[The Duchy of Meridian] Mt. Indra - Dragon lair

What was that sound? The smell? Was it Trogdor? Jarkoopi, Kepesk Altiui didn't want to believe the long known red dragon had came with mildly peaceful intentions, but he could sense his presence.

From the darkness of the cave came Jarkoopi, Kepesk Altiui's voice, however, Trogdor could not see the blue dragon in his lair. The small magical pillar seemed to slowly draw mana from it's surroundings, but did not act.
"Svabol xurwkic wux confn ekess sia verthicha ekess yenta batobot?"

The voice from the darkness of the cave did not change in tone, yet.
"Si geou onelka wux persvek gliiwr, svadrav wux evnek coi."

The shifting of scales and the dragon's mass thumping on the rock as he stepped could be heard from within the lair by Trogdor. From the darkness, he would be able to spot the familiar glint of blue scales as they came into the light. The storm dragon, Jarkoopi, Kepesk Altiui, emerged from his lair to speak face to face with his once nemesis. He held his head up high, and his torso blocked most of his the entrance to his cave. While he was uncertain if Trogdor would dare backstab him, regardless, he made it clear that he was not allowed in his home.

He nodded in agreement to the red dragon, and with the same deep and demanding voice, he made his own statement.
"I am glad you have come to your senses before you were sent to the Twilight by force. Yes, I had seen our fallen kin, the female was put down by the ignorant excuse of a Pegasus knight. He has killed off potentially a hundred generations of dragons, an action that deserves a fate much worse than the liberating force known as death. I will join you to crush the human and whoever stands in our way, but after this, we have talking to do."
He stretched his wing a bit, preparing himself for the flight that was soon to come.

As Grandma came closer to the mountainside cave, Jarkoopi, Kepesk Altiui could sense the familiar presence of magic slowly coming closer towards his lair. The approaching disturbance did rouse the dragon from his nap, but he remained in the back of the cave, laying in the resting chambers. The idle mana in his cave began to flow through him again and rejuvenated him, now that he was awake.

He was surprised to find that whomever had approached his cave entrance could speak the ancient language of dragons. Because of this, he could only assume this person was someone of great ancient origins or magical power. He was being offered a proposition? How interesting, he was almost always willing to consider an offer.
The booming voice of the blue dragon thundered from deep within, echoing throughout the cave and eventually to his visitor outside.
“Hmph, what kind of offer are you suggesting?”
He said with an sharp end to his words, the last offer he was given was not a particularly nice one, and considering he did not know the identity of the being outside yet, did not help his lack of trust.

Jarkoopi, Kepesk Altiui would welcome the privacy spell casted by Grandma, if a deal was this important, they definitely wanted something big from him. By feeling the flow of magic through the cave walls, he could tell that the creature outside was attempting to match his power, while normally it was custom to only allow the hosting dragon to use spells or magic within their private lair, he doubted this being was a dragon whom knew the ancient customs. He quit channelling any extra magic through his hide, he let the surrounding aura of magic flow in and out of his being.


Grandma, he had heard of and seen, but never once truly managed to learn anything more than the outside. He did know for sure that Grandma was indeed, definitely not human. Something much darker and likely immortal, a demon of sorts. The study of the dark arts and it’s realms was one of Jarkoopi, Kepesk Altiui’s weakest fields of magic, as he saw dark evil magic to only ever to be used to fight the greatest power of good, when the scales of balance were tipped. As Grandma starts her address, the shifting of scales could faintly be heard from the back of the cave, likely Jarkoopi, Kepesk Altiui sitting up to listen.
Isra, always looking to interfere with someone or something to enhance themselves. The primary population appeared to the dragon as snobby, spoiled, brats who always thought that their path is the only and righteous path.
So far what she was saying was mostly already known to him, he was indeed one of the head leaders towards the end of the war, but his policies and actions were his own, he didn’t completely follow or agree with the Goraian regime. Of course the unintelligent mortals would simply reach to the one of greatest potential power to blame, this sort of mistrust from Isra was not new, it was part of the reason why he resigned from the Isranian government. He challenged the evil control of his Goraian comrades, trying to enforce a much more modest government or form of their own, only to receive all the blame for his associates’ actions, typical.


The last phrase caught his attention, as it could be heard that the dragon rapidly got on his feet. He kept a single eye locked on his treasure room. Jarkoopi, Kepesk Altiui looked to make sure it was still there. It was.


