Sleeping through the night blurry memories of her past returned and resumed where they left off the night before. The trip to the elven lands those years ago when her and her brother met that one elf dancer, it all seemed so innocent at the time, Syra just wanted to learn how to dance and do tricks from her and she was happy to oblige, even showing showing the princess some tricks with magic. Syra mimicked it perfectly making cyan flames dance around and with her, even catching the attention of her parents. When her family was ready to depart her parents had the dancer come with them telling her she would become a tutor in dancing for their daughter, the high elf couldn't refuse lest she risk her family and home of her people so she came along. Syra flew with her father Kargha on his back in his dragon form with her brother Garlath sitting with her while the dancer rode on her mother Ashna, Syra noticed a look of fear and apprehension on the dancer's face, but she knew not why. Her dream went blurry as time went forward she was waking up in her chambers just before the light reached her room, excited to learn more from her tutor. She called out to her having learned her name in the past days. "Amira!" she called out excitedly, but there was silence, "Amira?" she called once more to silence. Not thinking much of it she went to the servants quarters where she was stationed, dancing and twirling throughout the halls, letting out breaths of fire excitedly as she walked into the resting area, she found all the servants we're still there and her presence caused the servants to wake with a panic as the princess walked in. Amira wasn't there. Confused Syra turned to the nearest servant. Syra felt embarrassed waking them up, she looked around and noticed that Amira's bed was the only one that was empty. "Sorry I woke you all, was just trying to find my dance teacher," she paused for a second, knowing how tired they still look, "Here's an order, rest for another hour!" and she turned one of her fingers into a claw and carved a cyan dragon rune on the door, "They'll know I was here and gave you such an order!" Taken aback the servants bowed once more, "We are grateful, princess." Syra smiled shutting the door then turned around, coming face to face with her brother who had a concerned look on his face. "Your too kind to those who hardly deserve it." "Ah!" Syra was startled, "Your up early Garlath!" "I've been awake a lot earlier than usual lately... too excited to begin my conquest, my eighteenth name day can't come soon enough!" he shook his head, his violet eyes glowing in the dark hall, "Heard you we're calling for that servant." "Yes! Have you seen her?" "I passed by her with mom and dad earlier, I believe they wanted her for something." Excited, Syra grabbed Garlath by the arm, "Let's go find them then!" and she dragged him around through the various halls looking around for her dance teacher. A few minutes have passed as they went through the fortress, occasionally hearing the sound of large stomps, likely their parents in their dragon forms. Following the sound Syra was eager to find her teacher once more... she froze up once she picked up the scent of blood. Following the smell she began to also sense faint traces of magic through her horns. Eventually the two found a large door that was partly ajar, and the smell of blood was it's strongest from there. Slowly Syra approached the door and opened it, it took her a moment to process what she witnessed and she felt sick upon realization. A splatter of blood on the stone floor, with bits of an elven dancer's dress torn in tatters. Garlath looked inside the room, immediately recognizing who's blood and remains it was, "Oh..." Syra collapsed to the floor hyperventilating, "W-wait, what? Why did this happen?! What happened to Amira!? Why is her blood splattered on the floor!?" She felt a hand gently wrap over her shoulder, "I can't say for sure sis..." She looked back at him, tears forming in her eyes, "If I we're to guess it's likely she proved too dangerous to be alive." "...What!?" She exclaimed, a mixture of horror and rage in her voice, "She was brought here to us! She was my dance teacher! How was Amira too dangerous!?" "She was also a sorcerer, those gifted by their heathen 'goddess' are too risky to be kept alive... I believe they brought her here in the first place to be rid of her, taken from her home never to be seen by the rest, likely an intimidation tactic on top of that." She then remembered when she first met Amira, when she asked her to show her how to dance and use magic with a dance, her parents witnessed this. "I... I got her killed..., I wanted her to teach me how to dance and it killed her!" "Syra calm yourself! There is no need to shed tears for a mortal-" She slammed a fist against her brother's chest, "Why can't I!?" Garlath looked surprised at her. "Magic or no magic she didn't deserve this! No one deserves to be eaten alive just for who they are!" Garlath covered her mouth, "Syra!" he said in a hushed voice and a sharp hiss, he had a look of pure worry on his face, "Your not acting as you should be sister, and I'm telling you this to protect you, if either of our parents, cousins, or uncle we're to see you like this they would put you in confinement till your behavior and I don't want you to go through that!" Syra blinked looking at her brother as he moved his hand from her mouth. "Please understand my sister, you are a dragon, you have the birthright to rule over the mortals beneath us, it is not right for you to consider the feelings or well being of mortals, with the exception of keeping enough alive to provide plenty of spoils." She blinked before looking down sadly, despite