Pivotal Ruckus

By John Paul Ried

Fantasy Adventure series:
Bayton is a quiet, small farming community on the Eastern Forsaken Island only four days sail north from Paladon City. Joseph and Grace are in love and only want their lives to continue in peace. Other Bayton residents such as Captain Harvey Taylor, hope a new age of prosperity and development will generate a boom for local products. Who would ever believe that this sleepy little town out in the boonies would ever draw a huge Humanoid invasion armada? The new Baron of the Forsaken Islands, Paladin Arthur Ketra Kelvin, vows to defend his fiefdom with every drop of his blood.
The one thing that terrifies everyone more than an invasion is the fabled Purple Dragon, supposedly living on the adjoining Western Forsaken Island. No one has seen or heard anything about the Dragon for over seventy-four years. Elderly Ed Martin and his sister Jacoba Timmons remember the last time the Dragon appeared and destroyed Bayton and wonder what could possibly be done to protect everyone.
Now with Humanoid enemies approaching, the Forsaken Islands suddenly becomes the center of a Pivotal Ruckus.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Az Publishing Services
• Release date: Dec 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781944826260

John Paul Ried

John Paul Ried grew up in Upper Montclair New Jersey and has recently relocated to Phoenix Arizona. He has taught both college level history and English classes at Essex County College and Illinois Central College. Mr. Ried also has taught Special Education classes in public schools in both Kentucky and Nevada. Along with teaching, Mr. Ried has an extensive fundraising background. Since 1978, Mr. Ried continually plays First Edition Advanced Dungeons and Dragons and has brought to life his Campaign World for his readers to enjoy. He draws inspiration from his very demanding cat named Enalan. Along with his writing, Mr. Ried also enjoys attending Sci-Fi/Fantasy conventions and has met hundreds of imaginative and interesting people such as Isaac Asimov, Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman, Terry Ferrell, and Penn and Teller (Rebo and Zooty). Mr. Ried is Chairman and CEO of the Arizona Fantasy Gaming Association (AFGA) and Palamaran Adventures LLC.

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Prologue for Pivotal Ruckus

To the Victor belong the Spoils! - Kildarious Sharpclaw   This ain’t over yet, Sweetie! – Frederick Firestorm

Wednesday, September 29th, 1965 BCE – a very, very, very long time ago and a date worth remembering.

The early morning dawn was crisp and cold. A brisk wind flowed over the rocks, trees, mountains, and plains of two small wooded islands amid the Topaz Ocean. Sounds of tumultuous roaring, bellowing and groaning echoed across the entire western island. The ground shook and the largest mountain quaked as two large and viciously fighting Dragons continued recklessly clawing and tearing at each other deep beneath the ground inside the mountain.

The older, ancient Dragon was a very dark purple, named Kildarious Sharpclaw. The other maroon colored Dragon was younger but still mature and he, Frederick Firestorm, was simply trying to defend his home. Both Dragons were fighting to kill and they were locked together trying to get death grips on the other. Their fighting was sharp and ferocious with no quarter given. Suddenly Kildarious Sharpclaw grabbed Frederick Firestorm and flew towards the huge open hole at the top of the mountain's summit.

Once both airborne and outside the mountain, both Dragons flew across the dawning sky, first over the western island and then across the ocean, moving north. This was an epic and titanic struggle hardly imaginable in this later age.

The noise and the stench of the two Dragons reverberated across nautical miles of seemingly endless ocean as both Dragons continually ripped, tore and bit pieces off each other while totally unconcerned about their own wounds.

The two Dragons slammed together again as Kildarious Sharpclaw managed to snap one of Frederick's Firestorm's wing bones with her teeth. Frederick howled with rage and fired his fire breath weapon straight at Kildarious's head while she responded instantly with her energy lance. Both breath weapons connected but after about two minutes, Frederick's breath sputtered and died, and Frederick soon found himself spinning out of control down towards the ocean. He could not fly again until he healed presuming that Frederick survived this encounter.

So Frederick straightened himself and attempted to glide down and slide across the ocean's surface while Kildarious's victorious voice rolled across the waves at him, THESE TWO ISLANDS ARE MINE NOW, FREDERICK! LEAVE THIS PLACE FOREVER OR I WILL SURELY SLAY YOU IF YOUR UGLY SNOUT EVER APPEARS HERE AGAIN! YOU ARE VERY FOOLISH TO HAVE FOUGHT ME AS I AM MUCH OLDER AND WISER THAN YOU! BEGONE, YOU SILLY, STUPID, RED LIZARD!

