S4E7 - UNEXPECTED ALLIES

(Benedict praying)
Oh! hello my friends I didn't see you there. I'm Benedict Shieldheart paladin and protector of Garnet Keep. Welcome to the hall of the knightlord. At least thats what I see in my mind's dream. (chuckle) Beautiful isn't it? You can see the stained glass picture of him that some of our artisan's have made by hand is... simply stunning. Such vibrant colors. Such a great place of peace... and It makes me happy you're here. This episode was made possible by our supporters and patrons, JD Rose, Daniel Nichols, Hayley Munoz, Brian Dowling, Storm Cone, Joleen Fresquez. Please welcome our newest members John O'Dell and Michael Schofield who have also joined us supporting the show at patreon.com slash dice tower theatre. The greatest gift of all though is simply sharing our story with someone you care about. Now walk with me in this dream of mine... I feel a disturbance with Una.
Dawn of Dragons season 4 episode 7 Unexpected Allies


UNA'S PATRON He found her once before, my little Una, if only in the twilight of a dream. There and yet NOT there, he must find her again. Help him find her and put the pieces together. Pieces like hidden memories and forgotton dreams, not just steel and brass. Tucked away along with the truth... Your truth Una... OUR truth. Help him and it will help me... then... you can find me. ...Now... wake... and remember the first thing you sense... as your first clue... NAR - KELDOR Una smelled the sweet lilies at the edge of the water as she opened her sleepy morning eyes. They fell on the beautiful lagoon outside the straw hut she had called home for the past few days. The sky was clear here and the soft air was filled with the song of small peaceful birds. The dark sky above the southern tip of the Garnet Mountains and the volcanoes of Enruk were now but a small shadow in the eastern sky behind them. The voices of several pleasant conversations came from the waterfront where she saw her companions smiling and talking with a few of the prisoners and the local tribe whom they were a part of. Sitting proudly at the waterfront's outskirts was Chalkos, the huge copper dragon who helped them all escape, his scales shining like a blanket of polished coins in the light. She reached for her spear at the bedside and used it to gently prop herself up on the side of the bed. The dream still echoed in her mind, gently reverberating as she gathered her legs under her dark robes to stand. She caught her reflection in the small hand mirror left by some other occupant on the small table, the only other furniture found in the small room. Una's emerald green eyes and straight blue black hair framed her soft face. Her eyes softened for a moment as she brought a single hand to her cheek. She closed her eyes, thinking of this moment in this beautiful place. Secretly wishing it wouldn't end. As if sensing her need for respite, in this moment the voice in her head ceased its demands, and allowed her... peace.
KOGYRUS (softly)Good morning, Una. NAR - KELDOR Una's eyes opened and saw the man she first met in the prison beneath the temple. He smiled gently behind twin sandy blonde braids that hung from the corners of his mouth above the short cropped beard gracing his jaw. His shoulder length hair was pulled back into 2 braids that swept back on either side of his head. He now wore a simple leather tunic that was black with dark green trim, topped with what appeared to be traveling boots. Different than the tattered muslin the freed prisoners were all dressed in when they first arrived. He looked not only stronger but something was powerful about him now. KOGYRUS I hope you slept well? UNA I... Um.. Yes. Yes Kopyrus. KOGYRUS (chuckles) Kogyrus. Kopyrus sounds pretty nice too... but my name is Kogyrus. UNA I'm... sorry Kogyrus. KOGYRUS