The Sorcerer-King's Quarries

More at home in the open air of the wilds, Cielo has been drawn to the Sorceror-King's abode by the mysterious letter. The denizens of the woods and rivers had spoken to him of strange and unrecognizable beasts prowling in the wilderness. Generally preferring his own company, Cielo thought in this case that perhaps he could find a common purpose with others in ridding this world of the unnatural beasts that sometimes haunt it. Besides, the additional rewards were intriguing. It is possible he might acquire something of use for his own purposes.

Cielo stood before the huge black gates of the city and watches a moment. He knew that his presence would draw some attention, but he had long grown used to that. A certain fascination coursed through him and he found he was looking forward to experiencing the sights and sounds of this place. He meandered through the streets, avoiding physical contact with the locals. There were many stares and he ignored them. Some hawkers even braved an approach but he pretended not to speak the common tongue, replying to their queries in his native language which no doubt sounded to them like gibberish and they soon lost interest.

Great Sol was beginning its descent and he did not want to arrive too late to the dwarven hold. He paused in the street and looked up into the sky. His form grew translucent as points of light appeared at each and every joint of his tall body. Soon his body disappeared and all that was left were the lights which coalesced and then spread outward into a new form that looked like the outline of a large bird with outstretched wings. Then the new shape grew opaque and pristine white feathers formed along the body. Moments after the transformation had begun, it ended and a beautiful white swan stood where once the man had been. The swan gave one great flap of its wings and lifted into the air as the people on the street stared. The swan flew straight to the hall of the Sorceror-King.

Clickclack counted the guards he could see and observed their behaviors before approaching the gate. Then he scanned the other people for potential threats. Clickclack never liked being surrounded by so many people, but today the risk was worth the potential reward. Nothing raises alarms in his mind, so he proceeded through the gates.

Many softskin eyes turned to him as he entered the city, as they usually did. As long as they weren't threatening, it mattered little. Clickclack moved with a singular purpose towards the palace.

The kobold that had been traveling with Clickclack was probably not far behind, though Clickclack had not waited for him. He always caught up, so waiting on him did not make sense.

There had been some confusion about the letter that had been handed to Thyssk B'Krr, mightiest of mighty kobold warriors. Mostly in that said champion of koboldkind had little idea on what a messenger was before the man hastily explained it to him whilst the kobold was demanding all his valuables. Then there was further confusion as Thyssk B'Krr, mightiest of of mighty kobold warriors, turned out to be illiterate and had very little ideas on what to do with the symbol-dotted parchment he was handed. A concession of sorts was made when the messenger read out the message to his would-be mugger and made his hasty escape whilst the kobold mulled over the promise of a great deal of shiny coins for simply showing up for a meeting with the Sorcerer-King.

Now, whilst illiterate, Thyssk was no fool. Many had sought to take his great wealth (by kobold standards) from him. Trickery and deception was an often-used tool, for none could best the little terror in battle or running to small hidey-holes. He knew of the Sorcerer-King's madness. But then again.... it was a great deal of coin that was promised, and the Sorcerer-King had little reason to rob Thyssk. Or kill him. At least, Thyssk could think of no reason. As far as he was aware, none of his recent victims had been related to the Lord of Khazat-Hal. Perhaps the mad dwarf did need a failed-experiment-hunter. And Thyssk was quite apt at battle (being the mightiest of mighty kobold warriors, as many knew). Maybe, just maybe, this message was real and Zharakh Daemonhammer did want Thyssk to do his dirty work. And Thyssk did like doing dirty work for mad tyrant-sorcerer-overlords. They paid really well when they weren't trying to kill you to avoid paying you.

Thus, he had set out. He first went to collect his partner in crime, the big lizard magicky-magick aptly named Clickclack, who demonstrated how dumb he was by picking a name so the big pink ones could speak it. Thyssk would never do such a thing. After all, if they couldn't speak his name, the pinkskins couldn't steal it! Forevermore kobolds would name their hatchlings in his honor, and no fat ugly pink baby would ever bring shame to it. Thyssk made sure he told Clickclack of this brilliant notion again as he did on every occasion the thought came to mind, which for regular bystanders was an unfortunately regular occurrence.

Thankfully for his large lizard companion, Thyssk currently was preoccupied with exploring what the stronghold city had on offer. Beggars left him alone, knowing full well that reaching out a hand for alms might lead to a loss of fingers from sudden biting. Thyssk did like impromptu snacks. That left three meat pie vendors in a good mood, for Thyssk had a certain addiction for the savory dish. Especially the ones in the further back alleys who Thyssk was sure added such delicious prime ingredients such as rat or cat.

Thus, near the gate of the fortress, Thyssk caught up with Clickclack, trying to wolf down the third pie and finding that his stomach would accept no further additives. Wondering what to do with the pie that could not be eaten, the kobold looked up at his rather poorly named companion, and offered up the partly chewed treat.