YOU HAD BETTER SLAY ME RIGHT NOW IF YOU CAN, BITCH Frederick Firestorm shouted back defiantly. OTHERWISE I WILL COME BACK WHEN I AM STRONGER AND TEAR YOU APART UNTIL YOU ARE MY SUBMISSIVE TOY OR BE VERY DEAD! THIS AIN'T OVER BY A LONG SHOT! BUT I BET THAT YOU ARE TOO WOUNDED AND WORN OUT TO FINISH ME OFF!

Kildarious Sharpclaw flew back to the western island's northern promontory and settled back gracefully. Kildarious had to admit that Frederick Firestorm was right and she was too tired to go after him now across the ocean distances to slay him. As the Purple Dragon relaxed her guard, she shouted as Frederick slid out of sight, FINE! BE THAT WAY! I DARE YOU TO RETURN ANY TIME AND GIVE ME ANOTHER CHANCE AT RIPPING YOUR GUTS OUT! SEE YOU LATER, SWEETIE!!

Kildarious Sharpclaw watched as her opponent disappeared beyond the edge of the horizon. She contemptuously mused, Humph! I doubt that Frederick will have the wit to survive long enough for him to heal and grow. Even if he does come back later, I will still be more than a match for him. Meanwhile the victorious Kildarious Sharpclaw eagerly decided to fly back down into the mountain center to explore and redecorate her well-earned and richly deserved new home.

