{"id":12701,"date":"2022-09-19T07:55:18","date_gmt":"2022-09-19T11:55:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/?p=12701"},"modified":"2022-09-19T07:55:23","modified_gmt":"2022-09-19T11:55:23","slug":"the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/","title":{"rendered":"The Stone Dragon Series &#8211; Book 2, Chapter 9"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_6636\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-12701-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Stone-Dragon-2.9.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Stone-Dragon-2.9.mp3\">http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Stone-Dragon-2.9.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1px !important;\">Podcast: <a href=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Stone-Dragon-2.9.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/?powerpress_pinw=12701-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Stone-Dragon-2.9.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"Stone-Dragon-2.9.mp3\">Download<\/a> (Duration: 1:10:18 &#8212; 101.7MB) | <a href=\"#\" class=\"powerpress_link_e\" title=\"Embed\" onclick=\"return powerpress_show_embed('12701-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Embed<\/a><\/p><p class=\"powerpress_embed_box\" id=\"powerpress_embed_12701-podcast\" style=\"display: none;\"><input id=\"powerpress_embed_12701-podcast_t\" type=\"text\" value=\"&lt;iframe width=&quot;320&quot; height=&quot;30&quot; src=&quot;https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/?powerpress_embed=12701-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio&quot; title=&quot;Blubrry Podcast Player&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot; scrolling=&quot;no&quot;&gt;&lt;\/iframe&gt;\" onclick=\"javascript: this.select();\" onfocus=\"javascript: this.select();\" style=\"width: 70%;\" readOnly><\/p><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_subscribe_links\">Subscribe: <a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/echoes-from-the-cavern\/id857267086?mt=2&amp;ls=1#episodeGuid=https%3A%2F%2Fthecaverns.net%2FPodcasts%2F%3Fp%3D12701\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_itunes\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Apple Podcasts\" rel=\"nofollow\">Apple Podcasts<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/subscribebyemail.com\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_email\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe by Email\" rel=\"nofollow\">Email<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_rss\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe via RSS\" rel=\"nofollow\">RSS<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Read by Addy<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Chapter 9. Tempers and Explosions.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Before the Lodge&#8230;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Finally in Darkshire Hills, and after greeting Sergeant John Benton, Aslinne Gradh and Jenny Hawkins, with the mage in tow, had arrived near the third town boundary at the forked road and took a moment to talk before they went on.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe go left here, but if you want to carry on to the village you would take the right fork.\u201d Jenny pointed the two paths out as she spoke, not really looking at the mage while she did.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe might as well go to the Bent Bow Inn and stay the night. It\u2019s still a distance to the Hunting and Fishing Lodge and the day is not fresh.\u201d Aslinne spoke with authority. \u201cThe undead we encountered on the road on the way here may also still be near, too. Travelling in the dark isn\u2019t wise.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The mage looked down both paths for a moment before nodding his head and indicating he agreed with Aslinne\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Jenny had been catching up with the sergeant stationed at the fork; he was a local too, someone she knew from childhood, apparently, from the whisps of the conversation that Aslinne overheard.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOOO the TREES!!\u201d Jenny excitedly exclaimed, as she had for the last hour or so of the journey, about the local fauna and flora. \u201cJohn, I forgot how majestic they are, and how fragrant the forest. Do you remember that time that little Jimmy got stuck up in one and you helped me get him out before Ma and Pa found him up there? He still owes me for that one!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The sergeant laughed a lout guffaw before remembering his respected position.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe don\u2019t want any trouble here.\u201d Standing to attention, Sergeant John Benton sounded quite stern.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Jenny giggled and told him to stop being so hard-hearted. \u201cI\u2019ll meet you later at the Bent Bow for a cold one?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He nodded and smiled before going back to his gruff guard at work attitude and waved them along, \u201cTake my advice friend; don\u2019t make me angry.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Aslinne smiled behind her hand. The ease between Jenny and Sergeant Benton was obvious.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDon\u2019t be daft!\u201d Jenny called out behind her as she walked away from him, \u201cSee you at the Bow after your shift.\u201d Then she boldly winked at the sergeant who was now a scarlet shade and trying to hide his smile from someone who might have been his captain who was walking toward the sergeant from the guard tower that overlooked the sergeant\u2019s position at the crossroads.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>There were mushrooms of several varieties in the forest all around. Jenny begged until Aslinne relented and agreed that, early in the morning, they would go gather some before Aslinne continued on her journey. Jenny assured her that she hadn\u2019t had anything like them.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLook! FLOWERS!!! OOO I love those red ones!! They are what I remember most from home.\u201d Jenny took a large sniff with her nose right in the flower.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think you may be right. I definitely haven\u2019t seen one just like this one before.\u201d Aslinne winked picking a random bright red flower and holding it out to the girl.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Jenny giggled, grabbed the flower, and went skipping on ahead, singing to herself as she went.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Aslinne followed with the mage walking companionably by her side. None of them this day had seen the snowy lynx that had followed them off the Sea Byrd, and which had trailed them for several days up until now. They all assumed she had finally gone on her way to wherever it was she was headed, but they missed the big cat\u2019s silent presence none the less. By the time they passed Captain Mike Yates just inside the borders of Darkshire, Jenny was starting to recognize and point out places she had known while growing up and telling funny tales about her adventures in each one.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd this is where I got that scar on my knee that you asked about, Aslinne.\u201d Jenny pointed to a big rock along the path. \u201cI tripped on it while trying to watch a shooting star instead of watching the path in the dark and didn\u2019t see that rock.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOOO there are some of the mushrooms I was telling you about!! Look at the size of them!\u201d Jenny\u2019s excited voice rang out. \u201cWe have to go picking in the morning though. See how the colour is all dark? We want em before that happens.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Aslinne was used enough to the energetic girl that she could completely tune out what she was blathering on about usually, but now the subject was local mushrooms. That had piqued her interest alright and she was paying close attention to this particular chatter. She was also scanning the nearby forest from the road as they strolled but had not yet on her own spotted these wonders of culinary arts that Jenny was so excited about. She did see a few poisons she would be interested in collecting and putting into her satchel to replenish her stock.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0Aslinne hoped these mushrooms of Jenny\u2019s were actually something different because the brown mushrooms that she found just about anywhere were tasteless and dull. She was always on the search for flavorful ingredients. Aslinne preferred a bit of zing to her food and after a particularly spicy dish the captain had responded well. Afterward she had been given far more leeway in the ordering of ship\u2019s supplies.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>Oh, my supplies<\/em>! Aslinne remembered that she had left Old Salty John Sliver in charge against her better judgement; she did not trust him one bit, but he was the only sailor available who applied for the position when Captain Green had ordered Aslinne to accompany Jenny to her home. Aslinne hoped again that her kitchen would not be in shambles when she returned to her post. She still had a long journey ahead of her before then and it was best not to brood on it, as she could change nothing about the decisions already made. So, she kicked a rock in the road along in front of her and occasionally chatted with the mage at her side while scanning both sides of the road for mushrooms and herbs as she walked along. Jenny\u2019s voice floated back to them in waves and didn\u2019t seem to require any participation to encourage the flow of words&#8230;or as was the case now, song.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShrooms!\u201d Jenny\u2019s shriek could be heard far and wide as she dashed to the side of the road and scooped up a small batch of dainty purple mushrooms. \u201cBa, these are too old too, see?