her brother's words and her inner dark nature it didn't feel right to embrace such malice. She felt Garlath's hand on her chin lifting her head up to face him. "Please Syra, I don't want you to suffer the wrath of our family... no one in our family ever went out of line... don't be the first." he pleaded. Syra sniffed and tried to dry her tears, despite what she heard she couldn't bring herself to commit to such a line of thinking... but she could fake it till she was able to claim her domain... perhaps. "I... I'll try to follow my family's example." Garlath let out a sigh of relief, "Good." The two started to leave the chamber, Syra still trying to come to terms with everything followed her brother out. "Syra..., I know it will be difficult to adjust your mindset, but I will help you, and should you falter I'll keep you safe." --- Suddenly Syra awoke from the dream taking a deep breath and feeling around the land around her, making sure she was away from her home and still in Kasgara. After getting her bearings straight she looked around to see Kal and Fara still asleep. She felt sick to herself as the memory that flooded back to her in her sleep stuck to her mind. She looked around the edge of the camp noticing Astor was standing watch, Syra walked over to him catching his attention before sitting on the ground, her knees up and arms wrapped around them. "Your up late." He said quietly. Syra looked up noticing Astor had a slight look of concern on his face, "Yeah... can't sleep." "Not used to sleeping out here?" "Partly that, most of it just thoughts in my head I don't want to have." "Oh." Astor said, struggling to find words, "Anything you need to let out?" "Not really, I'm used to just going through the motions till it's all over." "I understand." She looked back at the shadow elf, "If you'd like to I can take over for a while if you need some rest." "If you insist I'll take that offer." There was a moment of silence. "I'd like to apologize for how coldly I've been towards you." "Given what my family has done to you mortals I don't blame you." "Doesn't make it right for me to bring you down given the efforts you are making in helping us all. It's only fair for us to let you prove yourself, and given what I've witnessed, your leaving a nice impression, I hope it continues." Syra gave a short smile before leaving him to it. After he was gone she turned outward, still deep in thought, the memory in her sleep still stuck in her mind, thinking back to what her brother said, before looking back at the three as they slept. "You all matter to me." --- Hours pass as Syra is left to her thoughts, the shock from the pass having long since passed, only leaving sadness for the dragon. Kal, Fara, and Astor woke up and the four began to pack up what they could from the camp, Syra needing a hand to with undoing some of the tents. After a while the two set forth, heading south towards Arthastead. A few hours pass as they make the most of the day before it got too dark. Syra finally got used to the terrain, no longer stumbling or being slowed down but the uneven footing or roots or foliage sticking out. The whole travel was mostly silent, everyone either focused on what was at hand, or lost in their own thoughts. Syra herself couldn't help but feel antsy hoping to accomplish this task sooner than later. Kal looked back at Syra and moved himself over to her noticing she seemed off, "Is everything okay Syra?" he asked quietly. "Didn't rest well to put it simply... moment of my past I'm not proud of came to mind and stuck with me." "Oh... that's upsetting, do you want to talk about it?" "Not really, at least not in detail." "Only say as much as your comfortable." "Honestly... just memories of my life before I came here, many years ago, there was an incident involving someone under our family's rule, at first I thought they wanted a new servant to teach me, turns out they wanted to be rid of her cause she was a sorcerer..." Kal grimaced as he listened, "That must've been a traumatic experience." "The first of many experiencing mortality of those under my family's rule... I feel like that moment was what really brought forward my true self, despite what my family taught me I've always had a fondness, a love for mortals, I could never bring myself to harm any of you even if I was somehow demanded to." "I... gods... I honestly don't know what to say." he paused trying to find his words, "If it helps what matters are the choices you make now, where you come from doesn't have to define you, the fact that you care about others given all that is a good indicator for the person you are." Syra couldn't help but smile, some tears forming in her eyes which she quickly wiped away, "Thank you, Kal." "Of course Syra." he said returning the smile. Syra couldn't help but wonder if Astor or Fara we're listening in slightly. The four we're close to Arthastead as they traveled along the mountainside, the came across a creek flowing down the hill and quickly crossed it, on the other side they found something peculiar, a puppy, a month old based on appearance with black and brown fur staring down the group and growling. Syra looked around anxiously wondering if this was a trap of some sorts while the rest looked calm. After a few seconds they noticed a small hole in the ground, just big enough for small animals to go in, a den perhaps. Kal cast the spell to speak with animals on himself then spoke to the puppy, "Hey there, what's got you all riled up?" he said in a friendly tone. Syra did the same as she heard the small dog speak. "Leave here, now." the dog said, still baring it's teeth. "We mean no harm at all little one, your bravery is commendable mind you." Syra decided to