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Summer, 1424
Five days of flight later Jayna and Mera dramatically landed outside a Eroland outpost at Salt Bluff, the Arcadian leader waving a flag of parley in hand before the stunned garrison.
“I am Jayna Durham.” The rider introduced herself. “This is the Stanton Dragon. I would like to speak to your king.”
Messengers were quickly sent to the capital and after a brief flurry of exchanged correspondence the dragon and his rider were invited to meet with the king at the Royal Palace in the Black Citadel of Karrensa.
The next day, with Jayna on his back still holding the white flag aloft, Mera gently hovered down to the Training Field outside the city. There the Patriarch and the Chancellor stood waiting with a line of ceremonial guards behind them and the banner of Eroland fluttering above them.
“I've never been to this island before. Do things look the same?” The Arcadian leader asked, looking at the large thriving port with banners and streamers laid for their visit.
Mera gazed over at the flag- Golden Gates over a Green Field- then at the ceremonial dress and armor the hosts were wearing.
“A lot has changed, but yes I can still see the Eroland I fought over 89 years ago.”
“Hopefully, like the Marken Monks, they can still remember your deeds from the past.”
As the human and dragon landed the Patriarch began a ritualistic Trasgu chant of fortune while the Chancellor bowed at them.
“I am Chancellor Vernon, right hand to King Jacques of Eroland, Mercia and Samarra, and I bid welcome to the granddaughter of the legendary Forester of Stanton and the legendary Dragon of Stanton, Gremenal's Bane.”
The Arcadian leader returned the salutation. “I am Jayna Durham, and with me is the Great Wyrm Meratezatgh. We are humbled by this introduction and ceremony. I believe that we have briefly discussed the matter at hand, but perhaps a personal talk with the king could help facilitate the discourse.”
The dragon knelt as well. He remembered how much humans loved that gesture.
Chancellor Vernon smiled at that sight. “Hopefully everyone can have a fruitful discussion. Come. The king is waiting.”
With the Chancellor and Patriarch leading the way and the guards following behind them, the group entered the Great South Gate and took the Road of Cloth into the city. The path, lined by colorful buildings covered by signs and the road's namesake streamers and banners, had been cleared by authorities with guards watching from intervals of 1000 feet. Still, large crowds of human and Trasgu civilians watched silently from atop ornate balconies and rooftops.
“Do you think they remember you?” Jayna asked the dragon.
“I feel a few must.” Muttered the wyrm.
Eventually the road opened up directly in front of the Black Citadel, its castellated spires almost blocked off by surrounding buildings. A massive oak gate etched with silver and gold motifs of the sea and inlaid with black onyx, the Great Door stood at the entrance to the citadel, ceremoniously watched by a quartet of guards. These bowed at the approach of the diplomatic party, and the Captain of the Guard held out his hand.
“Weapons please.”
Jayna unslung her gonne and handed it to the guard, along with her shot pouch and short sword.
“Take good care of those, the pikehead is my grandfather's and fought for the king's grandfather decades ago.” She added.
The captain bowed. “We will take good care of this heirloom, General Durham.”
After a quick search for anything else that may have been hidden, the captain appeared satisfied and handed the items over to a subordinate.
“Keep these safe in the Guard Room weapon rack.”
“Yes sir.”
The Captain of the Guard then turned his attention to the dragon and frowned, before muttering to the Chancellor standing nearby.
“Now it is forbidden to bring weapons in the presence of the king.” Chancellor Vernon finally relayed the message as he lowered his head. “Unfortunately, Gremenal’s Bane, your very body puts us in an awkward situation.”
The dragon appeared insulted.
The chancellor beckoned with his finger, and a new guard quickly came over bearing a large, thick circular band of gold and platinum, with leather and cotton padding.
With another bow Chancellor Vernon handed the circlet over to the dragon. “With your permission, the king would be very appreciative if you would slip this over your muzzle before you enter the citadel-to sheath your weapon, as it were. It is simple enough to remove before and after.”
Holding the band, Mera looked at Jayna, who shrugged. Mera looked back and the ring, and with a loud sigh, slipped it over his snout, restraining his muzzle shut.
The Chancellor smiled and bowed again, before turning to the door. “Thank you, Gremanal’s Bane. I appreciate you humoring our regulations and commend you on your sacrifice. Now, if both of you would follow me.”