\u201d She held them out for Aslinne to inspect. \u201cThey have gone too dark in colour.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>*<\/p>\n<p>Just over the rise, Coralee Hawkins straightened up from her work and cocked her head to the side. \u201cJenny?\u201d Then spotting her daughter in the distance, she jumped up and down several times, \u201cJim! Jim, Jenny\u2019s back! Jim! Come quick!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Down by the river and just barely in shouting distance, Jim Hawkins and his young twin sons looked up from where they had been inspecting the fishing nets already strung out on the tall poles to dry. \u201cJenny?\u201d \u201cOur Jenny?\u201d Shielding his eyes with his stiff leathery lined hand, he could see Jenny start to run toward his wife.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t recognize the other woman who slowed to a stroll behind Jenny, nor the figure in the flowing black robes who faded into the background and didn\u2019t have time to look because after Jenny hugged her Ma she had turned, sprinted down the bank to the river and leaped into his outstretched arms.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOh Jenny, it\u2019s good to see you, lass\u201d. There were tears streaming down his face and Jim Hawkins could see his wife wiping her own face as Jenny turned to gather her brothers in the hug.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJenny, Jenny, is it really you?\u201d Little Jimmy had grown a whole head taller and his leap into her arms nearly knocked the slight girl over.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHi, Jenny\u201d Jeremy\u2019s theatric whisper was lost in the hullabaloo, but Jenny heard him because she smiled right at him and gave him a big hug too.\u00a0 Then the boys raced up from the river\u2019s edge where they\u2019d been unloading fish from the boat to stand near the stone bridge and stare at the newcomers who had arrived with Jenny.<\/p>\n<p>After they had all touched each other and reassured themselves that the moment was real, Ma Hawkins turned around and formally introduced herself to the shadowy mage and the pretty woman who patiently were looking out over the river and seemed to be oblivious to the family reunion and to the two small boys standing and staring at them. They weren\u2019t of course, but it looked that way.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Smiling at the strangers Ma Hawkins nodded stiffly. \u201cThank you for bringing our Jenny home.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>*<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOh, Ma, don\u2019t be so formal,\u201d Jenny pulled Aslinne into the family group and introduced her, \u201cThis is Aslinne Gradh. Best ship\u2019s cook this side of Spindrift Bay and these are Ma and Pa Hawkins.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Coralee shook the hand of Aslinne Gradh and welcomed her \u201cWe really are grateful for you bringing her home, miss.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Jenny looked a little unsure then added, \u201cThis fella is\u2026 well I don\u2019t actually know who he is, but he has walked with us from the ship and he\u2019s a friend of Aslinne\u2019s.\u201d She nodded in the direction of the figure in black who stood woodenly to the side shrouded in shadow and said nothing but nodded his head formally.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPleased to meet you,\u201d Coralee first greeted the mage cheerfully. \u201cWelcome to our home. Call me Coralee. James and I are always glad to meet friends of Jenny\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The mage nodded and turned to look at the river.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Jenny nodded toward the inn. \u201cMa, they are going to stay the night and go over to the Hunting and Fishing Lodge after some mushroom picking in the morning. Aslinne was kind enough to bring me all the way home so I\u2019m gunna show her the little mushrooms that we like to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She gestured to her brothers, \u201cAnd those are Jimmy and Jeremy,\u201d she added introducing her young twin brothers, who were both shyly eying up the strangers. \u201cGood luck telling them apart. They lie about it, too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>One of the twins stuck out his tongue at Jenny and the other blew a raspberry. \u201cNot everyone is as blind as you are,\u201d they taunted in unison.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This was an old taunt. Aslinne grinned because she could see that Jenny was laughing and started chasing them toward the bridge.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDon\u2019t go far,\u201d Coralee shouted. \u201cWe just got her back and it\u2019s teatime.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Turning back to the guests Coralee could see that both the mage and the slightly bashful Aslinne looked uncomfortable with this intro but they were eventually drawn into the obviously joyful family reunion that afternoon.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Aslinne won the twins over nearly immediately with her stone-skipping knowledge as they dawdled along the bank of the river behind Jenny and her parents. She led them a small distance away but stayed in sight of their family so Jenny could catch her parents up with the news of the world. The mage followed Aslinne. Jenny noticed the kindness as did her parents who nodded in approval at Jenny\u2019s travel companion.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTis good to see your face, daughter,\u201d Coralee began. \u201cDo you think you\u2019ll be staying for just one night too?\u201d She asked anxiously.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMa! I\u2019m home, I\u2019m not going anywhere except my own bed, if it\u2019s still there?\u201d Jenny linked arms with her mother.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s always going to be there,\u201d Jim Hawkins gruffly broke in. \u201cWelcome home, Jen.\u201d And he put his arm around Jenny and patted Coralee on the shoulder for comfort.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The mage didn\u2019t really speak to anyone, just followed Aslinne down the riverbank, but he looked longingly to the road south. The little family moved on up into the Bent Bow Inn to get the tea water boiling and the lowered tones of their voices could be heard murmuring in the distance as Little Jimmy and Jeremy had a thorough lesson on choosing the exact right round and flat shape and the proper grip for skipping stones and Aslinne had her hands full answering their many questions. Some of them were even about skipping stones.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>By the time the lads had thrown their fill of stones, they had remembered that Jenny promised them gifts upon her return, so they abandoned their newfound friend and dashed in the front door of the inn. Having thrown one last stone into the stream, Aslinne brushed her hands off before she picked up her pack. She could hear the boys\u2019 high-pitched voices begging for their gifts. Aslinne grinned over at the mage who sat on the bank muttering to himself and studying the small book he carried everywhere, then took one last look at the peacefully meandering stream.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She decided. \u201cLet\u2019s settle in for the night. Tomorrow I\u2019ll go pick mushrooms with Jenny, and then we can head over to the fishing lodge.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He nodded slowly in reply and took one more glance in the direction of the fishing lodge, not quite visible downstream.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Before long she turned to climb the incline to the Inn and see about a cup of tea. Aslinne had a good look downstream toward the bridge in the south. It was still a little way longer to find the Darkshire Hills Hunting and Fishing Lodge, farther south of Jenny\u2019s family Inn that is. She planned on enjoying this furlough from the ship and had her favorite fishing pole carefully stowed in her bags.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cComing?\u201d Her question wasn\u2019t answered but the mage turned and followed her.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, they had a warm and plentiful supper with Jenny\u2019s family and found themselves tucked up for the night in comfortable beds. It didn\u2019t take long before they each were fast asleep.<\/p>\n<p>*<\/p>\n<p>After waking slowly in comfort, Aslinne quietly woke her friend Jenny and they both snuck out of the Bent Bow before dawn.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSee? They\u2019re always far easier to spot in the dawn\u2019s light, aren\u2019t they?\u201d Jenny twittered on about the mushrooms as she skipped through the wooded area. Aslinne collected as many as she could carry and several other plants too.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It didn\u2019t take long before they were both laden. After packing up, a quick breakfast at the inn, settling the bill, and bidding Coralee a friendly good day, Aslinne picked up her pack and strode out ready to leave. The mage had been sitting by the river watching the Hawkins boys clean their fish, and James mend nets when Aslinne found him. Again, she repeated her goodbyes the rest of the Hawkins family. They watched the sun fully rise while organizing their packs along the riverbank outside of the inn.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A little later, realizing she had fallen behind, Aslinne hurried her step to keep up. It was the first time since leaving the ship that the man she considered her friend, who now walked just ahead of her, had showed some sense of urgency and anticipation.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHave you been to the lodge before?\u201d A little breathless from walking too fast, Aslinne was curious to find out why all of a sudden, the mage had changed demeanor and speed of travel, but she also wasn\u2019t willing to make a direct question of it.