Summer, 1351
Meratezatgh relaxed upon an upper terrace of the hot spring, feeling the heated bubbling water massage his muscles and seep into his bones. It felt nice.
This was a brisk morning, and the slight chill gave a nice contrast to the steam rising from the lush turquoise pools of the multi-terraced travertine. The dragon gave a contented sigh and sank deeper into the mineral-laced waters. In the distance the birds of the forest gave a cacophony of calls, and the rising sun cast a light hue upon the Great Ironwood Forest.
So far, this current quest had been a nice relaxing break from things after all the chaos and miserableness of his previous adventures. For once, everything was going exactly to plan, comfortable, and even enjoyable. The Sabines treated him well and with a mix of awe and reverence, and Mera enjoyed good food, a comfortable resting spot, new lands to explore, and finally a hot bath.
A dragon could get used to something like this.
Of course, Mera didn’t think Logan was having such a fun time. Ever since the Scarlet Plague hit Stanton, his human friend seemed off.
But then again, he thought, so did all the humans from his town: after months, people remained hidden behind their homes and had begun abandoning certain rules and laws, performing strange rites, worshiping strange gods- and looking for people to blame and killing them. Mera could not understand how Stanton was reacting to the plague: it was just another danger in this world, and it was strange that people who had fought in wars and bravely faced famine, goblins and a dragon actually feared something that they could not see so much more.
Even Logan was beside himself in anxiety about the plague. But Mera wasn’t too worried. Plagues came and went, but it never killed off everyone. It was just something like floods or gales that left death and destruction in its wake. One just needed to seek proper shelter and wait out the storm.
Humans however always seemed to want to control things, and it scared them when they were unable to. They must try something, even if it was pointless and self-destructive, like the massacre that Stanton did to the Guesters.
The Guesters. Mera grimaced at that memory. It seemed like everyone was getting along fine, and then they were slaughtered like animals. Humans were disturbing creatures.
He’d miss Mansker and Liza.
Logan also seemed to possess this trait of trying to move even if there was nothing to move forward on, hence this random and unexpected quest that ended with the Sabines of the Back Valley and their supposed antidote. The dragon honestly could not explain his companion’s behavior: Was Logan scared of the disease or was it to how the townsfolk were reacting? Mera didn’t even know if the Sabine brew actually cured the Scarlet Plague in humans or not.
The dragon brushed away the thoughts and cleared his mind. Enough about the humans running around like ants, he would enjoy this bath instead.
Mera just hoped that his friend wouldn’t succumb to that need for further pointless action.
At that moment, Logan Durham, Forester of Stanton, appeared out of the woods, clearly searching for him. Mera got up with slight concern; his companion looked distracted and unhappy.
“We’re breaking in.” Was all the Forester stated when he found the dragon watching him like a cat in a basket.
“What?”
“The Sabines aren’t going to give us the McGuffin Brew.”
Mera was silent for a bit. “I guess that’s their right.” The wyrm finally replied.
“What are you talking about Mera?”
“The antidote is theirs. They don’t have to offer it just because we asked for it.”
Logan threw his arms into the air. “No! Stanton is dying! I have to do something about it! These are my people!”
“Fair enough. So you plan on stealing it.”
“I will not apologize for trying to help my community.”
“Do you even know where the antidote is located?”
“The brew will likely be located in one of the Sabine shrines. Perhaps even Izapa itself.”
The dragon nodded. “That’s…not a bad guess.”
“I’ll sneak around a bit.”
“And how do you plan on taking the antidote from a forest full of angry sprites?”
Logan paced agitatedly. “You know about beekeeping right? When bees think there’s a fire, they consume all their stored honey and end up lethargic, allowing the guy to harvest the honey.”
“They’re not bees.”
“We smoke them out.”
“With…. what?”
The Forester fished out a pouch from his pocket.
“Some purified bird guano. Lord De Trobliand gave me Glib’s recipe.”
“Uh…”
“I’ll set off a magic, with high concentrations of acid, and create a lot of smoke. While they’re distracted, I’ll defeat the guards and take the brew.”
