On the rise Bailiwick shouted, “That’s a Manticore! What the…”
Two griffons landed between the eastern Kobolds and the Gnomes. Six Copper Dragons circled the caravan. The Manticore menacingly checked the kobolds to the west. Then wonderfully soft lyrics of a lullaby filled the air. Rhiann’s eyes felt heavy.
Cragmore
Young Iyaca Vassi awakened and found himself in a rocky grotto. He was resting on a bed with a soft mattress and pillow. Rhiann Klarje slept beside him. Rhiann’s Bag of Holding was neatly packed under his left shoulder. Iyaca sat up. Other than a few scrapes and scratches, the youth was no worse for the wear. Braziers lit the room and very pleasant incenses burned. Iyaca stood and started toward Rhiann’s bed.
Very pleasant feminine voice said quietly, “Please don’t awaken him.” Iyaca remembered the voice from the road between Dry Creek and Jack Taylor’s place.
Iyaca stopped in his tracks. The female sat on an overstuffed chair in the corner of the chamber. She was beyond beautiful. The lovely longhaired creature was so stunning that he had to catch his breath. Long reddish-orange locks flowed down her neck and crossed over to the front of her chest, falling far below her curvaceous perfect breasts. She had…soft feathered wings that sprouted naturally from the small of her back. Her wings extended almost involuntarily, and a soft plush tail swished gently behind her as she talked. There was radiance to each beautiful hair, as though every strand had life. Her melodic voice was beyond description. Determining whether she was more pleasing to the eye or ear was impossible.
His mother’s words had always soothed the pangs of scrapes and abrasions, which he had suffered during his play. Madam Darktop kindly assumed the role after the youth arrived in gnome-town. But what he heard now was beyond the comfort of their most tender words. the youth would amble off a cliff should she request it.
Iyaca asked, “Where am I? Who are you?”
The soothing voice continued, “I take it you’ve never looked upon a siren. I’m glad you’ve awakened, little one. How do you feel?”
Iyaca said timidly, “I’m not sure. Am I dead?”
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