I went to get my weapons checked at the local blacksmith, knowing that the history lesson was likely to take quite a while. The blacksmith looked my sword over, grimacing a little. “This is a little banged up. Nothing I can’t fix, but what did you do to it?”

“Cave in.” I said with a shrug. “Didn’t have a chance to get it checked, no swordsmiths over where I needed to go.” I explained with an apologetic shrug. “Mind fixing her up? I really like the balance of it. Though I have to say I’m not too sure how often I’ll get to use it.”

He gladly took it off my hands once I’d paid the fee, I could see him rubbing it as I left, eager to begin working to make it right again. I pushed the door open and stepped out, wondering what I’d do for the next few hours. I decided to buy a potion and some supplies, then check back in with Jeff.

I came back to find Jeff proselytizing to the dragon, walking them through his examination of events in history. “… And that’s why they failed as a nation, too much time spent neutral embittered everyone against them. Culminating in…” He continued, as the dragon watched with interest.

I walked closer, half-heartedly listening to them. If I learned half the histories of the worlds I’d been to, I’d be able to author a whole book on otherworld cultures. It’d be a real doorstopper too, even with my access limited as it was.

The dragon greeted me as I came into view. “Kael. Welcome back.” It said. “It has been enlightening to learn about your history.” It dipped its head at Jeff. “I do thank you for taking your time to explain these things.” Jeff’s confident tone came to a stop, and he nodded at the dragon with an uncertain smile.

“So do I go to find the wisps on my own?” I asked with a single eyebrow raised. “I don’t think we’ve actually discussed this part…”

The dragon looked to the horizon, sitting up with a whoosh of air. “Ah! That’s right! We have business to attend to.” It dipped his head to Jeff. “I apologize for taking up your time. Let me hold you no longer.” It stood and flapped its wings. “I will feed in the forests for a time, shall we meet before the evening begins?” I cocked my head, and nodded. It took off.

The wind whipped through the streets, and people wobbled unsteadily on their feet. “You might want to tell him to take off outside of the town.” Jeff said, his head craning to look at the dragon’s rapidly disappearing form. “Would you like to come inside to wait for your group?”

I shrugged, following him into the church. Candles were lit at the tables, flickering and dancing like small wisps. “Can you tell me about the Grathian religion?” I asked, looking up at the statues in the back. The sun was going through the stained-glass windows, painting the ground a kaleidoscope of colours. Jeff turned to me, his eyebrows knitted together.

“You want to hear about the… Grathian religion?” He asked. “I assume you’re not going to convert though?”

“No, I’m not, I just want to know what it’s about.” I answered. “I never did pay much attention to religion.” I said with an apologetic shrug.

“I… see?” He said quizzically. “Well to boil it down we have five deities. Eca, Goddess of Justice and Power, or authority; Qwell, God of Victory and Protection; Kio, God of Agriculture and Healing; Brail, Goddess of the Hunt and Luck; Nem, God of Travel and Identity.” He paused. “They chose their domains and watch over humanity’s progress, ensuring that we don’t die out.”

“They are simply one of many custodians, the actual creator left the world alone once he had created it, seeing life occur and allowing it its capricious inclinations. We believe that all things in the world deserve a place in it.” He continued, gesturing to the reliefs on the walls. “We don’t actually accept those of other races into our religion, as they are under the purview of other custodians. Though we will still provide them with aid and shelter, just not conversion.”

I cupped my chin, staring up at the statues. “So there are sub gods and goddesses too?”

“Yes, those in the tiny cubbyholes in the wall.” He said. “They serve under the main gods, and cover things related, even indirectly to their leader’s domains.” I nodded, eyes drifting across the building. It really looks like an old church. Curious how designs can convergently evolve. I heard a sigh, and winced, looking back to Jeff, apologetic. “I guess it’s been a while since I’ve been able to talk about what we believe in. Most of the time I only get the same families in here.” He said with a slight smile.

“The war is taking it’s toll.” He said, his voice barely a whisper. “People are scared. The roads are less and less safe, and word trickling down from the front is only getting worse.” He sat down in one of the benches with a sigh. I shifted myself to sit down beside him. “The irregulars are more and more becoming a symbol of hope, and your group has become the bearers of that torch.”

I sat there for a moment, his words weighing on me. It was true, where we travelled now the people looked to us with a certain amount of respect, a few times Qent had told me how they’d be treated almost with reverence in the places where they got work. It was… bizarre to me. But at the same time logical. The gnolls established the irregulars as a force of good, the bandits have seen me and the group rush about to help deal with them. Then… then we had the dragons.

[Huh, you’re right. It isn’t all that surprising at all.] Page said thoughtfully.

I sighed, sagging a little. “That’s quite the weight you’re putting on us.” I said.