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He turned his head toward her and the gleam of his dark eyes showed his excitement, but he didn\u2019t speak. She could see the grimace that was his smile though, and he nodded his head under the black hooded cloak that he wore everywhere. His pace didn\u2019t slow down and although he was not much bigger than she was, she struggled to keep up.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Then Aslinne deliberately slowed her pace and stopped along the bank just before the bridge they would have to cross before finding themselves at the lodge.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou go ahead; I\u2019m going to stop here at this river crossing to test out my newly repaired rod; the morning is just too perfect to hurry through.\u201d Shrugging out of her heavy backpack, she rummaged through to find her hooks. \u201cI\u2019ll catch you up at the lodge. Just let them know I\u2019ll arrive later, okay?\u201d She trailed off as she looked up then. He was already across the bridge and a couple hundred paces past.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u201cWell, that\u2019s that then.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She felt ruffled and grumpy that he didn\u2019t even pause to see why she had stopped.<em> It\u2019s not as if we had an appointment that we couldn\u2019t miss. What\u2019s his problem?<\/em> She thought to herself as she forcefully dug near the riverbank with her trusty travel trowel, muttering under her breath. At last, after collecting a little writhing ball of worms she chose a fat wriggling one. Popping it onto her hook and casting into the clear running water helped dispel her mood and she let the stream take her worries away with it.<\/p>\n<p>*<\/p>\n<p>Still on the path from the Bent Bow Inn, striding purposefully, the mage had not even heard what Aslinne had said when she stopped by the river\u2019s edge. He could wait no longer to get to his destination and was obviously under some sort of emotional strain. When he finally did notice she was no longer walking with him, he looked back. She was still by the stone bridge and had begun to dig into the riverbank with a small shovel. He simply continued on his way, certain she would be at the Lodge before the day was finished. He had some private matters to attend before she arrived.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As he walked, he mused. The outcome to the magic he was practicing was not getting any easier, no matter how close he came to the shard fall. It should be getting easier the closer he got. This book was different. These spells didn\u2019t fizzle when they should and fizzled when they should not. The runes were hard to understand. They were written in an old script that had all sorts of additional swirls and loops attached to it. The runes would not adapt to the present and they resisted any change that might lead to a less effective spell.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He found himself hearing Aslinne in his mind: \u201c<em>You know I\u2019m not a witch. There isn\u2019t a bit of me with any magical power that I can find, but I have ancestors with the sight, and what I know about magic is this: What you put in you get back, threefold. But only if done with virtuous intent. And: NEVER spell cast for oneself, only in the service of others.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Maybe there was something to this theory of Aslinne\u2019s that he could not get out of his head. What if virtues really did affect his ability to cast these old forms of magic? And the equally interesting thought: do some kinds of virtues and some kinds of vices affect the strength of different schools of magic? He had never considered that the very land might have its own magic; or that each caster\u2019s intent and virtue had a consequence when combined with powerful spells, before his discussions with Aslinne.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She believed that not all the magic in the world needed a touch of that cold shard that burned at the very essence of his being every time he cast a spell.\u00a0 She believed that magic and virtue strengthened each other, not magic and shard essence. <em>What if she is right?<\/em> He shook his head again.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is crazy talk,\u201d he mumbled aloud as he hurried along, trying to convince himself that he knew what he was doing.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>No need to go looking for strange magic when the splinter of the shard he carried gave him a boost of magic already. What need did he have of other ways or another knowledge? That woman got under his skin.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He shrugged then gave a grimacing grin and spoke softly to himself a spell of clarity.\u00a0 Her logic was profound and her cooking worth the wait; she was an interesting travelling companion, and he had enjoyed their voyage and travels together. Regardless of how sick he was, she had made sure he had food. So, when she had crazy ideas about order and virtues, he felt some sense of responsibility to think about what she told him before he gave her his opinion.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>If he could just get this spell to work, it would speed things up so much further along when it was time to prove to her that his magic worked, and that he didn\u2019t need to believe in the laws of magic that she seemed to follow.<\/p>\n<p>*<\/p>\n<p>The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky and Aslinne sighed, not wanting to break out of the peace she had found for herself on the riverbank that day. After she had caught a good string of five fat fish, all now gutted and gleaming on the fish-string, Aslinne buried the entrails, scattered the remaining worms, and packed up her kit. It was now early evening, and she was feeling the sharp pinch of hunger. Mrs. Hawkins\u2019s sausage and biscuit breakfast at dawn had been too many hours ago. It was time to continue to the lodge. Her pack now seemed heavier after the respite, but she didn\u2019t flinch, she just swung it up and onto her back with a flick of her arms. Her tiny stature no longer stopped her from doing the things she needed to do, and it brought her a sense of satisfaction. She may be compact, but after living in Novia for a number of years, she was now all sinew and muscle. There were no noodle arms left in her world. The old insult from when she first arrived in Novia as an Outlander, unprepared to care for herself, still stung. Her old life of empty leisure in the Outlands was not a temptation for Aslinne, for she remembered vividly how unhappy she had been with no purpose to guide her.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Well, now there was plenty of purpose, and at the moment that purpose was getting to the lodge, settling her accommodation, and finding out if the cook, Cordon Ramey, still remembered her recipe for pan fried fish.\u00a0 He was one of the cooks she had met as she travelled around the world selling her fish, and trading with other cooks of Novia for recipes and produce. Cordon was a good cook, smart and funny, but he had a sharp temper and though she enjoyed his cooking and visiting with him, she was always relieved when it was over.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>At the Lodge&#8230;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The Lodge\u2019s manager, Goldie, had spent the morning fussing over every detail in the gathering room; it had been months since she had had news from anyone in the syndicate but two weeks ago everything changed. She now had had her fill of \u201ccontact\u201d and just now only wished it all to be over and done. She was uneasy finding items for people she didn\u2019t know personally. There was such a risk to herself and her team that she was very picky about who she would procure things for. But. Nestor sent word that he expected her to comply with this odd request from this unknown mage, and report back to him as soon as the mage arrived. Nestor did not allow refusals to his requests. She had been in a state of waiting for days now. Impatiently waiting and fingering the letter she had received; she didn\u2019t need to reread it as she had already memorized its contents.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>To: The Hunting and Fishing Lodge, Darkshire Hills<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Dear Goldie, <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Good day to you. Nestor recommends you highly as the best procurement officer he knows. He insists you will find me what I need. I have been scribing for the Southern Red Branch Syndicate of Elysium Island. We are now exposed but had been working in secret in Jade Valley for a generation or more. Nestor is my contact. <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>I am now one of the only survivors left from the disaster that befell our syndicate at River\u2019s Cross near Jade Valley when our reckless dragon reshaping wasn\u2019t contained, nor the dragon controlled. I am certain you are aware of our failure and the loss of the majority of the Southern Red Branch Syndicate. <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Seeing the disaster unfold and by luck alone, I escaped notice and capture by using an invisibility spell I had learned, and I fled. <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>The Southern Red Branch Syndicate has nearly been wiped out. Since I am now without a cabal, I will soon meet with Nestor. He wants to know about the research we had been undertaking into reanimating dragons, before reassigning me.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0After my short stay at the Hunting and Fishing Lodge I go to meet with him in Ordanis Mortis at Los Garde\u00f1ias Restaurant to discuss my future.