Frederick Firestorm continued surfing across the ocean with the waves pushing him along giving him some momentum. Eventually he found enough of a rocky landmass above water to catch his breath and continue his escape. He literally slammed into the small, rocky sandbar and slowly spread himself out. Now winded, Frederick Firestorm made a pledge before all the immortal deities of the multiverse, shouting, It may take more than a thousand years, Kildarious Sharpclaw, but I shall return to reclaim what you have stolen from me! It would be a shame to destroy such an alluring Dragon as you, but if that is what it will take for me to recover those islands then that is what I will do. For now, I must heal, wait and plot. I am gonna be either your executioner or the father of your children whether you like it or not! He then smiled inwardly considering his eventual homecoming and vengeance on Kildarious Sharpclaw, no matter how many decades or centuries those future events might be.

~~~~~~~

Chapter One

Booms and Rushes always seem to change everything for locals. - Granny Jacoba Timmons

Monday, April 12th, 482CE

The principal reason the two Forsaken Islands were named as such was that they were truly forsaken. Each island was barely one hundred and fifty miles long and perhaps one hundred miles wide and only the Eastern Island had one human settlement named Bayton. Most local residents never left their homes after dark with so many wild and dangerous creatures prowling the area. The Forsaken Islands were located only three to four days' sail from Paladon City, the capital of the Palamaran Empire. For hundreds of years no one in the Empire had ever shown much interest after the Islands were claimed. With a ancient purple Dragon also supposedly residing inside the highest mountain on the Western Island, all humans went to the Eastern Island instead. Bayton Township had approximately five hundred local residents and only two taverns: the Screaming Ghost Tavern and the Forsaken Mermaid Tavern. Most everyone had their farms within walking distance, generally a four-mile radius, from the town and this whole area was known as 'the Bayton Pale,' and not much had really changed for the last seventy-four years.

Running and panting across his cornfield as fast as he could, the broad shouldered and handsome Joseph Clark Oakley would never forgive himself if he was even a minute late for his picnic lunch date with his lady love, Grace Urgenta Hamilton. Clark Thomas Oakley, Joseph's grandfather, always used to say that five minutes early was on time and Joseph was not there yet.

As he panted and raced along, Joseph thought, Grace gets herself real fired up angry so easily, I only hope I do not find her upset now. Joseph continued pelting across more wheat and corn fields to get to his destination.

Keeping careful track of the lunch basket he was carrying and very excited about sharing a new cinnamon glaze that he purchased for his homemade doughnuts, Joseph bounded down the main street of Bayton towards the Screaming Ghost Tavern just as Grace walked outside on the tavern's front porch. Dashing up to her and stopping short, Joseph, still panting, bowed from the waist and said, My, don't you look mighty fine today, Grace!

Grace knew that her poor sap of a man had not really looked at her yet but she did appreciate his promptness this time. Smiling graciously like a queen praising her favored knight, she walked over and took his arm, nuzzled him close, and then said, Good morning, Joseph! Let's walk down towards the beach today, my dear, handsome, vigorous, and on-time-for-once, man.

Joseph smiled his sheepish and boyish grin. I did make it on time this time for the first time in a long time, didn't I, Grace? Joseph realized that he sounded ridiculous and hated how easily he got flustered but all he could see now was Grace's lovely features. Her dress was a little more revealing than usual and Joseph always marveled at her sloe eyes, walnut skin and enticing curves. I do not care how many of the local beaux have been raving about Atalanta lately, Grace's chest is legendary, and she will always be the Belle of these Islands, Joseph thought.

Grace laughed invitingly, then said, That was hard to follow but I appreciate your efforts. When we are alone after we eat you may also appreciate mine. Next time you should remember to be on time every time and you will find me ready to give you more of my free time. I admire promptness in a man. You are also very dashing when you are dashing.

Always ready to serve you, my darling! Joseph said as he finally caught his breath. Sometimes Grace could be a bit too forward but she only seemed to be like that for him.

Both of them together made a handsome couple. Joseph was a twenty-two-year-old strapping man. He was a six foot four-inch hulking farmer with cropped blond hair complete with a cowlick and rock hard muscles that one only got working hard continuously for years.

Grace was only five foot seven inches by comparison and she had very attractive dark hair and hypnotically mesmerizing eyes. Grace's measurements were as impressive as her beauty. Every one of the local, butternut wearing, beaux at one time or another attempted to woo Grace and win her approval so they could possess her in bed for the right amount of silver coins. It was only Joseph though that she showed her special interest. Grace always marveled how Joseph towered over her and she loved climbing up and down every bit of him.

As the two lovers began strolling towards the beach, many onlookers in town would smile. Old Granny Jacoba Timmons winked at her brother Edward Martin, the barkeep and Screaming Ghost Tavern owner saying, If Joseph and Grace decide to finally get married, I hope we can do something extra special for them.

Ed Martin chuckled and replied, What 'something special' have you in mind, Sister? Every wedding here in Bayton is pretty much just like every other one. Pastor Dunbar Cuthbert is not exactly known for his imagination or wit. Usually during his wedding services Dunbar grants the couple official permission to do what they have been doing anyway, and that is when he is sober.

Oh, hush now, Edward! Jacoba smirked, Pastor Dunbar is not that dreadful a preacher or that much of a drunkard! However, I was thinking decorations and food, not ceremonies and parading aristocrats. Joseph and Grace do seem head over heels for each other and I will lay odds on nuptials within one calendar year.

You are on, Sis! Ed said immediately, Over the last seven years, Grace has turned down many other proposals from other local beaux and she has never shown much interest in having any children. Still, I grant you that she does seem to really like Joseph.

Suddenly the flamboyant ship captain, Harvey Kessler Taylor, bounded through the swinging front doors of the Screaming Ghost Tavern while shouting about new cargos and wanting lunch. Captain Taylor was thirty-eight years old, about five foot nine inches tall, and had a slim, wiry build. Harv Taylor had flowing, curly, black hair, gray eyes with an infectious grin and moustache. He was wearing his typical sea captain's outfit with tall, black boots. Harv also wore his long red sash that wrapped around his waist and draped down the right leg to his knee, which was typical for most local Forsaken Island beaux. As the Captain of the largest merchant vessel ever built in Bayton, proudly named the Forsaken Gale, Harv Taylor certainly looked the part of the energetic, swashbuckling seafarer.

Ed grabbed his washrag on the bar and asked politely, What are you hollerin' about now, Harv? We all know that the civil war is over and that we have a new Emperor. Little good it may do us.

Captain Harvey Taylor jumped onto his favorite stool at the bar and said, My proverbial ships have come in, Ed! My import/export business between here and Paladon City is what keeps this whole Island well fed, very tipsy, and current with the latest news! Ever since the civil war ended five months ago, our new Palamaran Emperor Thomas Wilson Oakley Medford IV has been obsessed with building all sorts of ships.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Harvey! Ed rolled his eyes doubtfully, Like this new Emperor of yours would ever bother to send us a local noble to remind us that this Island is a part of the Palamaran Empire. I just hope we do not have to pay any taxes. Actually, no taxes in Bayton were what brought my great great grandpa Nate here in the first place over a hunnert eighty years ago.

Captain Harv Taylor looked sidelong at his elderly friend and smiled. You may just get those taxes, Ed! I heard a strong rumor in Paladon City that our Emperor has appointed a new Baron for us so we may have some real government for once.

Ed rolled his eyes in exasperation. Oh boy, Harv! Why are you so excited over this? Yes, you sail back and forth with your ship every month to Paladon City but would not more shipping here ruin your almost monopoly business?

Harv chuckled and smiled knowingly, saying, Actually I just got a contract for FOUR new merchant clippers, paid for by the Palamaran Imperial Treasury from the Lord Mayor of Paladon City himself, Robert Theosoar! They are being built right now, Ed! Once these new ships of mine are ready, I will hire new crews and I will be rising on top of the new economic boom here. Big plans are happening for our Islands. And all of us local beaux will benefit in many ways! Who knows? Maybe the old adamantine mines and rock quarry will be opened for business again.

What about the Dragon? Ed rightly asked. Do you think all of this supposedly new activity here will draw out our Dragon to attack us again? This is exactly what happened seventy-four years ago when that Count Hildebrand von Eddlebert came out here. Haven't I told you the story...

Harv interrupted. Yes Ed, many times. The evil and vile purple Dragon destroyed your parents and family as well as the whole town here.

...how that evil and vile purple Dragon killed my parents and family as well as the whole town of Bayton? Ed continued uninterrupted.

Granny Jacoba chimed in smiling, and said, Not all of our family Ed. At least we have always had each other.

Thank the gods, Sis, that we were able to hide in the Pollux Caverns to the east of the Pale with the other children! But my question is a good one Harv. What about the Dragon? Ed pressed on.

Yeah – what about that Old Dragon? Ya know that seein is believin! Only you, Jacoba and maybe one or two other locals on this whole Island remember the last time that Dragon appeared so maybe the Dragon has died, gone off or otherwise skedaddled. Once our new feudal lord gets here, maybe he will organize an expedition to explore our other Island and maybe discover if there really is a Dragon there or not, Harvey quipped obnoxiously.

Ed winced from old memories and replied, Our new feudal lord, if we really get one, will find his efforts futile if he really does try to challenge the Dragon. No one else more than me would like to see that Dragon slain but maybe we should let sleeping dogs...er...Dragons lie. Besides, Harv, that purple Dragon is real whatever you would like to think. My sister Jacoba, Steve Groton, Charlie Moore and I testify with our lives that the Dragon is real and is the true master of these Islands! Ed was beginning to become agitated.

Fine Ed. I did not mean to upset you. Maybe you are right. Meanwhile, may I have my lunch now? Captain Harvey ventured.

Edward Martin smiled and said, Yes Harv, apology accepted. What would you like for lunch?

Jacoba Timmons, who listened to the whole discussion carefully, smirked to herself thinking, Maybe Harvey should take his new ships and sail over to the other West Island and explore it himself? But then we might never see him or his sailor lads again and they are good for business.

