LOK History Page 1

...The Crowning Ceremony and The Obsidian Address...

December 17, 1508

Infiltrating the defenses was a simple matter. Why wouldn't it be? Bows met Queen Luna's form as the intruder floated silkily about the rush to prepare for the Crowning Ceremony. The shapechanger allowed himself a small smirk of amusement as he walked about regally, completely disguised as the Moon Kingdom Queen, Luna StarAngel. A strand of her hair was a simple thing to aquire when one is a songbird. In through the window, to her ivory hairbrush, and away a moment to waltz into everything as someone who wouldn't be bothered. All was perfect. "It is a pitty we didn't merit an invitation, my Kingly Companion," Master Draygun mentally noted to the light dragon circling high above. Master was the title a for Dragon Rider at the time.

"You're there to observe. It would be less than unfortunate to have our presense discovered. An invitation would have been nice, but apparently these Kingdoms are far too obsessed with their internal strife to pay attention to how their change in government will affect the entities around them," Erador replied, circling the city below with a good thirty-thousand feet between.

"Calm, soothe thyself. I don't believe they could have fit you here anyways," Draygun replied gently to placate the affronted King. It was a white lie, there was plenty of space for hundreds, perhaps a few thousand to witness the event.

"Queen Luna!"

Draygun didn't even flinch, but didn't register that it was he he was being called upon.

The deeply baritone and masculine voice called again, but this time it was closer, and didn't require a raised voice to travel the distance. How could anyone move that quickly?

"Yes?" Draygun trilled, turning about and had to stop himself from cussing. "Whoa...huge bodyguard..." he noted to Erador.

"Dangerous?"

"Very. But also gentle. I shall make this quick, then I'm going back to my caterer guise," Draygun replied, smiling as the gargantuan man gave a polite and smooth bow.

"Forgive me, my Lady, I had anticipated you elsewhere," the eleven foot tall draconian apologised. It was clear he was a younger member of his race, given his radiant energy and all those other character nuances common to youth. Nevertheless, he could be very old in human terms, and the built body capable of lifting several tons indicated by all rights that his physical youth was well behind him.

Draygun's eyes flitted over the Guardian's form to check for weapons. In his study he noted the superior black leather armor sporting a concealed layer of impregnable chain mail, plates of polished metal, braces, coifs, and a hand-and-a-half sword to cleave a horse in two. But of greatest interest was the guardian's crest upon his chest. Stamped on with rivets, a brightly polished plate of bronze depicted five dragon heads with a sword held in the maw of each dragon. This guardian was also a Rider, and a very accomplished one if memory had served him right.
     "My apologies, I just wanted to see how the preparations were coming along myself. I don't need constant protection from daemons, but your presense is calming," Draygun replied, marveling at how his elven voice sang even when he wasn't trying.

"Everything is in order for the Ceremony...I'm helping to see to that," the Guardian replied, remaining at a specific distance as the Queen would not have to strain her neck to look up into his face.

"Vermillion red skin, black hair, six black horns...one green eye one blue. Can you remember who this is, Erador?" Draygun queried quickly, sending his companion a mental image of the Guardian.
     "Excellent, walk with me a moment," Draygun said, taking up a slow and regal stride. He frowned after a moment, "I said I didn't like those drapes, they shroud the light. Aren't there white ones around?"

"Master Erindor, a young rider at about the age of sixty. His dragon is the rather unforgetable Archangel Malestrom...a title that in my opinion, is well earned," Erador growled back, remembering the Rider and his dragon quite well. "I hate youngsters..."

Draygun flinched when Erindor snapped his fingers at a few who were setting up the drapes along the faces of the columns, "The Queen requested white drapes for the columns, not violet. Arrange for the change, and swiftly," he boomed.

After some time of walking about the courtyards and plazas that were being prepared, Draygun sighed, "Ugh, I can't shake him."

"Order him elsewhere," Erador replied dryly, having an edge to his voice. 

"Oh but he could be a useful plaything..." Draygun replied, thinking of ways of how to get a bit of the giant's DNA so he could use his form as a guise. 

"Just don't rouse his companion," Erador warned, keeping an eye on the horizon where the beast was roaming the skies.

