The day finds the Water Mage out on the wooden docks that jut out from the door that provides a water-borne access to the tower. A wooden barge is tethered nearby, along with some poles and paddles to help propel it through the muck.

A foppish fox sits on the edge of the dock, strumming his lute and humming to himself. His big bushy tail dips into the murky water. There's a "snap!" sound, and the tail pops up, to reveal a rather ugly fish clamped onto the tip of the soggy tail. The fox yelps … then smacks the fish with his lute, creating a discordant "sprang!" The lute, amazingly, seems unharmed by this.The fish, on the other hand, is dazed … and gets tossed into a bucket with several other ugly fish. Must be tonight's dinner.

"Ashtoreth! Where did you go?" Scarlet calls out to the bog while standing on the dock. Her staff is thumped impatiently on the old wooden planks as she waits for some response. Occasionally she looks over to smirk at the fox, for despite his annoying factor, he does amuse her more often then she'd be willing to say.

Several bubbles rise from the murk … and slowly a purplish head rises to the surface. It blinks a few times at Scarlet, then it reaches over to one side, as if poking at something just underwater. This prompts more bubbles … and a sky-blue and a red head rise as well.

The foppish fox exclaims, "YIIIIIIII! DRAGON! Oh … oh … it's just you." *snap* "Yeep!" *smack* *dump* Another bite, another fish in the barrel.

Scarlet sticks her tongue out at the fox and then steps over to the edge of the dock. She leans over to rub the purplish head on the nose. "I think I should take you and get you something to eat. The castle needs supplies too, and we should spend some more time together." She smiles at the dragon in that adoring way little children do when they see the creature they always wanted for Unity Day but never got. Except this time, the creature is real. But who could say who has who? The girl turns to the fox and taps her staff against the deck to get his attention. "Want to come to town and get some supplies with me?"

The foppish fox looks at the barrel for a long moment, looks at his tail, then looks up to Scarlet. He shrugs. "Sure! Why not!" He gets up, and carries the bucket further along the dock, then sets it down. He turns to Scarlet. "Hmm. Do you think you could maybe get Ash to cook the fish, Tor to blow out the flames if the fishes go 'flambe', and Eth to make us some popsicles?"

Scarlet shakes her head, lifting her dainty left paw to shake a finger. "You have the names all wrong. The purple head is Logos, because he seems to be the smart one. The blue head is Ashtoreth, because I met him first and he has ice breath, and the red head is Abaddon because he has fire breath." The Aelfin turns around and rubs the head again before she goes on. "I do not think it's quite right to ask too much of him right now. I am sure he is still getting used to us, and I have a responsibility to him to keep him and his abilities from abuse. But anyway, I was thinking we could ride him to the town and get supplies. It would also show the towns people he is friendly."

The fox shrugs. "I still think 'Ash' is a catchy name for ol' hot-head."

The fox drops his bucket, and does a double-take.

"Waitaminute … ride him?!?" squeaks the fox.

Scarlet bobs her head a bit, grinning widely. "Yes, of course. There is going to come a time when I will have to leave Sylvania. Now I do not think Master Kurai wants to take care of him, and I cannot just leave him here now. It was my magic, so he is my responsibility." The Aelfin pauses to consider something for a moment, her ears wiggling as her mental gears spin. She tilts her head a bit. "Ash-Tor-Eth, that is a good idea. I suppose that is why I am not a bard. My names are all boring astrological ones."

"Well," muses the fox. "For right now, I suppose what he gets called … is whatever he wants!"

The fox continues, "As for 'Tor' and 'Eth' … Well, when the purple head breathes out, he makes big gusts of wind. I figure … well … maybe he could make a TOR-nado if he wanted. And … the last one … well, if you had your tongue stuck to a cold bar of iron, and you tried to say 'ice'… " He sticks outhis tongue as he talks, demonstrating. "… ith woulth thound lige ETH." He smiles.

"You do have a very good point. I am not so very good with naming things. I think I will go with your idea, as long as you sing some songs about this after it is all over." The Aelfin leans over to the dragon now and scratches his nose gently. "So, Ash, Tor, and Eth. Would you be so kind as to take us to the village? I know you may not like being ridden, but in order to take you anywhere, it simply must be done. You will not fit on a boat or an airship. You are almost the size of an airship yourself." She scratches the hydra's nose a bit more, giggling.

All three of the heads squeeze in for nose-scritchings … which makes things quite crowded on the dock. "YEEP!" squeals the fox, as he tumbles backwards … and the bucket of ugly fish tips into the drink. Whoops. There goes dinner! The fox whines.

