Silent Watchers and Unholy Messengers
Tenth Day of the Twelfth Month 293 AC
Finding a true dragon among a dance of drakes, even ones so blessed by Tiamat the Many-Hued, is anything but difficult. One has merely to search where the drakes are not for Lizzirth is a proud creature and as curious as a cat, peering through wizards' grimoires and looking over the rituals of the priest-mages for just as the drakes, no priest of the Dark Queen among the golden tents would dare to bar her way. You learn that she often speaks deep into the night with mages who are meant to be sacrificed and on two occasions had demanded that one such be released into her keeping.
The first time it had been granted, though neither the priests nor the officers had been pleased, and the mage a, Nefereese necromancer, had died shortly thereafter under circumstances no one had discussed in the hearing of any shadow spirit over the past month and a half, the second time the dragon had 'adopted' a former shaman of the Jogos Nhai and this one she kept a far closer eye on. By far the most interesting part of the tale, though still frustratingly incomplete, was the rumor that the dragon was trying and had perhaps succeeded to learn magic beyond what her young age would imply.
"She can get into all the places we can't on account of being a dragon, even if we have to sneak and she can just brazen it out," Tyene sighed as one more search of a healer's tent revealed no new insights into precisely what sorts of magics this shaman and his predecessor could have taught their new mistress. "She can't be that much more powerful than Ysandryx, dragons can learn things but it's not easy..."
"She's been in battle, not just studying, it would serve us ill to underestimate her," Dany counters darkly. "After all, I was a child of a breed far less fearsome endowed and look at me now."
"I'm more worried about other sorts of dragons," Waymar grumbled. "Remember that big bastard Viserys fought in the Dreamlands when we first traveled to Volantis? There's been talk of nightmares going 'round..."
"Soldiers going into battle always have nightmares, that's half the reason they're so fond of whores and wine," Ser Richard countered.
"There is definitely
something out there," you point out. Trying to look for something or someone warded from divination was akin to trying to see a glamoured assassin in pouring rain by looking for dry spots where his feet had been, technically possible, practically vastly difficult. About all you had manged to ascertain is that there was a watcher or watchers looking in on the works of the Golden Company from another Plane, ready to aid them should they be attacked by the mages and armies of the Orange Emperor. Why these watchers did not show themselves openly you can only speculate, pride perhaps, or a desire to meet any unexpected attack with overwhelming power.
Lost 100 IM (Divinations)
As you are about to turn back to do another attempt to divine the unseen watchers you hear the telltale hiss of displaced air behind you that marks translocation, though before you can reach for magic you hear the mind voice of the erinyes you had left in Benerro's company to serve as a messenger after asking him to commune with his god on the matter of Ser Dick Cole.
"His faith is sincere, born of loss and sorrow, but he has resigned himself to serving under the eye of the priests of Tiamat until the campaign is done," the devil's tone speaks volumes for her feelings on the subject of a traitor without even the conviction to act on his turn of heart.
The timber of her mind voice grows almost respectful when she adds:
"The priest Benerro has offered his services against our mutual foes should you desire them." She departs a moment later, not wishing to linger where she might be seen or sensed.
"I have fought beside him," Teana muses. "He is a more skilled sorcerer than me, as much as Zherys I would say, though much like Zherys I would say his greatest skill is in inspiring others. Perhaps he could help us turn this hidden worshiper into an asset."
"Given what a lot of those who look to R'hllor think about Viserys would we even need a priest?" You can feel a grimace stretch out over your face at Dany's question, but it is not without merit.
"The ones' who think he is Azor Ahai love him, but some of the ones who think otherwise really do not love him at all," Tyene replies before you can do so. "We don't really know what sort Ser Cole is though given the company he endures at the very least..."
What do you do next?
[] Continue Scouting
-[] The wizards in general
-[] The priests of Tiamat
-[] The elephant riding mages
-[] The drakes and their riders
-[] The boy Aegon and any immediate guards or companions
-[] Write in targets
[] Contact Ser Cole
-[] Alone
-[] With Benerro's help
[] Try to find out more about the mind-blanked watchers
-[] Write in
OOC: The plural for any flight-capable draconic creature is dance, I mentioned this before some time ago, but it's odd enough I felt it deserved a reminder.