"What? You's a big scaredy dwaggy because of some other ugly dwaggy? Have faith in me, alright?" Draygun sauced mirthfully.
     "...So tell me, Erindor, I feel I haven't been thankful enough of your loyal services; is there anything you'd like?" he crooned, relishing in his ability to play the part well. A small lasceration on Erindor's upper tail attracted his eye like a magnet. "Your armor seems to have chaffed your tail, let me heal that for you."

Erindor stood perfectly still, and bowed with a few polite words of gratitude after the imposter Queen had healed the rather tiny cut. "I thank you again, your appreciation warms my heart..." Erindor paused for a moment, slightly glazed over. "...Pardon me, but Malestrom informs me of a possible security breach. I will be at your side as soon as possible. Duty calls!" he exclaimed, bounding off.

"Well that paid off," Draygun smiled, watching the ebon veinous blood soak into his ivory and elegant fingertip. "And Erador, tuck tail, Malestrom suspects something...and that probably would be you," Draygun said, walking quickly and changed into the Rider he had just met. The change in height disorientated him for a moment, as well as the body type. He tried to emulate the clothing and armor as best as he could, but he couldn't remaster the sword. Draygun strode quickly through the halls, following his mind's radar for where Queen Luna was. He assumed a well blocked mind was to be hers, and he made his way to rendevous with the real queen of the Moon Kingdom. "Queen Luna!" he boomed to catch her attention across a hall, moving quick and carried a sense of urgency.

Queen Luna was speaking with one of her loyal servants as she strode gracefully through the next hall. She held her arms at her side, her back beautifully straight, and her gorgeously blonde hair drawn over her fair shoulders. The elegant gown she wore trailed behind Luna during her liquid-like walk. Upon hearing her name called aloud through the narrow pathway beside her. She turned her head in the direction of the disguised Draygun and smiled warmly. "Why, Erindor..." she said smoothly. "What is it? Is something wrong?" She nodded to her servant who then trodded into the hallway for the diningroom.

"Nothing is awry, but Malestrom informed me of a unique atmospheric disturbance above the city. It could be a dragon, and he's investigating now," Draygun replied in Erindor's amazingly burly yet eloquent voice. He was enthralled by this new individual he was assuming to be; he felt so alive! 

"Ooooh boy! He's a fast one, Draygun! Keep your head low! I'll try to meet you at sunset!" Erador suddenly piped in, evasively dodging away from a Malestrom cannonball. "I'm shrouded, he must have seen my wingbeats stir the clouds..."

Giving a pause, Draygun continued, "Looks to be an eavesdropper, Malestrom is handling the situation," he smiled. "Perhaps its one of the neighboring Dragon Septs wondering why they didn't merrit an invitation," Dray fished.

"I see..." Luna thought deeply about the situation. "Erindor, be a dear and invite them for me, hm?" She laughed melodiously. "I am just rather curious myself for why they would go to such lengths for an invitation. It should be all well I suppose."

"I can only imagine they are curious about the shift in the power over the lands. Changes like these only happen so often, and they are usually marked with twists and bends in history as the new order of things continues life where the old order left off. Because of the great lifespan of dragons, they know this cycle well and wish to see each one off to have a forecast, if you will, of what may be to come," Draygun replied thoughtfully. "On a different subject, other than the curious onlookers, security is tight. Is there anything you need me to do for you other than inviting the curious dragons?"

"I am sure you know that everyone is invited, Master Erindor...well...except the likes of the Foularbor Empire. Please, if the dragon has a Rider, it would be rather wise to invite him--or her-- as well, don't you think..?---MY GOODNESS!" She said quite suddenly upon realizing the color of the drapes. "Why are the drapes white! They are always white! I wanted purple for the royal occasion happening upon my grandchildren! Well, I suppose I'll have to change them myself then..." She let out an amused sigh and returned her attention to the Erindor imposter and brought back her smile. "Go on now, Erindor. You should know what to do. I shall go fetch my purple drapes. Fare thee well!" Then she continued through the hallway. "Oh! And please be polite to the dragon and possible rider, will you?" She called out to him before bringing her attention back on her new duty she recently placed on herself.