The little one squeals a bit herself, but in delight. Such a big creature that is just so terribly cute! She does seem to enjoy Ashtoreth's company a great deal. "You are such a good hydra! Yes you are! Yes! Now why do you not be a helpful Ashtoreth and lower your heads so I can climb on?" She even gives each head a careful hug before waiting to get on board. This must truly be an odd sight: the little Aelfin and her friend hydra who dwarfs her many times over.

The foppish fox fishes the bucket out of the water … but the contents are long gone. He sighs, and tosses the bucket into the barge. "Well … saddle up!" He clambers on top of the red head. "Ooo! Hoo! Yoo! Yow! Hssss! Hacha!"

"Eth" obligingly lowers its head for the diminutive mage.

The fox suggests, "You might need a well-padded seat if you're going to ride the cold head."

Scarlet picks up some old rope that was left on the docks to tie on boats to keep them from drifting. She trims this down with a little knife she carries in her pouch, and carries two lengths of it up on top of the hydra. One piece of rope is offered to the fox, and the other is kept for herself and carefully placed around the head so she can hold on to it to keep from falling off. She smiles a bit at the fox's words. "Oh, I am used to being cold. I spent a lot of time freezing while learning water magic. You get used to it after a while. Are you ready, Sir Fox?"

The fox loops the rope around Ash's horns, and soon gets himself quite tangled up. He tries to put on airs of "This is what I meant to do," then nods. "Ready as ever! Onward ho!"

Of course, the little one can't help but giggle amusedly at the fox's antics. Once he signals ready though, she pats the hydra and holds the rope tight. "Ashtoreth, into the sky! Take us to the village!"

The fox's eyes go wide. "Th-th-th-the … SKYYIIIIIiiiiieeeeEEEEEEEE?!"

With mighty wing-beats and creating waves that splash over the dock and cause the barge to bob violently, the six-winged, three-headed dragon lifts up into the sky, in defiance of gravity!

The Whispering Wood doesn't look so intimidating from the air … that is, provided that one is not intimidated with the prospect of falling. (That would rule out any enjoyment of scenery by the fox … who has his hands firmly clapped over his eyes.)

The trees flow out over a rolling countryside … and in the distance can be seen the crater clearing. Ahead is another, larger clearing, containing the little town of Blackshire and its surrounding fields, plus a glimpse of the winding road that cuts through this little territory. Off in the other direction is Cemetery Hill – one of the points that defines part of the border of Jynx's territory, and a fairly gloomy one at that.

Patches of clouds block most of the sky, though sunlight occasionally filters through – the exception rather than the norm, it would seem, in this part of Sinai, though somehow plants still manage to grow (albeit strangely).

"Wheeeeee!" Scarlet squeals as the dragon lifts up into the air. "This is astounding! Amazing! Airships will forever seem boring after this! Dragon master, arch mage Scarlet and her fearless companion of immense magnitude, Ashtoreth!" More giggles follow as she glances around to noting all the sights. Ashtoreth gets a grateful hug, too.

The three-headed dragon circles over the village, and far below, tiny little villagers can be seen scurrying about like ants, rushing away from their fields, and into their cottages.

The Aelfin points at all the little people, who at the moment look even smaller than she is. Noting their flight from her own flight, she lifts her head and calls over to the fox. "When we land, I want you to sing about how the dragon is our friend, and that there is nothing to fear – Okay, Mr. Fox? I do not want people to be scared."

The fox is too busy screaming his head off to reply. Maybe it would be best to repeat the request once he's back safely on the ground.

"You were braver as a Fuff'nar," mumbles the Aelfin, but she really cannot stay upset for long – not when she is riding a friendly dragon, after all. "Take us down, Ashtoreth dear. We should meet some more of our friends. They may be scared at first, but I am sure they will warm up to you."

The three-headed dragon alights down in the largest available space in the middle of the town … right in the middle of what passes for the central town square, next to a long-since broken fountain, in the center of which is a statue that looks something like the painting of Jynx's ancestor, Duke Phelix … though it's not clear whether it's Phelix I, II or III.

As soon as the dragon lands … the fox hurriedly tries to get off … but he's still tangled up in the ropes. He slips, falls, yells again … then hangs upside-down from the dragon's head, his right foot snared in a rope. "Ahem. Lovely experience."

The little white head of the Aelfin pops up over the blue head, peering down at the fox. "You are a very silly person, you know?" She slips around the dragon's head and climbs down to the ground, reaching over to rub the blue and purple heads while she directs the red head, "Ash, would you help the silly fox get down to the earth?"

Ash ducks. Or, that is, the red head ducks. This quickly brings the fox in contact with the ground.

"Ow!" says the fox as his head (and floppy hat) greet the ground. He quickly struggles out of the tangling rope, however. He must be multi-jointed!