The guards opened the gate, revealing a large Entry Hall with the Guard Room in one corner where Jayna’s collected weapons were placed. The antechamber led to a long corridor with multiple side doors, seeming to be a barracks for the guards. In turn, the corridor opened up to a massive Great Hall, a large blaze crackling under a four-sided fireplace in the center. Members of the court, scores of both human and Trasgu, lined off on both sides of the hall, while guards watched from along the edges of the room and beside the throne. At the very end of the hall, King Jacques de Trobliand, Ruler of Eroland and Samarra sat upon his heavy wooden throne inlaid with gold, an ornate breastplate upon his chest and a strange crossbow resting beside him. The king was a young man, but his face was already weathered and scarred from long campaigns and combat in the North. Wary, restless, but sharp eyes blazed out from under a heavy golden crown.
“General Jayna Durham of the Arcadians, and the Stanton Dragon.” The king declared with a smile. “I bid you welcome to the Black Citadel. You may approach.”
Both Jayna and Mera knelt before the king, before slowly moving towards the throne. With the dragon muzzled, the Arcadian leader did all of the talking.
“I am Jayna Durham, leader of the Arcadian Revolution, and this is Meratezatgh, formerly known as the Stanton Dragon. Almost a century ago, my grandfather and my dragon friend helped your grandfather take over this island.”
King Jacques looked at Mera, then over him as if evaluating the wyrm, before finally nodding.
“I see.” He finally declared. “The creature has my thanks. And it has a place of honor at the Driftwood Throne.”
“We Arcadians are fighting the tyrannical reign of the Dominion, which had overthrown the Kingdom of Auxia that your grandfather had also defended. We need support. Manpower, if possible, but supplies and finances would also be appreciated.”
King Jacques smiled but shook his head. “You and the dragon will be honored in Eroland, but we have no troops to give to your cause. We are barely holding on to Samara as it is.” The king then sank back and tapped his armrest. “Now, if you are willing to lend the dragon over and drive the Other Men out of Samara, perhaps we could reach some agreement.”
“The dragon is helping us fight the Dominion. And unfortunately I cannot afford to lose him.”
“We can provide some funding, enough to sustain your forces in the field, while you and Gremenal's Bane join me in an attack on Nicaea. After we break the back of this new Other Man alliance I can offer you a few thousand troops to help seize Capena and the Northern Plains.”
“How long do you think that would take?”
“With a legendary dragon? A year or two perhaps.”
“I think it’d take longer. That is a tempting offer, but I'm afraid that simply waiting for a better opportunity would be demoralizing to my forces and detrimental to our cause of rebellion.”
“Then pull your forces out. I can have a fleet pick them up somewhere and bring them here. Our forces can unify, seize Tassure, and allow your revolution to reestablish in the North.”
Jayna sighed. “That sounds like it would bog down the Arcadian cause by embroiling it into the wars against the Trasgu.”
King Jacques casually threw up his hands. “Then we are at an impasse.”
There was an awkward pause as the ruler of Eroland got off of his throne, and stared silently and intently at both the dragon and the Arcadian leader, as if he were considering something. Then he spoke quietly, almost a mutter, but loud enough for the entire court to hear.
“Perhaps if both you and your grandfather were able to charm it, then so could I.”
Jayna uneasily backed up. “The dragon will follow me, by family ties and by choice.” She carefully replied. “If you try, I fear that all of our lives here will be in danger.”
The King of Eroland, looking every inch the ruler and general he was, rubbed his chin.
“If my grandfather taught me one thing, it is that the war in the North determines the fate of all Nalbin, and that the war must be won at all costs.” He finally said. ‘If I must keep you here to ensure the dragon fights with us, then so be it. Guards.” King Jacques raised his hand, then pointed at Jayna and Mera. “Take them.”
“What?” The Arcadian leader exclaimed. A commotion arose from the court, and individuals began backing away.
The King of Eroland was already leaving the hall with Chancellor Vernon and the Patriarch, calling back as he disappeared down a back door. “Do not harm either of them. Seize the girl first, that should make the dragon more pliable.”
With that the remainder of the audience panicked and scattered amid a cacophony of screams, cries and curses.
As the guards began surrounding the Arcadian leader and the dragon, Mera immediately wrapped his body protectively around Jayna, who was busy cursing as well. The bronze dragon threw off his muzzle ring and roared in defiance, causing the planned kidnappers to waver.
