Rolled 17, 2, 10, 6, 6 = 41 (5d20)
>>5742263Even as you speak the words you feel something… Shift. Your muscles ache a little more, your back hurts, your mouth is dry. You feel some sense of certainty leave you, and a stirring somewhere deep within, as if your organs were squirming. It passes quickly, leaving you dizzy for a moment but otherwise unharmed.
…Did you imagine it?
You open your eyes, and find Ekaterine looking at you with some concern, but also with a quiet pride. It buoys you, steadies you, and keeps you upright.
“Is that all?” the other elder Paladin shoots back. “You claim to have turned over a new leaf, but you still worship the Gods of Evil!”
“He has made an oath which YOU and your order could NOT, good SIR,” Ekaterine leaps to your defence, “and I, for one, accept it as valid.”
“Ridiculous,” the one-that-you-think-is-Sir-Taube mutters. “Trusting in oaths made before some sinister snake god.”
“No, not ridiculous,” says youthful Sir Marzineo, to everyone’s shock—including yorus.
He regards you coolly, as if trying to see deep into your soul, then shakes his head and frowns.
“He serves the Dark God of Conquest, a… Feathered Serpent sort of dragon-spirit. I’ve done my research into that entity. His followers are not permitted to lie under oath. The answers he gives here can be trusted… And if not, he’ll not be so big a threat for much longer.”
…Wait, what?
No, nevermind. There’s no time to dwell on that. Instead, you press on.
“Are we done here, then?” you demand. “Can we get on with the coronation of your OBVIOUSSSLY rightful Queen, and the ssaving of the cccity?”
“Ah, well… The latter first, I think,” Ekaterine corrects you gently, with a smile, moving to touch your arm and to help guide you towards where her brother and sister-in-law stand. Neither looks terribly comfortable with your proximity, you note.
The Paladins exchange words, as the Councillors do likewise. You take deep, meditative breaths, and try to work out what has happened to you. Are you still a Knight Ascendant, a Dark Prophet? Surely, the answer is yes. Yet when you seek the strings of destiny, to chart and alter their course, you find the connection… Tenuous. Deep within, you sense that same uncanny stirring, and you recognize it: the Red Dragon King’s sleeping soul has grown fitful, rousing to wakefulness.
…Hm.
“—eral? King Theral?”
You open your eyes again, feeling incredibly drained. All the humans are looking at you again, though, and so you stand straight, puff out your chest and lift your head, and put on the show of strength which you know you must.
“Are you alright?” Ekaterine asks.
“I am fine,” you say. “I wass… Meditating on today’sss eventss.”
She gives your arm a squeeze, and her expression is one of understanding and sympathy.
“It HAS been rather a lot, hasn’t it?” she agrees. “But the council has made their decision.”
[4 Diplomacy dice, +1 die for Religion]
