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(only REAL information is the temple in Camu, and the training of Riders) (everyone should know we have Riders by now)
It was several days for the galley to make it around the tip of Bob, we could see several Voxian ships in the distance as we traveled, but made no attempt to really contact them . The crew had finally come to enjoy Shiber’s company, and we would often laugh openly at some of the things that would fly from his mouth. On the second day of the voyage, he had been overcome with a sickness, and had calmed down considerably as a result. As it was, he was almost normal. Well, as normal as a talking dog could be. I was sure that once we hit land, and he felt better, he would start up his constant stream of excited speech, though. So much for being some great sailor.
Finally on the fifth day, I spotted the now familiar sight that Aro had taught me meant land. Birds could be seen out in the distance, that surely meant we were near Zenophobia, and only a short hop from Camulodunum. It did not take long for Mount Zen to come into view, and I could even make out the vague shape from the carcass of the Dragon that Master Zen had hauled up there, a pale white against the cool grey of the mountains cliffs.
As we rounded Mount Zen, I caught a glimpse of a group of Dragons breaching the water in the distance. I pointed it out to Shiber and for the first time since I had known him, he had nothing to say. He simply sat and watched the Dragons as they moved, flailed, and blew spouts of water, showing off their power. Occasionally he would glance back at me in obvious disbelief that such a thing could be killed.
A warm reception awaited us at the beach, and the town quickly set about to prepare a feast in honor of my guest. Looking around, I could find neither schIsmAtIc nor Aro. I heard a caw and a flutter of black swooped in from my left, and quickly back away again. Searching for it as it flew away, I could see a necklace dangling from it’s talons. Rushing forward through the crowd to give chase, I was not surprised to find it resting on Aro’s arm, schIsmAtIc grinning by his side.
“Damn it ‘dOx! You were right!” Aro bellowed. “These **** birds have their uses after all.”
I simply laughed and embraced them both. Shiber seemed to be the center of much attention back on the beach, especially with the children of the town. A large mob had gathered around him and the children seemed to match Shiber’s excitement, since his apparent sickness was now gone, they exchanged many questions between them. As we strolled up the beach, I was halted in my tracks.
There before me stood a building, obviously designed with a sole purpose in mind. The doorway had been assembled from the massive jaws of the Dragon, spread wide open in a great display of teeth, it was easily large enough for any man to walk through. I fell silent and began walking toward what was obviously a temple built in honor of the Dragon.
“Now look, ‘dOx. I know you are not much on religion, but after you killed the thing, and seemed to be transfixed on it…well, the people wanted a temple, it was all going to waste otherwise.” Aro was trying to explain.
“It’s ok, Aro. I think it is quite fitting.”
This stopped him suddenly. I knew that any admission of religious devotion on my part must have been a shock to him. But my recent dreams and events had brought me to question such things myself.
As I walked through the mouth…err, door, I was instantly impressed. The walls of the temple had been forged from the largest of the ribs of the Dragon spread out and acting as columns. Smooth marble filled the spaces between the ribs, and they had apparently covered the ribs with what appeared to be some sort of Bronze sheeting that made them shine. Slots in the ceiling had been forged to allow the light to enter, and it glinted off the Bronze in a dazzling fashion. On the far wall was a mighty mural depicting the Dragon, the hunt, and all the bounties the Dragon had yielded upon it’s death. It was obviously the work of Aro after many, many hours spent working away. I was overcome with emotion, the same feeling from my dreams welling up inside of me, as if the spirit of the Dragon had indeed come to reside in this temple. I could feel myself begin to tear up despite any attempt to hold it back.
“Wow! Look at this! Why, this reminds me of the Shrine in Arashi! Man, I never knew you guys could build such things! Look at these columns! Is this really all from the Dragon? How did you make them? Can I get a small piece to take back home? You know, NotYouEither would love to come and see this, he enjoys studying such buildings! Did you know that he…”
I was thankful for the interruption and composed myself quietly thanking Shiber for once again freeing my mind of such thoughts. And was happy to see the kids begin chiming in with similar questions for Shiber. It almost appeared as though Shiber and the children were sharing some unique form of communication.
After sitting down for the feast, I was pleased to learn that all preparations were made and I would begin training the captains in the use of the new horses and saddles with their stirrups tomorrow. The Dragon’s hide that I had requested to be tanned had formed into a tough leather, very nearly as strong as steal, but far lighter. Aro had taken the initiative and formed me a suit of armor from it. Upon seeing this armor, though, a chill ran down my spine. It was the same I had been seeing in my dreams. Jet black, no shine to the armor itself, it was truly a beauty to behold. What could this mean? I hid such thoughts, though, and thanked Aro for the thought. I was sure it was a fine suit of armor, but I no longer had any need for such things. Still, as a ceremonial piece, it was magnificent. Bronze plating gave accents, and formed the image of a raven on the chest.
That evening, after making time to be alone with my wife and finally seeing her to sleep, I quietly made my way into the Temple of the Dragon.