Draygun bid the Queen farewell for now and lightly chortled to himself, shaking his head in dismay as he walked by the ivory drapes. "My mistake. The Queen wishes to have purple drapes for the occasion as per her original request. I think she's stressing on having everything perfect..." the Erindor Imposter said, resulting in many groans as the men and women began taking down the white drapes. "Goodday, you all are doing a fantastic job!" Draygun encouraged, scooting away.

"What are you all doing?!" boomed Erindor's voice as Draygun flitted out of view just in time. 

Draygun sighed, rolling his eyes and thinking this was becoming much too messy. After regaining his composure, Draygun reappeared as the Queen herself, striding elegantly and fluidly over to Erindor. "Now now, Master Erindor. I apologise for my conflicting tastes as to the colour of the drapes, they are to remain purple as I said before." The Imposter flashed Erin an enigmatic smile.

"But..." Erindor raised an eyeridge; it wasn't often the Queen would change her mind about such things. "...My apologies!" he called to the decorators and bowed lightly to the form of Queen Luna. "Malestrom has located a possible eavesdropper, but suspects that he or she is a light dragon. The intruder has since relocated and Malestrom is on the prowl. Likely one of the Septs that hasn't had their invite properly delivered, I shall see to it myself."

Draygun was practically beaming, "That would be splendid. I doubt chasing them will help...try meeting them in the air on diplomatic terms?" he suggested before someone called the Queen's name, and it wasn't for him. "Well, that must be for me. Do be quick," Draygun said, inclining his head before stalking off.

Luna turned around and partially raised an eyebrow. Then she laughed before continuing on her way. "Indeed..."

Enjoying the lithe grace of his elven form, Draygun danced and spun as he moved, displaying impossible feats of physics only possible with an anti-inertia spell. The flowing scarves and shimmering silks spun outwards as he stepped quickly in exotic dance patterns, not particuarly caring if others saw this display. At some length he reached a balcony and leapt, easily floating downwards at a feather like rate before changing into a certain emerald drake he knew so well. A flash of blue light and his one-half scale replica body of Erador shot off towards his companion. 

"Erador, the invitation probably hasn't reached us yet...as it was a universal one," Draygun explained as he drew closer, trying to detect Erador's heat signature. "Stop running cold, I can't see you!"

Releasing his control on visible and infared light, Erador popped out of the skies, crusing right towards Draygun.

"Oh come on! You know I can't fly tha-" WHAM! Draygun's voice was cut off as Erador lowered his degree of yaw so that his Rider would rather forcefully land on his shoulders.

"I'm always flattered when you take my form," Erador crooned in an amused tone as he banked away from the city and towards the hills and crags to the south west. 

"Its faster," Draygun replied in a no-nonsense tone, reverting to mindspeech as their graduating air speed made vocal speech impractical. He shifted to his normal self with respective rider's attire, in this case a pair of tan leather trousers a and wind jacket. "Land on that crag over there...it should prove large enough to fit Malestrom and Erin," Draygun noted, indicating to a flat plateau.

They waited for Malestrom and Erindor to reunite in the city and fly out to meet them. In the meantime, the pair shared idle conversation and enjoyed the sunlight from their perch. "There they are," Erador said, brushing Draygun off of his forepaw and sat on his haunches, firing a barrage of crackling fireballs into the atmosphere. Malestrom immediately altered course as jets of superheated gas blew out of portals at the sides of a head.

"Erador, I don't believe Malestrom just sneezed!" Draygun suddenly noted; he knew Angel Drakes well. The Emerald Dragon drew on his powers of light and became invisible by bending light around him. It wasn't a moment too late either, for a loosely focused yet potent azure blue beam of light harmlessly passed around his form and heated a boulder to explode. Draygun darted out of the way just in time of both flying granite and the laser beam.

"Master Erindor, Archangel Malestrom, King Erador of the Light Dragon Sept and his Rider, I, Master Draygun Salochin Remyar are on a mission of peace with you. King Erador meant only to gather your attention with the crackling fireballs!" Draygun threw out desperately from his mind.

"Our apologies," Malestrom rumbled in reply, "Its a rather simple way of checking the identity of a Light Drake. There's more to laser beams than heating and cutting," the intimidating Angel Drake spoke.

Erador seemed amused, "While your instincts of self preservation and peace are strong, he couldn't have caused harm."

