The Shiftress' LairBattling Dragons come from Draconigena  Though the Emeralian Mountains seem to be mostly continental mountains, a few volcanoes can be seen from a distance, some still smoldering. Travelling to the mountains is a relatively grueling path, first one must find his or her way through the seemingly endless meadows, then there are the forests, and finally a path emerges. Winding up, up, then over and down and left and right... finally, you are at the base of one of the ancient, dead volcanoes. Oddly out of place, a person-sized hole is at the bottom of this place. Deciding to check it out further, you take a right onto that path. As you near the entrance, a white spot upon the side of the volcano appears, and gets larger as you step ever closer. Finally, you notice it is a sign, with rather disturbing words scrawled across it, barely readable:
Shiftress? you think mentally. I have never heard of this Shiftress. These are Cynther's lands, and she said I would have free passage whereever I chose. You snort indignantly and enter the 'lair.' It is dark inside the volcano, but your eyes gradually adjust. A torch is about 30 feet down whatever passage you are in, and you head towards the faint light it provides. When you reach it, what had been a tight-squeezing passage widens into a great room! Torches line the walls at even intervals, though looking up you can see the color of dusk. You must be directly in the center of the volcano! As your eyes continue to adjust, you notice various training and battling type equipment lines the walls and far in the back a table, a chair, and a curtain can be seen. You decide to head over to the curtain, to see if the Shiftress is there, but before you can move a rough-skinned arm has you around the throat. "Who DARES to enter my Lair?" A raspy, female voice hisses indignantly. You gag in response. She's holding a bit too tight for you to speak. She lets go and pushes you so you fall upon the hard ground facing her. She's quite a sight. Apparently just back from a hunt, her bow still strung...  You study her, and she lashes her draconic tail in anger. One would guess someone who sounds that threating would be taller! She only stands about 5 foot 3.You smirk. She kicks dirt at you, causing you to cough and wave your arms to clear the dust. "I'm just a Visitor! Geeze..." you gasp. She narrows her eyes and seems to relax a bit. "I need to get a door," she snorts. It sounds rather dragon-like, but then again, her appearance is rather dragonesque also. She lacks ears, besides the tail, and has small horns growing from her forehead, you note. "Well, I suppose if you're a Visitor, Cynther gives you blessing and I can't do anything about you. I'm Kunara, half-sister to Vahyla, if you have met her. I tell you nothing more about me, other than I keep a Battling Dragon of Draconigena with me, who goes by the name of Chundra. It is good for both of our battling skills." She gestures to the curtain, and a dragon comes forth, mostly red in color, with orange accents, golden claws, and three white marks under its eye.  "Meet Chundra, visitor." The dragon growls and she walks to it, petting it delicately. "No, no, this one is protected by Cynther, dear."The dragon seems to nod, then sniffs the air delicately. Kunara breaks out in a grin and heads over to her curtain, goes behind, and emerges with a knife. Your eyes get larger and she rolls hers. "I'm planning on getting dinner ready. I suggest you leave unless you care for the sight of blood. Chundra is a hungry girl." You blanch and decide this is as good a time as any to leave. The Shiftress'... Kunara's... laugh echos in the chamber as you scatter for the door. It almost sounds like Chundra is laughing with her. They are certainly a good match!
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