“Don’t harm them either!” The Arcadian leader suddenly cried out to her companion.
Mera stopped, rolled his eyes and then got onto his hind legs, grabbed Jayna, tucked her in the crook of his left arm, and charged a random section of the encirclement. As the guards scattered under the onslaught, the bronze dragon abruptly turned and stormed out of the Great Hall. Running through the corridor to the Entry Hall, the dragon took a quick detour to pick up the Arcadian leader’s gonne from the emptied Guard Room.
Outside the Black Citadel, several guards were standing watch in front of the Great Door when suddenly the great dragon burst out from it, tossing several guards like rag dolls and throwing the rest into complete confusion.
Standing at the Entry Plaza, Mera looked around in panic. Karrensa was crowded, densely built up, and there was no open space to take flight, save for the small platform he was currently standing on.
“Don’t let them get away!” A voice called out from behind them. Masses of guards armed with mancatchers, spearforks and net launchers rapidly began pursuing from the corridor.
Cradled in the dragon's arm, Jayna looked back at the soldiers bearing down upon them, then at the recovering soldiers in front of them.
“Fly Mera!” She called.
The dragon set his jaw and nodded.
As the Normad Watch slowly got over their shock and back onto their feet, the dragon took a few steps back into the Entry Hall before charging out again, springing into the air, catching a gust of wind, and- furiously beating his wings - ascended skyward, awkwardly maneuvering his way around buildings and spires that quickly came up before him until he finally found a good air current to properly soar away from Karrensa. As Eroland quickly slipped away below them the dragon finally slowed his flight, picking up Jayna from the crook of his arm and putting her upon his shoulders.
The Arcadian leader frowned as she got into a riding position atop the dragon’s back and looked below at the island shooting into the distance. “Well that was unhelpful. What a jerk.”
“What now?” Mera muttered, looking up at his rider.
Jayna thought for a minute. “Well, there is one more group we could meet before I call this trip a total bust. Turn east.”
“Instead of south? Very well then.”
The Mountain Goats- Home Again Garden Grove
From
intricatevision!
Original (noncolored version): https://www.furaffinity.net/view/54862905/
Colored version https://www.furaffinity.net/view/55634568/
Five days of flight later Jayna and Mera dramatically landed outside a Eroland outpost at Salt Bluff, the Arcadian leader waving a flag of parley in hand before the stunned garrison.
“I am Jayna Durham.” The rider introduced herself. “This is the Stanton Dragon. I would like to speak to your king.”
Messengers were quickly sent to the capital and after a brief flurry of exchanged correspondence the dragon and his rider were invited to meet with the king at the Royal Palace in the Black Citadel of Karrensa.
The next day, with Jayna on his back still holding the white flag aloft, Mera gently hovered down to the Training Field outside the city. There the Patriarch and the Chancellor stood waiting with a line of ceremonial guards behind them and the banner of Eroland fluttering above them.
“I've never been to this island before. Do things look the same?” The Arcadian leader asked, looking at the large thriving port with banners and streamers laid for their visit.
Mera gazed over at the flag- Golden Gates over a Green Field- then at the ceremonial dress and armor the hosts were wearing.
“A lot has changed, but yes I can still see the Eroland I fought over 89 years ago.”
“Hopefully, like the Marken Monks, they can still remember your deeds from the past.”
As the human and dragon landed the Patriarch began a ritualistic Trasgu chant of fortune while the Chancellor bowed at them.
“I am Chancellor Vernon, right hand to King Jacques of Eroland, Mercia and Samarra, and I bid welcome to the granddaughter of the legendary Forester of Stanton and the legendary Dragon of Stanton, Gremenal's Bane.”
The Arcadian leader returned the salutation. “I am Jayna Durham, and with me is the Great Wyrm Meratezatgh. We are humbled by this introduction and ceremony. I believe that we have briefly discussed the matter at hand, but perhaps a personal talk with the king could help facilitate the discourse.”
The dragon knelt as well. He remembered how much humans loved that gesture.
Chancellor Vernon smiled at that sight. “Hopefully everyone can have a fruitful discussion. Come. The king is waiting.”
With the Chancellor and Patriarch leading the way and the guards following behind them, the group entered the Great South Gate and took the Road of Cloth into the city. The path, lined by colorful buildings covered by signs and the road's namesake streamers and banners, had been cleared by authorities with guards watching from intervals of 1000 feet. Still, large crowds of human and Trasgu civilians watched silently from atop ornate balconies and rooftops.