~~~~~~~

The next evening, Ambassador Gargemeleche was sailing on a small sloop named the Royal Slobber, launched from his flagship earlier in the day. As his loyal, humanoid, ogre sailors rowed the sloop towards the Western Forsaken Island, Gargemeleche readied all of his weapons. As a Gargoyle, Gargemeleche could fly, had naturally strong magical resistance, and possessed amazing strength and agility despite his nine-foot height, huge arms and bowlegs. His tail also assisted his superb balance and Gargemeleche was fully armored in platemail. He had a large, customized, magical bastard sword which he could use either one or two handed along with a heavy steel shield. After all, he mused, it is not every day that one has the chance to visit an ancient purple Dragon. It was extremely dangerous for him to approach this Dragon unannounced.

Still, orders were orders and his sovereign Emperor Shapireten X was very wise and cunning. If we can purchase the Dragon's aid or even neutrality, we could use both Forsaken Islands as army and naval bases and as a springboard for our invasion of the Palamaran Continent, Gargemeleche thought over the plans. Those cocky and arrogant GMU Wizards think they are so awesome. Let's see them stand up to a million Humanoid warriors, cutting them down. Our invasion fleet should be arriving within the next three to four months. We is gonna sweep both the Senaria Dukedom and the Palamaran Empire in one mighty invasion strike! Gargemeleche's accent clipped words so 'Dukedom,' sounded like Duck Dum.

The almost full waxing moon shimmered on the water as the sloop glided easily down a small river towards a large and rather inviting lagoon. Once safely in the eaves of the lagoon, Gargemeleche said to his fellows, I is leavin now. Any sign of the Dragon commin, heve to and sail off. I will be back in a day or less, or not at all.