When Thyssk came trotting up, Clickclack nodded to him. Clickclack usually spoke to the creature only when necessary, which seemed to work well as Thyssk rarely seemed to stop speaking to him. In this instance, however, Thyssk was somewhat more quiet due to the fact that he was devouring meat pies. The pies did not smell quite like typical softskin food; something about them suggested unusual and perhaps partially spoiled meats. However, when it came to food, Clickclack was always practical. When Thyssk offered him a partially chewed pie, Clickclack took it without hesitation and put the whole thing in his mouth. He knew his stomach was strong enough to handle it, and it never paid to be hungry when dealing with softskin.

"Acceptable pie," Clickclack said.

Sabrina holds tight her hooded cape hiding her pointed ears and her red hair appearing like flaming tongues around her beautiful face. Entering the city notices the villagers around and tries to walk unnoticed. In one point, she looks the two green lizards eating a pie with a rat tail appearing inside the stuffing... that is disgusting. Then trying to look away, she observes the swan flying above entering the palace and follows it.

The great white swan lands and its body becomes translucent leaving only points of light along the edge of the wings, the feet, and running up the neck to the two points where its eyes were. Then the lights coalesce and spin, flying outwards and settling into the skeletal figure of a humanoid that gains solidity, becoming a tall, lithe, blue-skinned humanoid where once the giant swan stood. His head is adorned with long silvery hair that seems to glitter in the light and moves about as if constantly being blown by an unseen breeze. He wears the light studded leather of a woodsman while in his hand he holds an ashen wood staff covered in intricate carvings of various scenes of nature.

He looks about and notices the odd assortment. He doesn't speak, preferring to remain silent in case he wants to pretend not to understand these strange folk.

Cielo gazes skyward and attempts to divine the portents for the coming meeting..
Seeing the gathering dark clouds on the horizon he furrows his brow.

Thyssk looked at the odd gathering of folk entering and leaving the palace as his companion devoured the pie. The palace itself unsettled him. Too big, too many big wide spaces. Too few hidey-holes. Who would want to live in such a horrible place? Dragons of course. Thyssk had never seen a dragon, only heard the stories. They collected many valuable things and trinkets, and were so mighty all other beings feared them. They were enormous, like the mountains; big, fat and mighty. Perhaps the sorcerer-king was a dragon. Who really knew? Plenty of beings came to pay it tribute it seemed.

Of particular note was a big white bird which changed into a blue softskin. That was disappointing. Even in his filled state the white bird looked quite appetizing to Thyssk whilst the softskin was as ugly and unappetising as any of its kind, blue or not. In fact, there were very few skaleskins about. Mostly just big ugly softskins. But that was fine. The Sorcerer-King called the strongest and the mightiest, and only the skaleskins would meet such stern demands.

Done with the pie, Clickclack headed inside without a word. He was a lizard of few words and that was fine. Thyssk just walked along. It was good to have something big and stupid to hide behind if there was fighting after all..

Cielo watched the lizard and the kobold enter with interest, his keen eye looking for clues as to their profession. Surely, even in this city. the pair was unusual. He guessed from his equipment that the smaller of the two was some sort of martialist, but the larger one was a mystery. Lizardfolk as a rule did not wear much armor, even when going to war, and their motivations were mostly impenetrable, but the two seemed to be together and one should never underestimate a member of the kobold race. While not physically strong, nor mentally either, if the truth be told, kobolds were nothing if not cunning. Almost always they were found in groups, working together to overcome larger foes. A solitary one was quite unusual and therefore this kobold must also be unusual. He would have to keep his eye on him.

"Better to be behind that one, rather than he behind me.." Cielo thinks, as he follows the scaley duo into the hall.

Thyssk, mightiest of mighty kobold warriors, glared angrily at the dwarves from between Clickclack's legs. Part of it was a little jealousy. The big metal plates almost seemed to make a mockery of his own mighty armor. Sure, his was scrapped together and used some unconventional components (he was especially proud of the shovel blade that is his codpiece) but that was no reason to flaunt it! Stupid show-offs, and then pretending not to know what he was here for. As if many mighty kobold warriors came here. They must be dumb not to realize it. He was rather pleased at seeing the polearms. It was exactly the kind of weapon that was practically useless when someone would fight him. He would get right inside the reach of the clumsy blades and that would be that. Stupid fat pinkskins. But he was not here to fight these big dumb hair-things. He was here for shinies! Thus he called out from his position of relative cover..

"AAA! Big dumb beard-things! We collect shiny coins! Sorcerer-king tells us to come, and he gives us many gold, yes? Now move aside nasty hair-things! Move! Move! Mighty Thyssk B'Krr has come for his shinies!"

Clickclack reaches into a pouch and produces the letter of summons, which had been folded to fit in the pouch. "I was summoned. Here." He unfolds the letter as he speaks, and then holds it out for the guards to see. Then he motions to Thyssk. "This one was also summoned. I do not know these others."