speak up, "Are you alright?" she asked softly. Both her and Kal held out their hands slowly. "I don't want to lose my family... men in armor escorting other people, scared people, they came close to us, I could tell they we're bad." "Must be the Black Knight's forces going past here." Astor added, Kal nodded. "We are not with them, actually we are hoping to stop them from spreading their influence further." Kal added. The dog gently sniffed both his and Syra's hand, then relaxed slightly, "You don't seem like the bad men... I won't bite any of you." Kal gave the dog a gentle pat on the head. Syra turned her head to see a pair of glowing eyes inside the hole. "Who are these four?" came a soft voice. "Kind people mom, they don't mean to hurt us." Just then a black cat emerged from the den, a female cat, with six one month old kittens lying down in the den. Kal and Syra blink, "This is your mom?" Syra asked the puppy. "Yes! She raised me when I was born, she told me my old family we're killed by beasts, but she raised me as her own just the same!" Syra and Kal couldn't help but smile at that, "How sweet." Syra said. The two relayed to Fara and Astor what the animals told them. After a while they decided to share some of their food with the puppy and cats. The cat and kittens each emerged from the den to eat, the puppy was given their own chunk of meat. Syra gave the mother cat some gentle scratches on the head. --- After a while the two asked if the animals if they knew anything about the bandits when they passed by the area, the only information they could get was that they mentioned throwing their captives in the mines with the rest. From that they figured most of the population we're likely in Arthastead's mines rather than the village itself. They thanked the critters for the information, Fara and Astor held out their hand for them to get their scent if they wanted to follow and headed off with haste. They soon make it to the outskirts of the mining village, staying within the trees to avoid being detected. The bandits line the outside of the village guarding it from anything that would approach. From what the four could make of it, they couldn't find any normal villagers inside the town itself. A dirt road connected to the redstone mine, they found the villagers pushing carts in and out with an overseer following them threatening violence for any disobedience. Fara let out a deep breath upon seeing such cruelty. "We'll get them out of there, we just need to find a way to deal with all these guards." Astor said softly. Kal took a stick from the ground and started to draw in the dirt a crude image of the village and the mine. "From what we can gather most of the villagers are likely being put to work in the mines, any in the village are likely being held captive in the dungeons. I've gotten a good look at the attire these guards wear and I've come up with a plan, or at least one on the spot. We want to create some chaos that will pull the bandits out of the mine and town itself, from there those who aren't causing a distraction can infiltrate our way though the chaos to the mine, we free all the villagers inside and arm them with weapons and with our numbers including raw strength and magical powers we can overwhelm the bandits and take over Arthastead." The other three looked at him then at each other, "It's something we can work with, though who will be the one to cause the disruption?" Astor added. "Just say the word and I'll head out there and give em hell!" Fara exclaimed. "Actually Fara, I want you to be with us in disguise and helping with freeing the villagers." Kal added. Fara's ears drooped down upon hearing that, "Oh." and she sat back down, "Then who will be the distraction?" Kal smiled and turned his head to Syra, Fara and Astor turned to her as well. Syra was taken aback, "Oh! Well I guess I could try, but... why me though?" "Syra, given what you are, you are capable of striking fear into the hearts of these bandits and you have the power to back that up, I believe you will be perfect in causing this distraction and saving the people here." Kal said reassuring her. Syra paused looking at her hand, conjuring a cyan flame in her palms, "Alright, I'll bring them chaos." The four moved through the woods surrounding the village, moving closer to the mines. They watched as carts of redstone we're escorted out by villagers, occasionally they could see and hear a whip being cracked either on them or as a threat to keep them moving. Fara seethed with anger. Syra looked back at Kal, a worrying thought came to mind, "What of the villagers carting those things? They'll be in the middle of it all." "Wait for when most of them are either back in the mines or close to the town, when you begin they will either be able to flee inside the mines or the village and away from you." Kal said watching intently. "Understood." Syra looked intently watching each passing moment as the carts went by. "Also most importantly be mindful of your flames, don't let them make contact with the red stone, especially in large clumps like that can be deadly." Astor added. Syra nodded. Time passed as they watched the villagers push carts, till finally there was a large gap with some near the village and most at the mine entrance. "Now's your chance!" Kal exclaimed. Syra quickly conjured her wings and took flight, dashing forward with great speed, her wings leaving a trail of cyan fire in the air which faded behind her as she flew. She made her way towards the dirt road that connected the mine and village. Taking a deep breath she unleashed a breath of fire near one of the bandit overseers causing them to fall back and catching the ground alight. She looked around