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>I need your help to find a dragon egg. My syndicate were close to a breakthrough. We had found and translated more spells that will increase our casting strength if we can intone the spells correctly. This proves to be far more delicate of a task then we originally thought. When we succeed, we will be able to reshape creatures once again to our use, as the Obsidian Cabalists were capable of doing hundreds of years ago. Alone, I am the only one left who is trained in the words of the spells of the Southern Red Branch Syndicate. <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Nestor has given me permission to ask for your assistance in a test of my ability here before I meet with him. I beseech you; heed my words. What I need for this test is a dragon egg. I have seen an egg myself. I know it\u2019s there but could not take it on my own.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>It is on a small trading ship named the Sea Byrd. She flies a pirate flag, but I have seen no piracy among that crew. I did find a hidden room with a treasure in it. As well as the trove of gold, there are a few dragon eggs. I need two of those eggs. Just two. The live ones; the others are petrified and worthless to me. You need to send a small group there to discretely gather them without being detected. Then keep them secreted at Darkshire Hills until my arrival. <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>The ship is a small full sail galleon that travels the Novian Oceans trading and carrying passengers. She has only a few stops before reaching her destination. It is vital that you send someone to collect the eggs before it leaves the port at Ardoris, without being detected. It\u2019s the last port they stop at before I must visit with Nestor, and before my arrival at your lodge. The eggs are hidden in a secret room in the crew quarters. I have included the ship\u2019s schedule. Take the eggs to your lodge; I will meet you there within three weeks\u2019 time. I trust you will have managed this task before my arrival. I have been practicing a spell I found that will speed up the hatching. Do not fail, Goldie. Nestor is counting on this success. I need those eggs. Keep this secret.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>With Respect,<\/em><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><em> N.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>PS: I travel with a human woman, Aslinne Gradh, who gives me the perfect reason for visiting Darkshire Hills and collecting the eggs. She is not of the Syndicate. Do not involve her. <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 H.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>*<\/p>\n<p>Upon arriving the mage strode into the Darkshire Hunting and Fishing Lodge. There was no time to waste.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou there!\u201d he pointed at the first person he saw. \u201cFind me the manager at once!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>*<\/p>\n<p>The trembling youngster working at the front desk had never seen a ranked Obsidian mage before and was obviously shaken by the blue and green tattooed face. After delivering the message to Sister Golden Hair, who had been hanging about all morning with the new guest from Central Britanny that had arrived the day before, he scampered off and didn\u2019t report back to work again until the next day, when he was whipped for his lackadaisical attitude.<\/p>\n<p>*<\/p>\n<p>Sister Golden Hair introduced herself as Goldie and calmly led the mage she had been expecting up a set of stairs inside the building. There, another man in black looked up from the fire he had been staring into while sunk into a comfortable chair by the lit fireplace. She then introduced Mister S who pointed at the wooden box he was resting his feet on.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>And then Goldie looked squarely back at the mage. It was obvious H. N. was not here to fish; he stuck out like a lighted lantern in a dark room. He was obviously a mage of rank and should be introduced with all the rites, but all Goldie knew him by was the H. N. that he signed at the bottom of the letter; she could not introduce him to S because she did not know his name, either. After staring for a short intense period, the mage went straight to the topic.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou received my letter?\u201d The mage enquired of Goldie as he settled himself into a seat by the window.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She nodded and patted the pocket she kept it in.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>His eyes flicked to Mister S. \u201cMy Eggs?\u201d the mage inquired.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>S nodded too. It was he who had successfully spirited the requested eggs from the belly of the ship. The mage looked them both over with his unnerving stare.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSend one to this address\u201d The mage held out a slip of a paper. \u201cThe other I need here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>S again nodded assent, but tersely replied, \u201cIt was not accomplished without considerable difficulty. That ship was well guarded.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Before he said any more, he asked, \u201cDo you have my payment?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes. All in good time. First, I need to set up an area to cast this spell. Is there a gathering spot?\u201d The mage looked out the window and saw Aslinne dawdling along the path. \u201cQuickly, my companion approaches.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell, not a temple. But we do have a casting place, at one of the local potions shops,\u201d Goldie wrote the address down for the mage in front of her. She knew enough about Nestor to realize she would do whatever this mage needed in order to stay in Nestor\u2019s favor. She continued as she handed him the address, \u201cWhere we can set you up to cast this spell.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo.\u201d The mage shook his head.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He looked at her with a sneer, \u201cBecause it is a DRAGON egg. Perhaps the out of doors? Or away from public view would be more suitable to the subject?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She looked a little sheepish. \u201cOh, right. I didn\u2019t think of that.\u201d Joining him at the window and watching Aslinne\u2019s compact wiry form approach she added, \u201cHow about out back of the Lodge in the forest away from the other guests? Is that private enough?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt will take a few days to set up.\u201d Goldie decided. \u201cThe day after tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0The group of three exchanged additional terse remarks as they made their way out the back door of the Lodge with the large box between them. It didn\u2019t look heavy as much as it looked awkward to carry. Five acolytes trained by Goldie followed them solemnly, pleased they had been invited to participate and trying not to trip on their brand-new robes.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>The Explosion&#8230;<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Coming around the final bend in the path, Aslinne smiled. The lodge laid out in front of her was welcoming and rustic. Settling in was simple. There were only a few rooms, not many guests, and it was a fairly private location. By the end of the day, it was easy to forget the speed of the world while fishing off the small dock in front of the lodge, or watching her friend Cordon cook the just-caught fish with fine herbs and beautiful vegetables. It was a true pleasure to be pampered and fussed over and a rare treat. That night she tucked into her meal with gusto.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Aslinne didn\u2019t see the mage around the lodge that day or the next, as she rose early to fish and he was gone from his room by the time she returned, but she knew he was still there from the gossip of the staff. He did stand out from the others. A little different is the way most put it. She smiled. He was different. And his heart and mind were far different from any she had met in this land thus far. He was far more innocent than his demeanor would suggest. It was a challenge to be friends with him alright because he seemed to have no regard for anyone but his own self. Ignoring her like this really wasn\u2019t something she liked very much but there was little she could do unless he decided to be social. So. Resting. Fishing. Eating. Resting. Fishing. Eating. Though she wanted to find out what his flurry of activity was all about, it could wait until she had had her fill of fishing for, and eating, pan-fried wonders.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0On her second full day at the lodge, as she was enjoying a late lunch and sopping up the leftover butter on her empty plate with crusty bread, a loud explosion rocked the foundations of The Hunting and Fishing Lodge of Darkshire Hills. Smoke and fire billowed from the area just to the west, somewhere out in the woods. Aslinne and Cordon raced to see what had happened. Aslinne had her knives out and she felt ready for whatever they might find. They found smoke and fire and a large hole in the ground. Cordon went immediately to the slightly blackened figure of Goldie who was trying to get up from the smouldering turf. The mage lay several paces from the crater. And there were charred figures of the five acolytes who didn\u2019t escape the explosion. The mage coughed and moaned when Aslinne knelt down to see if he lived. He lived.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat the Titans are you doing?\u201d She did not shy from her anger and concern. \u201cDo you want to be killed?\u201d She helped him sit up slowly. He did not speak, he just breathed deeply several times and then took a look around, blinking in the smoke and dust. He still had his little book clutched tightly in his hands and he stroked it then tucked it into the pocket of his vestment before doing anything else.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNothing,\u201d he whispered hoarsely. \u201cNo, not at all.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>*<\/p>\n<p>He didn\u2019t say anything else in reply; he just simply stared into the blast center with what looked like dismay. Running his eyes over the dead bodies he looked around frantically. \u201cWhere is he?