The red head leans over to Scarlet. Perhaps he wants a rub, too.

A couple of shuttered windows creep open, as curious eyes peek out.

The Aelfin obligingly rubs the red head as well, switching between the three in turn. She waits for the fox to get untangled while she is tending to the dragon, before she turns around and calls out to the town, "You can all come out now! I, assistant to Master Kurai, my dragon friend Ashtoreth, and the… always graceful foppish fox have come to gather supplies so that we may help in ridding this area of its curse."

The foppish fox leaps up to the edge of the fountain, and leans on the statue of Phelix Kurai, as he starts strumming his lute.

Come out, come out, it's quite okay,

If it weren't, I'd be too dead to play,

Missus Scarlet has a lot to sayyyy,

And then we'll shop and be gone … okay?

The foppish fox strums his lute again, then bows.

A door creaks open. It's that dark bat, Sheriff Darken. "Vat ist tis? Brinkink a monster into town?"

The Aelfin steps forward, lifting her hand to gesture at the dragon. "He is most certainly not a monster! He is my friend; he is a product of a heavy presence of mutating magic that can be found in these parts. It certainly is not his fault he is as he is, and that does not mean you should treat him poorly because he looks so mean. He really is a nice dragon, and he is my friend. You need not be scared of him," Scarlet replies to the Eeee before reaching for the heads to rub them again.

The bat looks positively incredulous as he watches the little Aelfin treating the huge three-headed dragon as if it were her pet.

Sheriff Darken shakes his head. "If it ist Lord Kurai's will, ten I do not argue. But … " He casts a wary glance at the dragon. "Vat is it you vant from te store?" He walks over to the general store, and whacks on the door with his scabbard.

A timid-looking Rhian (especially striking, since he's a rather large horse that has been reduced to this state) pokes his head out of the door. "Ah … ah … Actually … isn't today a holiday? Must be gettink home now!"

The Sheriff holds his scabbard to block the horse's exit. "Ve make te Lord happy, ya? Ten te dragon can go home, ya?" He adds a bit of an edge to his voice.

The horse nods. "Ya."

Scarlet idly rubs the various heads as she waves the Eeee forward with her staff hand. "Come here, Sheriff Darken, sir. You of all people should know appearance and rumor are not always correct in judging true character. And, the dragon is not Lord Kurai's will, but the request for supplies certainly is. The dragon is my friend, and I take responsibility for him."

The sheriff walks past the schoolhouse (which is closed up and appears not to be in session even without the dragon's appearance), and walks this way and that about the square, getting a better look at the dragon. (He has wings, but he doesn't appear to be using them to get around any faster.)

A Korv, Farmer Poe, waddles out onto the street, obviously regaining his boldness since the sheriff doesn't seem overly concerned. "*KAW!* The dragon! No other monster is like it! No other as big … or with more than one head, let alone three!"

"You really should not be so scared. I am half your size and he does not bother me one bit. If you must know how I managed to be his friend, I used a bit of magic. But mind you, it was that or killing him, and I do not believe in needless death," Scarlet tells the Sheriff as she digs though her pouch. Eventually she removes a scroll with a shopping list written on it. Besides the usual food and other supplies, a request for a large bridle for the dragon and some sweets.

The foppish fox says, "Eth makes delightful popsicles!" His ears then flush, and he glances nervously at Scarlet. "Or, I mean … ah … he is probably capable of making delightful popsicles."

The Rhian still looks nervous as he comes out to take the shopping list … but he calls out his sons (also horses, of course), and they go through the process of providing the supplies … in exchange for some of Jynx's iron. (And he has plenty of it!)

Scarlet reaches over and bops the fox with her staff gently. "You! Our dragon friend here is not to be a amusing convenience. He is a living creature, and should be treated with respect. Remember he is my charge. But, if you want to pet him, feel free, Fuff'nar Fox." She giggles a bit and turns to smile at those who make their appearance. "Yes, do not be afraid. As long as Ashtoreth and I are in your village, no other monster will be much of a threat." Certainly it's meant to comfort, but some might consider her words the wrong way, maybe.

It takes a little while, and a few less important things are simply not available out in these parts, but at last the shopping is done. The dragon, meanwhile, has gone asleep, curled around the fountain.

The last of the cargo is loaded into a bundle of saddlebags suspended on the necks of the dragon. "Tere you go, Madame," says the big storekeeper. He pats the dragon, smirking. "Not so bad after all!" He goes back to the store, humming to himself. The iron pieces from Lord Kurai seemed to lift his spirits considerably, really.