It's alright! (beat) So back to my original question. (smiling) Did you sleep alright? UNA Yes. (smiles) Yes I did. KOGYRUS Good. Come. Get some breakfast. I believe we owe you and your friends some answers. NAR - KELDOR Cordelia and Dabria sat with 3 other people at the stone meeting table by the water's edge, enjoying various fruits and cheeses from a large central silver platter for breakfast. Lorvana was energetically talking to Chalkos, no doubt telling him some wonderous tale of adventures she had heard, which he very much enjoyed. Considering his smile and focused nodding, this tale was no exception to that. Benedict stood with a shining purple apple in his hand, enjoying the tart fruit one bite at a time as he noticed the unlikely pair approaching the group. He smiled. He noted how Una's dark shadow seemed to have melted away over the past few days. She still acted slightly awkward but everyone was very forgiving and kind to her new steps. Like a family with a newborn learning to walk. The elder of the community, Arianell, smiled at them as they approached. ARIANELL Welcome Una. Come my dear, join us. Sit. We have... as you can see... Apples and grapes and some wonderful soft cheeses. Enjoy... (beat) Now that we are all here, healed and well rested, I believe now is the time for us to deliver our promise of the truth to you... of whom we owe so much. NAR - KELDOR She placed a hand gently on Cordelia's and patted it assumingly as she smiled. She was a caring and loving matron of this village. ARIANELL You rescued our people from enslavement of this... Lord Pallus. But... I'm afraid the threat is deeper than you know... or realize. You see, I knew... Dekkion. NAR - KELDOR The sheer mention of the name in this beautiful place, and coming from someone as pure as Arianell, felt profane to the companions at the table. The shock seemed to dull the senses slightly, as they didn't hear the footsteps approaching the table in the soft grasses. ARYAT As did I. ARIANELL (happily) Aryat. Please, will you join us? ARYAT Of course, Arianell... Excuse me Cordelia... is this seat taken or can an old man sit by your side? CORDELIA (Happily) Please sit, Aryat! Always good to see you. (hushed) After this I want to talk to you about that
dancing fire spell you showed me. ARYAT (chuckling) Oh great! Yes please, after this. (groans sitting down) Ah! That's better. What's this? An apple with my name on it, how delightful. KOGYRUS (chuckling) Time for eating may need to wait wise one! YMIR (impatient and annoyed) Really? (beat) Are you ACTUALLY doing this now? ARYAT (chuckling) Calm down Ymir! (takes a bite) Heh, delicious. You see, Cordelia, how the apple crunches perfectly to the bite? Wonderful... DABRIA (impatiently) Are you quite done? We have questions that owe answers... NAR - KELDOR Dabria stared at the old man with twin white and gold moustaches that trailed from the corners of his mouth. They weaved and swayed gently as he chewed the bite of apple, considering what she just said. Ymir sat with his arms crossed, his deep brown chinstrap of a beard fell into a single braid clasped by a Bronze bead; under a bald head, angry impatient eyes and tight lips. Across the table sat his twin sister Cemri whose platinum and charcoal locks were braided in 8 warrior's braids. That they ended in bronze beads as well was probably the only thing that showed any similarity to her twin. She was quiet, reserved and smiling at Aryat's carefree attitude with a hand on a graceful chin. As was Arianell. ARYAT (sigh) Fine. You see my friends, some of us are old and old people tend to know each other because the longer you last in this mortal coil the more chances you have to run into each other... With PATIENCE... NAR - KELDOR He glared mockingly at Ymir and Dabria before chuckling and shaking his head.