"Did you forget the part where he bakes me like a potato?" Draygun retorted indignantly as he stood up and dusted off. He strode to a place between Erador's forepaws and crossed his arms.

"I redirected the light at that boulder...I may have heated a fissure full of ice," Erador replied nonchalantly and lightly.

"So YOU could have killed me. Fantastic."

"With the rock, yes, the light, no."

"Ugh..." the Rider sighed.

When Malestrom and Erindor where hovering within earshot, Erindor shouted, "Your Sept is hereby officially invited, as by decree from the Queen and the power vested in me." And they flew off.

"Wait, that was it? All that...that...panic, and, cooking just to drop an invitiation! No TEA? NO CHATTING?! NO PARTY?! NO..." Draygun continued ranting as he climbed onto Erador's shoulders bareback. "Its freezing here...and looks like more snow. Follow that Five-headed Mirror back to the City."

"I was planning on it. And cold? I don't understand what you mean! Its so beautiful and crisp! Winter is as lovely as any other month to me," Erador chirped, jumping off the rocky crag and followed. "Besides, if you're so cold, you should ask Malestrom to warm you up!" he mused.

"I think a coat and a fire should suffice, not me under a magnifying glass with the sun behind it," Draygun replied dryly.

---

As more people filed into the room, a cloaked figure glided in with them. A snowy white hand was the only thing visible, clutching the intricate invitation he had found, lost by the true owner who had dropped it or had had an unfortunate gust of wind carry it away. Finally when they had found a clear space away from others, the stranger dropped their hood, revealing the most beautiful face with the palest skin. This was Akuma Noctis, a vampire with a nervous but pleasant disposition. His striking blue eyes scanned the crowd as his nostrils took in the sweet aroma of blood in the room. But luckily for the other guests, Akuma forbid himself from feasting on the blood of humans, and only fed off animals, but there was no harm in enjoying the smell of blood, was there? He stood his snow white hands trembling as they fidgeted with the invitation, ripping small parts off it every so often. maybe this wasn’t a good idea... he thought timidly to himself. Akuma thought back to the start of the day and when he had found the invitation. It had always been a dream of his to make vampires an excepted race and show people that most of them weren’t the murderous animals they thought they were. He had thought it would be a good idea to attend the crowning ceremony and show people how civilised he was, and at the end (when he was near an escape route) he would reveal to everyone what he really was. But now that he was here, Akuma didn’t feel so confident. His eyes continued glancing round the room, half expecting for someone to suddenly recognise him for what he was and then the chaos would ensue. He tried to reassure himself that the only thing that would give him away would be if people caught sight of his fangs but this didn’t work. How would he show people he was civilised if he could not talk to them in fear of someone seeing his killer teeth. He sighed lightly turning towards the door hoping to make a quick escape.

Queen Luna stepped outside after the drapes were changed back to purple. upon seeing the quarrel of the dragons and riders, she gave an immediate gasp and covered her mouth with cupped hands. "What is going on!?" she cried. "Did I not tell you to be curtious, Master Erindor!?"

Draygun and Erindor stopped their bickering with one another in the corner of the ceremony square. Malestrom had Erador preoccupied with growling off the harassing assult of four heads as the fifth orchestrated its own amusement and watched with glee. "My apologies, Queen Luna," Erindor crooned, bowing deeply in apology. "After we were certain their invitations were received, we returned here. They followed, apparently affronted by the means the invitation was given."

"WELL FOR ONE," Draygun barged in, "...excuse me, Queen Luna, it is most gracious for you to invite our Sept, the Light Dragons, to the Inaguration ceremony," he said rather quickly before turning back to Erin. "Your pretty boy dragon fired a laser beam and almost killed me by shattering a bolder!" 

Erindor adopted the calm, disconnected sort of attitude you might see from a cashier getting an earful from a customer upset about the quality of eggs...or something equally unimportant. "Our apologies, Sir," Erindor soothed in a calm voice. "Were you actually injured?" he cocked an eyeridge.

"Well no-"

"OF course he wasn't, I'm a Light Dragon; therefore the beam was harmlessly redirected...onto the boulder. A fissure full of ice must've turned to steam and exploded the rock. My only complaint is that Malestrom here likes to make me his plaything. Good Gods how old are you again!?" Erador piped up, trying to walk over to Queen Luna and the others.

