<div dir="ltr">Sorry for the delay. Many snafus. -Indy------------------------------------------------------------ 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.</div>