Dale Journal - Oct 17

 "…and the dwarf raised his axe in a futile effort to ward off the cold drakes breath and disappeared from view under the chilling spray as the elf at his side dove out of the way. The trolls and other foul creatures that did the dragons bidding were, for the moment, held at bay. A Northman Prince and his sworn guardsmen hacked at the dragon, inflicting wounds and pain such as the drake had never felt. One plunged his sword into the beast's side and was lifted up with it still imbedded as the drake reared up in pain. But they were as ants and were crushed or devoured one by one, even though one of the Northmen plunged his blade into the dragon's maw as he was being crushed between its jaws. The elf plunged his blade into the drake and was hurled away by a blow from the monster's tail and then was trapped under its claws. The archer at the entrance to the lair despaired as more trolls appeared and charged but turned and fired upon the drake with methodical precision as the trolls bore down upon him. The elf, freed by the archer's timely distraction, sprung away but was herded toward a corner. In desperation he used the wall as a springboard and hurled himself back at the drake, blade held high for one final blow…"

Wylis thankfully accepts a mug of ale from Khamdar and says, "That is what it means to fight a dragon. That is what we shall face if our plan fails." The others, gathered around the campfire, are moved by the old dwarf's telling. The group is preparing to travel toward a possible confrontation much as Wylis described. The somber mood is lost when Red Morgan, a Northman warrior, joins the group. Introductions are made and, despite being told of the group's destination, Morgan makes their path his as well.

Morning finds the group moving along a ravine that takes them past the Orc lair and to a hidden entrance into the drake's lair. Wylis opens the way in and the group enters a chamber that us lit by several braziers. The dwarves lead the way along a passageway large enough for the drake to traverse. Soon evidence is found that this is the case as Strom sees a glint off to the side and investigates. It turns out to be a pile or refuse that contains some bones, a crushed silver cup, and a very large claw print. The group moves on, past a cavern that goes up which is used by the dragon to enter and exit the lair, but halts once more when Strom again sees something. Vori retrieves the object and hands it over to Strom…a dragon's scale. Several minutes later Wylis, who is at the front of the group, frantically signals everyone to fall back. The group retreats and waits. The sound of something large moving ahead is heard as the group prepares for the worst. The sound recedes and is replaced by the sound of rock tumbling to the cavern floor. Minutes pass and once again all is quiet.

The group moves forward to the cavern that goes almost directly upward. Mallion attempts to climb up to see if the drake has departed to hunt but is unsuccessful as he is sent tumbling down. He is partially caught by Kansefni and avoids injury. Morgan goes up instead and climbs to the top where he sees no sign of the beast. It is estimated by Wylis that the drake will hunt for at least a few hours and the group presses forward with cautious haste and comes upon what appears to be the dragon's trophy room. Assorted banners and blazons decorate the walls as well as the body of a half-eaten Great Orc. As the group moves ahead Garm, who is at the rear of the group, pauses as Ragnar senses something to the rear. Garm and Morgan wait in ambush as the rest move ahead into a chamber of crystal and ice. Clear water is found there as well as some sculpted ice, depicting an image of a Dragon.

As the group moves on, Mallion sees a figure in a side corridor but it quickly moves out of sight. Some feeling draws him to follow the figure. Meanwhile, Garm and Morgan set an ambush but encounter something that sends tendrils of fear through them both. Ragnar faces that which approaches with bared teeth and ferocity barely held at bay. Garm realizes that they face a Great Warg and all three hurry to rejoin the rest of the group even though Garm almost has to drag Ragnar along with him.

Mallion moves silently along the side passage and comes to a small, furnished room. Upon a chair sits the figure he glimpsed. He realizes that he looks upon an elven woman. She does not look up as he approaches her but continues to look down at the floor. A sense of great sadness emanates from her. She speaks and tells him they must leave quickly and to take nothing of the dragon's hoard, else the beast will know and follow. The woman's name is Laimire and she is held there by some magic, and she asks that he carry word of her confinement to her father. He accepts the task and rushes off to rejoin the others.

Meanwhile, the group has come upon the dragon's hoard, a room that appears to have been once a great dining hall filled to overflowing with coins, gems, jewels, and all manner of treasure. All are busy sifting through the piles for something special. Most find that which pleases them and all stuff handfuls of gems and coins into their pouches. Mallion rejoins the group not long after Garm and Morgan and tells them of Laimire and her warning. Some more minutes are spent looking through the hoard until Laimire appears at the entrance. Her eyes are downcast because she knows the dragon can gaze into her mind and see all she sees. She repeats her warning to be gone from the lair. After a short exchange Laimire guides the group down unfamiliar passages and out onto the western slopes of the mountains with Mirkwood seen stretching out before them. Mallion asks Laimire for a token by which she is known to take with him along with her tale. She gives him a brooch, a symbol of her House and lineage.

The group descends into the forest and is soon met by Celethule, an Elven march warden from Thranduil's Kingdom outside the border of his realm. He knows the lair is near, and has seen adventurers, treasure hunters and freebooters enter before. But he has never seen them come out again! After discussion and argument, the group turns away from the Elven lands and hurry east, back toward Dale.

Balgrim disdains the warden's warning and walks out in the open, joined by Strom. The rest of them travel nearby, but under the cover of the nearby forest. An hour later their fears come true as a huge, winged creature is seen approaching them. They are helpless to flee as it alights on a rock outcropping nearby. But they are stunned to see this is no dragon, but an eagle with a 50' wingspan! It is a Great Eagle, and it beckons them closer. Then it speaks to them. The Great Eagle announces himself as Landroval, and tells a tale of a great battle just won. The Eagles have just slain a Young Dragon, caught while furiously thrashing through the wilderness in pursuit of some hated prey. The Dragon was so full of wrath it did not sense an ambush set for it, it's last mistake.

The group breaths a sigh of relief for the fate they avoided, and Landroval thanks them for their (unwitting) help. They have helped in a great deed, and his masters will remember their names. He blesses them all and departs. A smug Balgrim stares back into the forest for a glimpse of any secret watchers. When (and if) they return to Dale, great stories will be told, and their loot counted.