Changeful Pathways, Friends, and Foes

Ravenna gathered her material. The Bag of Holding gifted by King Cellexa’s friend old man Xollos was quite a boon. The wondrous artifact stored large items without adding to its weight. Norlen, her grandmother Alluna, and many others advised her against the search. But Ravenna’s mind was set. She’d accumulated bits of info from her many visits to Weeping Willow Hill and interaction with men form the east and north. The most telling info came from her mother’s diary. Nocerre… An assassin’s ring… Norlen emphatically warned her to avoid Rancide, but the man-town in the east loomed as the best place to start. Ravenna left the Queen’s residence before dawn to avoid any more tearful good-byes. She’d had plenty the night before. A figure stepped in the moonlight. Old-man-Xollos approached her and said, “You are really going.” Ravenna said, “Yes.” The old man tugged his beard and said, “Thought as much. Rancide is not a safe place. I’ll take you.” Ravenna had heard the oldster joke many times with her Great Grandfather Cellexa. This was one of his better jests. She replied, “Thanks in part to your teaching, I can handle myself. Many spells are at my beckoning. Norlen and Cluym have taught me the sword and bow. You should go home.” Old man Xollos answered, “Nope, I’m beholding to your great grandfather. It’s the least I can do to assist his favorite great granddaughter. I’ll take you.” Ravenna now chuckled and said, “I am his only great granddaughter and unless you have a line on a black dragon, I don’t see your taking me anywhere.” Old-man-Xollos said, “Come with me to the archery range.” Ravenna said, “That’s in the opposite direction from the dock. I want to get started.” Old-man-Xollos answered impatiently, “I don’t have enough room here. Let’s go.” Ravenna opted to humor the old bloke and followed him to the vacant archery range. She had some time before sunrise. The old man took a deep breath, stretched, uttered arcane phrases, and instantly expanded to a sixty-foot-long black dragon. He grumpily said. “get on. But no wiggling. I’m ticklish.”