He leapt up upon the prow, lifted a large sac onto his back, and jumped high into the air while flapping his large wings. His sailors watched as Gargemeleche flew through the sky towards the large mountain at the northwest corner of the Island.

Once he landed at the top of the aptly, if not imaginatively, named Dragon Mountain, Gargemeleche saw a large hole at the top of the Mountain's cone that any airborne creature could fly through. He slowly pulled out a trumpet and blew a cadence that echoed and ricocheted around the rocks and down into the darkness. I just done rung the doorbell, Gargemeleche mused, Should I wait here or should I fly down into this hole? He decided to wait for a moment and so sat down on the outcropping stones about two hundred feet from the dark, smoking cone.

After about twenty minutes, a deep, throaty voice echoed from within the mountain's core saying, I see and smell you, Gargoyle. It has been millennia since I have seen or smelled one of your kind. I appreciate that you announced yourself and did not come rushing down here thinking I was dead. Approach me now but leave your weapons behind.

Gargemeleche hesitated. Flying down into a Dragon's lair without his weapons was not his idea of fun and could be a fatal mistake. Yet outright refusal might be an even greater mistake.

Fine with me big, bad, puhpal Dragon, I is commin down with a large gift bag for you and hopefully a mutually profitable business proposition. You should not fret about me weapons but I will leave dem here. Now I is a commin, he answered.

Gargemeleche dropped all of his weapons, grabbed the large sac, and flew straight down from the upper ramparts into the bowels of the mountain. After at least two thousand feet, Gargemeleche landed on a smooth, stone surface with many intricate carvings along the walls leading off even lower down. He then hoisted the sack onto his back and began sauntering down the dark, dank, passageway as if he was taking a morning stroll in a familiar park though this was his first time in this place.

As he approached two huge stone doors, Gargemeleche was surprised to see what appeared to be an ordinary human female waiting for him. He could not see her appearance clearly in the dark but his infravision gave him an image of her height and limbs. She approached and said, I am a bound servant to Kildarious Sharpclaw, the gargantuan and gruesome purple Dragon and mistress of this Island. Who are you? What do you desire? And why should the Dragon not slay you for this sudden intrusion?

Gargemeleche smiled his most toothy smile and said, Missy my business is with your Massa and not you. I gives orders to human females and dey obey them. Now take me to the Dragon or I will rape you first before I's kill ya.

That is not a very nice or gracious way to say 'Hello,' Mr. Gargoyle, the mysterious lady replied. "This had better be worth the Dragon's time or my 'Massa' will slay you first, then your friends in the sloop at the lagoon and then your warship stationed five nautical miles straight west of here. The purple Dragon might just do so anyway. You had better mind your manners and speak politely." She then disappeared into the darkness.

Gargemeleche waited. After another thirty minutes, he was about to turn away when he could hear huge blocks on the other side of the doors moving. Slowly, the stone doors opened and as he passed through them, even Gargemeleche was surprised and awed by what he saw.

Inside was a huge cavern stretching into the darkness about half a mile. The only light emanated from a small top shaft hole where some moonlight shone through from above and reflected off the walls. Throughout the cavern, Gargemeleche saw literally huge piles of gold, silver, and copper coins, along with priceless necklaces, body chains and endless gems such as emeralds, sapphires, and opals simply scattered about. He also saw stacks of weapons, armor, paintings, statues, scrolls, books and other treasures lining the walls, giving the whole area a museum or library effect. In the center of all of this disgusting wealth that would be enough to bribe the whole pantheon of Palamaran Immortal deities, was the tremendous purple Dragon Kildarious Sharpclaw himself, or herself. Frankly in the dark it was impossible to tell the Dragon's gender since he or she was lying on its belly.

Kildarious Sharpclaw certainly was an overwhelmingly monstrous sight. The Dragon's head alone was the size of a twenty-foot boulder and its length from nose to tail tip was near two hundred and fifty feet long. The Dragon possessed large wings and sharp claws which was a part of this one's name. The purple Dragon's mottled purple skin matched the walls so well that she almost blended into the darkness. Yet the Dragon's eyes gleamed brightly with malice and amusement as they cast their own light down on Ambassador Gargemeleche.