Malestrom sighed, his brilliantly polished chrome scales reflecting everything about them. "We are Queen Luna's Guardians, a basic search and assessment is required before anyone, including officials from other nations, are allowed to be within a certain distance. Now stand still and this'll go much faster! Imagine if I only had one head! It would take me all day!"

As an Angel Drake, a species of dragon with more distance behind them on the evolutionary segway than any other, Malestrom possessed five heads, with four of them sporting chemical beam lasers. The fifth, centrally placed and adorned with his character and personality guides the four others so he may see, hear, smell, and attack in all directions. He sighed happily as Erador stood still and he could finish the inspection, his mirror like scales shimmering and reflecting every object around them with immaculate detail.

"I would like a more formal invitation, thank you," Draygun said, measuring up his height against Erindors. He still needed a good foot and a half. 

"I apologise if we seemed hasty. Welcome to the Crowning Ceremony. Would you like me to show you around?" Erindor replied, his patience beginning to strain.

"If you can give up your Guardianship duties of the Great Queen, then that sounds grand," Draygun replied, uncrossing his arms and smiling warmly.

"You're acting strangely..." Erador noted to Draygun.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Draygun evaded, watching Erin intently.

Master Erindor turned to Queen Luna and gave a small, relaxed bow, "What may I do for you before I escort our guests as per their request?"

Softly and quickly like a shadow, a figure made his way past the arguing party and into the hall. Security is almost lax, this would not be excepted in D'Hara, they would have been executed on the spot. But, well...no Lord Rahl might have something to say to them before they died..anyways...what? Oh yes... The figure found themselves in a giant hall with many other people, it looked to be a grand party of some sort. With obvious looking dignitaries from other parts of the lands. With a quick scan of the room Araglas smiled, None of them..are paying attention to me, which I can only assume means I look like another Dignitary to them. He resigned himself to moving to a corner of the room and leaning against the wall. He wore no cloak, so his red, leather and armor, glinted in the light. His red hair fell in a wave around his face causing him no end of frustration. But still he smiled, he would get home soon, he would find this Queen Luna, and ask her to help him get home, and if she refused. He would make her help him. His handsome face turned at more argueing from outside, a small smile flit across his lips, "Well...it seems not all is as it should be.." He said this quietly to himself.

"Erindor," Malestrom tactfully interjected as if going off a rythmn, "there is a curious visitor in the far corner. Stoic, emotionless, structured; not likely to be a noble dignitary. I'll keep a few eyes on him for now," the five headed dragon relayed, watching the figure dressed in fiery red with his beta head.

Araglas had not left his little corner. It was an ideal place for him to remain, he could see anyone coming towards him, or trying to get out of the room. He could see from his corner, to the opposite on the other side of the room, which was quite a ways away. He turned to his right to guage his escape route, and there he found a snag. A set of doors that led directly outside were blocked by a crowd of people and a few tables. The people would easily enough be avoided, but the table looked as if they couldn't hold his weight. He mused for several minutes as he thought of every way he could get around them. After a few moments of silece he turned his red eyes towards a group of female dignitaries that had formed into a group a respectful amount of room between them. They were whispering and sending him curious glances, others were blowing kisses and winking, shaking their gowns and bending over as they talked to one another, giving ample room for him to glance at their alarming amounts of showing flesh. He opened his mind and tentively reached out and felt the emotions that were practically oozing off them. A few were curious, others cautious, two were lusty, and one was angry cause he hadn't aknowledged her. As he pulled his mind back he was instantly barreted by panic., and failing confidence. His eyes turned through the crowd and then back towards the direction he came. He didn't show it but was shocked to see one of the five heads of the Dragon that had been arguing with someone earlier was now watching him. He growled on the inside and closed his mind like a steel trap, save for a small thread that was full of panic from someone. He leaned away from the wall, moving towards the group of ladies that were oggling him. With disgust welling up in his mind he let a smile stretch over his face, and was glad that all of the women practically melted on the spot. He moved through them, going slowly so that he brushed up against them. Bile eapt to his throat as one of the woman placed a hand on his back, he turned as she was about to speak, "Please exscuse me, I am in a hurry..." his voice was low and soft, she blushed and nodded. He moved through them and shook himself as he weaved his way through to his exit. As he neared it, he purposefully knocked into the person who was radiating panic and now failing courage. He caught a glimpse of pale skin and breath taking beauty as he turned to him, "Please exscuse me, I didn't mean to jostle you. Are you ok?" he asked in the same low voice he had used with the woman. He couldn't place it as he stared into the face of the pale man, but this one didn't seem like anyone else, he was paler than all the rest, and his eyes looked haunted but besides that he looked normal.