“You’ve just become aware of the weight you all carry.” Jeff said, standing to put his hand on my shoulder. I smiled uneasily. You know? Much as I’d shrugged off most of the other times people did this, I still didn’t enjoy it. “As it is, you’re all becoming almost integral to their lives.” He gestures to the candles. “They’re for you.” He said. “Wishing that you will all remain safe.”

Something large landed outside, and the earth shook. Our vision jolted towards the door, surprised, then Jeff smiled knowingly. “I believe your dragon friend has returned.” I smirked in response. That he certainly has. I thought.

I stamped my hands onto my knees, standing up with a sigh. Jeff stepped aside to let me pass. “I’ll be seeing you then.” I said with a nod, which he returned.

The dragon stood outside the church, a few grumbles could already be heard amongst the townspeople. “We figured we should tell you.” I said. “You probably should take off and land a distance away from the streets, just so you won’t disrupt the people trying to get on with their lives.” I explained with a smirk, meant to disarm.

The dragon nodded. “Ah.” Its body shifted sheepishly. “I understand. I did not consider the situation before. I will endeavour to be more careful in the future.” It rumbled.

“Alright, so you can drop me off at Soren, and I’ll head off to find the wisps.” I said. “If you’d like you can head back after, tell Frejr and the others I’ll meet with them back at Torven.”

The dragon shook its head. “I have told them that I will follow you for this mission. We will both speak to the wisps. Perhaps they will be more inclined to listen if they see that it is already an alliance of races.” It continued. “They have said that would meet us in Torven, and that you would lead the way once we were done.”

I paused, then nodded. It was a plan at least. Perhaps a better one than what I had for the wisps… “Alright.” I said, climbing onto the dragon after it had lay down for me. The dragon trotted out of the town, careful not to have their wings and body catch on the buildings surrounding the area. I braced as we left the city, and it leapt into the air.

We arrived in Soren as dusk faded to night. Swift murmurs rose into the air as we landed, most people hiding into their homes. A man stood outside, having settled into combat stance, though I could see his body quivering slightly. A dire wolf stood besides him, hackles raised. Its growls however drowned out by the dragon’s wings.

I swung myself off, landing onto the ground on my knees. I stood gingerly, the fall had been a bit of a long one. “Baen!” I called out at the figure. He seemed startled, turning from the dragon to look at me. The dire wolf noticed me, lowering her hackles and cocking her head. I walked towards them, hands raised.

The dire wolf darted forwards, knocking me onto the ground with her weight. I grinned as it rested its head on my shoulder. “Good to see you again Lapi.” I said as I ran a hand through the fur on the scruff of her neck. She got off, circling me as I sat upright. “How’re you doing?” She bumped her head against my shoulder, and sat beside me. Baen closed on us, and seeing me, began to laugh.

“Bloody hell. When that dragon came down I thought the end of the world was coming…” He muttered. “Welcome back Kael. What brings you here?” He asked, extending a hand to pull me up.

“The wisps. The dragon and I are going to go talk to them about allying with us against the demons.” I explained. “… Come to think of it, maybe we ought to have pressed the matter back then.”

Baen frowned. “I’m not too sure about that…” He folded his arms. “I don’t like them, and I don’t trust them very much either.”

I shrugged, my hands held palms up. “Even so, you can’t deny that they could well be strong allies. Their mastery of magic is nigh impossible to contest.” Baen nodded at that, reluctantly. “That said, I’ll probably rest here for now then go to see them at the crack of dawn…” I stretched out a little, and smiled, though it was obscured by the gloom. “So, is there still a room for me?”

I spent the night in my old room, propped up in a chair as Baen slept in the bed. I’d insisted on it, it would be ridiculous to expect him to sleep in the chair instead. I woke the next morning with a crick in my neck, but otherwise feeling fairly well.

Outside a crowd was just beginning to disperse from around the dragon, their duties more compelling compared to the giant lizard that had just begun to lazily open their eyes. “Let’s go.” I said, pointing towards the direction of Hrothan, where we’d first met the wisps.

“Can’t send you off.” Baen said ruefully. “There was an ogre sighting over to the west, more and more work keeps pouring in.” Lapi whined, nudging me once, before following at Baen’s heels.

The dragon plodded alongside me, apparently wishing to walk with me to Hrothan. Well, hopefully they can do the translation for me with the nymphs? I jogged, but the dragon still had to slow down for me. I quirked an eyebrow. “You sure you don’t want to go on ahead?”

The dragon shook its head. “This seems isolated enough.” It rumbled, and its body shuddered, shrinking down, turning… humanoid.

“You have got to be kidding me.” I intoned flatly, staring at the woman that stood before me.