Drageoky and the Golden Dragon

[Narhalles]

[size=24:676d1]Drageoky and the theft of the Golden Dragon[/size:676d1]



[size=18:676d1]Chapter 1: [/size:676d1]

Sullen clouds loomed in the sky while rain pounded mercilessly down. The hills were drenched from the never ending torrent. Inside of one of the hills Drageoky mumbled in his sleep, ?Hmmnnn aahh mpfffff?? His tail hung out the bottom of his blankets and spilled onto the floor. Above his bed was an ornate clock of Elvish crafting. RRRRIIINNNNGGG! Drageoky?s eyes snapped open, and he bolted upright. ?Awwww?. And the dream was just getting good too. I think I?ll have to set the alarm later.? He mumbled to himself as he slipped into his cloak. On his way down the hall to the kitchen he peered out onto the rain drenched landscape. ?Hmmm, 134 days straight with no let up? I?ll have to send a letter to Teshuvah to see what is up with the weather.? He continued on to the kitchen where he was confronted by several mountains of dirty plates, platters, cups, bowls, and all manner of utensils. He sighed as he poked a crusty mug with the tip of his tail, ?I guess Ill have to sit down and clean up the kitchen since the weather hasn?t improved recently.?

Many hours later, a slightly wet Drageoky trundled out of the kitchen. ?Dumm de dum dum..? he hummed to himself ?I guess Ill go take stock of my stores.? As he descended into his dank caverns, he lit a torch, and he began singing a jolly song. Unlike most adventurers, Drageoky kept his cellars beneath an extensive, dark, and dangerous labyrinth. ?Let?s see?? he mutterd ?was it left, straight, left, past the spike pit room, then left, straight, right? Or was it straight, right, straight, past the huge minotaurs, then left, left, right?? As you can tell, even he had difficulty remembering how to get there. Finally he found the right way and began tallying his wealth. About half way through, he stopped suddenly. ?Nooo!!!!? he moaned ?It has to be here somewhere!? He began frantically searching. He dug through heaps of gold, overturned mountains of crystals and gems, and tipped over shelves of priceless dinner ware in his frantic search. ?Nooo!!!! Someone stole my golden dragon!? he screamed in anguish ?Ill make them PAY for this!?

[size=18:676d1]Chapter 2:[/size:676d1]

Drageoky shifted into dragon form and began searching for clues. He sniffed at the door, he peered into the cracked tiles, and sifted through treasures looking for a lead. ?AHH HAA!? he exclaimed holding up a slightly moldy half eaten sandwich ?It must have been a Halfling!? He sniffed the sandwich ?And not more than four days ago by the smell.? He charged through the winding corridors of his labyrinth careening around corners and caroming off of walls. He leapt from the cavern and spend through his hall. He hardly paused as he carefully opened his front door and leapt into the sky spreading his wings. He furiously pounded at the sky as he flew towards the nearest town. He slowed to a more sedate walk as he neared the town. Quietly, he shifted back into Naga form. He suppressed a shudder at the thought of the last time he was in a town. Then he had been spying on the city of Minath and had nearly been eaten. No one had told him that the folk of Minath thought frog legs were delicious!

Upon entering the town he headed straight for the nearest bar. ?Hmm? he mused ? The Drunken Dwarf, they must have some pretty powerful drinks!? He slipped inside and was immediately assaulted by the warm smoky air. The smell of spilled beer rose from the stone floor, and the rafters were hidden by the smoke from dozens of pipes. Dwarves by the hearth propped up their feet and busily spun tales, while several dozen more were devouring food at the long tables. Three Elves were sitting alone in the corner, and two pixies were giggling as they tried to dance around the chandelier. They were quite drunk. Two humans leaned against the bar and peered over their mugs at him when he slithered up.

The barmaid ambled over and leaned over, ?What?ll it be?? she asked in a petulant tone.

?Do you have anything other than beer?? Drageoky asked.

?We have beer, mead, whisky for one silver; moon juice for one gold; and some local fire for three silver. What do you want??

?Local fire?? Drageoky asked in a puzzled tone, ?I don?t think I have ever heard of that.?

?Yeah, something the local Dwarves brewed up, one shot is guranteed to eat through three miles of rock, knock out any Dwarf for a week, and grow hair on a watermelon.?

?Wow! Sounds potent.?

?Yeah, we have to keep it in glass bottles because it can?t eat through that.?

?Ill take a bottle of moon juice.?

Drageoky handed over the gold and looked for a table. In a corner, a Lion Rak sat hunched over a beer. ?He looks lonely? thought Drageoky, ?Ill go cheer him up.? The Lion peered at Drageoky when he slithered up.

