Bale....The small town full of self proclaimed Dragon Fighters who were caught up in a struggle far greater than they even knew. Nestled at the base of two rivers, and a mountain ruled by a clan of dragons, the small town was quite the place of activity. Home to the infamous Dragon Slayer Inn and it's many self proclaimed heroes and hunters. Home to a recent battle that left half the town demolished, and home to a new effort for revilatization.
It is here where out story begins, actually in truth it began long before the present. But that is a story for another time, or perhaps another story teller. It is here, that Brian Ravenlock once more travels to. This time however, it is not a fight he is looking for, rather information. Information that very well could make a difference in the life of a woman he came to Respect, and her child.
The same town that has beheld many a battle, many a legend, and many a lie. The same town that was nearly razed, during his efforts to assist the townfolk. It is there in Bale that the search for the Bronze Dragon known as "Bolt" began nearly half a year ago..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Approx. six months time ago...
Sitting in his office, Brian had just settled into looking over some paper work in regards to a new busness venture. In truth it was a pain in the ass, but it opened a new door to him in regards to branching out a bit with his negotiations firm.
A courier walked into the office with a letter in hand, and promtly delivered it to Emeralda who in turn delivered it to Brian. Paperwork pushed aside, as Brian tore the letter open and gave it a quick read.
"Raven,
Rumors of the bronze confirmed, name of Bolt has been dropped. Two witnesses so far, so it's worth a trip to check into. Meet me in the DSI and we'll talk.
Smitty"
It was direct and to the point, and Brian loved that. Moving from the desk, Brian slipped into the meeting room so he could change. Moments later he emerged dressed in his boots, BDUs, his patented long sleeved turtle neck shirt, and his hunter's vest. A smile as a few adjustments were made, and the letter recovered from the desk and was out the door, and soon speaking to Emeralda.
Moments after that, he strapped on his gun belt, and followed with his sword, and the bag of holding. After that a few additional instructions were left with Emeralda. Once everything was set, he reached into the bag of holding and produced his warp cudgel and was soon enroute to the Tele-point just outside of Bale.
Moments later he arrived at the tele-point and regained his bearings. That being finished, he looked north and could see the mountain a mile or out, and at the base that ever familiar town. A moment taken, as Brian looked up and down the dirt road and noted no carts coming or going, it was determined that he hoof it, and that's exactly what he did. Brian could see and hear the reconstruction efforts, as he neared the town. Teams of workers, rebuilding the windmills and and outer wall to the city. Brian could even make out two new watch towers as well, one along the main road into town, and the other along the river side.
The damage from the previous engagement aganst the dragons in which Brian took part of was still just as evident now, as it was months ago when it first began. Scorch marks abound, empty lots where there were storage buildings, parts of the outer wall that still had not been repaired. Brian shook his head as he walked closer to the main gate, fresh in his mind was the chaos that was the previously mentioned engagement, and the fact that they still didn't know who or what pitted these town folk against the Lords of the Mountain. Also fresh in his mind was that elven Dragon Rider be briefly met during the chaos. Brian wondered what ever became of her, as well as the Elder Dragon she accompanied. The gate came and went, as Brian walked on by, oblivious to the buzz of activity in the area.
Other than the damage not much had changed. Bale still looked like a back watered, run down town full of weapons and armour dealers. Even the lay out was nearly the same, save the empty lots and some run down buildings. Brian followed that ever familiar path, and soon came to stand in front of the infamous Dragon Slayer Inn. This was ground zero for the engagement against the dragons, and this was a haven for those who witnessed it all first hand as Brian used a summoned spirit to repel the rain of fire brought on by the great beasts. As others had fought bravely against what they truly believed to be a dire threat to the town, in in truth was one of the largest misunderstandings, Brian had ever witnessed. Brian stood outside the Inn for a bit of time, and just looked around. His thoughts roamed a bit, and came to settle on whatever became of Alucard and Neo, the Dragon Knights and also "Sweet Cheeks" the woman who's name he still never got.
Finally regaining himself a tad, Brian made his way up the stairs and into the Inn. It all looked just as it was those months ago. A buncha rounded tables, that looked to be patch worked at best were scattered about the floor, a lone piano tucked into the far corner. The table that Brian had first met "Sweet Cheeks" was still there, and looked to have been patched together once more, it was vacant and looked to have not been used in a while, as dust was easily visible on it. The group of old drunkards were still in full swing, and carrying on just as they were the first time he had stepped foot inside this charasmatic venue.
"Bout time you got here boy! I didn't think you were interested, the way you drug yer ass! Wha ha ha ha!"
Brian smiled, as he heard the familiar voice of Smitty the Bar Keep and owner of the Inn. Turning a bit, Brian made for the bar and reached over and shook the old man's hand firmly.