“That’s a lot of smoke you’ll need to create. You’re going to set their forest on fire again?” Mera stared at Logan deeply. “Like the Other Men?”
The Forester threw his hands up. “No, no, just panic them a little.”
The dragon cocked his head sideways. “Somehow that logic seems a little flawed.”
“Well, you can help if things go bad.”
Mera thought about it for a moment. “No.”
“No? What do you mean no?”
The wyrm simply shook his head, closed his eyes and leisurely sank backwards into his hot springs pool. “You want me to help you commit a crime against people who have not wronged me? I have enough enemies already, thank you very much.”
“You’re the Guardian of Stanton.”
“I’m not protecting it by stealing from our hosts, Logan. Perhaps we can keep looking for other cures.”
Logan continued his pacing, more anxious than ever. “This may be our one and only shot at a cure, Mera. I have to take this risk, even if I anger the Sabines.” The Forester paused. “Even if I betray Sufjan.”
Mera opened his eyes and turned back to his companion. “This seems highly dangerous and stupid, Logan.”
“They’re my people. I have to try to help them with this.”
The dragon shook his head in disappointment. “You know I disagree with you.”
The Forester sighed, throwing his awlpike onto his shoulder. “I know. But I hope at least you won’t betray me.”
“I won’t.”
“Good. I need all the luck I can get.”
“Good luck Logan. I understand, even if I fear for you.”
The Forester simply nodded as he wandered back into the forest. Mera sank back into the spring, mulling over his companion’s plan.
It seemed very stupid.
Perhaps he should help.
That however also seemed stupid. He already gave Logan a favor at Eroland, and this seemed unnecessarily alienating to other people. The dragon did not want to rely on only the friendship of fickle humans. Look what they did to their own-the Guesters.
Perhaps Mera should just let the Sabines teach Logan a lesson.
Ugh. Dealing with friends could be difficult.
Mera decided to clear his mind. Only one thought remained as his head disappeared below the calming waters.
At least the pool was comfy.
The Mountain Goats - Old College Try
From theroguez!
Meratezatgh relaxed upon an upper terrace of the hot spring, feeling the heated bubbling water massage his muscles and seep into his bones. It felt nice.
This was a brisk morning, and the slight chill gave a nice contrast to the steam rising from the lush turquoise pools of the multi-terraced travertine. The dragon gave a contented sigh and sank deeper into the mineral-laced waters. In the distance the birds of the forest gave a cacophony of calls, and the rising sun cast a light hue upon the Great Ironwood Forest.
So far, this current quest had been a nice relaxing break from things after all the chaos and miserableness of his previous adventures. For once, everything was going exactly to plan, comfortable, and even enjoyable. The Sabines treated him well and with a mix of awe and reverence, and Mera enjoyed good food, a comfortable resting spot, new lands to explore, and finally a hot bath.
A dragon could get used to something like this.
Of course, Mera didn’t think Logan was having such a fun time. Ever since the Scarlet Plague hit Stanton, his human friend seemed off.
But then again, he thought, so did all the humans from his town: after months, people remained hidden behind their homes and had begun abandoning certain rules and laws, performing strange rites, worshiping strange gods- and looking for people to blame and killing them. Mera could not understand how Stanton was reacting to the plague: it was just another danger in this world, and it was strange that people who had fought in wars and bravely faced famine, goblins and a dragon actually feared something that they could not see so much more.
Even Logan was beside himself in anxiety about the plague. But Mera wasn’t too worried. Plagues came and went, but it never killed off everyone. It was just something like floods or gales that left death and destruction in its wake. One just needed to seek proper shelter and wait out the storm.
Humans however always seemed to want to control things, and it scared them when they were unable to. They must try something, even if it was pointless and self-destructive, like the massacre that Stanton did to the Guesters.
The Guesters. Mera grimaced at that memory. It seemed like everyone was getting along fine, and then they were slaughtered like animals. Humans were disturbing creatures.
He’d miss Mansker and Liza.