ARYAT (sighs and takes another bite, talking through it) ...There's a good chance you'll meet everyone someday. CORDELIA When did you meet him? ARYAT Well we, Arianell and I at least, both met him... (takes a bite) Let's see that would be... over fifteen hundred years ago I suppose. DABRIA Impossible. CORDELIA What? ..H.. how? ARIANELL (laughing) It's ok, Child... it can be shocking. ARYAT But... I look good for my age though don't I? CORDELIA I ... (laughing at his absurd comment) sure. Sure you do Aryat. ARYAT Ah! See? I told you Ymir, stress will make you age much faster. YMIR (grunt) Whatever. BENEDICT (shocked) Amazing... but... (realizing) wait, that would mean you were both were alive during... the war of the stone? ARIANELL Yes Benedict. The others are a bit too young for that event but Aryat and I knew it well. DABRIA What part did Dekkion play in that war? ARIANELL Dekkion helped lead the western army of the Eagle to capture the stone. He believed it would help make him immortal. Rising to challenge the gods themselves. This was what pitted them against nearly the entire world. We... We helped defend our friends the Kobolds believing this was a war only for the Humans. Soon the Dwarves and Elves of both continents took up arms to battle against the banners of the Eagle. The banners led by the Dark Lord Dekkion's insanity. ARYAT To be honest we should have joined sooner, as by the time we did we bore little help from here to the center of the valley where the stone stood. (sigh) By the time we got there the stone was destroyed. UNA You said you knew him though? NAR - KELDOR Aryat smiled. ARYAT I said we met him before. You see, this land of Chikara stretches to the sea... to the south and west, separated by the Garnet Mountains to what is known as Trull and its nothern border consisting of Wolfling and the dark... Obsidian Fortress. But most importantly, this is where he was born. CORDELIA Here? In this lagoon? YMIR (laugh) Ha! I should hope not! CEMRI I... was told it was a village to the north in the great desert. Now.. lost to time though. No, Cordelia, this Lagoon is our home and rarely do we host the various people of the world here. NAR - KELDOR Cemri sat forward, looking gently at Cordelia. Her Green and gold eyes behind her deeply tanned skin reflected strength and wisdom beyond what appeared to be the middle aged woman's frame. Arianell smiled and nodded. ARIANELL We have discussed the current dread that has fallen over the land and realize it is time for some of us to join you on your journey. We do not wish to repeat the mistakes of the past. NAR - KELDOR Ymir and Cemri stood up from the table. Kogyrus patted the dark shoulder of Una gently and with a smile stood up. She saw the shimmer of glitter in his amber eyes briefly as he walked with those two to the clearing. ARYAT (grunt) Ah... Cordelia, can you give me a hand up? CORDELIA Of course. ARYAT Thank you. (groaning) Ah! (chuckle) Such a lovely girl you are. Such a wonderful heart. NAR - KELDOR He smiled and, leaning on his staff, made his way with the others to stand in the large clearing by Chalkos. Chalkos took a few steps back with his giant head bowed in respect. ARIANELL My friends, you have delayed yourselves to ensure the safety of my people, and for that we are ever in your debt. The dark magics in Enruk being worked in the shadows took us dangerously close to death... and for some took something precious. NAR - KELDOR Chalkos looked away. The once proud Dragon felt humbled at this statement as it reverberated through him. ARIANELL Garnet Keep is in danger and you will not make it back in time to save it. Unless... we... help you. One of us has pledged to assist in taking each of you there. ARYAT Age before beauty, I suppose... NAR - KELDOR Aryat stepped forward and dropped the staff on the ground. He raised his arms to the sky quickly and they seemed to continue upward and outward until a dragon much larger than Chalkos stood. Cordelia's eyes shimmered as they brimmed with tears. CORDELIA I... knew it. I .. Just knew it! NAR - KELDOR Towering above in blinding Gold, the tendrils of his twin moustaches visibly wavered as he spoke. His voice came to Cordelia's mind as if he was sitting next to her again. ARYAT Cordelia... I am Aryat, the Fierce. And I have chosen you. NAR - KELDOR The twins looked at each other before their serpentine forms of sleek Bronze, similar in size to Chalkos. Their heads came to