"Smitty! You look like hell, and that's pretty good for any of us! Now tell me, ya old lech. Whatcha know about the bronze?"
It is here where out story begins, actually in truth it began long before the present. But that is a story for another time, or perhaps another story teller. It is here, that Brian Ravenlock once more travels to. This time however, it is not a fight he is looking for, rather information. Information that very well could make a difference in the life of a woman he came to Respect, and her child.
The same town that has beheld many a battle, many a legend, and many a lie. The same town that was nearly razed, during his efforts to assist the townfolk. It is there in Bale that the search for the Bronze Dragon known as "Bolt" began nearly half a year ago..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Approx. six months time ago...
Sitting in his office, Brian had just settled into looking over some paper work in regards to a new busness venture. In truth it was a pain in the ass, but it opened a new door to him in regards to branching out a bit with his negotiations firm.
A courier walked into the office with a letter in hand, and promtly delivered it to Emeralda who in turn delivered it to Brian. Paperwork pushed aside, as Brian tore the letter open and gave it a quick read.
"Raven,
Rumors of the bronze confirmed, name of Bolt has been dropped. Two witnesses so far, so it's worth a trip to check into. Meet me in the DSI and we'll talk.
Smitty"
It was direct and to the point, and Brian loved that. Moving from the desk, Brian slipped into the meeting room so he could change. Moments later he emerged dressed in his boots, BDUs, his patented long sleeved turtle neck shirt, and his hunter's vest. A smile as a few adjustments were made, and the letter recovered from the desk and was out the door, and soon speaking to Emeralda.
Moments after that, he strapped on his gun belt, and followed with his sword, and the bag of holding. After that a few additional instructions were left with Emeralda. Once everything was set, he reached into the bag of holding and produced his warp cudgel and was soon enroute to the Tele-point just outside of Bale.
Moments later he arrived at the tele-point and regained his bearings. That being finished, he looked north and could see the mountain a mile or out, and at the base that ever familiar town. A moment taken, as Brian looked up and down the dirt road and noted no carts coming or going, it was determined that he hoof it, and that's exactly what he did. Brian could see and hear the reconstruction efforts, as he neared the town. Teams of workers, rebuilding the windmills and and outer wall to the city. Brian could even make out two new watch towers as well, one along the main road into town, and the other along the river side.
The damage from the previous engagement aganst the dragons in which Brian took part of was still just as evident now, as it was months ago when it first began. Scorch marks abound, empty lots where there were storage buildings, parts of the outer wall that still had not been repaired. Brian shook his head as he walked closer to the main gate, fresh in his mind was the chaos that was the previously mentioned engagement, and the fact that they still didn't know who or what pitted these town folk against the Lords of the Mountain. Also fresh in his mind was that elven Dragon Rider be briefly met during the chaos. Brian wondered what ever became of her, as well as the Elder Dragon she accompanied. The gate came and went, as Brian walked on by, oblivious to the buzz of activity in the area.
Other than the damage not much had changed. Bale still looked like a back watered, run down town full of weapons and armour dealers. Even the lay out was nearly the same, save the empty lots and some run down buildings. Brian followed that ever familiar path, and soon came to stand in front of the infamous Dragon Slayer Inn. This was ground zero for the engagement against the dragons, and this was a haven for those who witnessed it all first hand as Brian used a summoned spirit to repel the rain of fire brought on by the great beasts. As others had fought bravely against what they truly believed to be a dire threat to the town, in in truth was one of the largest misunderstandings, Brian had ever witnessed. Brian stood outside the Inn for a bit of time, and just looked around. His thoughts roamed a bit, and came to settle on whatever became of Alucard and Neo, the Dragon Knights and also "Sweet Cheeks" the woman who's name he still never got.
Finally regaining himself a tad, Brian made his way up the stairs and into the Inn. It all looked just as it was those months ago. A buncha rounded tables, that looked to be patch worked at best were scattered about the floor, a lone piano tucked into the far corner. The table that Brian had first met "Sweet Cheeks" was still there, and looked to have been patched together once more, it was vacant and looked to have not been used in a while, as dust was easily visible on it. The group of old drunkards were still in full swing, and carrying on just as they were the first time he had stepped foot inside this charasmatic venue.
"Bout time you got here boy! I didn't think you were interested, the way you drug yer ass! Wha ha ha ha!"
Brian smiled, as he heard the familiar voice of Smitty the Bar Keep and owner of the Inn. Turning a bit, Brian made for the bar and reached over and shook the old man's hand firmly.
"Smitty! You look like hell, and that's pretty good for any of us! Now tell me, ya old lech. Whatcha know about the bronze?"