hearing panic around her, seeing villagers fleeing into the mines and the town, she drew her spell blade and pointed it at the neck of the overseer she knocked down. "I've come to claim this land as is my right!" she yelled staring at the bandits, "Surrender to your new ruler..." she turned to the red stone mine, flames forming in her mouth, "Or I'll turn this place into a fiery pit!" Suddenly she heard the swish of several arrows flying towards her, she dashed away as the arrows whistled past her, she felt a sharp pain on her cheek as an arrow grazed past her face. Turning around she saw the bandits readying for another shot at her, she held out her hand shooting a ray of frost causing the archers to duck away from her. Some of the bandit guards moved away from the mine entrance ready to go after her, shooting their crossbows at her as they moved. --- Kal watched in silence as Syra distracted the bandits, waiting for the right time to move in. "Come on princess... lure as many as you can out of there..." The three saw as more patches of cyan fire where made on the ground, more of the bandits poured out trying to take Syra out as she took flight hailing bots of lightning and frost at them. Kal counted at least fifteen bandits who are distracted by the situation, "There might be more bandits inside, but this is our best chance!" The three moved out quickly towards the mine trying to keep a low profile and not catch the attention of any of the bandits. As they got close to the entrance they crept around towards the entrance, Kal felt tense as they got closer, worried about their cover being blown. A bandit who stood close their path started to turn towards them, catching something in his periphery, Kal felt everything in him freeze up. As they we're about to be spotted, everyone turned their heads to the sound of yelling, everyone, bandits, Kal, Astor, and Fara looked up to see Syra carrying an overseer into the air as he struggled to break free of her grasp. "I'll make an example of you!" she shouted before flying downwards, slamming the overseer first into the ground with a loud thud and his yelling was silenced. The bandits moved in carrying nets trying to capture the dragon, leaving the entrance to the mine open. The three quickly slipped inside, as Kal walked in his senses we're hit with the scents of a musty mildew and damp dug up earth. Around them amongst the dirt where small bits of red stone which we're scattered on parts of the wall, giving off a strong sulfur smell. Taking the initiative Kal moved forward ahead of everyone deeper into the mine, passing by nearby empty carts and the mine went gradually downward, passing by sections of dug up earth in the cave walls, they could hear yelling from below, gradually making out the words as they went. "There may be a dragon out there, that doesn't mean production stops slave!" they heard the sound of a whip, the yell pain from a woman and the yell of a child. Kal felt his blood boiling and could sense similar feelings from Fara. They moved quickly towards the sound and found an open chamber filled with redstone, carts being loaded up, and people mining the stone, and a large wooden structure built above the chamber with a set of ladders and supports that allow an overview of the chamber. They found the source of the noise, an overseer wielding a whip, a woman who had several whip marks on her, and a kid trying to help her, likely her son. Fara crept into the chamber, turning her battle axe to the other side, raising the handle as she got behind the overseer and struck him on the back of the head hard and he collapsed. Fara looked around to find any other bandits inside before holding her hands out to calm everyone in the chamber. "We're here to get you out of here." Kal and Astor emerged in the chamber, Kal examined the chamber some more finding three tunnels that split off from this chamber, he turned to the nearest villager, "How far does this mine go?" Still trying to get their bearings straight the villager finally spoke up, "It breaks up into three large chambers similar to this, more of us are down in each." Kal nodded in understanding, he looked up at the wooden structure before climbing up it and looking inside. There was a set of windows that allowed those inside to look down and overlook the work being done, along with it, racks of weapons and armor which Kal looted and the three began distributing them to each who can use a weapon. The three put the armor on themselves as a way to help blend in further into the mines should they encounter anymore guards unaware. A thought came to his mind as he looked around at the tunnels before them, wondering how they should go about it. The child who was helping his mother came up to him, "My papa was taken down to center tunnel, I heard it's hard to breathe down there, you will rescue him too, please?" Kal got on his knees and put a hand on the boy's shoulder, "Don't worry, we'll make sure everyone here is safe. He turned back to Fara and Astor, "We each split off in each tunnel, rescue everyone all at once." "I'll take the center tunnel," Fara stated quickly, "I'll be able to handle some tough air!" "Then I'll take the left." Astor added. "I'm left with the right tunnel then, very well, let's do this." And the three split off. Kal walked down through the hall way, the sulfur smell getting stronger and stronger as he went and the hallways got darker till he could barely see anymore. He refused to use any fire magic as a light source and risk blowing up the mine. As he went through the smell became overwhelming and he saw a bright red glimmer at the end of the hall. As he got closer to the end and could look in the chamber, he saw to his surprise a massive geode of red stone in the center of chamber, gradually being broken off with several bandits guarding them. 