Chapter one

Daekyn sat back in the large padded chair in his study. The winds of the northern coast battered against the stone walls of his tower in the mountains north of Waterdeep. On the table before him were scattered maps, letters and books relating the history of Cormyr, the Stonelands and the Zhentarim. He rubbed his eyes and then looked up towards the ceiling. Only then did he realize that Atlantean was standing behind him.

"I did not hear you come in….I must be tired." Daekyn said leaning forward and straightening out the clutter on the table.

"You have been pouring over those papers and tomes for days old friend. Have you found what you are looking for?" Atlantean asked as he came around and took the chair on the other side of the table.

"I think so…yes, I think it can be done. It will require all the usual things; caution, cleverness and money. Lots and lots of money." Daekyn sighed deeply and put his hand on his chin.

"You realize of course, that of all the times you have teetered on the line betwixt the light and the darkness, that this time you will be in greatest of perils should you falter." Atlantean's piercing green eyes looked deep into the mage.

"Yes, if I fail at this, I shall have made more enemies than I care to count. Cormyr, Fzoul, perhaps even Blackstaff himself. Hell, maybe even Eliminster will come knocking on my door again. Its going to be tricky this one. Even if I achieve my goals, I will have stepped on many toes. Nevertheless, the laws of Cormyr are very clear on the matter. Keep the peace in the Stonelands and become a Baron. Once I have the title, then I only need to bide my time, and convince Fzoul to do the same, until the time is right." Daekyn got up, walked to a cabinet, and poured some wine.

"Eventually you are talking a fundamental shift of power within the region. Have you worked out what the neighboring nations will do? Surely they won't just stand by and allow a nation that has endured for centuries come to ruin."

"Details, details…. there are as many forces in the realms that would like to see rebellion in Cormyr as there are forces that want to see things remain. The only thing that counts is that once the smoke clears, we come out ahead." Daekyn said as he gulped down his wine.

"Or at least come through it alive and not wanted by every government from Waterdeep to Sembia." Said Atlantean.

Young Aeryn ran swiftly and quietly through the underbrush in Hullack Forest. He was hunting. Dressed only in a loincloth, and armed only with a glass bottle. His bare feet scratched and caked with mud. His body covered in insect bites and welts from the low-lying branches and shrubs.

The forest had darkened considerably as the ancient pines and oak stretched high above. Shutting out the light of the sun letting only the barest sliver of greenish light to the forest floor, the trees provided a natural canopy above Aeryn’s head. Aeryn’s breathing, although rapid, was strong and measured. Aeryn’s endurance was holding as his flight through the dark undergrowth of Hullack Forest slowed.

He was hunting. For spoor, for a right of passage, for a trial that all the young officer’s in the Royal Order of Purple Dragon’s endure. He had 24 hours to run through Hullack Forest, hunting for spoor of the legendary purple dragon that the Order was founded from. Aeryn had reached the near center of the Forest, and had found his first track, although badly damaged and rained on, the track was definitely made by something large.

Aeryn bent to examine the track. He contemplated scraping some of the mud into the jar and going back to the barracks. Mud that would have to be examined by a war wizard for authenticity. Aeryn frowned and stood. He wanted something more. Aeryn quickly moved off into the underbrush, moving northward. His passage marked by glowing eyes.

Soon the forest began to clear and a slight breeze wafted through the underbrush. Aeryn ran on, his flight ran smooth, as the dark gave way to mid day sun. His eyes squinted to shield them from the light, he never noticed the shadow that slipped into his path behind him.

Suddenly without warning the wind gusted hard from the opposite direction, from behind Aeryn. The wind carried the scent of a warm beast smell. Its scent was rich and loamy, like upturned fresh rich soil and salty blood. Aeryn stopped, his feet actually driving divots into the forest floor. Aeryn turned and looked into the face of, Thauglor, the Purple Dragon of Cormyr. Legend and myth and alive within five feet of Aeryn. Its face was contorted with…consternation?

“Well it’s never done that before.” It said in a deep resonant voice that rumbled from deep within its chest. The huge beast was squatting on its haunches his head turned upward, his great scaled nose thrust into the wind taking great breaths. “The wind turned on me!”

Aeryn was frozen in shock. His face slack of any emotion but ego swallowing awe. The great dragon swung its ponderous head to eye Aeryn.

“Who would you be? Why would the wind favor you? The wind that has never turned on me in over 4 centuries.” The great dragon settled down on its haunches and crossed its forelegs daintily. One eyebrow raised in contemplation. The slatted nostrils sniffed Aeryn. “No, no… it’s not you is it? For you’re just a mortal whose thread is bright, but not necessarily shining.” The great head swung again into the air, reaching above the forest canopy. “No, no…. the wind has changed. It swells on an unseen updraft in the framework of this world. Hmmmmmm interesting. For it has turned on me. This....upswelling...an ill wind?”

The noble beast swung its head about, its eyes half closed, sniffing the air. Finally dropping to gaze at Aeryn again. Aeryn felt his awe slip away from him like rainwater. He felt in control of his body again.

“I am Aeryn of house Dauntinghorn, second son of Malthar and Errowynn. Member of the Royal Order of Purple Dragons.“

“Mine, now” Thauglor chuckled. “My eyes, my ears, my fingers. You will be my vessel”

Thauglor reached forward with a clawed talon and grabbed Aeryn ever so gently. A puff of purple hued steam rose from Thauglor’s scaled lips. Aeryn felt himself lifted and he heard screaming just as he passed out. His own screaming.

One month later, Daekyn was back in Waterdeep. In his family home, he gathered those around him that were close enough to consider family; Dulcia, the young woman he rescued from Zhentil keep during the Curse of the Azure Bonds and Chiros, the young stable boy rescued during the same adventure. Their loyalty was beyond reproach; he knew that he could trust them.

"What I am about to tell you will likely shock you. But, it is something that I have given great consideration to. As you both know, several years ago, both my parents were murdered by an assassin named Gardent Canine, a Gnoll. What I did not know is that this assassin worked for a powerful and secretive enemy. I was originally led to believe that it was some members of the Zhentarim or maybe the Red Wizards of Thay. But that was not the case. Before I went to Zhentil Keep and met the two of you, I was involved in a plot by the Fire Knives to assassinate King Azoun of Cormyr, what I now know is that the Knives had allies; exiled nobles from Cormyr, bent on overthrowing Azoun. Bent on taking over the country of Cormyr. These were the people that sent the assassin after me, who then, after being unable to directly attack me, killed my parents." Daekyn paused and took a drink of fire ale. "I therefore, have decided that if what they seek is rebellion in Cormyr, than I will provide it for them. And then when they assume control and consider themselves the reigning leaders of Cormyr, I will crush them and what they hold dear."

To say that Dulcia and Chiros were stunned was an understatement.