[color=95A5A6][b]> Give Aika the chance to reply first.  <[/b][/color]

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	In your head, you knew the answer to Umildraen's question. At least- you knew it according to Gelish legend. What you and Aika had discussed before the dragon was indeed the tale passed down in the wake of the Golden War, a dark and bloody three years where Minervan forces sought to conquer the lands that would later become the Gelish provinces of Vatiir, Cesbury, and central Geland. On the eve of what historians now mark as the Second Era, Syr Roethel Geland led humanity to victory against the dragons, defeating Minerva's greatest general Frindiath atop the Prismatic Spire in the city of Albrigh, and capturing her son Zorkuth as a prisoner of war. A temple dedicated to his name certainly seemed like a plausible place to house Zorkuth, and in seeing the body of one silver dragon did little to dismiss the story either. However- to comment beyond common knowledge- you felt that it was not your mission to speak of. You did vouch for seeking aid, but was Umildraen the right person to ask for help? Divulging the truth of the temple here would ultimately be Aika's call.

	You turned your attention to her, directing Umildraen to do the same. She seemed to share the same longing for wonder, travel and adventure that your host did, as her eyes were as glazed as his as he spun the tale of the blue knights. When it came time for her to reply though, she shook herself right and leaned over her stew one more time before speaking. [color=7ea7d8]"Well,"[/color] she began, slowly pausing to buy herself more time to decide. [color=7ea7d8]"I suppose it's a rumor everyone knows about, isn't it? That- and you've been nothing but kind and helpful to us so,"[/color] she reasoned out her choice- more to herself it seemed than to him. [color=7ea7d8]"Yes, it's true. Zorkuth himself rests within the temple's inner chamber- or rather- his corpse does."[/color]

	Umildraen almost leapt out of his seat at this news, bellowing a mighty [color=E6B0AA]"Har har! I knew it! In m'heart o'hearts, it just had to be so!"[/color] He cleared his throat and sat back down, regaining his composure and eyeing Aika intently. [color=E6B0AA]"Ye say it'was his corpse, though? Ain't dragons supposed to live ferever? Unless somethin' kills 'em, that is..."[/color] his question turned into an inward wondering, and with a gasp he almost shot back up again. [color=E6B0AA]"Oh m'gods! Did someone come along an' kill Zorkuth?! Who'd even be strong enough to do that?! Huhh, perhaps t'blue knights did him in..."[/color] He seemed to be getting carried away again, spinning into his own theories.

	You and Aika both shrugged in unison, and you took a turn to speak up. [color=95A5A6]"We don't know. There didn't seem to be any wounds on his body from what we could tell. It was almost like he was just sleeping,"[/color] you explained. [color=95A5A6]"It's been so long since the Golden War, too. Maybe dragon's aren't immortal?"[/color] It was your turn to wonder out loud, but Aika shook her head side to side in retort. [color=7ea7d8]"I've never heard of a dragon that only lives two-thousand years. Even if Zorkuth was born before the Golden War, he didn't look terribly ancient up in the temple. It's strange indeed, which brings me to uhh- well- the reason we're even here having this conversation,"[/color] she pushed her now empty bowl towards the center of the table and looked to the dwarf. [color=7ea7d8]"My master tasked me with finding out exactly everything we just told you. I need to return to Geland and give him the news of- Zorkuth's death- it would seem. In the event that we must return here, can we count on your guidance up in these mountains?"[/color]

	[color=E6B0AA]"Aye,"[/color] Umilraen replied, hoisting his mug into the air. [color=E6B0AA]"Hikin' these peaks is m'livelihood, after all. I'll hike ye anywhere yer itchin' to go."[/color]

	[color=7ea7d8]"Excellent,"[/color] Aika smiled, lifting her mug to join him. She turned to you, the look of ambition in her eyes. [color=7ea7d8]"What say you, then? Let's hit the road, we've got a long way to go and important news to carry, yeah?"[/color]

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[color=95A5A6]
	• "Agreed, let's get a head-start."

	• "We should rest for the rest of the night."
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