Betrayal of the Dragon Queen.

I am Morwen, sister to Derowen. It is through my eyes and my voice that our story is now told.

Scene 5. The Red Wyvern Tavern.

We enter the village of Blackgrave. Taking leave of merchant and his caravan Hedrak takes us to the Red Wyvern Tavern which, he tells us, is where the locals go. Its small, always busy and usually smells of fish but if you need anything you can usually find it, or find out where to find it, at the Red Wyvern. Besides that, Hedrak adds, its proprietor, Travis, knows just about everything there is to know about these parts and well beyond. Hedrak hopes Travis has knowledge of the horn of Karagoss and the lost dragon city of Diertharma.

[Is everything as expected at the Red Wybern Tavern, (consult the bones) No, Fortune]

But the Red Wyvern is far from busy. I see a man behind the bar who I guess is Travis and [1d6] 1 other patron, [Read the Signs, Noble, Ordering, Wealth, Arrogance], who I judge by the fine clothing he wears, to be a nobleman, at the bar ordering a flask of wine and two glasses, odd as there is no one else in the tavern.
Travis politely tells the man that he will bring the wine to his table then turns to look at the four that have just entered his tavern, we must look a sorry state after our days walk in the snow. Travis calls to us “Hedrak my young friend, welcome, and you have brought me more customers I see. You look done, warm yourselves and I will be with you soon”.
We seat ourselves close to the fire, I am so cold and exhausted from the journey I fall into a wooden chair and can no longer move, my companions have faired little better. Travis comes to our table and thumps Hedrak on his back, “Been a while Hedrak. I recognise you my lady, Derowen of Suffercone if I am correct, and this must be your sister. Forgive me I do not know your friend here”,
Peran introduces himself and I remind him of my name, “Morwen! I remember now, forgive me, its been a few years since I saw you both and Peran, I am pleased to meet you, welcome to the Red Wyvern”.
Travis suggests that a glass of Skullpin Rum and a mulled windfall cider will warm us up. I decline, a Northern Tea will do me. He has salt fish broth on the go and we each greedily accept a bowl along with a chunk of bread.
Hedrak asks if his rooms are available for the night. Travis tells us both his spare rooms are vacant and he is glad to have us stay the night.
As Travis brings our drinks the entrance door opens and in steps a woman of elven origin. She takes no notice of us or Travis but walks over and sits by the man who pours her a glass of wine.
Travis brings over our broth and a flagon of cider and sits with us. He tells us its not just the tavern thats quiet, the village is quiet, no one goes outdoors in this weather unless they have good reason to. I eat my broth, its hearty and warming. Peran seems lost in his own thoughts, maybe its the Skullpin Rum taking effect after a long day. Hedrak and Derowen talk to Travis, they ask if he has any knowledge about the Horn of Karagoss or Diertharma the lost city of dragons.
[Question. Does Travis have any knowledge of the Horn of Karagoss? Yes]
[Question. Does Travis have any knowledge of Diertharma? No, Fortune]
[Read the Signs. memory, hazy, direction south, dragon, treasure, searching, gilded]
I am only half listening to their conversation, the food, my tea and the welcome warmth of the tavern make me drowsy, I hear Travis say he has some memory of a tale about the horn of karagoss. He says that it hides somewhere high in the north western mountains known as the Sunstone Ranges. Many have gone in search of the fabled horn, non have returned. Even if the horn could be found there is little chance of surviving in the mountains in winter. As for a lost city, some say a human city was lost early in the current age but no records of its location or name exist. As to a city of dragons, he knows nothing.
Sleep finally begins to overcome me, I make my excuses and head to my room, Derowen with me. As we pass the couple on our way to the stairs the elf maiden takes Derowens arm, “We overheard you talk of Diertharma and Dragon Queen. She will return before the last snows of winter are over. An army of men, skorn and dragonkind will march in her name and she will rule once more. I know this, the stars have spoken to me. Deep in the Sunstone Ranges a cave exists, its entrance in the shape of a serpent. Within is the cauldron of rebirth. The only way to stop the Dragon Queen returning is to destroy the cauldron but I fear its is an impossible task”.
Derowen thanks her for her words.
I snuggle deep into the blankets of my cot and am soon asleep. In the night I dream of a dragon sat on a pile of gold, it cries as if in deep pain, then a scream pierces my head and I sit bolt upright. Derowen too.
“you heard the scream as well” I ask.
“yes”

To be continued.