come down, I’ll be on my way to the Keep.”



Using a bit of his magic to aid him he came into a low hover just out of
reach of the creatures weapon. If he was going to the keep, Rorlyn wanted
more than a visual report.



“What land do you come from? And, if I may ask, what is your business at
the keep?”



“It’s called different things, and you’ve almost certainly never heard of
it. One name, by some, is the Broken Empire. Another is the Thirteen
Kingdoms. What I’m looking for is information. Even as far away as I come
from, the library of Metamor Keep is a thing of legend. I’m not looking for
trouble, but I can handle it if it comes.” He chuckled and tapped the
handle of his spiked, iron club. At close range it was even clearer that
this weapon carried some form of magic, though it was thankfully not a
runic weapon as far as he could tell.





“Information? Well you’re certainly not the first to be looking for our
library. I’ll let them know that you are coming. Just like myself your
appearance could easily project less then peaceful intent.



As Rorlyn had not yet finished his sweep of the valley he flew up the
valley far enough to be out of sight and gave out a cry to call out one of
the patrol members. A rabbit morph soon appeared, and the gryphon quickly
passed on the information then resumed his flight north.



The small keeper raced to the gate where he informed the officer on duty of
all that Rorlyn had passed onto him.



“Oy.” The officer exclaimed “As if we don’t got enough trouble with lutins!”



“Well, if he doesn’t cause trouble don’t give him any! But I’m going to
find Misha and alert the Longs and anyone else I can think of!”



Kasaima, when he arrived, was not surprised to see a rather large number of
soldiers around the gate. At their head was a being that looked like a
humanoid horse. He’d wonder if that was true or simply rumor.



“I am Duke Thomas of Metamor Keep. I have been informed of who you say you
are and why you state you are coming. We are fairly welcoming here, but we
don’t want trouble.”



Kasaima laughed. “If I wanted to give you trouble, that griffon wouldn’t
have made it back. I’d advise you all to stand back so I can give a
demonstration!” The guards, being no fools, stood back as Kasaima lifted
his iron club into the air. “Hi to raito, okiru!”



>From the spikes on his club sparks of fire and flashes of light rose into
the air in a vortex of power! The contingent of guards who were watching,
could feel the power and heat! “Owari!” As suddenly as it begun, the
display ended. Kasaima looked very pleased with himself. “As you can see,
if I wanted to be destructive, you’d already know.”



The display made people nervous, but they also couldn’t deny he would have
been able to kill had he wanted. “Very well, as long as you stay in peace,
you are welcome. You may do your research at the library, providing you can
find it.”



Kasaima frowned. “Do you intend to not give me directions to it?”



“Directions wouldn’t help.” said Thomas. “The library can move on its own.
If it does not wish to be found, no amount of walking will ever get you to
it.”



“Ah, I see. Still, I will try, and I don’t think I’ll be denied.” Kasaima
marched into the Keep unopposed but with more eyes watching him than he
knew. The mages of the Keep, having been alerted to the possible threat,
were already working to figure out how to contain him if it became
necessary.



As he walked in, people stopped and stared, but no one challenged him or
stood in his way. He was grimly amused by that, given the reception he’d
gotten in other places. No one seemed eager to help him find his way
around, so he found himself in an alleyway in part of the Keep. As he
pondered where to go next, a small voice called out.



“Excuse me, would you happen to be in need of rugs?”



Looking to where the voice seemed to come from Kasaima saw a rat. “Did you
just ask me if I needed rugs?”



“Yes! I am in need of someone looking to buy rugs. Lots of rugs.”



“I could maybe use some of your rugs as towels.” Kasaima chuckled. What
else could he do?



“They’re not *my* rugs. They belong to a merchant visiting the Keep and if
he can’t find a buyer there’s going to be trouble. I’m trying to help.”



“Well, I’m not actually in need of rugs, but I may be able to help if you
can help me. I’m looking for the library.”



“Oh! That’s tricky! I can lead you to the right general area, but if Kyia
doesn’t want you to get there, uh, well, you won’t. Oh, I’m Trey by the
way. Mind if I hop on to help?”



“I am Hikariarashi Kasaima. My name to acquaintances is Kasaima-san. I come
from far in the East where the library is legend.” He held up a hand and
Trey jumped down on it and ran to his shoulder.



“Thank you Kasaima-san! Uh, isn’t it odd to use your last name? And what’s
the san part?”



“I’ll explain on the way, Trey-san. Maybe you can tell me more about this
place?”