'By the seven... a little bit of flames and that thing could split this section of land apart for miles...' He examined the room further and found another wooden structure that overlooked the chamber, this one bigger than the prior chamber, and he could see some people inside. Kal in his disguise moved to one of the villagers, quietly getting their attention. "Once I make my move I'll try to distract these guys, get ready to ambush them." A little startled the villager nodded, knowing to pass it on to the others. Kal followed himself up the wooden stairs to the building overlooking the chamber. Once inside he found three bandits overlooking the whole scene, talking to each other. "Wish we could just lift this whole thing out of this chamber, could you imagine the faces of everyone if we brought it into the capital?" "Probably would be pandemonium, even the king would be willing to bend the knee to keep the kingdom safe." Kal moved behind two of the bandits, his hands tingling with electricity. "Well even though we can't do that we'll have that level of explosive power in pieces, better than risking turning what we want to control into a crat-AAAAAHHH!!!" Kal pressed his hands onto the bandits heads, electrocuting the two till they fell over, twitching from the shock. The third bandit in the room looked at Kal horrified, thinking fast Kal held his hand out shooting a ray of frost, missing as the bandit charged him knocking him out of the building and onto the stairs, and the two struggled. The rest of the overseers looked up to see the commotion going on and moved to help. As they did that, the villagers stopped their work and charged at the overseers knocking them to the ground, striking them with pickaxes and piercing their armor just enough to hurt. Kal held out his hand with the overseer he was grappling put his hand on the man's face, coursing electricity through him in a second till he fell over. She smell of electrocuted flesh was in the air and felt sickening to Kal as he tried to maintain a form of composure as he got back to his feet as the villagers and bandits struggled with each other. Thinking fast Kal found some shackles inside the building and began to restrain each of the bandits one by one till they we're unable to fight back. Kal then distributed weapons to each of the villagers and they we're escorted through the tunnels out to the main chamber. As they made it back to the main chamber they found the first chamber filled with villagers and some imprisoned bandits, Fara and Astor made it back, Fara covered in blood, she had no captured bandits and the villagers we're all covered in several whip and wound marks. "Fara, what happened?" Kal asked concerned. "The bastards we're whipping the people in the center chamber to near death, all the while having them choke in the chamber, prison would've been too kind for them." Kal grimaced at that. Suddenly they felt a thud and rumble from above as the mine started to shake. Everyone but Kal, Fara, and Astor we're panicking as they worked to get everyone to calm down and focus. "Everyone, topside, now!" And the three led everyone through the entrance tunnel, women and children we're in the front, men and bandits behind them, the three leading the way as they climbed up through the tunnel. As they traversed they felt another rumble up above causing everyone to pick up the pace, some people started to trip and fall behind. Kal and Fara looked back and ran over to those who who fell and helped them to their feet. "A guardian of the kingdom leaves no one behind!" Kal said as he helped the man to his feet, Fara lifting two people who hurt their legs over her shoulders and the two made their way up. The rest of the villagers and bandits made it farther ahead. A third and final thud was heard as the cave started to shake violently behind them. Fara and Kal moved quickly trying to get up out of the cave, the ceiling started to crack and crumble over them. Thinking fast Kal conjured a gust of wind launching them out of the mine just before it collapsed. Getting his bearings straight Kal looked up and round to see the bandit prisoners all huddled together, the villagers who we're armed had their weapons ready, patches of fire we're all around the area, kept under control by Syra, and Kal saw pits where some stray red stone had exploded. The bandits who we're fighting with Syra all looked beat up and bruised, their weapons and nets destroyed. One of them looking stressed out of his mind threw his morning star to the ground and held his hands up. "That's it! Spent the past half hour fighting a dragon and here comes all the villagers we had working ready to skewer us! There comes a time when one should know it's over, this is one of em!" Syra ran up to the group looking worried, "Are you alright? I had to use my flames and bits of red stone dust ignited on me!" "We're alright Syra, that was a close call but we're alright." Syra let out a sigh of relief upon seeing them. The villagers looking at her with a mixture of curiosity and fear. Noticing this, Kal reassured the villagers, "She is with us! Kept a distraction going while we got you all out of here in fact." The anxieties of the villagers faded upon hearing that. The child from the first chamber slowly approached the dragon, the mother and father at first apprehensive let their son approach. Syra looked at the kid and got on one knee before them, "What is it?" she asked softly. The kid said nothing, instead holding his arms out giving her a hug. Kal watched her blink for a moment, she then hugged the kid back smiling warmly.