“Do you think they remember you?” Jayna asked the dragon.
“I feel a few must.” Muttered the wyrm.
Eventually the road opened up directly in front of the Black Citadel, its castellated spires almost blocked off by surrounding buildings. A massive oak gate etched with silver and gold motifs of the sea and inlaid with black onyx, the Great Door stood at the entrance to the citadel, ceremoniously watched by a quartet of guards. These bowed at the approach of the diplomatic party, and the Captain of the Guard held out his hand.
“Weapons please.”
Jayna unslung her gonne and handed it to the guard, along with her shot pouch and short sword.
“Take good care of those, the pikehead is my grandfather's and fought for the king's grandfather decades ago.” She added.
The captain bowed. “We will take good care of this heirloom, General Durham.”
After a quick search for anything else that may have been hidden, the captain appeared satisfied and handed the items over to a subordinate.
“Keep these safe in the Guard Room weapon rack.”
“Yes sir.”
The Captain of the Guard then turned his attention to the dragon and frowned, before muttering to the Chancellor standing nearby.
“Now it is forbidden to bring weapons in the presence of the king.” Chancellor Vernon finally relayed the message as he lowered his head. “Unfortunately, Gremenal’s Bane, your very body puts us in an awkward situation.”
The dragon appeared insulted.
The chancellor beckoned with his finger, and a new guard quickly came over bearing a large, thick circular band of gold and platinum, with leather and cotton padding.
With another bow Chancellor Vernon handed the circlet over to the dragon. “With your permission, the king would be very appreciative if you would slip this over your muzzle before you enter the citadel-to sheath your weapon, as it were. It is simple enough to remove before and after.”
Holding the band, Mera looked at Jayna, who shrugged. Mera looked back and the ring, and with a loud sigh, slipped it over his snout, restraining his muzzle shut.
The Chancellor smiled and bowed again, before turning to the door. “Thank you, Gremanal’s Bane. I appreciate you humoring our regulations and commend you on your sacrifice. Now, if both of you would follow me.”
The guards opened the gate, revealing a large Entry Hall with the Guard Room in one corner where Jayna’s collected weapons were placed. The antechamber led to a long corridor with multiple side doors, seeming to be a barracks for the guards. In turn, the corridor opened up to a massive Great Hall, a large blaze crackling under a four-sided fireplace in the center. Members of the court, scores of both human and Trasgu, lined off on both sides of the hall, while guards watched from along the edges of the room and beside the throne. At the very end of the hall, King Jacques de Trobliand, Ruler of Eroland and Samarra sat upon his heavy wooden throne inlaid with gold, an ornate breastplate upon his chest and a strange crossbow resting beside him. The king was a young man, but his face was already weathered and scarred from long campaigns and combat in the North. Wary, restless, but sharp eyes blazed out from under a heavy golden crown.
“General Jayna Durham of the Arcadians, and the Stanton Dragon.” The king declared with a smile. “I bid you welcome to the Black Citadel. You may approach.”
Both Jayna and Mera knelt before the king, before slowly moving towards the throne. With the dragon muzzled, the Arcadian leader did all of the talking.
“I am Jayna Durham, leader of the Arcadian Revolution, and this is Meratezatgh, formerly known as the Stanton Dragon. Almost a century ago, my grandfather and my dragon friend helped your grandfather take over this island.”
King Jacques looked at Mera, then over him as if evaluating the wyrm, before finally nodding.
“I see.” He finally declared. “The creature has my thanks. And it has a place of honor at the Driftwood Throne.”
“We Arcadians are fighting the tyrannical reign of the Dominion, which had overthrown the Kingdom of Auxia that your grandfather had also defended. We need support. Manpower, if possible, but supplies and finances would also be appreciated.”
King Jacques smiled but shook his head. “You and the dragon will be honored in Eroland, but we have no troops to give to your cause. We are barely holding on to Samara as it is.” The king then sank back and tapped his armrest. “Now, if you are willing to lend the dragon over and drive the Other Men out of Samara, perhaps we could reach some agreement.”
“The dragon is helping us fight the Dominion. And unfortunately I cannot afford to lose him.”
“We can provide some funding, enough to sustain your forces in the field, while you and Gremenal's Bane join me in an attack on Nicaea. After we break the back of this new Other Man alliance I can offer you a few thousand troops to help seize Capena and the Northern Plains.”