Akuma looked quickly at the person who had bumped into him, panic rising as he thought ridiculously that someone was attacking him. His mind was eased very quickly when Araglas apologised and seemed concerned about his well being. "Ah..y..yes i'm fine..." he stuttered, his face turned downward towards the floor so the stranger could not see his fangs. He glanced every few seconds at Araglas to see how he was reacting.

Araglas studied the man very carefully before him, taking in his appearance, his bearings, his attitude, and his demeanor. His red eyes gently swept up and down his form before concluding that a racing horse would have cause less damage than he even if the man had been trampled. Araglas placed his right hand over his heart and gave amid-way bow, "Please forgive me..I didn't mean to bump into you. I hope you don't mind me saying, but you look out of sorts, may I get you a drink?" When he had to Araglas could be every inch a diplomat, he had to since The Lord Rahl and the Mother Conffessor had started seeing them. There had been no end to the dignitaires, he had to learn all their names, deal with their "trifles" and see to their every whim. How sometimes he would have loved to smash a nose in, or break an arm, or even use his agiel. But he did as eh was ordered and became the best well-restrained non-killing diplomat he could be. No matter how much they annoyed him. Shaking his thoughts from his mind he squinted his eyes over the mans shoulder and found the Dragon's head was still watching him. Blast...I'll never get anything done with that thing watching me... A glint of the light in the room sparkled off what appeared to be the mans sharpened and very prominate canines. That is interesting...I have not been in this land long...but I have heard tales..hmm He turned the look of curiousity on his face to one of concern, "Would you like to sit down? You look awefully pale sir? Should I send for a healer?" he asked, pushing as much sincerity into his voice as he could.

Akuma shook his head quickly. "I am fine, honestly. I am unfortunately always this pale." He said forgetting to look away, his fangs revealing themselves with every word he said. "I am just a little overwhelmed, is all. I am not used to such grand events with so many people. Thank you for your concern." He gave a small bow to Araglas then began to nervously fidget with the sleeves of his jacket.

Araglas could not help as his eyes were drawn by the light glinting off the points of the mans teeth, with a huge surge of will he wrenched his gaze from them to meet the mans eyes, "Always this pale? I don't think I understand." He said in a confused voice, though that was not true, he in fact was starting to get a clear picture of what the man was before him. "I too am not use to this many people, especially women of such...bearings act as they are. Tell me, do they always act like that? I have met many Dignitaries that never give me a second glance and now they act as if they have never seen a man before.." He was doing his best to keep the conversation going, his eyes darting the the Dragon head that was still looking at him. Blasted thing... He opened his mind and reached out like he normally did, though what he got was unexpected. He hit a wall, inpenetrable, solid, ever there. There wsn't a way to get around it, and he tried. While still carrying his conversation he poked softly and prodded at the wall of protection, testing it, it was the strongest he had seen so far, besides the Lord Ralhs and the Mother Conffessors.

Akuma gave a small shrug. "I honestly do not spend a lot of time amongst humans...I..I mean people. So...I do not know how they act for certain. I live alone, and never venture out that much." He began to relax as he spoke to Araglas, beginning to think that maybe no one would really care if they knew what he was. "I do not think I shall stay here long...it really is rather overwhelming." He glanced behind his shoulder, as he caught the quick glimpses of Araglas. "Are you alright?" he asked now returning the question.

Araglas took in all the information Akuma was giving him, storing it in his mind. Ok...so he isn't human...not and elf...or a dragon...pale skin...sharp fangs..blood drinker? He turned his eyes to meet Akuma's and nodded, "Yes I am fine...though there seems to be a Dragon head following my every move. I don't know if I should be flattered or worried." He knew the answer, he should be very worried, it was a guard, and a big one at that, with five heads. He kept trying to weedle a way past the blasted sheilds it had, but to no avail.