The little one smiles and thanks the storekeeper before he heads off. Having done that she turns and walks towards the Eeee, since he is both the Sheriff and a species that interests her. "Hello Sheriff Darken. I was wondering if you had any threats to the village lately? Since I am here, I would like to offer our assistance on behalf of the Lord."

Darken looks this way and that, then leans in to whisper in a low voice, "Ve haff a stranger come to town. Count Vlad. He dost not vish to be disturbed, but he may come calling on Lord Kurai. He ist stayink at the inn vith his … companions." The sheriff looks both ways again, then says, "I tell you tis because Count Vlad vast strange about not vanting Lord Kurai to know of his comink. Perhaps you should clean up te castle for his arrival."

The foppish fox looks positively delighted. "Ohhhhh! Entertaining nobility! I shall compose a new song for his arrival!"

Scarlet says, "Vlad? Count Vlad? Who is he, exactly? The Lord will wish to know who ventures upon his lands. I doubt he would appreciate counts simply sneaking around. And who are his companions?" asks the Aelfin in a whisper. She glances to the fox, then the dragon, and back to the fox. To the fox, she says, "Hush now! This is not a matter to be yelled around."

Sheriff Darken hisses, "To be honest … I heff not heard of tis Count Vlad before. But tere are many counts unt countesses unt dukes in Sylvania. He hes much money, it ist true."

"Count Vlad ist a human, unt so are his companions. Tey are women-friends." Sheriff Darken frowns. "If he vere not nobility, I vut charge him vit indecency."

Farmer Poe, hops over from the fountain. Apparently, the Korv has been eavesdropping. "*KAW!* Schoolmaster Bookman would know more … but I have heard of Count Vlad. He is … " He looks both ways – It must be a tradition in these parts! – and then holds up a wing to cover his beak as he whisper-caws, "He has a sensitive skin condition, and never comes out in the daytime! Nor do his companions."

Scarlet blinks, ears folding to her head. "Indecency? How ever did they manage to offend you as such? I have never heard those charges ever being brought against anyone in a small town. Only in some parts of Rephidim." She shakes her head and turns to the Korv. "Truly? A skin condition? How very odd. I have never heard of such a thing in my studies at the college. Would you be so kind as to summon the schoolmaster so I may inquire as to this?"

Farmer Poe caws, "The Schoolmaster is sleeping. He will be out at sundown, though, when it's time for school."

Scarlet nods her head slightly before she turns to examine the position of the sun. "Well, I am not in any hurry. Perhaps we could discuss this count some more while we wait. What was he dressed in? Sometimes you can tell a lot from a person's clothes." She twirls around and poses for the two towns people, showing off her new outfit. "And what do you think of my clothing, by any chance?"

Farmer Poe bobs his head. "Look like royalty, you do! Or court magician for royalty. Ah … what sort of magic do you do, anyway? Wouldn't perchance be an air mage or an earth mage, would you? Could use some help with the weather lately… "

Scarlet curtsies to the Korv slightly before answering him. "I am a Water Mage, and it seems I am a dragoner too these days. But anyway, my powers revolve around controlling water, ice, and all things liquid-related."

Sheriff Darken rubs his chin. "Count Vlad ist quite the gentleman in manners, and he ist dressed the part of nobility. His … companions … are attired in … less-ten-decent dress, but wealty noneteless. Much jewelry."

The Sheriff gets a nod from the Aelfin. "Interesting. I never expected Lord Kurai would be getting visitors so soon. Did they mention why they were here? Do you get such royalty often?"

Sheriff Darken says, "He sait it vas business." He shrugs.

"Oh, Sheriff? I hate to bother you, but I have a request. It seems a certain crystalline object was moved from the castle and we are unable to locate it. Have you see anything shaped like this? About this high and this wide, with streaks of color. It glows too," Scarlet asks, showing the size with her paws.

Sheriff Darken puts his hand to his chin again. "No, I heff not seen such a ting. But if it vast stolen … " His brow furrows. "I vill search for it."

Farmer Poe caws, "Howzabout you and your frilly friend here come by the Blackshire Inn for a few drinks and tales?" The way he eyes Scarlet's shiny attire, maybe he's hoping someone else will pick up the tab…

The foppish fox claps the Korv on the back. "So delightful of you to offer us a round of drinks, kind sir! On to the Blackshire Inn!" He prances on to Madame Garou's inn.

Farmer Poe tries to hide a sour look. "Grk."

"Quite so! Yes, very nice. And here I thought I would offer, being a representative of his Lordship," mentions the Aelfin to the fox. The dragon gets a fond rub on all of its three heads before the girl whispers in its ear, "Sleep tight, no more lonely nights in the forest for you." That done, she skips off towards the Blackshire Inn.