It was several days for the galley to make it around the tip of Bob, we could see several Voxian ships in the distance as we traveled, but made no attempt to really contact them . The crew had finally come to enjoy Shiber’s company, and we would often laugh openly at some of the things that would fly from his mouth. On the second day of the voyage, he had been overcome with a sickness, and had calmed down considerably as a result. As it was, he was almost normal. Well, as normal as a talking dog could be. I was sure that once we hit land, and he felt better, he would start up his constant stream of excited speech, though. So much for being some great sailor.
Finally on the fifth day, I spotted the now familiar sight that Aro had taught me meant land. Birds could be seen out in the distance, that surely meant we were near Zenophobia, and only a short hop from Camulodunum. It did not take long for Mount Zen to come into view, and I could even make out the vague shape from the carcass of the Dragon that Master Zen had hauled up there, a pale white against the cool grey of the mountains cliffs.
As we rounded Mount Zen, I caught a glimpse of a group of Dragons breaching the water in the distance. I pointed it out to Shiber and for the first time since I had known him, he had nothing to say. He simply sat and watched the Dragons as they moved, flailed, and blew spouts of water, showing off their power. Occasionally he would glance back at me in obvious disbelief that such a thing could be killed.
A warm reception awaited us at the beach, and the town quickly set about to prepare a feast in honor of my guest. Looking around, I could find neither schIsmAtIc nor Aro. I heard a caw and a flutter of black swooped in from my left, and quickly back away again. Searching for it as it flew away, I could see a necklace dangling from it’s talons. Rushing forward through the crowd to give chase, I was not surprised to find it resting on Aro’s arm, schIsmAtIc grinning by his side.
“Damn it ‘dOx! You were right!” Aro bellowed. “These **** birds have their uses after all.”
I simply laughed and embraced them both. Shiber seemed to be the center of much attention back on the beach, especially with the children of the town. A large mob had gathered around him and the children seemed to match Shiber’s excitement, since his apparent sickness was now gone, they exchanged many questions between them. As we strolled up the beach, I was halted in my tracks.
There before me stood a building, obviously designed with a sole purpose in mind. The doorway had been assembled from the massive jaws of the Dragon, spread wide open in a great display of teeth, it was easily large enough for any man to walk through. I fell silent and began walking toward what was obviously a temple built in honor of the Dragon.
“Now look, ‘dOx. I know you are not much on religion, but after you killed the thing, and seemed to be transfixed on it…well, the people wanted a temple, it was all going to waste otherwise.” Aro was trying to explain.
“It’s ok, Aro. I think it is quite fitting.”
This stopped him suddenly. I knew that any admission of religious devotion on my part must have been a shock to him. But my recent dreams and events had brought me to question such things myself.
As I walked through the mouth…err, door, I was instantly impressed. The walls of the temple had been forged from the largest of the ribs of the Dragon spread out and acting as columns. Smooth marble filled the spaces between the ribs, and they had apparently covered the ribs with what appeared to be some sort of Bronze sheeting that made them shine. Slots in the ceiling had been forged to allow the light to enter, and it glinted off the Bronze in a dazzling fashion. On the far wall was a mighty mural depicting the Dragon, the hunt, and all the bounties the Dragon had yielded upon it’s death. It was obviously the work of Aro after many, many hours spent working away. I was overcome with emotion, the same feeling from my dreams welling up inside of me, as if the spirit of the Dragon had indeed come to reside in this temple. I could feel myself begin to tear up despite any attempt to hold it back.
“Wow! Look at this! Why, this reminds me of the Shrine in Arashi! Man, I never knew you guys could build such things! Look at these columns! Is this really all from the Dragon? How did you make them? Can I get a small piece to take back home? You know, NotYouEither would love to come and see this, he enjoys studying such buildings! Did you know that he…”
I was thankful for the interruption and composed myself quietly thanking Shiber for once again freeing my mind of such thoughts. And was happy to see the kids begin chiming in with similar questions for Shiber. It almost appeared as though Shiber and the children were sharing some unique form of communication.
After sitting down for the feast, I was pleased to learn that all preparations were made and I would begin training the captains in the use of the new horses and saddles with their stirrups tomorrow. The Dragon’s hide that I had requested to be tanned had formed into a tough leather, very nearly as strong as steal, but far lighter. Aro had taken the initiative and formed me a suit of armor from it. Upon seeing this armor, though, a chill ran down my spine. It was the same I had been seeing in my dreams. Jet black, no shine to the armor itself, it was truly a beauty to behold. What could this mean? I hid such thoughts, though, and thanked Aro for the thought. I was sure it was a fine suit of armor, but I no longer had any need for such things. Still, as a ceremonial piece, it was magnificent. Bronze plating gave accents, and formed the image of a raven on the chest.
That evening, after making time to be alone with my wife and finally seeing her to sleep, I quietly made my way into the Temple of the Dragon.
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