Dragons Play the Long Game

Lord Fred valiantly attempted to strike at the dragon, but his hands were pinned to his side, his sword useless. "Release me, vile beast!" Lord Fred said, attempting to sound forceful. "Unhand me at once!"

The dragon just chuckled as it flied Lord Fred to a small island. It then placed him on the ground, and transformed into the body of a mage with a long beard. "Lord Fred, would you like some wine?" the dragon asked.

Lord Fred could only sputter in response. "Wha- wha- what is this devilry?!" he attempted to pull out his sword only to discover that it will not leave his scabbard. "Release my sword, and fight me fairly you.. evil.. sorcerous.. tyrant wyrm!"

The dragon conjured forth a table with two chairs, and poured some wine into two glasses. "Come now, Fred, can I call you Fred? You don't need that sword. We have much to discuss."

Lord Fred huffed and puffed, exasperated, finding himself unable to charge into battle with the dragon. His very body resisted his will, and he found himself sitting down at the table and grabbing the wine glass. "Stop this at once, vile slayer of innocents!" he said, drinking the (admittedly) extremely high quality wine. "I demand you.. MMPHHHH" for his mouth had shut itself and would not open.

"Fine," said the dragon, "I speak, you listen." He then waved his hand and a map appeared in the air above the table. Lord Fred saw Allaria and the Shrecken Mountains, then the view zoomed in to the south, to the border of Aqualaria. "Here, right at the border of Aquilaria, there is a hut. In that hut, there is a man named Fiwzen. Fiwzen Mevar. An odd name, but that is of no consequence. Are you listening, Lord Fred? You may not think so, but this issue transcends our differences. "

Quite against his will, Lord Fred was listening. He was also trying to figure out a way to break the spell (for he had to be under a spell) and slay this foul creature. He nodded, sullenly, and the dragon continued. "Fiwzen is an unremarkable man. However, he is the lead foreman in a dig deep in Aquilaria and has brought home an item. You must kill him, and bring this item to me. Otherwise, Allaria is doomed."

Finding himself once again able to speak, Fred laughed derisively. "HA!" he sneered, "Do it yourself, oh great and powerful dragon."

"I would if i could!" raged the dragon, irritably. "This item, I cannot touch it."

"Wait!" said Lord Fred. "Then why in the hell do you want me to bring it to you?"

The dragon sighed. "You will bring it to my caves in the Shrecken. There, in my domain, where I have the most power, I can destroy it. Look, " he said, holding up a hand to stall Fred's upcoming interruption, "this device is ancient and powerful. Fiwzen will want to bring it to someone to check out, as it is clearly magical. Once Aquilaria realizes what they have, they will destroy Allaria." At this, the dragon's eyes flashed with anger. "Allaria is mine. Mine to terrorize, maybe, but mine all the same. I would never destroy it."

It is at this point that Lord Fred began to have a very bad feeling. Maybe the dragon was on the up and up. "This device, how will it destroy us?" he asked. Maybe it was something that the King could use to help Allaria!

The dragon slammed his hand on the table. "No details! This artifact is semi-intelligent. If I tell you about it, you may be seduced by its power, and think your King can use it for your good. No good will come of it, it is a dark and evil thing. It is far more evil than you perceive me to be, by a long shot." The dragon then conjured forth a pair of leather gloves that seemed to give off a slight shimmering, and a leather pouch that did the same.

"What are those for," asked Lord Fred.

"You will put on the gloves," said the dragon. "You will then place the object in the leather bag, and tighten it. Once you have done so, no one who does not wear the gloves can open the bag. Conceal it on your person, and travel to my caves. And Lord Fred?"

"Yes," he answered.

"Stay off the main roads," said the dragon. "Having that object in your possession will draw unwanted attention. Like I said, that artifact is semi-aware and it may figure out our intent. Are you ready to go?"

"Wait a minute!" exclaimed Lord Fred. "I have not agreed to this fool's errand yet. Nor have I decided whether or not you are even being truthful. You are a dragon, and lies and deception are right out of your wheelhouse."

The dragon became greatly vexed, stood up and started pacing. "Take a minute, then, Fred, but hurry! We don't have much time."

What does Lord Fred decide to do?

1. Lord Fred took the mission. The dragon transported him a few miles north of the Aquilarian border.
2. Lord Fred took some time to really contemplate the details.
3. Lord Fred didn't trust the dragon, and declined to help him.
4. Lord Fred chose to negotiate. If the dragon wanted his help, he would have to make concessions.

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