Legend of Ransera

"Details about the Atraxian dragons were recorded in great detail, but the opposing dragons were only briefly met in a battle from which few returned. Most mortals were too busy fighting for their lives to even notice the horn had been purloined, let alone the colours of the enemy dragons hurling death on them from above."

"And after the battle, the dragons went into mourning... The bulk disappearing beyond the mountains and the Zalkyrians descended into the Thalamum Draconum, not returning to the surface for centuries as far as we know."

"Which is to say the only description of Melindranovion in our records, comes from a Vastian squire named Titus Ursinus Dirco who fancied himself a scribe. It took a great deal of forensic study to realise he was referring to Melinranovion at all, but eventually we were able to ascertain the truth of it."

"And he described the dragon as, simply: Brown."

"Did he mean Bronze? Brass? Rust?"

"Was the boy colour-blind? We have no way of knowing. He did say the dragon was smaller than its pursuer, which he identified as being Black. That doesn't speak to the age of the dragon, but it could offer clues if one were able to identify the actual Flight from whence it hailed."

Phocion rose from his seat with a sigh, and stalked over to the large window that had been at his back, to gaze out over the Umbrium.

"Oh yes, we have copious records from the Aværyan Imperial Era. The Founders were exacting rulers. There are maps on display in several museums, the Imperial Archives..."

"Any library would have copies of the maps, but yes the more detailed records would be at the Archivum Imperialis."

"We have those records here, as well." Phocion offered over his shoulder. "Sentinel Phalendyr, see to it." The assistant nodded and slipped back out of the office.

"Most of the dragons did not leave Solunarium." Sophos Subitus replied, knitting his brow as if perplexed by the assertion. "The city yes, but not the realm. They withdrew into the Zalkyrian mountains."

"What is not widely understood outside scholarly circles, Miss Chenzira," The Starborn Sophos Val'Etherys began, "Is that common themes exist between each of the major races represented here: Human, Elf and even Dragon. The original Vastians, like the Re'hyæans were a displaced people who sought refuge in a remote land. The Atraxian Dragons, too, are outsiders of a sort. That is why members of so many various flights offered their fealty to our Draconic Dynasty. They were united by common ideals. Beliefs that were closely enough aligned with those of Aværys that they gathered under His banner at the behest of their liege lord: Zalkyrion Rex Draconum."

"With all due respect, my esteemed colleague is speculating somewhat in her assertion, but I will concede that this is a widely held theory in Solunarian Academia. It does seem to hit all the right marks, but without being able to consult with actual dragons it remains unverified. It's so vexing to have such a font of knowledge so nearby. Five living dragons with long memories who could offer firsthand accounts of the most pivotal moments in our history, and yet they stand aloof."

"I would give a kidney to interview the youngest of them!" Subitus bemoaned as he stuffed a biscuit into his mouth.

"Don't be so hasty. I think you'll need it, if you keep eating like that." Sophos Len'Thædros chuckled, despite the death stare he elicited.

"Heresy!" Subitus nearly spit out his biscuit at Hilana's notion, "Arcas, blighted be his seed, could not force our dragons into exile!"

"What my blustering colleague is attempting to impart is this: If Arcas had the power to dismiss the Atraxian Dragons, why would he not have executed it before facing them in battle at the cost of thousands of his followers' lives? It makes no sense. I've honestly never heard that theory posed..."

The other two scholars shook their heads.

"Neither have I."

"Nor I. Where did you come up with such blasphemous bunk?"

"Ah." Phocion gestured toward the door for Phalendyr to approach, "The map."

Subitus seemed further appalled at how smoothly the name Arcas seemed to tumble from the tongue of his fellow Vastian, without so much as a curse to blight it after the utterance. This offended him, not only for its blasphemy, but for its incaution. In his generation a Vastian... particularly those not born into the Patrician class, such as Hilana and himself... it was anathema to be so blithe about sacred things. Particularly in the presence of Re'hyæans and a prince of the realm, no less! Vastians, to his mind, had to always prove themselves the most devout, because they had more to lose if they were deemed otherwise by such lofty figured.

"Peregrini!" The elder scholar scoffed, "From where? Surely you know they are all heathens!"

The others present seemed less concerned with Hilana's supposed blasphemy.

