Greenest in Flames

Tayleron wakes, still in the temple, to find the room filled with corpses. Next him lies Mogguth's lifeless body.

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Triana wakes to find that the bandits who had been surrounding the keep are starting to leave but does hear a deep voice calling out to those in the keep.

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Ygritte and Kettyr, two adventurers who happened to make it to the keep and remained unscathed throughout the night, watch as a creature approaches out of the darkness and into the dim light of the dying fires around the keep. Although it is shaped roughly like a human, it is at least seven feet tall, its skin is covered in blue scales, its fingers bear wicked claws, and its face has the muzzle and reptilian eyes of a dragon.

The creature stops about eighty yards from the main gate of the keep and scans the walls. A line of kobolds fans out behind it. With their spears, they prod four human prisoners into the dim light. You can make out a woman, a teenaged boy in a blood soaked tunic, and two children. Then the creature hails the keep in a deep, raspy voice.

"Defenders of Greenest! This has been a successful night and I am feeling generous. Do you see these four pitiful, useless prisoners? We have no need for them, so I will trade them back to you. Send out you best warrior to fight me and you can have these four in exchange."

One of the defenders in the keep curses under his breath and grabs his weapon. As he starts to rush forward Escobert and a few others restrain the wounded main. Nighthill approaches Ygritte.

"I realize this is an awful burden to bear, but you have a better chance to defeat that horror than anyone hear. Will you step forward as Greenest's champion?"

"The citizens of Greenest thank you" Nighthill says as Ygritte exits the keep and approaches the creature.

Obviously pleased that someone has offered themselves for the challenge the creature motions to his kobold minions who immediately release the three children. As they run towards the keep, one of the kobolds readies a spear, but before he is able to release it the large creature springs into action, rushes the kobold and cuts him down with a single swipe of his sword.

"Let that serve as a warning! This is to be one on one combat. Any interference from the citizens of Greenest will result in this women's death" he says, referring to the women who is still being held captive. He then turns to his minions and shouts what one can only assume is a similar warning in their native tongue.

"Ready yourself, warrior" he yells to Ygritte as he takes on a fighting stance, his greatsword still dripping with kobold blood.

"Very well!" the creature growls as what appears to be a slight smile appears on his long muzzle.

Rushing forward he brings his greatsword across his body striking Ygritte hard in her shoulder. Wanting to make this fight as quick as possible he reverses the grip on his weapon and swings back across, striking Paladin's shield with considerable force, but causing no harm.

The creature cringes slightly as Ygritte's blade penetrates both his armor and scaly hide. "Impressive!" he says calmly, taking a single step back before returning the favor with a quick lunge of his own. He watches as Ygritte slumps to the ground. Tilting his head back he lets out a roar loud enough that his minions cover their ears in pain.

"The women is yours" he bellows as the kobolds release the last prisoner. As she runs to the safety of the keep, Nighthill and a few others rush out.

"Do you wish to die as well?" the creature asks, taking a guarded stance.

Nighthill stops dead in his tracks, "I do not, I merely wish to aid our fallen champion" he explains, throwing his arms in the air to show that he is unarmed.

"So be it then."

He turns and yells out a command to his minions, who watch as their leader turns and calmly walks away from the keep. They slowly fall in behind him barking and screaming their approval of the outcome of the fight.

Nighthill and the others reach Ygritte quickly afterwards. Forcing the red contents of several vials down her throat they wait with baited breath for any signs of life. Several long minutes pass before the Paladin lets out a raspy cough and slowly lifts her head.

"Get her to the keep and let her rest" Nighthill commands.