| The dragonness looks sadly down at the demi-foxes, and sighs. Then
she begins to explain her delima.
"You may or may not know this, but I'm a rogue dragon," the dragonness
explains. "I and a few of the small Dragon Circle I belong to follow a
creed that's....not popular right now with the power that be. Going on
killing spree and plundering the land is what goes on nowdays. I and my
friends still follow the Olden Ways of actually helping mankind. That's
still popular with the Oriental dragons, but since I'm an Occidental dragon
and thus can't really join the club....I and my friends are outsiders,
barely tolerated.
"Now, if I move directly against Malachi, and force my way into his
Lair....the Council will know. They're not exactly my enemy, but hardly
my friend. Several members of the Dragon Council would just LOVE to see
me brought to heel, and that's why a direct move like that is out. The
sanctity of a dragon's Lair....that's one of the few things the Council
still hold dear. Me doing something like that....I'd be stripped of my
magic, locked into a form that Malachi would decide, and be given over
to him as a slave/plaything. You've seen what he does to people who annoy
him....Right Astra?"
"To put it mildly." mutter's Astra, now wearing the golden necklace.
"Now, working through agents is permitted," Malachi says. "I can send
you in, and all you need to do is take this medallion with you....slip
into the dragon's lair through some small tunnel that Malachi things nobody
could fit in and reach the fowl wyrm's lair. Then....invite me in VERBALLY.
That'll take care of that. Then DUCK!"
The demi-foxes blink, getting the idea. Malachi would be clear and free
to pop into the lair without worry of reprocussions from the Council. Perhaps,
there would even be a battle between Minestus and Malachi....something
that neither of the new were-foxes wanted to be in the middle of at all!
"Now, I'm not forcing you two into this," Malachi warns. "It's going
to be dangerous. You both can still back out of this deal... and go and
live with the local were-fox pack.....able to be able to take full fox
form (with obvious exceptions....Astra) and baying at the full moon for
the rest of your lives....and your dozens upon dozens of kits....."
Astra and Fred grimace.....
|
They decide that maybe the life of a were-fox
isn't so bad.....