"He..." Sophos Len'Thædros elected not to utter the name lest he send Subitus into fits, "...may have been a prince of dragons, but to apply a definite article to the moniker is pretense. Before he was the Crownwyrm, His Exalted Majesty was a Crown Prince in his own right."

"Dragons are fiercely independent and not easily ruled. Their fealty is not offered blithely, and when it is- that is a very sacred covenant. We have no reason to believe based on any of our records that Accursed Arcas wields the power to dismiss it."

Seeing the map seemed to soothe Subitus' bile, and he smiled as it was laid across Phocion's desk.

"Was our imperium not grand? The glorious sun of Aværys never set upon our realms in those radiant days..."

The three sages considered Hilana's words.

"An interesting notion." Sophos Val'Etherys mused, "If not for the timing, I'd have said it was impossible for us not to have heard about something like that, but many of the colonies were feeding the war effort in Ailizane at that point. Some were almost completely depopulated."

"If I might make a suggestion." Phocion spoke up, "We could send a particularly adept Sembler out to the site of Melindranovion's death, they might be able to derive traces of what transpired. They could at least glean in what direction Israxa may have flown from there. It would just be a matter of getting a team into the Commonwealth."

"Well, make sure you leave the name of the heathen with Sentinel Phocion, so the Vigilia can keep an eye on him lest he manipulate the simple minded toward similar blasphemies!" Subitus bade, before letting the matter drop in favour of more pertinent concerns. Besides, his delight at regarding the map of the ancient Solunarian Empire quickly assuaged his umbrage.

"Suggested by whom?" Len'Thrædos wondered aloud, knitting his brow.

"Well, even if Israxa's fleshly form as it was known has deceased, she is a dragon and a black one at that. Death is not so finite an ending for such lofty creatures." Val'Etherys posited.

"At least a Master of Semblance would be required. Perhaps even a Grandmaster, but I can consult the High Sentinel on the matter to glean a clearer picture." Phocion spoke of his own mother as if she bore no relation to him aside from his supervisor within the order. "I'm certain we can spare the other resources you request, though I might note that your recent gift might better serve the subterfuge than a practiser of Masquerade. The mages of the Commonwealth are not to be underestimated merely because of their unprepossessing features. There is potent magic amongst the Orcani."

Subitus sputtered at the mere mentioned of their hideous neighbours to the west.

"Ghastly things, the Orcani." He blustered, shaking his head as he wrinkled his nose in revulsion. He even withdrew the hand that had been reaching for another pastry from the tray. Apparently that was what it took to quiet the call of his formidable appetite.

"Have you any further questions for our guests at the moment, Miss Chenzira, or shall I dismiss them? If you would like to move forward with my suggestion, we can begin to make plans straight away or wait until you've composed more of your thoughts." Phocion offered.

Phocion tilted his head and arched a brow at Hilana's response to Sophos Subitus' pointed question, but his lips remained tightly pursed. The Sophī didn't press the matter either, allowing the exchange between Phocion and Hilana to elide into their dismissal.

"We thank you for your wisdom, sapientes scholarium." The Sentinel offered, rising from his seat and gesturing toward the door with a nod. Phalendyr moved to open it, as the sages rose.

"I wish you good fortune on your quest for knowledge, Miss Chenzira." The stunning Starborn lady inclined her head in an approximation of a salutatory bow, winking one of her violet eyes. "If you have need of my input, you'll find my offices at the Luxian campus of the Academia Arcanum."

"A pleasure to meet you, miss." The handsome half-elf cast her a dashing smile, "If you have need of me, I can be located at the Temple of Midnight's Mother."

"And I'm at the Museum Sacrum." Subitus grumbled, grabbing a handful of biscuits on his way to the door, "Keep your nose clean, girl." He bade, before sweeping out behind the loftier pair. Phalendyr followed them out, shutting the door behind him and, just like that, Phocion and Hilana were left alone.

"Well. It's been quite an eventful few days, hasn't it?" The prince remained standing, placing his hands on the back of his chair. "I would suggest you take the time to do some research on your own to prepare for this first leg of your journey. You'll need to assemble a team and, with Her Divine Radiance's centennial jubilee just round the corner, I expect you'll be better off waiting a few weeks. If you'd like to avail yourself of any training, just let me know the areas of focus and I can see you assigned to classes or tutors. Just leave a list with Sentinel Phalendyr."