"Are you sure it is you he is watching?" Akuma replied, panic beginning to build up inside him once more. "I am not a very welcome guest amongst many." he whispered feeling that he could trust Araglas with his secret. "Maybe I should leave."

Araglas nodded his eyes shooting back and forth between the Dragon head and the Blood Drinker, "Yes..he has been watching me since he noticed me. I've been moving around the room to see if I was just paranoid..but I am hardly ever wrong." His red eyes went back to Akuma, "Some people are more ignorant than they should be. Listening to old wives tales wrather than listen to thier own thoughts and minds." As his eyes went back to the Dragon Araglas cursed himself again for wearing bright red, never before had he been ashamed of wearing his Mordsith armor, but now it was causing him no end of problems. "No I do not think that would be prudent, you should be an example for others."

Akuma looked shocked. "Are you telling me you know what I am?" he asked quickly. "And it doesn't bother you?...Why?" he asked feeling confused. Most peoples reactions of him had been fear followed by murderous anger.

Araglas turned his red eyes back to the Blood Drinker, softening till they looked pink more than red. "Because, a very wise man once told me, we cannot what we are, we can only change how we are percieved. Even though you are what you are, you have not done one thing to harm me or hurt me in any way. Therefore I have no quarrel with you. And if someone should raise their hand against you for even existing, then they will have to deal with me." His eyes had turned back to red, and his agiel, a thin red rod, was now clasped firmly in his right hand. His arm twitched once and his pupils expanded at the pain of holding the weapon, but he quickly stopped his arm but could do nothing for his eyes. He turned his head back to the Dragon's head and stared at him or her pointedly and then back to Akuma.

The head yawned, displaying an unfocused and dim point of azure blue light in the center of the pseudo mouth. Malestrom stared right on back, grinning lightly.

Akuma smiled. "That is very kind, but I would not want anyone to have to fight for me." he said then lightly ran his fingers through his hair, ruffling it slightly. "You should be careful at who your staring at...they may have the power to throw you out of here, or worse." he finished as he watched Araglas stare at the dragon.

Araglas turned his eyes back to the dragon head, smiling softly. Then turned back to Akuma, "Well if they started it I would intervene. As for staring, its a polite way of measuring someone. I think I could take the Dragon, though I'm not so sure about which head to go after first..but thats not why I am here.." He growled softly his eyes turning back looking around the room, trying to find the Queen. "Listen have you met this...Queen Luna?"

"The queen?" Akuma replied then laughed slightly. "Oh no...I try to avoid people who have great power. If they took a disliking to me, then it would all be over for me. Why do you know her? Is she expecting you or something?" he asked curiously.

Araglas could relax for a moment as Malestrom looked elsewhere, and then disappeared from view. He had heard the magic words, "Queen Luna," from Araglas, and this prompted further investigation. The man was clearly a foreigner, and this sort of activity was expected given the enormity of the coming event. With stealth belying his indomitable form, Malestrom walked up behind Araglas, and stared down at him with five pairs of eyes, "Gentlemen, you are coming with me, now," he commanded verbally seeing that Araglas' mind was sealed up tighter than a crab's buttocks. 

Akuma seemed to shrink away when he heard Malestrom's voice. "Is there something wrong?" he asked his voice a lot weaker than it had been moments before. He looked up at Malestrom and smiled weakly, flashing his fangs again without realising.

"That's what I'm trying to figure out. Now come on, I don't bite, hard," Malestrom replied, motioning for them to walk on ahead.

Araglas positioned himself in front of Akuma and turned to face the five-headed dragon. His agiel was swinging slightly by its golden chain from his wrist. He placed a hand on his hip and stared at each head in turn before adressing the one in the middle which seemed to be the head-head. "We haven't done anything wrong I presume?" He knew when to fight and when to speak, and now was a time for words, though he hoped it would lead to fighting. He was itching to test himself against the dragon. He wondered if it had magic, and if it would be stupid enough to try and use it against him, or would it just bite his head off. Either way Araglas would enjoy himself immensly, so much so that a smile worked its way onto his face, a creepy don'tcarewhatyoudotomeImstillgonnawin look.