\u201d he muttered to himself. When it became obvious to him that S was gone, he pounded his fist on the ground in frustration.\u00a0 Not only was S gone, but the dragon egg was also gone. The grim expression he could not hide pulled his face into what looked very much like a bare skeleton.<\/p>\n<p>*<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAgain?\u201d The red in Aslinne\u2019s hair seemed to ignite with her flash of anger. \u201cThis is IT. I\u2019ve had it. I have been putting up with your complete disregard for life for long enough. You are going to blow yourself to smithereens. Not to mention that there are five dead people here right now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou think I don\u2019t see what you are doing? You think I don\u2019t know you have secrets?\u201d Aslinne was still warming up in her angry tirade. \u201cAll these weeks and you still don\u2019t understand what the virtues of courage, truth, and compassion have to do with success? You still think that you can force whatever you are trying to do? What in Novia are you trying to do?\u201d She nearly shook him until she remembered he was recovering from the blast.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou know nothing.\u201d He said it dispassionately, but she could see that her words had rattled him. She didn\u2019t think he had experience with many of the virtues.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNothing? Don\u2019t be daft,\u201d she returned bitterly, turning her back on him. \u201cI\u2019ve brought you back from the brink of death. I know all I need to know about who you are.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf something doesn\u2019t go your way then you simply walk away, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>His cutting words rang true but Aslinne was far too angry to admit her own shortcomings. He said nothing but muttered under his breath in a language Aslinne did not recognize as he rose unsteadily from the ground and brushed off some of the leaves and dirt clinging to him.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou know nothing about me. Nothing.\u201d She didn\u2019t shout but spoke with disdain. \u201cAnd you are the one who walks away. Like the other day, leaving me behind without a word. If you want to have a friendship with me, this isn\u2019t the way to go about it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t need you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>His words hit Aslinne like a rock.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo, I suppose you don\u2019t,\u201d she shouted. \u201cBut that\u2019s not what friendship is built upon. It\u2019s not just about your own needs; it\u2019s also having compassion for another person that sustains friendships. You don\u2019t seem to care one whit about anyone but your own self.\u201d Then gesturing to the dead bodies of the acolytes laying discarded nearby she sneered, \u201cYou think the lives of these people who have died here have no worth other than for misuse by you?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Aslinne shook her head sadly. \u201cI\u2019m not going to chase after you anymore. If you want to be friends with me, then be brave enough to learn to live truthfully, and with compassion. I don\u2019t want to see you again until you learn what that means.\u201d Then she hung her head in painful resignation. \u201cI\u2019m going to my room. You can clean up your own mess.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>And with that she got to her feet and spun away from the stunned mage. She strode away with tears in her eyes, but she was not willing to show him her hurt. He had taken up enough of her time with his complete lack of common decency. She knew she loved him but she also had her limits and he crashed into those today.<\/p>\n<p>*<\/p>\n<p>The mage followed her movements with his eyes, but he didn\u2019t stir from his resting spot. Considering her angry words was a slow process. He didn\u2019t know what he had done to deserve her wrath, but she certainly seemed to think he deserved a good lashing. However, the thought didn\u2019t linger.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He was still looking around for the egg but it was blown to smithereens. The spell to hurry the hatching did not go as planned, obviously. His grim expression still hadn\u2019t changed when Cordon returned with the needed cleanup crew and they began gathering the dead and carrying them away in a wheelbarrow. He watched the bodies as they were loaded. Goldie was not among them; neither was S. Aslinne\u2019s words rolled around in his head but he could not make sense out of them. No one approached the mage. No one dared.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He had the book, but the egg was gone. Now he recalled, during the casting of the spell S had sidled up to him and tried to touch the book in his hands. It made him lose his focus and he misspoke during the casting. The resulting explosion was obvious. His eyes narrowed and his lips thinned out as he pursed his lips in annoyance. Goldie had been one of his few syndicate contacts, and he now realized that someone had gotten to her.\u00a0 Probably Nestor. Well blast, if S knew enough to try and take the book then he was no longer safe here, either. And he wanted the rest of his spider\u2019s eggs back, too. They were in storage with the other dragon egg.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He took Elnoth\u2019s Cartage and Storage Central Brittany calling card out of one of his many pockets and stared at it for a few minutes. He didn\u2019t even go back into the Lodge. He pulled a travel scroll from a different robe pocket and muttered the incantation quickly before he changed his mind. Aslinne was not going to like this. He didn\u2019t need her anyway, right? Right. There was a twinge of pain when he thought about her and her kind green eyes and bright red hair floated into his mind. With these images swirling in his head, he could feel himself start to fade; it would not be long until he arrived at his location.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Just as he vanished, the calling card fluttered to the forest floor.<\/p>\n<p>*<\/p>\n<p>After several hours, Aslinne\u2019s temper subsided and she felt the need to go and check up on the mage, as she had left him sitting in the forest surrounded by destruction. She felt sheepish now that she had lost her temper. Perhaps he was still there, injured. She left her room and walked back to the site of the explosion. There was no mage there. There were no longer other dead bodies there either, but there was a large snowy lynx sitting patiently in the forest right where she had left the mage.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cKitty!\u201d she exclaimed, \u201cwhat are you doing here?\u201d Walking over to the feline, Aslinne gave Kitty a scratch under the chin. \u201cYou are a good girl, aren\u2019t you? Did you follow us all the way here from the ship?\u201d As she petted the cat, Aslinne glanced down and saw a small calling card stuck on one of Kitty\u2019s claws. Kitty seemed to be offering the card to Aslinne. \u201cIs that where he went?\u201d She looked into Kitty\u2019s eyes. Kitty simply rubbed up against Aslinne\u2019s leg and purred.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>And with that answer, Aslinne pocketed the card. \u201cWell, we\u2019ll see if I feel like looking him up again,\u201d she sniffed. With this decision made, her heart a little sore, and her spirit slightly bruised, she decided to return to the lodge. And good riddance to the mage! Who needed a stupid old mage for a friend anyway? She asked herself that many times as she and Kitty picked their way through the rubble and headed back through the forest to the Lodge.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>The Day Before the Explosion&#8230;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Lucy Featherbright, Zyrina, and I finally arrived at Darkshire Hills after our hectic journey from Ordanis Mortis. Just inside Darkshire Hills, at the base of the peaks, we came upon a local bulletin board. Zyrina and I scanned it for information while Lucy looked at some interesting mushrooms that were nearby. We were in luck: The Bent Bow Inn had a poster up on the board and gave clear directions for travelers. There was a signpost just ahead and we knew from the posted flier that we needed to take the road to Town Boundary Three, and then fork left to get to the Bent bow Inn. This should be easy&#8230;but of course, somehow, we managed to arrive at the wrong location, and by the time we found our way back and took the correct fork, it was late at night again. Instead of setting up camp, Zyrina wanted to press on to the Inn and the rest of us agreed. We had slept rough for enough nights since leaving Stinging Tree Hollow that the thought of hot water, hot meals, and a warm bed were all very enticing. We picked up our bags for one last push and arrive we did; in a thick fog, late at night, and raining to boot. It was a wonder the Innkeeper opened his door at all. He did.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMr. Hawkins? My name is Lily Byrd and I\u2019m the sister of the Captain that your daughter Jenny worked for on the Sea Byrd. Hello.\u201d Here I stuck out my arm in a salute of truth. \u201cWe are searching for the woman who travelled with your daughter. Is Aslinne Gradh still here?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He returned my salute with the salute of compassion, \u201cFirst, come in and warm up. My name is James. This is my wife Coralee. Welcome to the Bent Bow.\u201d The innkeeper stepped out of the way and let us sopping wet travelers into the inn before barring the door once more.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCan never been too safe,\u201d he mumbled while he patted the thick wooden door.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNow what can I do for you? Looking for Jenny\u2019s friends you say?