Mean while Rorlyn had resumed his journey to the north, once again riding
the winds of warm air.



His years of patrolling and other adventures had taught the gryphon what
the optimum height and distance was to clearly see something below and most
likely remain unnoticed. Even if his target was to look up, he would appear
only as a large bird. Having reached that point he resumed circling and
somewhat to the north of the road to Mycransburg he saw another traveler on
the road below him. He blinked in puzzlement as he got his first look at
this figure.



"What in the world? Has someone declared this strange visitor day or
something?”



Firstly, unlike the first encounter, it was small, reaching only a bit
higher than a man’s belt. A quick way to describe its appearance would be
to compare it to a small, wingless dragon. It was covered head to toe with
scales. The head was purely draconic in appearance with bony ridges and two
horns on it. The creature’s ears, however, were not dragon-like but long
and tapered, the eyes were also definitely draconic and constantly swept
the area for threats. Its tail was perhaps slightly more than half its
height but rigid enough to keep it from dragging on the ground. As Rorlyn
completed his first circle above he also noted its clothing. A vest and a
loincloth, mostly tan in color. It had nothing on its feet and from a belt
hung a short sword as well as a pouch and dagger.



“Hmm, certainly not from our area but as it’s coming from the north I
wonder if it came from the Giant Downs?” the gryph mused to himself. In any
case it was worth having someone taking a closer look.



With his avian vocal ability, he gave out with a bird call that he had
established with the scouts and patrol to signal their need to take a look
at something. Just as the creature reached a place where trees grew very
close to the road a buxom woman he knew well stepped out a short distance
behind the unknown creature and called out “Excuse me, you seem lost, can I
help you?”



While perhaps not unexpected but certainly worrisome, the creature spun
around, taking a low crouch and placed its hand on the hilt of its sword.
The gryphon mage on seeing this readied a spell that would disable the
unknown traveler well before it could reach the female warrior.



“Please, I mean you no harm. If you are of peaceful intent, you are welcome
in these lands. As you are new to the valley, I just want to aid you in
finding your way.”



Keeping her hands away from any weapon she carried she took another slow
step toward it. The response was far from what she had hoped for as the
newcomer drew his sword part way out of its sheath and gave a low growl.
The gryphon mage flew over the tree tops, banking so he would be in
position to release his spell. But now the creature spun to face the large
gryphon. Releasing his grip on the sword his hands fell, one to his belt
and the other to his pouch. In less than a breath he had placed the object
in the sling and launched it at the winged mage. With a flap of his wings
he spun to the right and banked just enough to allow the projectile to miss
its mark.



Snapping his arm forward he called out,



“Scield energeyc”



Before the creature could reach for another projectile a radiant sphere
reached him sprouting jagged fingers of light. A draconic roar escaped his
muzzle as one of them touched him and he collapsed to the ground, twitching
and riving in the dirt.



The female warrior, remembering this spell from previous engagement, walked
up to the still quivering body being sure to keep as safe distance. She
gave a glance up the road as the gryphon settled to the ground, eyes
quickly returning to the victim.



“Was that really necessary?” she asked, giving Rorlyn a quick glance.



“It was nowhere near a dangerous level.” Came his reply. “He will recover
in a few moments.”



“Oh? Just like a certain rabbit we both know some time back.” she answered,
a slight smile crossing her face.



“Cal got a much stronger dose then this one Kate.” Rorlyn answered, giving
a quick flutter of his wings to settle them at his side. “Back then I had
nowhere near the skill I possess now.”



A moan alerted both to the creature’s recovering and Kate quickly removed
the weapons from his belt. As his eyes opened, he mumbled something in a
language which neither understood.



“Draconic, I think,” Rorlyn commented “And that would make sense
considering his form.”



With a nod Kate spoke in a couple other languages such as a draconic
speaker might know but got no response. The red-scaled traveler wobbled
into an upright position and looked between the two.



“Common, know some. No much talk of.”



“But you can understand us?” Kate asked.



His head wobbled in a way that could have been either yes or no.

“Know some, not easy me understand.”



“Don’t worry about it. When we reach the Keep, we will have someone who
speaks draconic interpret for you.” Kate assured him.



“If you intend to take him to the Keep, you’d best get moving. You have
just about enough time to reach it before they close the gates.”



The female warrior reached for a set of leather cuffs and placed them on
the scaled visitor. Soon they were on their way to the Keep and Rorlyn
continued his patrol hoping for no more surprises this day.
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