the shoulder of the towering Aryat, who had now carefully stepped to the back of the group behind Chalkos. YMIR Dabria... I am Ymir, the Swift. Together, you and I can do... great things. NAR - KELDOR Dabria smiled and nodded, stepping forward to the Bronze Dragon. CEMRI Benedict... I am Cemri, Protector of the Sky. You and I shall defend your home. NAR - KELDOR Benedict saluted her, overcome with shock as he made his way to the Bronze dragon, now almost a mirror image of her twin. KOGYRUS Well... (chuckle) we saved the best for last... NAR - KELDOR Una saw him change into the reddish gold of Brass, thin and appearing almost smaller than the others, but simply just thinner with shorter limbs and more powerful claws. Two rams horns adorned either side of his head. Una was in shock at seeing her new friend. UNA Kogyrus? KOGYRUS Yes, Una.. I am known as Kogyrus, the Protector of the Weak. You and I will scout ahead of the group. CHALKOS Arianell... Will you allow me to take Lorvana back to Garnet Keep? ... As discussed? Hope you don't mind the little one... if you prefer someone else's company I... NAR - KELDOR Lorvana looked at Chalkos, a smile stretching across her happy face. LORVANA Oh yes please! That would be wonderful, Chalkos! NAR - KELDOR Arianell took a moment before answering. They looked magnificent in the light dancing across their metallic scales. Chalkos was eager to do this task and she noted how close he and the Halfling had become. Perhaps she could help him find himself again. ARIANELL Loyal Chalkos... Yes... Yes I believe this could do you some good and possibly can regain what you have lost in this journey. (beat before turning to the group) Go now, my friends. We wish you all well and may the winds be at your back! DOOR TRANSITION NAR - KELDOR 5 shapes burst through golden clouds in a champagne sky. The glitter of a million metal scales reflected the soft orange and pink hues of the sunset surrounding them as they flew on high above the hidden earth below. Benedict, Cordelia, Lorvana, Una and Dabria sat astride their dragon mounts as they flew northeast, finally crossing the Garnet Mountains after 4 days of travelling north along the western slope and its rocky foothills. Rythmically the huge wings beat against the cool evening air, a sliver of pale crescent moon now becoming more visible in the clearer skies. The smell of mountain pine in the thin air was a welcome change from the humid mineral and sulpher of the hot springs previously in the valley. Benedict saw the faint outline of somewhat familiar angular pillars on the mountain slope as the faded ancient road snaked its way down the cliffside to the valley in the distance. BENEDICT Is that a dwarven ruin... or maybe a mine? CEMRI Not "a" mine, my dear Benedict, but THE mine. This is the great mine of the Garnet Mountains. Known in your tongue as the Southstone Caverns, the dwarves know it as KadreUnrol. BENEDICT (introspectively) ...Skotmir. NAR - KELDOR He thought of his friend Skotmir and hoped he and the others had made it out alive. As if sensing this concern in the air, Cordelia felt a thin braid of faded colors now pastel from the sun around her left wrist. Peach and periwinkle, once a strong red and blue over a decade ago, were braided in the child's friendship bracelet. Given to her in trade by her best friend Sophie. She felt a calm come over her, not directly but just a feeling that... she was alright. KOGYRUS Hmm that can't be good... NAR - KELDOR Looking behind them briefly, Kogyrus saw something else on the southeast horizon. Several dark shapes came up through the distant twilight clouds, suddenly bursting into familiar and unwelcome blue and red colors. KOGYRUS (to himself)Hmm. Thus it begins... (to the group) My friends, we have some visitors coming at us due east, it appears. A large Red and five escorting Blues, it seems. CEMRI Not the odds I would have hoped for at this time. YMIR As much as they make my blood boil... it would be suicide to engage with them now. CHALKOS Lorvana and I will try to draw them higher. ARYAT Agreed... we cannot afford to waste time fighting them! We must get to the keep and confront them there. Fly, my friends! NAR - KELDOR Through the evening, they found themselves followed by 5 Blue dragons and the hulking bodies of 2 additional Red ones in the cold clear moonlight. The riders tried to sleep on the backs of the tireless dragons but found it impossible. Hour after