"You will do wrong if you refuse me. It is not a matter of disorderly conduct, but rather an assessment. Did you think you could saunter in here without running into security or might you have an invitation to show me? If you don't have the latter, we'll have to talk before I clear you. Don't make it difficult," Malestrom replied simply. "Follow me to a quieter location."

"The man in red is a cocky one," Malestrom said to Erindor. "I'll talk to the both of them; as they probably don't have formal invitations. After I clear them it should be alright, but this one isn't making it easy for himself."

"He's just getting a power trip thinking about getting into a brawl with you. Foolery. Well good luck," Erindor replied, escorting Draygun through the grounds.

Araglas smiled and nodded, "Of course, then by all means let us follow you to a more..secluded place." His smile was soft now, as if he was hoping for a fight in the near future. But it halfway fell as he realized the Dragon wanted him and Akuma. On the inside he growled and wished the Dragon would attack him now so he could find the Queen. At the thought of her a plan formulated in his mind and he quickly made his mind tighter than a magically sealed chest. It would be wise to do so, seeing as how he had felt someone probing his thoughts earlier. He had let his gaurd down and it was his fault, but ti would not happen again.

Malestrom gave a fang filled grin, "Relax," he hissed with a wink, "everything will be fine so long as you don't make it hard on yourself. Come," he said, backing up his 100 plus ton form and turned about, shaking the building to its foundations with his steps as two heads kept eyes on Akuma and Araglas. "Don't fall behind now."

Akuma looked between Malestrom and Araglas then finally decided it would be best to just follow the dragon. He slowly stepped round Araglas and followed after Malestrom, not saying anything now.

Araglas nodded and fell into step behind Akuma. After a few steps he didn't have to bother to try and fell the other's emotions he could feel them rolling off him like a wave. He moved up beside him so that he could find just a little comfort. His red eyes swept the room around him, a small smile filling his face as people watched him and Akuma being led by the the five headed dragon. I wonder where he is leading us...and if it will get me closer to the queen... he very deliberatly let his mind open just a fraction so that the word Queen leaked out before sealing it up tight again.

Just as Araglas loosened the binds on his mind, Malestrom felt the change as he heard the faint utterance of "Queen", and he fired a thought right through the opening in the time it took Araglas to think the word. His message was, "Don't make it hard for yourself." The fact that dragons could think and send messages at speeds greater than most other beings lent a small smile to Malestrom's face.

Eventually he lead them to a mostly unpopulated courtyard and dispersed the stragglers with a mighty roar before turning to face Akuma and Araglas. "Akuma, I'm not so worried about you since you do have an invitation, and your overall demeanor seems to dictate that you're on a mission of personal diplomacy than international. This intrigues me, and I think your position is worthy of greater appraisal as you feel your kind is misunderstood; that is all too true..."

He turned all ten azure eyes upon Araglas, "As for you, you...seek something, someone, and have come here with no invitation to get it. You challenge authority, have shown little respect, and are a direct liability to the safety of the people of this nation and her leaders. I would now like you to explain the reason of your presence, where you are from, and what your allegiances are."

Araglas was shocked when the Dragon's words echoed into his head, but instead of scaring him as it should have he was elated. Here maybe he could find an equal or someone better than himself. He hadn't been in this world very long, but he so far he had encountered nothing that would even begin to amount of the warriors they had in D'Hara, but this dragon, if he proved to be more than he had so far, Araglas would enjoy himself immensly. As they entered into a courtyard the Dragon's roar reverberated through him like the bell in the central tower of Castle D'Hara, and he almost fell to his knees to say the prayer of his people. He had not said it in many months, not since he arrived, but now hesaid it slowly in his mind over and over again as a mantra. Master Rahl guide us. Master Rahl teach us. Master Rahl protect us. In your light we thrive. In your mercy we are sheltered. In your wisdom we are humbled. We live only to serve. Our lives are yours. He said it over and over again in his mind, letting it drift to the back thoughts of his being. As he listened to the Dragon he wondered what he would say, how could he possibly say anything. But he decided to go with some truth, at least a little, "My name is Araglas Avanstorm. I am..not from here...and my alligiances are my own, I follow no one but myself. And as you may have already sermised, I am here to see Queen Luna." he clammed his mind up, and he gently flexed his arms as if showing his boredom, but he was checking to make sure his agiel was at the ready as it always was if the dragon pressed him further.

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