The Guardians
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 29032
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Andrea decided to take a cautious look at
this creature and its pack, which might very well contain something
useful. The pack was old and worn, made of what looked like
leather. It
seemed to have a sort of combination lock dangling from it. It was
made of iron and covered with ornate patterns of elegant dragons. A
closer look showed her that these dragons seemed to be fighting. It
was both beautiful and terrible, and would take over a year to make in
her kingdom.
She touched the pack, trying to get a feel for what was inside it. However, at that moment, the little dragon-creature jolted awake. "Don't touch my crystals!" it said, with a voice that sounded like that of an old man. "Do you want me to be trapped in this plane forever?" He blinked at her. "Oh, it's just--who are you? What are you doing in the Sanctuary of the Two Great Ones? I thought the only human who could enter here was the Chosen One! Surely you're not--" "She would have to be, to enter here," said a younger-sounding, more elegant female voice, one that nonetheless seemed to hold a great deal of wisdom. Andrea turned around to see a creature similar to the one she'd just seen, but larger and female. "What would your name be, child?" "I'm Lady Andrea de Croix," she said in a subdued voice. She had the feeling of being in the presence of royalty. "I am on a quest to find the Golden Dishcloth of Righteousness. Who built this place, anyway? And what happened to the courtyard? [22310]" "I am Tiamat, one of the guardians of this world. And this is Metatron, my brother. This sanctuary was built by our father when we were but children, when your race began to walk this planet. It is a shrine to the two progenitors of our species." "But I thought--" said Andrea. "I am sure your culture assigned its own meaning to this symbol, which may even reflect some of its truths. It is one of the most ancient and powerful symbols of magic in all worlds, because of our influence. As to the Golden Dishcloth of Righteousness, there is no such thing. That, and all the castle above you, was an illusion. You were given this mission as your first test, a test of faith and honor. There will be other tests. You may take them, if you wish, and fulfill your destiny. Or you may return to your old life. It is your choice." "What happens if I don't fulfill my destiny? "You cannot know that, child, not until after you have taken the tests," said Tiamat. Confusion quivered in Andrea's heart now. Should she take these 'tests'? She did not trust these dragons, or this place. She knew some of the things that were said about Dragons, and did not want to end up like that knight who had fallen afoul of their magic, who had been wandering around the Shreken arguing himself. Yet maybe this truly was her destiny. "I knew she wouldn't agree!" cackled Metatron as he saw the doubt in Andrea's face. "Getting a human for this was a mistake." Andrea prayed to Qrom the Paladin, father of humanity, but perhaps he would not answer. After all, she was dealing with something more ancient than humanity here.
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Knight Random (a bit embarrassed over my earlier continuity error, but at least I can turn it into a plot point.)
6/2/2003 2:43:29 PM
Extending Enabled
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