hour went by through the night and they could see them slowly gaining their position. A slow, calculated advance. The sun began to rise 30 degrees to their Starboard or right side, Cordelia noted in her head, as they had reached the valley on the other eastern side of the mountains below. They began changing course north. She looked behind, noting they were now within a hundred yards of them. She could see a rider on one of them in dark armor, carrying a crooked magical staff that glowed green in the dim dawn. CORDELIA Aryat, don't... don't stop, they're very close but... I only see 3 Blue Dragons now. ARYAT What?... But where did... KOGYRUS They are flanking! YMIR Dabria, do you see them? NAR - KELDOR A blue shape in the Dawn's light drew above Dabria, masking with the sky save for its mustard yellow underbelly. DABRIA Above! MIDNIGHT Die! (roar) NAR - KELDOR Dragons of Blue and Bronze collided for the first time in centuries high above the plains of Trull. Ymir and Dabria spun around moments before the Blue Dragon met them with all 4 claws in a powerful strike downward into the clouds. Ymir could see beyond the blood red eyes of his adversary, peeled back bloodthirsty and cruel... he knew this dragon. YMIR (groaning from force) Not this time... Midnight! Gyahh! (Roar) NAR - KELDOR Ymir ripped free of Midnight's grip and quickly ascended back to the group, climbing higher to gain vantage as they sailed through the sky. Swooping quickly to take his place was the swift Kogyrus and Una. Passing by the slower moving dragons he opened his mouth, expelling a pinkish purple cloud into the face of the Blue and a large Red who was close behind. They reared back, roaring in protest once before their bodies went limp and fell out of the dawn sky. KOGYRUS (laughing) Night night, friends! Hope the hills below don't wake you up suddenly! (surprised) WOAH! HOLD ON! (3 second long strained groan) NAR - KELDOR Suddenly, the hulking form of the other Red Dragon moved into his path. Kogyrus strained as the force of the turn threatened to shatter his mighty bones from the quick manuever. Recovering quickly, he noticed they weren't their intended target. BLAZE (roar then laughing) HAHAHA! Been a long time Aryat! I see your soft heart is still a problem? Still hugging your precious trees? ARYAT Blaze. (chuckles) I should have guessed you would still be a slave to your abomination of a Dark Queen. NAR - KELDOR Aryat's golden body reared back as they both answered each other's insults with a cascade of fire streaming from their mouths. The Red drove him and Cordelia backwards but the fire reflected harmlessly from his golden scales. Ymir turned to the brave Dabria. DABRIA Take us below them. YMIR Gladly, hold on. (grunt) NAR - KELDOR Ymir drew in his great bronze wings and transformed back into his human form. They dropped like a meteor from the sky. The wind rushed past Dabria's ears in a welcome, anticipated rush as she clung to his back. Her blood lifted and she felt alive and free as they fell between and unnoticed by the huge battling forms. Smiling gently she drew herself closer to Ymir feeling his muscles suddenly tense as they threw his wings out 30 feet below the pair of greater ancient dragons. She clutched the Goat's horn at her neck. DABRIA Bless his strike in this moment, dark one. YMIR (grunt) GYAH! NAR - KELDOR A shockwave erupted from Ymir as it rippled across the sky, slamming into the much larger Red Dragon. BLAZE (roar) Gyah! Why you little ... hahaha HAHAHAHA (anger rolls into laughter) You fools choose to side with these ignorant humans instead of EMBRACING your own magnificence! HAHAHA! Until next time Aryat! Hahaha! NAR - KELDOR Blaze turned and dove out of the clouds and out of sight. Aryat watched his old adversary depart, surprisingly finding part of himself smirking inside. ARYAT (sigh and chuckle) She always was so... hot headed. Impetuous. If she would just relax, take in this wonderful dawn before us like... wait... (surprised) Watch out! Cemri! CEMRI (roar) BLAINE (roar) NAR - KELDOR Another Blue dragon slammed into Cemri, pushing her and Benedict downward to the thick blanket of clouds. The moist air ripped across their bodies as vision became shrouded in mist like a waking nightmare. The Blue raked her wing with a mighty claw, leaving it tattered and torn as she twisted to face him. She drew breath but paused as another form came into view. CHALKOS (Shouting) Cemri! CEMRI (shouting) Chalkos! (panting and groaning) Go back! CHALKOS No!... I can't lose you! (panting and groaning) Not again! BLAINE Your friend can't save you! NAR - KELDOR Time slowed for a moment as Cemri saw the look in Chalkos's eyes through the fog. Panic of being unable to help save their plummeting bodies. Of being able to do nothing. A forgotten memory erupted in her mind. (Sounds of the battle fade with another long lost one echoing in her mind) She remembered him in his human form, long bright red orange hair tied back in a series of 5 braids, one larger one on either side with 3 small ones down the middle. He was standing in front of a door in the lost temple of Enruk. The thunder of an imminent collapse of rock and stone was growing. KOGYRUS Back this way! Hurry, Cemri! CHALKOS Go now! I'll protect the passage until the Kobolds come... Run. CEMRI No Chalkos! Come with us, don't just wait here for death! CHALKOS I...I won't lose you my friend. (beat) Now... run! NAR - KELDOR Cemri opened her eyes from the memory, the path now clear before her. (Current battle swells with the rush of the wind.) CHALKOS (yelling) Please!! (Pleading) Cemri!!! CEMRI (calmly smiling) You won't... (Serious but still calm) Now Please... Save them. (beat) (shout throwing the dragon off her then a roar) NAR - KELDOR Cemri shoved the Blue dragon off her with one mighty shove of her hind legs and blasted a shockwave similar to her brother's, knocking the Blue back into a waiting blast of corrosive acid from Chalkos' open maw. (Shrieking dragons) Chalkos swung a powerful claw across its jaw as it shrieked from the burning liquid sprayed across its rippling neck and shoulders. Chalkos gripped it in his claw and grappled, raking a few powerful hind claw attacks across its exposed belly, before it broke free, blasting a crackle of hot blue powerful lightning over his shoulder, barely missing his wing. Before Chalkos could recover the Blue disappeared into the fog, flying away from them all. CHALKOS (panting then softly whispered) Cemri. (silent wings flapping in the wind) NAR - KELDOR She was gone. He paused for a moment, thinking of her last words. Her last wish (beat) before explosively pursuing his friends above. A few moments later, he joined the rest of his friends in the clouds above the golden dawn now turning to familiar and clear blue skies. ARYAT Where is Cemri? NAR - KELDOR Ymir knew his twin's fate before Chalkos could answer. YMIR She fell... but I do not feel my twin's... NAR - KELDOR He paused. The twins were born of a single egg. A rare and magical thing for Dragons. They could share bits and parts of feelings and senses. He felt a wash of reassurance and then a call to action. YMIR She wants us to go. KOGYRUS This sortie was a sure sign that the Keep will soon be attacked, if it wasn't already, and it is still a few hours flight to the north. (beat) Come, Chalkos my friend... Fly with me, please. CHALKOS (sad but resolute) Of course. ARYAT Let us fly! We must make haste to Garnet Keep. NAR - KELDOR As the conversation of the dragons echoed telepathically in Cordelia's mind, she thought of Benedict lost in the fog below. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she gripped the harness on Aryat's back, drawing herself to him in comfort and hope.
Appearing in this episode:
UNA'S PATRON: Shannon Roby UNA: Becky Atchley LORVANA: Kara Danvers BENEDICT: Brian Dowling CORDELIA: Joleen Fresquez DABRIA: JD Rose NAR - KELDOR: Mike Atchley
And please welcome The Dragons: ARIANELL: Janet Atchley ARYAT: Daniel Nichols BLAINE: Mike Atchley BLAZE: Gin Walker CEMRI: Melissa Kersh CHALKOS: Scott C Brown KOGYRUS: David Tilstra MIDNIGHT: Joleen Fresquez YMIR: Harlan Guthrie
Thank you for joining us in this episode of dice tower theatre's dawn of dragons. Please join us in thanking our magnificent cast for their performance, and their full list can be found in the show notes. If you would like a sticker from the show please leave a review on any podcasting platform, and send a screenshot to [email protected] with a mailing address we can send it to. In the next episode what preparations need to be made at Garnet Keep to prepare for the approaching dark army? Will their new dragon allies be enough to stop their assault on our home? And what of the great dragon Cemri and Benedict? Will this how they finally join the ferryman in his realm of death? Until then fellow adventurers, stay safe and remember the oath!