\u201d He paused looking them over again before nodding and answering in his slow measured way, \u201cThey aren\u2019t far off. We can sort all that out in the morning.\u201d Our looks of relief must have been palatable.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He pointed us drenched travelers to a room and sent up warm water to wash with and a hot stew with bread and ale. It was luxurious. I decided we all needed a little pampering, so I gave a little extra gold and arranged baths for myself and each of my companions. It was not entirely altruistic as the combined scent of me and my friends was beginning to make even my eyes water. We took turns in the large bathtub and afterward fell into our still-warm meal with relish. There was no time for anything more, as we were worn to the bone. Sleep took us swiftly.<\/p>\n<p>*<\/p>\n<p>Zyrina was the first awake in the late morning. She dressed silently and tiptoed out of the room while Lucy and I snored gently under our comforters. Downstairs she found the Innkeepers sweeping up and doing dishes as they quietly talked to each other and occasionally laughed. It made her smile to see an old couple still enjoying each other\u2019s company after many years together.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMornin\u2019 sleepy head!\u201d Mrs. Hawkins put away her broom and came over to Zyrina with a steaming pot of dark black tea, thickly steeped. She poured the steaming hot beverage as she spoke, \u201cHow\u2019d you sleep?\u201d Giving Zyrina a once-over, she clearly took in the stains on her well-worn garments as well as the bags under her eyes.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Zyrina grimaced, \u201cBetter than I have for days, thank you Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCall me Coralee, dear. Is there anything else I can get you?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Shaking her head once, she hesitated a little before going on, \u201cWe are trying to catch up with a traveler who we have been following for almost a month. I believe she escorted your daughter Jenny home from the Sea Byrd where they both worked. Do you know where Aslinne Gradh is staying? Or her traveling companion? And I believe there was a snowy lynx with them as well, but you may not have seen the cat.\u201d Here Zyrina paused to take a breath and blow on her cooling tea.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOh, them.\u201d Mrs. Hawkins gave a toss of her head toward the south, \u201cThey moved on down to The Hunting and Fishing Lodge of Darkshire Hills the day after they arrived. It\u2019s south of here following the river and a little further south of the next crossing. Our Jenny is not yet home either. She\u2019s gone out mushroom hunting early this morning, again. She has planned on being out in the woods all day picking. Aslinne taught Jenny a new recipe. Some kind of soup.\u201d Here Mrs. Hawkins licked her lips. \u201cI think she\u2019s making some for our supper tonight too.\u201d Then she added, \u201cAre you going to be staying another night?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Zyrina shook her head again and sipped her tea.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>James Hawkins finished up the sink of dishes, leaving them to airdry on the sideboard. \u201cThat Aslinne is a wonder. I never \u2018spected to see our Jenny back home after she left so determined to go to sea like I had when I was young, and yet here she is glad to be home and willing to help. Aslinne taught Jenny some patience that I didn\u2019t see in her before she left. I\u2019m glad Jenny took to that cook.\u201d He shook his head with a puzzled grin on his face. \u201cBut that other fella. He\u2019s different, alright. Mumbles to himself and doesn\u2019t talk much. Don\u2019t make much sense either talking about eggs and books and secret meetings.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Zyrina took another long sip of tea. \u201cOh?\u201d She didn\u2019t bat an eye.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He went on, \u201cNot much more I can say. Before they moved on to the lodge, he came up the river and watched the lads and I pull in the day&#8217;s catch but didn\u2019t offer so much as a finger to help. Isn\u2019t that right, lads?\u201d Here he nodded to his sons who were knitting socks by the fireplace. \u201cJust sat there listening to us work and him reading out of that little book and muttering to himself.\u201d He seemed quite grumpy about that. \u201cSpent a lot of time watchin\u2019 people but not actually having anything to do with people, y\u2019know what I mean?\u201d Mr. Hawkins seemed disturbed by this. \u201cIt isn\u2019t just that, neither. It\u2019s the way he stares. It\u2019s as if he knows nothing about anything and is taking it all in, good and bad, only\u2026well, only it almost feels like he doesn\u2019t know which part\u2019s virtues, and which part\u2019s vice, and he don\u2019t care to know, neither.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOh, James, you do prattle on! You don\u2019t want to be bothering the little miss with your insights about strangers,\u201d Coralee admonished her husband with a light touch on his arm. \u201cShe\u2019ll meet him soon enough I suppose, if she\u2019s going down to the Lodge.\u201d She looked over at Zyrina again, \u201cAre you wanting to wait for the others before you go?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Zyrina nodded and took another gulp of coffee. \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am. And thank you for the information.\u201d Here she nodded toward James Hawkins, \u201cDo you know how long they are staying at the Hunting Lodge?\u201d The Hawkins looked at each other in that way that old married couples do, talking without words.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t reckon we do know that. Neither of \u2018em said much when they were here,\u201d Jim Hawkins told Zyrina.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Mrs. Hawkins added, \u201cWell, at least I think Aslinne is still there. Are you going over today?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes, ma\u2019am we are.\u201d My voice carried over to them and Zyrina turned to see both Lucy and me clomping down the stairs refreshed, dressed, and ready for the day. Even if that day was nearly half finished.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSuit yourselves. I\u2019ve got something prepared to break your fast.\u201d Coralee Hawkins spoke even as she moved to serve the rest of us morning tea and then serve a meal. Lucy especially seemed interested in the big eggs she spied in a bowl on the counter. Mrs. Hawkins stirred up massive cheese omelets, took warm pancakes out of a steamer, and fruit salad from the cold room in a blink of an eye. Then she wrapped banana bread and cheese in some soft cloth and left it for us to take on our travels while we ate our morning meal. And ate. And ATE. Waddling out of the Bent Bow Inn an hour or so later, we three looking rested and satiated. Waving to the innkeepers as we took to the road just in front of the inn, past Mr. Hawkins\u2019s fishing boat and nets, and after spending a few minutes admiring the brand-new masterful rock skipping skills of Jenny\u2019s little brothers, it felt good to be walking again. The rest and the meal had worked their wonders. It was not long before we spied the stone bridge that Coralee and James had described to us. We knew the Lodge was just on the other side and down the bank of the river around a bend by a small dock. Each of us unconsciously squared our shoulders and hurried our paces in unison as we stepped onto the bridge. We were closer to our goal than we had been in a month. I looked around carefully, hoping to see Kitty sitting in the shade watching us. I didn\u2019t, but I saw Lucy making the same sweeping search through all the bushes as I had done.<\/p>\n<p><br \/>*<\/p>\n<p>Aslinne had been sitting on the soft turf of the forest floor with Kitty, who was watching Aslinne carefully. They both stared into the forest for a long while. Aslinne found herself stiff when she rose. Stretching, she looked over at Kitty, \u201cWell Kitty, let\u2019s go get some tea and figure out what to do next, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The feline gave her a quizzical look, stretched, and started down the path to the hunting lodge. Coming closer to the building Aslinne could hear several voices and laughter. There must be new guests staying at the lodge. She was not sure she was in the mood to visit with other guests, but she had to go past them to get up to her room. However, upon opening the back door, Aslinne found familiar well-armed and well-provisioned women playing a joyful version of checkers that included three people. They were currently laughing their heads off at something and turned as one to see who had come in. Only one of them was unfamiliar to her.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>*<\/p>\n<p>Lucy was the first to speak, \u201cAslinne?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWho\u2019s asking?\u201d\u00a0 she winked at Lucy. Then she spied me and Aslinne continued, \u201cit\u2019s me, Aslinne. Lily, don\u2019t you recognize me?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>I took note of her tear-stained cheeks and sooty clothing and nodded. \u201cOf course, I do.\u201d I could see she was in a state of anguish. \u201cWhat\u2019s happened?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s when she broke down and started talking too fast, crying, and wringing her hands. We heard the whole story. How she\u2019d met someone on the ship who completely intrigued her while they were travelling in the far north and how after several adventurous months at sea, travelling on wagons, and finally walking, they had arrived here at the lodge to have a short fishing trip and time to enjoy some peace and quiet. Then she told us about the explosion. And the argument. Zyrina swore. Lucy whistled, and I just sat stunned.