Mana Wells

Castle Valentine was the largest keep in the basin that made up their territory. It was upon the highest point on the ridge that overlooked the ocean from the other side. It had massive spires. It also seemed to be built into the cliff face, or with the slope of the ridge line. Kurt could tell it made a large drop into the ocean now, with more rock spires than full beaches. Of course he only got the view from the train car. There was a curve and he could see the dragon off the back of the cliff upon a rock spire, seemingly waiting for him. But it was only for a moment as the train car rushed past the view. There were some warthogs and a large cat seeming ready to pounce on them in the basin in the distance, there was still some danger out there for some people it seemed.

They approached the town below the castle where the station was, and there was already a gathering of people there. And ones that didn't look like they were waiting for their next train to come. As far as Kurt could tell his small train was the only one for miles. There weren't that many to begin with as there wasn't enough population to make many trips a day.

"So, I guess it's going to be a big deal," said Talia, "They will be expecting us."

"Well, I don't know what to expect."

"I'm not sure either, hopefully they want to deal with Darien as quickly as possible."

When they left the train the procession of various nobles came with them. There were various whispers, that Kurt assumed was about him, as he seemed to be the center of it. He moved a little closer to Talia taking her hand, "you're going to stay with me right?"

"Yes."

They came into the castle's large gate and into the main building, being led through the hallway to the throne room. There was a man, King Luther, there. He gave off an immense presence, one Kurt could feel somehow, it was different than any of the guardians. His crown seemed heavy on his head, and was in discussion with some of his aids when they arrived.

Kurt and Talia, along with everyone else, took a bow before him and he waved it off, finishing his talk with his advisor. Then turned, to welcome Kurt to the Kingdom, then after some pleasantries.

"Do you know why the dragon has asked about you?"

"No," said Kurt.

"It's very strange, we weren't planning on showing him to you at all, but are at a loss here."

"I assure you I'm more confused by this than you are. I'm sorry if this has caused you any trouble."

"Hmm," said King Luther, "it's more troubling than trouble, he seems to just be waiting for you, or perhaps even hoping you'll leave before that."

"I'm not sure what to say here," said Kurt, "I was intending on causing anything here."

The King put his chin on his hand, "there is nothing we can really do, you would have to tell him something. Or he's just going to wait there."

So it came to be, Talia led Kurt through the castle, and they ended up deeper within, until they got to the gate, which opened up to a cavern. He knew the castle was set into the ridge's slope, he didn't realize how it was actually dug into the ridge line completely. It did look like the cavern way was a natural structure, there weren't the classic signs of human interaction, rocky curved walls. Though there was a makeshift brick path in front of them.

Once they got through most of the cavern the light from the other side of the ridge was in view. There was a very large balcony on it, there were several carcasses of animals in the center, mostly picked somewhat clean, this must be where they usually make their sacrifices to the dragon. It seemed big enough for him to get on, but he was not on it now.

Talia clutched Kurt's hand a bit tighter, the air from the ocean was coming through in a breeze, but there wasn't much left to go, he was obviously supposed to talk to the dragon from the balcony. As they came close to the entrance, the dragon started to come into view, he was climbing on a rock spire climbing out of the ocean. The dragon seemed to also notice him, and crawled a bit further down the spire.

The dragon was larger than he looked from the ground when he was in the sky, each claws were potable the size of Talia, if not Kurt. Large wings, red scales, and long neck. He gave off an impressive presence that felt similar to the King's in some way but much stronger. The creature was a monster and terrifying, anything that big, with teeth like that, and claws, and breathed fire, was not something Kurt wanted to be on the bad side of.

"He's acting weird," said Talia.

"I wouldn't know," said Kurt.

"He should be on the balcony, usually eating what is there, I've never seen him so far away from this"

"He seems kind of close to me," said Kurt, "maybe once we get to the balcony.

They entered the balcony together, after Kurt was insistent that he didn't want to face that creature alone. Who knows what it would do.

As they walked on, the dragon reacted, but slowly. He glided toward the balcony but under it and crawled over the side, his head was very low, and by the time he was on the balcony he seemed to be cowering, with his appendages close to himself, and his head basically on the floor.

Talia whispered, "He's acting really weird, I've never seen him do anything like that, he usually towers over us."

"So why is he so low?"

"I don't know. I don't really like it though, it's so odd."

The dragon seemed to still be waiting on them. As if he was there for them, and not the other way around. Kurt guessed that meant he was supposed to go first.

"Umm Hello, Lord Darien," Kurt finally spoke.