To his credit, the Ambassador did not flee in terror, nor was he overawed into silence. He gathered himself and slowly approached the Dragon, and said, O Mighty and Powerful Dragon Kildereeous Sharpclaw I is Ambassador Gargemeleche from the Empire of Kasavamel and I serve Emperor Shapireten X. He sent me cause I is good lookin, incredible and I is following his orders. We are planning to invade and crush all enemies throughout the Palamaran Continent south of here. We want these two Islands as army and naval bases to muster, organize and launch our assaults for conquest and glory. My massa, Imperial Majesty Shapireten X, wants your approval or at least your neutrality as our invasion fleet arrives here four to five months hence.

The crafty and carnivorous purple Dragon actually sighed with exasperation. That is a Nine Hells of a lot to ask me by total strangers. All I see with you is one large sack. If you expect me to agree because of a couple of thousand gold pieces you brought as a bribe, you Sir, are very sadly mistaken, Kildarious Sharpclaw stated with a narrowing glance at Gargemeleche as if she was wondering exactly how to enjoy slaying and eating him.

Oh I does not think so, O Amazin' and Awesome puhpal Dragon. Look at what I did bring yus! Gargemeleche smiled in triumph as he opened the sac and dumped ten thousand platinum pieces which spilled all over the cavern floor around him. They sparkled as bright as silver yet cast a slightly reddish glow.

The Dragon's eyes rightly bulged with surprise, greed and delight. Platinum coins were the rarest natural metal next to adamantine which was used for magically sharp weapons and armor. The purple Dragon was genuinely awed by this gift, as her entire treasure hoard here only previously possessed about forty platinum pieces.

At general human exchange rates, twenty copper coins equaled the value of one silver coin and one hundred silver coins equaled one gold coin. At the best rate of exchange, it would take at least one thousand gold coins to equal the value of one platinum coin. Ten thousand minted platinum pieces would equal about ten million gold coins and Kildarious Sharpclaw was greatly impressed. This was certainly more than the Dragon could expect or even demand but her cunning insisted on offering the barest minimum that Gargemeleche wanted.

Well, Ambassador Gargemeleche, Kildarious replied, I will admit that I am impressed and flattered with your offer. What is to stop me from vaporizing you and your two ships and keeping all of these pretty and valuable platinum pieces? Why should I do as you ask?

Ambassador Gargemeleche began his bargaining, which is what he lived for. Do you really want ten thousand ships crammed with perhaps one million humanoid warriors sweeping over these Islands supported by demons and clerical spellcasters attacking you all at once, or instead of moving south after a brief stay? Fine, I suppose it would be too much to expect you to be joinin' our invasion but may we at least expect your neutrality as we proceed?

Here is what I offer you, the Dragon Kildarious Sharpclaw replied, I will remain neutral for you and your fleet IF you leave my Western Forsaken Island here completely alone. One humanoid steps on this Island for any reason and the deal is off. You may do as you like with everyone and everything on the Eastern Forsaken Island and I will not harm your armies, navies, or allies. From what I have heard, you will have a tough time with the Gamemasters' University Wizards who have set up their own kingdom so you had better watch your step with me and focus on them. As for the Palamaran Empire, I am not concerned, Kildarious Sharpclaw concluded.

Agreed. Our invincible forces will NOT approach this Western Island at all. We only need the Eastern one anyways. You may keep the coins I have spilt and we is agreed. Gargemeleche bowed and began slowly backing away from the malicious Purple Dragon just a tad fearfully.

Once he was back at the stone doors, Gargemeleche said, Goodbye Astonishing and Astounding Royal Highness Kildarious Sharpclaw! If needed, I and only I will return and I will fly and not touch ground. May the Divine Immortals bless your solitude and our glorious conquest of the Palamaran Continent!

Kildarious Sharpclaw, growled and smiled speculatively. We are agreed! Go now, Gargemeleche the Gargoyle, before I change my mind. Kildarious reared and suddenly inhaled a tremendous amount of air.

Gargemeleche guessed what was coming and began literally flying as fast as he could down the hallway and up the central shaft the way he had come.

Suddenly a white hot, bright blue and intense laser bolt seared through the open stone doors, along the hallway and bounced upwards along the reflective cone walls. The beam was slim and everything it touched blasted away in pieces as it ricocheted right up upon Gargemeleche's heels. This viciously wicked ray narrowly missed Gargemeleche just as he swept out of the top hole of the mountain and the beam continued upwards at least another half mile before dissipating. Gargemeleche, rather ingloriously grabbed