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Lucy asked anxiously, \u201chave you seen Kitty? She\u2019s been following you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes, she\u2019s just outside finishing off the fish I couldn\u2019t eat for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYES!\u201d Lucy\u2019s booming voice reverberated through the whole lodge and she leaped to her feet and ran out the back door in search of her brother\u2019s cat.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDo you know what the mage was trying to do out in the forest?\u201d I asked thoughtfully.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNope. It\u2019s not the first time he\u2019s started a fire when casting, but this time there was an actual hole in the ground afterward.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She was going to elaborate but Zyrina cut her off. \u201cIs he still here?\u201d she urgently asked as she started for the backdoor.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>With her eyebrows raised and just about ready to give the strange woman a blast, Aslinne was restrained by my touch on her shoulder.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s Zyrina, my friend. She is rather blunt but one of the best people I know.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Aslinne shook her head no to answer the question then nodded to me and relaxed a little but she still didn\u2019t look pleased with Zyrina\u2019s brusque tone.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We had wandered out the side of the lodge while I explained what we knew so far, and why we were so interested in her boyfriend. At a long table under a lovely, shaded canopy while we watched Lucy check Kitty over for injury, Aslinne asked a few questions herself. Cordon overheard our conversation, said nothing, and with a flourish placed some lavish plates of fantastic smelling fish in front of us. He joined in the conversation about Aslinne\u2019s mage after Aslinne introduced him around as the most talented chef she knew.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat mage was nothing but trouble,\u201d he said with tightly pursed lips. \u201cFirst there was all that business about getting a dragon egg, and then all he managed to do with it was to blow everyone up.\u201d Cordon was obviously still disturbed from having just finished digging graves and burying the charred bodies. \u201cThat\u2019s no way to run a restaurant, or a fishing lodge, or anything, anyhow, anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDragon egg?\u201d I looked up at Cordon standing near the rotating spit while he enthusiastically basted the meat there with a brush full of fat and flavor. \u201cDid you say dragon egg?\u201d I repeated this a little louder.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He ducked his head, \u201cS returned with them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cS, yes, we\u2019ve seen that name before.\u201d Zyrina nodded.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t know where they got the egg, but they seemed pleased when it got here. Then that mage showed up and BOOM. Now the egg is gone too.\u201d Cordon had finished the basting and set the pan of sauce down near the roast before wandering back into the lodge muttering under his breath about the kitchen staff and salt.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIs he trying to hatch or control another dragon?\u201d Lucy spoke sharply, having leaned in to hear the conversation.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMaybe,\u201d Zyrina noted as she strode back into the room. \u201cHe\u2019s gone. I checked his room.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGone?\u201d Aslinne looked stunned. \u201cWhat do you mean gone? We just had a fight. Where did he go?\u201d She got up and looked frantically all around her, as if she would see the mage pop out of the woods. \u201cI\u2019m not done arguing with him.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOh, for pity sakes! We have found Kitty and you, Aslinne.\u201d Zyrina looked frustrated. \u201cNow we intend to find the mage. I think he\u2019s got an artifact that we have been looking for and I think he doesn\u2019t know what to do with it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat artifact?\u201d Aslinne asked.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>First there was silence. Then I launched into a long-winded explanation, and by the time we were done eating our supper, Aslinne knew most of the story. She sat quietly just staring into the forest.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Lucy wailed, \u201cHow does he keep getting away? Does he know we are following him?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLet\u2019s go find him.\u201d Aslinne said with quiet firmness. She looked both sad and determined. \u201cThere\u2019s hope yet.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Lucy, Zyrina, Aslinne, and I all stared at each other thinking that Aslinne was delusional then slowly one by one we nodded. Kitty yawned loudly and arched her back. Our company had grown by one human and one feline.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>I sighed. \u201cFine. But how are we going to find him if he\u2019s disappeared?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Aslinne\u2019s eyes twinkled brightly, which I was beginning to understand meant that she had an idea. She pulled Elnoth\u2019s card from her pocket and handed it over.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think he\u2019s going there.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>I looked at the address, \u201cElnoth? The Viking elf? How in the world does your mage know Elnoth?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The receipt attached to the back of the card was for new storage at Elnoth\u2019s Cartage and Storage in Central Britanny. For one large box marked fragile.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOH!\u201d I exclaimed, \u201cI know Elnoth! He lives in Jade Valley, too. His cartage is only down a bit from my family\u2019s boardinghouse in the South West of the city.\u201d I looked somber for a moment, \u201cElnoth isn\u2019t the kind of man who would be an Obsidian sympathizer.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhatever is going on at the storage place, I\u2019m almost certain Elnoth isn\u2019t involved; but we might find out something if we can find this storage item.\u201d Zyrina looked thoughtful, too.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are far more cabalist activities in New Britannia, and they are far closer than I had imagined. I wonder if Lord British is aware of how close it is to home, or Lady Arabella for that matter; it is her city.\u201d Lucy also had thought about this very subject most of the way from Darkshire Hills.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Zyrina didn\u2019t add a comment but apparently could make out what I was thinking, \u201cYou think the egg is at this storage facility?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>I nodded.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe just passed through Central Britanny\u2026\u201d Lucy trailed off. She was already repacking her bag. She knew we would be leaving soon to find the mage. \u201cWe should get that book from him before he blows up something even bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Zyrina nodded grimly. \u201cWe leave in the morning. Are you coming Aslinne?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Aslinne thought for a few moments. \u201cYes, I believe I will. I\u2019m travelling north regardless. We parted in anger, and I\u2019d like to have a chance to apologize to him for my outburst.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>I stared at her. She could not be more obviously in love, but I don\u2019t think she herself knew that she was in the throes. That mage had been responsible for much destruction wherever he traveled and I for one was not convinced of his good intentions, nor his virtue. I could not see how he was lovable but apparently Aslinne saw something that no one else seemed to. It gave me pause to think, because Aslinne had a good sensible approach to life. She was not easily taken advantage of, and her steadfast attitude toward the mage made me reconsider. Maybe there was something I wasn\u2019t seeing.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe need to get that book from him before he does any more damage,\u201d I stated.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The others nodded. Well, Aslinne didn\u2019t, but she looked very thoughtful.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Then we got to work, planning our trip to Central Britanny, catching Aslinne up with the whole story, and listening to Cordon who had overheard many of the conversations around the lodge. No one usually noticed a waiter in a dining room unless they want something for the table, but now we were all ears. As he repeated some of the gossips, he moved around efficiently and eventually started serving the meal he had spent the day preparing.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We listened to his stories, stuffed ourselves on the fabulous second supper, talked and planned late into the evening, and when it seemed that there was nothing left to add, we each found a bed.<\/p>\n<div class=\"clammr-player\" data-title=\"The Stone Dragon Series &#8211; Book 2, Chapter 9\" data-imageUrl=\"\"><audio id=\"audio-12701-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%; visibility: hidden;\" src=\"http:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Stone-Dragon-2.9.mp3\"><\/audio><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_11497\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11497\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11497\" src=\"http:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Echoes From the Caverns\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-144x144.jpg 144w, https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-230x230.jpg 230w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-11497\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Echoes From the Caverns<\/p><\/div>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_6638\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-12701-3\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Stone-Dragon-2.9.mp3?