Fireseek 23: at the Gate to the Westkeep Palace

NOTE: What follows are excerpts from the narrative. Drago is genuinely unaware that anything out of the ordinary occurs when the drakonik power of Kopep to disguise himself first appears. His only clues are the looks on human faces.

Arriving at the entrance to the keep they see that it is flanked by gibbets, iron cages in which have been hung the corpses of executed criminals. Crows peck at the carrion and hover all about the palace. From within the courtyard can be heard a large crowd shouting and yelling, and occasionally gasping in dismay.

The guard at the entrance seems to be doubled. In addition to the pike wielding members of the Guard, a fully armored knight walks out to meet them. He flips back his visor to reveal that it is Sir Jankin who has come forth to greet them. He looks a bit pale and drawn however, though he makes an effort to be pleasant. “Hail Sir Ragnbjorn. It is good to see that you and the others have returned safely. Please follow me, and I will take you Fingol, and the Marinus and any other dignitaries who may be with you in to see the Prince. Sgt. Apone and the Guards may be go over to the barracks and report in to Commander Gorman.”

“Thank you Sir Jankin,” Ragnbjorn replies. “It sounds as though the executions are still going on. They haven’t finished with all the rioters yet?”

Sir Jankin looks quite downcast as he answers, “Yes, they are finishing with the rapists now. These,” he indicates the gibbets, “will be replace with the fresh bodies soon. I believe they are preparing the arsonists now. Let us please go now. It may be just, but it is not a sight I wish to see and I would prefer we are all within the palace when they start.”

Fingol responds, “No my friend, it may preserve order… for a time… but it is not just.”

“As you say, Sir Jankin, there is no need for us to delay. Indrani, Lorindel, Fingol, and I will come with you.” Ragnbjorn turns to Sgt. Apone. “Sergeant, please bring Adelina and Drago with you to the barracks. We will send for them later. And also see to it that Odric is put in the dungeons, but well away from the other rabble.”

“As you will,” Sgt. Apone responds.

Just then one of the guards manning the entrance comes over to Drago’s cloaked form and says, “Sorry sir, but we can’t let anyone through without getting a good look at ‘em first. Those are the rules, no exceptions.”

Before anyone can stop him, the guard reaches out and knocks back the hood of Drago’s cloak to reveal a tall handsome man with fair skin, close cropped blond hair, and cornflower blue eyes.

“Who is this then?” asks the guard. “Are you with them?” He nods towards Sgt. Apone’s squad.

“Yes, sir, my name is Drago,” he responds to the guard.

Indranil raises his eyebrows when Drago’s hood is cast back and utters an involuntary gasp. Then he turns to Lorindel and whispers, “Well that will come in handy.”

“Indeed it will, Brother,” agrees Lorindel.

Ragnbjorn looks quite shocked but then steps over to the guard and says, “Yes, Drago is with us.”

The guard nods and steps aside.

Sir Jankin asks, “Is everything alright, Sir Ragnbjorn? You look a little…”

Ragnbjorn waves him off, “No Sir Jankin. Everything is fine, but I think that Drago had better come along with our party after all. Drago, please stay with me.”

Drago knows enough about humans to wonder that the guard doesn’t recoil in horror from him. He also finds it curious that Ragnbjorn, Indranil, and others are looking at him so curiously.

Without further ado, Drago pulls the hood back over his head. He feels exposed. He wants to hide.

Once away from Drago Newt explodes, angrily venting to the Guard. “Can you believe him?! So what is he? Lizard or human? And WHO is he?! Oohhh! I’m SO ANGRY! How can we trust someone who presents himself one way then switches who he is just like that (she snaps her fingers)?” She is genuinely indignant at the deception.