“How long do you think that would take?”
“With a legendary dragon? A year or two perhaps.”
“I think it’d take longer. That is a tempting offer, but I'm afraid that simply waiting for a better opportunity would be demoralizing to my forces and detrimental to our cause of rebellion.”
“Then pull your forces out. I can have a fleet pick them up somewhere and bring them here. Our forces can unify, seize Tassure, and allow your revolution to reestablish in the North.”
Jayna sighed. “That sounds like it would bog down the Arcadian cause by embroiling it into the wars against the Trasgu.”
King Jacques casually threw up his hands. “Then we are at an impasse.”
There was an awkward pause as the ruler of Eroland got off of his throne, and stared silently and intently at both the dragon and the Arcadian leader, as if he were considering something. Then he spoke quietly, almost a mutter, but loud enough for the entire court to hear.
“Perhaps if both you and your grandfather were able to charm it, then so could I.”
Jayna uneasily backed up. “The dragon will follow me, by family ties and by choice.” She carefully replied. “If you try, I fear that all of our lives here will be in danger.”
The King of Eroland, looking every inch the ruler and general he was, rubbed his chin.
“If my grandfather taught me one thing, it is that the war in the North determines the fate of all Nalbin, and that the war must be won at all costs.” He finally said. ‘If I must keep you here to ensure the dragon fights with us, then so be it. Guards.” King Jacques raised his hand, then pointed at Jayna and Mera. “Take them.”
“What?” The Arcadian leader exclaimed. A commotion arose from the court, and individuals began backing away.
The King of Eroland was already leaving the hall with Chancellor Vernon and the Patriarch, calling back as he disappeared down a back door. “Do not harm either of them. Seize the girl first, that should make the dragon more pliable.”
With that the remainder of the audience panicked and scattered amid a cacophony of screams, cries and curses.
As the guards began surrounding the Arcadian leader and the dragon, Mera immediately wrapped his body protectively around Jayna, who was busy cursing as well. The bronze dragon threw off his muzzle ring and roared in defiance, causing the planned kidnappers to waver.
“Don’t harm them either!” The Arcadian leader suddenly cried out to her companion.
Mera stopped, rolled his eyes and then got onto his hind legs, grabbed Jayna, tucked her in the crook of his left arm, and charged a random section of the encirclement. As the guards scattered under the onslaught, the bronze dragon abruptly turned and stormed out of the Great Hall. Running through the corridor to the Entry Hall, the dragon took a quick detour to pick up the Arcadian leader’s gonne from the emptied Guard Room.
Outside the Black Citadel, several guards were standing watch in front of the Great Door when suddenly the great dragon burst out from it, tossing several guards like rag dolls and throwing the rest into complete confusion.
Standing at the Entry Plaza, Mera looked around in panic. Karrensa was crowded, densely built up, and there was no open space to take flight, save for the small platform he was currently standing on.
“Don’t let them get away!” A voice called out from behind them. Masses of guards armed with mancatchers, spearforks and net launchers rapidly began pursuing from the corridor.
Cradled in the dragon's arm, Jayna looked back at the soldiers bearing down upon them, then at the recovering soldiers in front of them.
“Fly Mera!” She called.
The dragon set his jaw and nodded.
As the Normad Watch slowly got over their shock and back onto their feet, the dragon took a few steps back into the Entry Hall before charging out again, springing into the air, catching a gust of wind, and- furiously beating his wings - ascended skyward, awkwardly maneuvering his way around buildings and spires that quickly came up before him until he finally found a good air current to properly soar away from Karrensa. As Eroland quickly slipped away below them the dragon finally slowed his flight, picking up Jayna from the crook of his arm and putting her upon his shoulders.
The Arcadian leader frowned as she got into a riding position atop the dragon’s back and looked below at the island shooting into the distance. “Well that was unhelpful. What a jerk.”
“What now?” Mera muttered, looking up at his rider.
Jayna thought for a minute. “Well, there is one more group we could meet before I call this trip a total bust. Turn east.”
“Instead of south? Very well then.”
The Mountain Goats- Home Again Garden Grove
From
intricatevision!Original (noncolored version): https://www.furaffinity.net/view/54862905/
Colored version https://www.furaffinity.net/view/55634568/
Category Artwork (Digital) / Fantasy
Species Western Dragon
Size 2184 x 1687px
File Size 873.4 kB
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