Logan also seemed to possess this trait of trying to move even if there was nothing to move forward on, hence this random and unexpected quest that ended with the Sabines of the Back Valley and their supposed antidote. The dragon honestly could not explain his companion’s behavior: Was Logan scared of the disease or was it to how the townsfolk were reacting? Mera didn’t even know if the Sabine brew actually cured the Scarlet Plague in humans or not.
The dragon brushed away the thoughts and cleared his mind. Enough about the humans running around like ants, he would enjoy this bath instead.
Mera just hoped that his friend wouldn’t succumb to that need for further pointless action.
At that moment, Logan Durham, Forester of Stanton, appeared out of the woods, clearly searching for him. Mera got up with slight concern; his companion looked distracted and unhappy.
“We’re breaking in.” Was all the Forester stated when he found the dragon watching him like a cat in a basket.
“What?”
“The Sabines aren’t going to give us the McGuffin Brew.”
Mera was silent for a bit. “I guess that’s their right.” The wyrm finally replied.
“What are you talking about Mera?”
“The antidote is theirs. They don’t have to offer it just because we asked for it.”
Logan threw his arms into the air. “No! Stanton is dying! I have to do something about it! These are my people!”
“Fair enough. So you plan on stealing it.”
“I will not apologize for trying to help my community.”
“Do you even know where the antidote is located?”
“The brew will likely be located in one of the Sabine shrines. Perhaps even Izapa itself.”
The dragon nodded. “That’s…not a bad guess.”
“I’ll sneak around a bit.”
“And how do you plan on taking the antidote from a forest full of angry sprites?”
Logan paced agitatedly. “You know about beekeeping right? When bees think there’s a fire, they consume all their stored honey and end up lethargic, allowing the guy to harvest the honey.”
“They’re not bees.”
“We smoke them out.”
“With…. what?”
The Forester fished out a pouch from his pocket.
“Some purified bird guano. Lord De Trobliand gave me Glib’s recipe.”
“Uh…”
“I’ll set off a magic, with high concentrations of acid, and create a lot of smoke. While they’re distracted, I’ll defeat the guards and take the brew.”
“That’s a lot of smoke you’ll need to create. You’re going to set their forest on fire again?” Mera stared at Logan deeply. “Like the Other Men?”
The Forester threw his hands up. “No, no, just panic them a little.”
The dragon cocked his head sideways. “Somehow that logic seems a little flawed.”
“Well, you can help if things go bad.”
Mera thought about it for a moment. “No.”
“No? What do you mean no?”
The wyrm simply shook his head, closed his eyes and leisurely sank backwards into his hot springs pool. “You want me to help you commit a crime against people who have not wronged me? I have enough enemies already, thank you very much.”
“You’re the Guardian of Stanton.”
“I’m not protecting it by stealing from our hosts, Logan. Perhaps we can keep looking for other cures.”
Logan continued his pacing, more anxious than ever. “This may be our one and only shot at a cure, Mera. I have to take this risk, even if I anger the Sabines.” The Forester paused. “Even if I betray Sufjan.”
Mera opened his eyes and turned back to his companion. “This seems highly dangerous and stupid, Logan.”
“They’re my people. I have to try to help them with this.”
The dragon shook his head in disappointment. “You know I disagree with you.”
The Forester sighed, throwing his awlpike onto his shoulder. “I know. But I hope at least you won’t betray me.”
“I won’t.”
“Good. I need all the luck I can get.”
“Good luck Logan. I understand, even if I fear for you.”
The Forester simply nodded as he wandered back into the forest. Mera sank back into the spring, mulling over his companion’s plan.
It seemed very stupid.
Perhaps he should help.
That however also seemed stupid. He already gave Logan a favor at Eroland, and this seemed unnecessarily alienating to other people. The dragon did not want to rely on only the friendship of fickle humans. Look what they did to their own-the Guesters.
Perhaps Mera should just let the Sabines teach Logan a lesson.
Ugh. Dealing with friends could be difficult.
Mera decided to clear his mind. Only one thought remained as his head disappeared below the calming waters.
At least the pool was comfy.
The Mountain Goats - Old College Try
From theroguez!
Category Artwork (Digital) / Fantasy
Species Western Dragon
Gender Male
Size 1280 x 968px
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