RP:First Time Flyer

Part of the Thy Kingdom Come Arc

Part of the Rise of Larket Arc

Summary: Hildegarde gives Kelovath a ride back to Larket.

Kelovath had finally found his way outside, only to be given a message. The deliverer of that message was a high elf. Which, was odd, because the paladin hadn’t stepped foot anywhere near the home of the high elves since the Time Lord was around. Many, many years ago now. The message was opened, read, and right away, the paladin turned and ran back into the war-camp. During his ran, the man asked people where Hildegarde was. Very few actually answered, but a couple guards did point, which was enough for the man to continue on his way. Reaching a closed door, Kelovath knocked hurriedly. “Hildegarde! Are you in there?” His voice was panicked, rushed.

Hildegarde had retreated to the coldest room of the manse for some sort of private matter and she obviously didn’t expect any company if the loud noises at Kelovath’s knock is any indication. The panic and rush in his voice gets a roar of reply, “Enter!” she roared. Once Kelovath entered the room, he’d see the hunched dragon in her full form. Certainly, she was too big to comfortably fit into this room; but the sheer cold of it appealed to her and it was what she felt was needed. The Silver’s sole and serpentine eye fixed onto Kelovath, “Forgive me, I did not anticipate company,” she said, her long neck leaning down so she might peer at him all the better. “What’s the matter?” she asked, her voice deep and rumbling; like a roll of distant thunder.

Needless to say, when the paladin entered the cold room, a dragon was not what he was expecting to find. As he was about to speak, the words were suddenly gone. His eyes wide and his head tilted to the side. He’d only seen one dragon before. It tried to kill him. Hopefully, this one would not. He knew it was Hildegarde, but at the same time, it was hard to believe. Getting himself together, the paladin took a breath, then spoke. “I am sorry, Hilde. I didn’t mean…” He shook his head and stood tall. “I need to leave. Larket is in trouble. Or, will be soon. Jesen seems to of found his way there, but he’s tracking…Someone. Mihael. I do not know him, but apparently he and another attacked Cenril and kidnapped children. Brought them back to Larket.” While explaining, his eyes never locked onto the draconic eyes of Hildegarde. They scanned the room while his words flooded out in a rush. “The council won’t be able to decide what to do. Jesen needs me there so he can continue his hunt. And I think I’ll need to help him. Mihael sounds…” Again, he shook his head. It didn’t matter. “Can you get me there? Fast?”

Hildegarde made a deep and throaty noise, akin to the deep and almost thoughtful noise of a tiger. “Mihael,” she repeats the name. “I know him,” she said, though it was unlikely she knew him in a criminal manner! She likely knew him in some other way and, true enough, she did. They had met once in Frostmaw. He had apparently once been part of The Eyrie but now no longer was. While Kelovath never made eye contact with the dragon, this was likely to his benefit. Dragons were almost feline in nature. Prolonged eye contact may have been perceived as a challenge or a threat. “I can get you to Larket,” she said, “I shall fly you there.” Though Hildegarde was not a proud woman, the way in which she said she would fly him to Larket made it sound as if what she was about to do was a great honor for him; a gift rarely given to just any. “Get outside, I’ll meet you outside. I must… become small again so as not to bring this house down upon our heads.”

Kelovath blinked several times before giving the woman…Dragon a nod of his head. “Okay.” He turned and began yet another fast pace downstairs.

Hildegarde’s form would transform back to her most commonly seen one before reverting to her truest of shapes once outside again. The Silver’s large and leathery wings unfolded, stretching out with a little quiver as she did. After a few moments, the dragon’s body hunkered down and low; tilting slightly as if to make Kelovath’s ascension onto her scaled back all the easier. “Direct me from the sky, Lord Khamsin,” she bade him. “Hold on tight and clench with your legs. If you feel faint, try to say so,” after all, she wasn’t sure what sort of flight experience he had if anything. Once Kelovath had ‘boarded’, the dragon would lurch from the ground and beat her leathern wings hard to ascend into the sky; where soon all would fade away to specks. “Mihael is a madman, from what I have heard,” she talks conversationally as she flies, “Do you know this other who attacked Cenril with him?”

Kelovath got outside and waited for Hildegarde. His thoughts were racing about Larket and what he’d do once arriving. Where to go first? Who to seek out? Would this be a peaceful resolution at the end of it? And all at once, the thoughts were gone and a completely different one came to mind. Josleen. She’d be returning soon. And he’d be gone. With no way of knowing for how long. Or if he’d ever be able to come back. Seeing Hildegarde, the paladin readied himself, waited for her to shift, then climbed on. He agreed to her instructions and held on as tightly as possible. He’d never flown. At all. He was also afraid of dragons. So, this was a great combination of firsts. The paladin mentions going east, talking of a large monument near the cemetery. Should be enough room? “Desparrow was the other.” He was able to basically squeak out the words before ducking his head and closing his eyes. He didn’t feel faint, thankfully, but the entire experience was not one he’d want to do again.

