<html> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> </head> <body> <p></p> <p> <p class="MsoNormal">Kamau’s part-21JUL23</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Kate finally reached the gate to Metamor proper where the usual watch was set up.</p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Taklak go dungeon?”<span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> the red reptilian asked.</span></p> <p> <p class="MsoNormal">“No, I think once we get someone who speaks your language, we can straighten this out.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The red-scaled prisoner shrugged as they stopped before the first guard.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“What ya got there Kate? I ain’t seen the likes of that before.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“It would seem a newcomer to the valley that doesn’t speak common very well and is rather defensive on first meeting. You wouldn’t know of anyone here that speaks draconic, would you?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Nope. Not of this group at least. Ya might keep an eye out for one of the dragons.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">She gave a shake of her head “We don’t have the time for that I’m afraid. I don’t want to toss the little guy in a cell if I can help it. At least not without hearing his side of what happen.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Well, ya gonna have to find yourself someone who be a language master or has often had some dealin’ with dragons.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Just beyond where the three were talking a figure clothed in a long heavy robe, certainly far too warm for most in the heat of this day, halted.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Excuse me,” the robed keeper said. “I didn’t hear all of your conversation, but I might be able to help with matters pertaining to dragons.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The pair turned just as the speaker slid his hood back revealing a scaled head with a <span style="mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">multitude of small horns.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">“Master Myrtice,” Kate said with a smile. “It’s so good to see you about. The weather must be very pleasant for you.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“It allows me to come to the Keep and the mage hall but to be comfortable, well it would have to be much warmer than this. So, what might you need the services of a dragon for?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“I need to be able to speak to this…” she stopped as she looked down at the little reptilian who was kneeling, face to the ground. The bearded lizard and guard also looked in puzzlement at the posture.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Is he afraid of dragons?” the mage asked.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“I don’t know. From my first encounter with him I wouldn’t think so.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The little creature, without looking upward, spoke something in draconic, head low enough for his nose to touch the ground. Myrtice replied to this in draconic, but the kneeling prisoner gave only a short response.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“What did he say?” Kate asked Myrtice.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“That he is not worthy to stand in the presence of a dragon.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">For a short time, the two spoke, the kneeling figure’s reply to the horned mage always being short and the posture remaining the same.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Is there a place where we can be out of the public? I think this is going to take some time and privacy to resolve.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Ya can use the chamber in the tower,” the gate guard said, pointing to a door.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Kate, will you help this fellow to the chamber.” Master Myrtice asked. “We can continue to unravel this mystery better in private.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The female scout nodded and placed her hand under his arm, surprised to find that he was trembling. The trio made their way to the tower leaving the guard scratching his head at the entire encounter.</p> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br> </p> <div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 7/20/2023 10:29 PM, <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:cokane8116@aol.com">cokane8116@aol.com</a> wrote:<br> </div> <blockquote type="cite" cite="mid:708907703.3229802.1689906562078@mail.yahoo.com"> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <div class="ydp3381d1a3yahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:arial;font-size:16px;"> <div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Here is my part!</div> <div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br> </div> <div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br> </div> <div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br> </div> <div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">The trapper nodded his head. "I could use a night in a good place."</div> <div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br> </div> <div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> The group started walking down the street towards where the Jollie Collie waited for them. "Everyone is scared of the Giantdowns. Afraid they'll be killed instantly by hordes of lutins or other monsters. But you needn't be so worried. It's less than a week from here. And the road there is far safer than it used to be."</div> <div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br> </div> <div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> Gwain nodded his head. "It's just that we've heard a lot about the dangers there."</div> <div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br> </div> <div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> "I'm sure people have told you have dangerous Metamor is," the trapper commented. "But here you are - safe and sound."</div> <div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br> </div> <div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> "What's your name?" Jarrod asked.</div> <div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br> </div> <div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br> </div> </div> </blockquote> </body> </html>