?Mind if I sit with you?? asked Drageoky.

?Sure.? The Lion sighed.

Drageoky slipped into a worn wooden chair and poured a shot from his bottle.

?Cheers.? He said as he tipped back his head and downed the drink in one gulp.

?Humpf.? Muttered the Lion.

His cheeks turning pink from the liquor, Drageoky leaned over to the Lion. ?I am Drageoky? he whispered ?What is your name??

?I am Nullpern? the Tiger replied.

?I?ve heard of you.? Drageoky replied ?Aren?t you the Rak with all the pillows??

?Yeah? Nullpern replied ?but I left those in Banger Gah.?

Half a bottle and two hours later, Drageoky learned from NullPern that a fat little Halfling had stayed in the room next to his six nights ago.

?Do you know who it was?? asked Drageoky.

?Yeah? Nullpern replied ?I looked at the roster the next day. It said Jeremiah. I never would have looked, but I heard a loud crash and heard him shouting in agony about why one should never carry golden statues without foot protection.?

?Ummm, do you know where he went?? asked Drageoky.

?He left on the coach to New Vernon the next morning, he only stayed one night.? Nullpern replied.

?Here have the rest.? Drageoky said as he thrust the bottle toward Nullpern. ?Thanks for the chat.? He threw over his shoulder as he hurried toward the door.

[size=18:676d1]Chapter 3: [/size:676d1]

Never pausing to rest, only slowing to drink some water and eat a little food once, Drageoky flew east. After three days of flying through the wind whipped clouds and pounding rain, he reached New Vernon. Soaked tired and hungry, he turned back into Naga form again when he approached the city.

?Really wet out there.? One of the guards said to him as he passed through the gate house ?Not many people are traveling nowadays because of it.?

?Well? Drageoky replied ?I wouldn?t either except for the pressing business I have here.? ?When did the coach arrive?? he questioned.

?Just last night? The guard replied ?brought some mail and a Halfling.?

?Thank you.? Drageoky said.

Inside the city, Drageoky looked around. After thinking for a minute, he headed for the inn. Inside the snug little foyer sat a clerk by a crackling fire. When he saw Drageoky, he got up and walked over to the counter.

?May I help you sir?? asked the Clerk

?Yes, a friend came to town last night and I was wondering what room he was staying in.? said Drageoky smiling.

?Let me see? ah here it is!? said the clerk triumphantly ?A little Halfling signed in last night into room 204.?

Just then Drageoky felt a wet gust of wind as the door was opend. He turned around and saw a Halfling in a billowing cloak hurry outside with a bundle under his arm.

?Uhh thanks.? Drageoky said to the clerk hastily ?I think that was him that just left.?

He rushed out the door and spied the Halfling disappearing down the hazy street. He rushed down the wet street and caught up to him by a well.

?Jeremiah!? He shouted

The Halfling whirled around and with a squeak of fright and a look of terror jumped into the well.

[size=18:676d1]Chapter 4: [/size:676d1]

Drageoky hurried after him and plummeted to the bottom of the well. In the blink of an eye he turned into a gigantic green dragon. There on the floor a dozen feet away sat Jeremiah, clutching the bundle to his chest. With a cry of outrage Jeremiah leapt to his feet.

?You can?t have it!? squeaked Jeremiah ?The Frog never returns what he takes!?

Drageoky?s head came smashing down toward Jeremiah, and smashed into a dirt wall which had magically appeared from thin air. Spitting out clods of dirt and rubbing his bloody nose Drageoky rushed around the wall of dirt. As he whipped around, he spied Jeremiah disappearing around the other side of the wall. He whirled around and rushed after Jeremiah as the little Halfling ran back to the well entrance. In a desperate bid to escape Jeremiah dropped the bundle and clambered up the well.

Inside the bundle Drageoky found his beloved golden dragon. With a happy smile he picked it up and immediately went back to his cozy cave. Were he immediately put it back in the store room and changed the labyrinth. He slipped back up the stairs and went into the kitchen. ?Hmmmm?..? he murmured ?What shall I eat for dinner??


[size=18:676d1]THE END[/size:676d1]

[Fredd]

Narhalles, I loved the story. Best one I have read here yet!!

[Narhalles]

Thanks. Had an inspiratin and wrote it out in 3 hours.


Ill probably revise it this week and edit it then too. Probably add a longer fight.

<!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /><!-- s -->

Now let's see you guys make some good ones too!

[Narhalles]

lol I don't care how long it is. If you have a finished one post it! <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="Very Happy" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s -->