Hildegarde was, fortunately, a very experience flier. Her species were known for their swift flying and maneuverability, so it was likely to be an easy flight for Kelovath. Not terribly bumpy. Besides, Hildegarde was hardly frightening! What with that missing eye, those horrid scars, spear like teeth… not terrifying at all. The Silver circles the destination, falling into a slow and circular descent so as not to greatly disturb the nearby cemetery or the monument itself. She lands with a mighty ‘thud’ and tips her body so he might easily reach the ground. “I know Desparrow, too,” she said. “This is grim news.”

Kelovath dismounted the dragon and took in several deep breaths and releasing them. “My…That was…Something…” He spoke with an unsure smile. The man looked out toward Larket. No smoke. Nothing has happened yet. Good. The paladin shifted back to look at Hildegarde. “Thank you, Hilde. I’m sorry I won’t be at your side. I…Larket needs me.” Those last three words were probably the strongest sounding words of their entire conversation so far. The paladin was back home and they needed him now more than ever, it would seem. The man took in another deep breath, finally feeling normal again. “Do you know anything about these two? Anything that might help?”

Hildegarde’s horned head shook from side to side briefly, “You wish to be King, if I remember right. You must do what is right by your people and not what is right by me,” she replied sagely. “Larket is your priority and you must safeguard it. Should I settle Frostmaw and have the time, know that I shall come to your aid. You are a good man, Kelovath Khamsin, and I should like us to be friends. So you can call upon me, if you have need of me,” she said, extending a foreleg and dipping her body in what can only be perceived as the saurian equivalent of a respectful bow. These were meaningful words, there was no doubt of that. Yet with Kelovath’s question, she is soon upright once again and ready to divulge what information she has. “Mihael, I do not know much about, other than him being of unsound mind but I think that was rather evident due to his actions. Desparrow, however… for him to attack Cenril is strange, given that he lives there. He has promised me his assistance,” she said as quietly as her saurian voice could allow. “I bested him in combat,” even in a weakened state, “and he has claimed to owe me a favour or his assistance in reclaiming Frostmaw. But…if we have any sense, we shall turn this to our favour.”

Kelovath was happy that his sudden situation was understood. Even he had a difficult time believing what was happening. Or that he was actually in Larket already. The entire situation was odd, but there was work to be done. Although he had no idea where to start, the first stop would have to be the council. Well, what was left of them. They needed to be warned. Hearing about Mihael and Desparrow did not put the paladin at ease, but it was something. Any information could put in ahead. “I’ll do what I can to update you on Larket’s situation. I do hope this is not the last I see of you, Hilde. You’ve been a great friend. And you’ll make a wonderful Queen.” He smiled to the dragon and bowed. “If that is your choice.” A statement regarding their last conversation. He turned, starting to make his way toward the town, then stopped. His head lowered and thoughts of Josleen came. She would need to know where he went. The paladin turned his head and looked back to Hilde, “Hey. Um. When Josleen gets back, will you let her know I’m here? I should have…Left a note, or something.” He laughed and offered a quick shrug before taking off in a slow run toward the city of Larket.

Hildegarde made a repetitive barking sort of growl that could only really be interpreted as her goofy chortling. “What a choice to make, too,” she replied, “but one I feel that I must make. I can do more for my people with that power. I can do more for others with that,” she reasoned. As Kelovath turns to depart, the dragon extends her wings and shakes them out gently in preparation to take flight once more, only to see him stop. She too stops her shaking wings and cocks her head at him, waiting to hear what he has to say. ‘Josleen gets back’. But… how could Josleen get back when she had never left..? Surely she had only just gone to her father’s home? “Gets back…?” she says, immediately taking a tiny step in Kelovath’s direction as her large and silvery body rears up. “Where has she gone?” there is concern in the dragon’s thunderous voice. But there is hurt in her stormy eye. Josleen had not told her she was going off somewhere. Josleen had told Kelovath, had left a note for Kelovath. But not for her.

Kelovath stopped his slow pace and looked to Hildegarde, a confused look coming across his face. He turned all the way and started back toward the dragon. “I…I don’t know? I thought you…She didn’t…” He looked down, shaking his head a few times, trying to make sense of it all. “She left a note. Saying she’d be back in a couple of days. 2-3 days. It’s been…Almost 3. She didn’t say where she was going or why. But she wasn’t alone.” The paladin continued to look up at Hildegarde, his gaze narrowing. “I thought you knew?” An armored hand lifted and rested upon his head now, which was still shaking. “I’m sorry. But…I need to get going. She’ll…be back…I’m sure she’s fine, Hilde.” He had to go. “Please, just…Let her know I’m here?” Again, the man turned, but this time, he walked. There were things to think about now. To worry about.

Hildegarde said to Kelovath, "Did she say who she was with? Answer me, Khamsin, then I shall go!"

Kelovath said to Hildegarde, "She didn't..."

Hildegarde made a sort of snarling noise that was decidedly unhappy, before lurching skyward and twisting in the sky as her wings began to beat and drag her upwards. Within moments, the dragon was climbing the heights of the sky and headed eastward towards Xalious at rapid speed.