_=3\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Stone-Dragon-2.9.mp3\">http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Stone-Dragon-2.9.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1px !important;\">Podcast: <a href=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Stone-Dragon-2.9.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/?powerpress_pinw=12701-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Stone-Dragon-2.9.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"Stone-Dragon-2.9.mp3\">Download<\/a> (Duration: 1:10:18 &#8212; 101.7MB) | <a href=\"#\" class=\"powerpress_link_e\" title=\"Embed\" onclick=\"return powerpress_show_embed('12701-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Embed<\/a><\/p><p class=\"powerpress_embed_box\" id=\"powerpress_embed_12701-podcast\" style=\"display: none;\"><input id=\"powerpress_embed_12701-podcast_t\" type=\"text\" value=\"&lt;iframe width=&quot;320&quot; height=&quot;30&quot; src=&quot;https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/?powerpress_embed=12701-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio&quot; title=&quot;Blubrry Podcast Player&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot; scrolling=&quot;no&quot;&gt;&lt;\/iframe&gt;\" onclick=\"javascript: this.select();\" onfocus=\"javascript: this.select();\" style=\"width: 70%;\" readOnly><\/p><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_subscribe_links\">Subscribe: <a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/echoes-from-the-cavern\/id857267086?mt=2&amp;ls=1#episodeGuid=https%3A%2F%2Fthecaverns.net%2FPodcasts%2F%3Fp%3D12701\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_itunes\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Apple Podcasts\" rel=\"nofollow\">Apple Podcasts<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/subscribebyemail.com\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_email\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe by Email\" rel=\"nofollow\">Email<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_rss\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe via RSS\" rel=\"nofollow\">RSS<\/a><\/p><p>http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Stone-Dragon-2.9.mp3 Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:10:18 &#8212; 101.7MB) | Embed Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS Read by Addy Chapter 9. Tempers and Explosions. Before the Lodge&#8230; Finally in Darkshire Hills, and after greeting Sergeant John Benton, Aslinne Gradh and Jenny Hawkins, with the mage in tow, had arrived near [&hellip;]<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12701","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Stone Dragon Series - Book 2, Chapter 9 - Echoes from the Caverns<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Stone Dragon Series - Book 2, Chapter 9 - Echoes from the Caverns\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Stone-Dragon-2.9.mp3 Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:10:18 &#8212; 101.7MB) | Embed Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS Read by Addy Chapter 9. Tempers and Explosions. Before the Lodge&#8230; Finally in Darkshire Hills, and after greeting Sergeant John Benton, Aslinne Gradh and Jenny Hawkins, with the mage in tow, had arrived near [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Echoes from the Caverns\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-09-19T11:55:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-09-19T11:55:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-300x300.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Lord Asclepius\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Lord Asclepius\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"46 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Lord Asclepius\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/ab94be59e320cfc56a062eee9f47b53b\"},\"headline\":\"The Stone Dragon Series &#8211; Book 2, Chapter 9\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-09-19T11:55:18+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-09-19T11:55:23+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":10491,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/05\\\/45-Record-Album-300x300.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Echoes from the Caverns\",\"Fan Fiction\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\\\/\",\"name\":\"The Stone Dragon Series - Book 2, Chapter 9 - Echoes from the Caverns\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/05\\\/45-Record-Album-300x300.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-09-19T11:55:18+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-09-19T11:55:23+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/ab94be59e320cfc56a062eee9f47b53b\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/05\\\/45-Record-Album.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/05\\\/45-Record-Album.jpg\",\"width\":3000,\"height\":3000,\"caption\":\"Echoes From the Caverns\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The Stone Dragon Series &#8211; Book 2, Chapter 9\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/\",\"name\":\"Echoes from the Caverns\",\"description\":\"Powered with the help of The New Britannia Theater Troupe\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/ab94be59e320cfc56a062eee9f47b53b\",\"name\":\"Lord Asclepius\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ca86738ddf207718f1f601b4242ccb74407480a2872dfb0fdc4123f726e5031d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ca86738ddf207718f1f601b4242ccb74407480a2872dfb0fdc4123f726e5031d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ca86738ddf207718f1f601b4242ccb74407480a2872dfb0fdc4123f726e5031d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Lord Asclepius\"},\"sameAs\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/www.thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thecaverns.net\\\/Podcasts\\\/author\\\/asclepius\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Stone Dragon Series - Book 2, Chapter 9 - Echoes from the Caverns","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Stone Dragon Series - Book 2, Chapter 9 - Echoes from the Caverns","og_description":"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Stone-Dragon-2.9.mp3 Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:10:18 &#8212; 101.7MB) | Embed Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS Read by Addy Chapter 9. Tempers and Explosions. Before the Lodge&#8230; Finally in Darkshire Hills, and after greeting Sergeant John Benton, Aslinne Gradh and Jenny Hawkins, with the mage in tow, had arrived near [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/","og_site_name":"Echoes from the Caverns","article_published_time":"2022-09-19T11:55:18+00:00","article_modified_time":"2022-09-19T11:55:23+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"http:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-300x300.jpg","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"Lord Asclepius","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Lord Asclepius","Est. reading time":"46 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/"},"author":{"name":"Lord Asclepius","@id":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/#\/schema\/person\/ab94be59e320cfc56a062eee9f47b53b"},"headline":"The Stone Dragon Series &#8211; Book 2, Chapter 9","datePublished":"2022-09-19T11:55:18+00:00","dateModified":"2022-09-19T11:55:23+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/"},"wordCount":10491,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"http:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-300x300.jpg","articleSection":["Echoes from the Caverns","Fan Fiction"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/","url":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/","name":"The Stone Dragon Series - Book 2, Chapter 9 - Echoes from the Caverns","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"http:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-300x300.jpg","datePublished":"2022-09-19T11:55:18+00:00","dateModified":"2022-09-19T11:55:23+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/#\/schema\/person\/ab94be59e320cfc56a062eee9f47b53b"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album.jpg","width":3000,"height":3000,"caption":"Echoes From the Caverns"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-2-chapter-9\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Stone Dragon Series &#8211; Book 2, Chapter 9"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/#website","url":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/","name":"Echoes from the Caverns","description":"Powered with the help of The New Britannia Theater Troupe","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/#\/schema\/person\/ab94be59e320cfc56a062eee9f47b53b","name":"Lord Asclepius","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ca86738ddf207718f1f601b4242ccb74407480a2872dfb0fdc4123f726e5031d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ca86738ddf207718f1f601b4242ccb74407480a2872dfb0fdc4123f726e5031d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ca86738ddf207718f1f601b4242ccb74407480a2872dfb0fdc4123f726e5031d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Lord Asclepius"},"sameAs":["http:\/\/www.thecaverns.net\/Podcasts"],"url":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/author\/asclepius\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12701","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12701"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12701\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12703,"href":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12701\/revisions\/12703"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12701"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12701"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12701"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}