Mildenhaul’s Battle of Red & Gold Book 1

By Xothor Gorrat Ironweaver,
Templar in the Brogendenstein Temple of the
Morndinsamman & Apprentice with Bahamut’s Talons of Justice

On day 27 of Kythorn, 188 AR, I had fallen asleep in the Grotto library while researching gnomish golem crafting methods, when I was awoken by a hard magical tug on my center. The sensation was most unpleasant as Elder of Bendir Dale, Meriam Fuzzypaw & Den-Mother of Sheela Peryroyl summoned me to her side, nearly on top of a wounded Silver Dragon. Our Silver Dragon. Our Majestic Darnoth, Guardian of the Golden Halls of Brogendenstein, and He whom we lessers serve with honor and pride.

The shock and horror made me immediately sick, and thus I vomited all over my boots in front of the entire Brogendenstein and Bendir Dale assembled … making a grand entrance as always. Elder Meriam, Head Alderkin Merelen Greehill, Alderkin of Faith Riam Sunnybrow and [Redacted], as well as others, were performing surgery to remove a poison laced ballista bolt from Darnoth’s chest.

I had to inform my cousin, Sonnlinor Hera Braidstone, back in Mildenhaul, of this situation, as we were also dealing with hostile forces back in the Spine of the World mountains. And so, over the next many hours I prepared to depart the Arelith archipelago. Frantic with worry for His Majesty Darnoth, and the wrath of my cousin, I handed off some projects to Tuskain War-band Elder Druid Sap and Hearthhome owner Albus, left word with my friends; Apprentice Talon Leontia Meloda and Mistaraethilin Vel'Shanair, Student of His Silver Majesty Darnoth, and prepared to depart. Sister Silver, Darnoth’s daughter and Talon of Justice, and I embarked for the perilous and difficult journey home.

Though I have wanted to enter the Talons of Justice and become a dragon rider since I was in small clothes, I had no proper training. When Sister informed me we would be flying back to Mildenhaul, without a saddle, I panicked, and again, vomited all over my boots. Sister was not impressed and thus had to use her magic both to soothe my nerves and clean me up as well as secure me on her back. Finding a wand of web a few days before did prove useful in that the webbing was strong enough to keep me fairly stable during the flight, even allowing me to nap periodically while she flew.

I awoke late at night as sleet pelted me and soaked my armor, chilling me like nothing I’d ever experienced before. At the altitude we were flying and the temperature of my host, keeping warm became an issue and I started shivering uncontrollably. Sister mentioned that she too was tiring and that we needed to land somewhere and rest before continuing on, and so as we started to see the lights of Waterdeep and the sun breaking over the eastern mountains, Sister decided the best location for safety and rest would be Sailor’s Rook, just offshore Thornhold.

As we approached the Sailor’s Rook citadel and Valkurian Monastery along the rocky island, we could see dock wardens waving their torches to signal us down, obviously having been told of our arrival, though I know not how. As my muscles had become rigid due to hypothermia, the dock wardens had to dismount me themselves and carry me inside to the hearth to tend to me, peeling off my frozen armor, drying me and warming me by a roaring fire. Sister remained outside in the howling wind and sleet, content to be served a plethora of fried fish and roasted potatoes, and found rest on a landing platform at the top of the citadel, made years before at the suggestion of Mildenhaul’s Matron Gold Dragon Empress herself.

While Sister recovered quickly, I needed more time and after a half dozen hours of sleep, I was awoken by the monks and told that Sister insisted we continue on our way. While I was resting, the Valkurian trade smiths crafted for us a saddle and harness of leather and mithril, which fit us better than I had expected, and soon Sister and I were again, on our way. With my armor and garments fresh and dry, my body warmed sufficiently and my magical stamina returned, I warded myself against the cold and we managed to fly to Mildenhaul in record time of only a dozen hours.

Upon landing at the Golden Roost atop Mildenhaul proper, again our arrival was anticipated, we were quickly informed of the events that had transpired within the last 24 hours. Drow assassins had penetrated our mines and snuck into the Braidstone clan-hold, ambushing my cousin Hera as she slept. Stabbed under her rib cage by a young assassin from the ancient Arelithian drow house, Drak’aa, the poison took hold quickly. Thankfully all the other assassins who had attempted to take out the rest of the prominent Braidstones were caught in the attempt and killed. The male who stabbed Hera succeeded seconds before having his skull bashed in by clan guards. The only reason Hera did not die within minutes was due to her older brother, Gate Sergeant Harran’s swift action getting her to Berronar’s infirmary directly next door.

While Sister remained at the Golden Roost to discuss the situation with Mildenhaul’s Gold Council; made up of a family of four ruling Gold Dragons, I was taken directly to the infirmary to advise my cousins of Darnoth’s injury and Brogendenstein’s situation.

-----

To be continued ...