Summoner

There was something about Elysian that Summoner didn't quite understand. He had been to Tangled Wood many times before, but the shadows in the rest of the area weren't as alive as they were in this city. They wrapped around his talons and tickled his ankles, as if they were teasing him. As if they knew what he was trying to find, and they weren't going to tell him where it was.
He had had many visions of the beautiful clan, some clear and some not. In some he saw death, destruction and decay, and in others he saw a place so beautiful no clan in Sornieth could compare. He knew he would have traveled to the strange clan eventually, even without his seeing abilities and conquest. The dragons of Elysian were productive and hardworking, and everyone had something to contribute. The healers were the best in the Tangled Wood, and the fighters were top class as well. Summoner knew these dragons held many secrets, but he was only looking for one.

The celebrations were a perfect time to be in Elysian; During the Crystaline Gala the streets were crowded, marketplace busy, and dragons rushing to get things done. Summoner could go wherever he pleased without the curious and cautious glances of other dragons. He could almost go unnoticed; or as unnoticed as a Seer could go. He was looking for something, or perhaps someone. His visions wouldn't allow him to know what it was, but Summoner knew without a doubt that he would find it in Elysian.

HIS OLD VULPINE LAMP FAMILIAR GOT SOLD WHILE HE WAS IN ELYSIAN AND THATS WHY HE HATES THEM

HE GOT IT BACK, BUT HE STILL HATES THEM

IT TOOK SOME VIOLENCE

....

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A dark, leering Imperial stepped into the cave chamber, disrupting the shadows that danced along the stone walls. He had many eyes, and an eerie presence. It was midnight, though one couldn’t tell while in Elysian. The city was completely underground, anchored in a cavern that had many connecting cave systems that were near impossible to navigate unless you knew the area well. There were five dragons in the dimly lit room already, quietly talking amongst themselves, though when the Imperial stepped through the doorway, everyone went silent.

“Summoner,” a Pearlcatcher is first to speak. “What are you doing here?” She kept her voice even, but somewhat hostile. Summoner walked to the middle of the cave and looked around calmly, though the sneer on his face and the amused look in his many, all-seeing eyes were evidence of his true nature.

“The Wood has an alliance with Elysian, Sveta.” he replied, as if that explained his presence. A Bogsneak who went by the name of Eternity snarled softly, not taking her eyes off of the Seer, but he took no interest in her. “Go on with your conversation.”

“You’ve heard the rumors,” Sveta says to the only other Pearlcatcher in the room, Pyranial. The Wind dragon sighs, nodding her head.

“I do not usually believe them, but these ones have truth. Something is happening in Dragonhome, and it will impact all of us.”

“We have recently found evidence of this as well. As you know, Elysian is connected through a cave system to Greatwyrm’s Breach, where the bones of an ancient creature and many cave paintings have been found. While we were expanding our tunnel routes last month, we found a mural that seems to depict this ancient being and an unidentified artifact.” As Sveta speaks, a male Bogsneak steps out of the shadows. Despite being decorated in Plague apparel, Atlas represented a Shadow clan.

“If Greatwyrm’s Breach closes their tunnels trade to Elysian, and therefore to other clans, will be greatly impacted,” Atlas said. “My clan’s food supply will be totally cut off.” The other Imperial, Calligraphy, nodded.

“As will ours. But I can’t help but question if these findings connect to the Tidelord. There has been much talk in my clan, as well as neighboring clans, that the Earth and Ice dragons are to blame for His disappearance. The cave system reaches out all the way underneath The Sea of a Thousand Currents, and could possibly have aided travel and access to the Spiral Keep, where our deity resides.” Both Atlas and Pyranial jotted down notes as the dragon spoke, but Eternity kept her eyes trained on Summoner.

“I don’t suppose you presume Him dead,” Summoner said casually, almost bored, spreading his wings out wide as he sat down. Everyone immediately snapped to awareness, staring at the Imperial in shock. He was a Seer, after all; his words were not to be taken lightly. Only Pyranial did not look surprised; she seemed confused, if anything. After seeming to have come to a conclusion, the Pearlcatcher shifted and moved her pearl slightly, then wrote something in her journal. Sveta stepped towards Summoner.

“You have no right to be here, Summoner,” There was no warmth in Sveta’s tone. “The dragons of Elysian have an alliance with The Wood, not your cursed Council. Leave.” The Imperial only laughed in reply, his position changing from relaxed and confident to poised and deathly still.

“Cursed? If we are cursed, what does that make Sornieth? For we only see what the dragons create of it, don’t we? As I recall, I was the first blessed with Sight in The Wood, by your god as the legend states, Sveta. I see what they wish for me to see, and I impart their knowledge unto you, however pathetic you may be.” He said. Calligraphy shivered slightly as the shadowstrike given to him by Elysian as a sign of good faith wrapped closer to his large form and the blades shifted to face outwards. Eternity stepped closer to Summoner, the eyes on her wings opening to pinpoint him. But before anyone could react, Atlas stepped forward.

“Guys, wait. What if the painting was a message to us, not a mere retelling? It could have been a message sent by the strange creatures or Earth dragons, or instructions of some sort.”

“That is a possibility,” Pyranial said, quiet but clear. “Sveta, I believe you mentioned a scroll in the painting. If the scroll had markings on it or something to differentiate it, finding one similar could greatly aid our ability to connect this to other related events.” Eternity shifted her attention to the conversation, a questioning look on her face.

“I’m not sure. There would have to be some reason behind it, one that we haven’t yet found. It would be much more likely for it to be a painting telling of the Elemental Gods and how they created Sornieth,” she said. Calligraphy moved closer to Pyranial and whispered something in her ear. She nodded in response.

“We must not disprove any options quite yet. I will be sure to look into the scroll,” Sveta said, but before she could finish, Summoner stood up.

“Well, I must be on my way. Chikyu will stay in Elysian for a few moons longer, and will leave with Akyulu. Treat them well, or The Wood’s good faith in Elysian will be lost. I would like to be informed if you come to a conclusion about this topic, and look forward to discussing it more soon.” And with that the Imperial leaves the room, almost crushing Pyranial and Sveta in the process. The lanterns flicker as he passes, and the dragons are left in silence.

“Summoner forgets; Light carries on endlessly after death. There is no action that is left without impression, and I believe his ignorance is why he is led to such false conclusions. I pray to the Shadowbinder as well as the Earthshaker that he does not make an irrational decision at the expense of others,” Sveta says quietly. After thinking for a moment, she turns to face Eternity and Pyranial. “I did not want to say it in front of him, but I do believe the scroll depicted in the mural was seen in The Wyrmbound recently. I am not sure if the cave system reaches underneath Plague territory as well, but the dragons of Elysian would appreciate it if you looked into it, Eternity.” The Bogsneak nods once.

“I’ll notify Pyranial and send a message to your clan if I learn of anything.”

“I have to be on my way; my clan is expecting me back by tomorrow evening, and we are on the outskirts of the Tangled Wood,” Atlas said. “I wish you all luck, and I will keep in touch about the food supply, Sveta.” He smiled lightly then left the cave, not needing direction through the confusing tunnels. Eternity followed after him; only Calligraphy and Pyranial stayed with Sveta. Calligraphy decided to remain in Elysian a few days longer to discuss an alliance with the clan, and Pyranial to visit the mural and attempt to untangle her jumbled thoughts. Something huge was happening, and she was determined to find out what it was. She believed some facts were not adding up quite right, and wanted to see the evidence for herself. She couldn’t fully rely on others’ comments when so much was hanging in the balance. After all, we all have our own illusion in the end.