He had heard that Grandma had removed herself from her position from Isra’s government, how could he trust her then? Unless perhaps it was all made up to allow Grandma to appear to be operating discreetly and independently, separate from Isra’s morals and regulations? He didn't know enough to either trust or not trust Grandma. But he was certain he wasn't soon going to hand over the gem to Isra for them to abuse or destroy one of the sacred stones of natural balance. What are they hoping to gain? And what made her so sure that the blame on him would so easily and quickly disappear once he handed the Sapphire over? He'd need more information.
Still echoing from the rear of the cave, the dragon's voice spoke up.
“Yes, I've quite realized by now that I do not have quite a favorable opinion by the general people. While I am willing to try and make peace with the state of Isra, I cannot simply hand over such an artifact with at least inquiring, what are you going to do with it? The gem has been safe under my watch for more than 52 years now, and I have no intention to recklessly trade this magical stone for the mere opinion of the underlings of a city, which I helped create. I've lived long enough to see plenty of these foolish trades happen.”
The dragon huffed, clearly not please about how rash Grandma was being. Did she not see the she was simply a puppet of the drooling masses driven forward by their leader?

Why did Isra need another gem of weaker power if they already had plenty that were supposedly stronger? Why was it so secret of its use? Were they planning something so evil or good that would forever disturb the scales of alignment? It didn't add up in the dragon's mind, even with Empress Naoki’s written word he refused to trust them wholly. The offer of neutrality was tempting though.
Jarkoopi, Kepesk Altiui stepped over to his hoard to scoop up the single sapphire gem while pushing the gold coins and trinkets aside. He inspected it, his deep yellow eye gazing into the endless abyss of blue. It's power waved through his arm, and the precious stones looked back at him wearily.
Could it be Soreth? No, he died hundreds of years ago on Darastrix. Whoever it was, he was chosen to protect their spirit, and he would not leave the gem alone with anyone but his most trusted allies.

“I am bound by honor and ancient tradition to protect this gem. If you want it, I'll have to accompany it wherever it may go.”
He said, the dragon's deep low words thundering through the cavern complex.

She wanted to offer him a piece of paper and words to rule over a magical stone of great power? Jarkoopi, Kepesk Altiui grasped the gem firmly in his claws as to not lose grip but gentle enough not to risk damaging its beautiful surface. Finally the dragon made his way to tell entrance of the cave to face Grandma. Thumping towards the entrance, it could be seen that the storm dragon wore no armor or gear at the moment, and if one were to get close, there were minor scars and deformities visible, but were almost all healed. His body occupied most of the cave entrance, he must've grown, or his lair shrunk. Grandma might also notice the dragon's clenched claw and the power resonating behind it. It was her guess as to what it could be.
He stood tall and blocked the entrance from Grandma before continuing to respond.
“Your paper ultimately means nothing, for it is nothing but a sheet of words that have no voice or power. I wish to give you the gem for your offer, but I cannot unless it is kept with me and there is a definite guarantee that neither of us can easily turn against our word. Unless you have a different solution?”
The last line had a hint of frustration behind it, as Jarkoopi, Kepesk Altiui somewhat anxiously readjusted the gem in his claw.

He was glad to see that Grandma was willing to come through on the strength of how such a deal will be followed. From the darkness down the hall, the dragon allowed her to craft a newer contract from the mysterious quill and ink.

Pleased to notice to presence of a magically bound contract being made for his own personal concern, when the magically infused text flew down the cavern he read it with great care, his yellow reptilian eyes glancing upon it as if it were trying to steal gold from him, as to make sure he knew everything that would have to be followed by both sides.
While he did feel this was still rather pitted against him, he found it satisfactory enough for his liking.
“Very well, I will agree to these terms, and these terms alone. If I know my magics from many years ago, I’m assuming my ‘signature’ will require some sort of blood oath or bond? I can provide, if that is the case.”
He would keep the gem visibly hidden in his hand until both parties signed their respective areas.

The dragon would not yet give his blood signature. He needed to know what the “punishments” of the bound contract would be, for either party.
“Before I commit to this, I must ask. What happens should one of us not follow this ‘oath?’ Is either of us to die outright on the spot, be incapacitated, controlled mentally by the other signer, or just magically be incapable of breaking such an oath? Are you or Empress Naoki to receive this punishment should a man of Isra deny me access or such? Or is that single guard or man to be held responsible and punished accordingly? Should either party break one of these rules on accident shall the punishment be the same as if it was with purpose? I must know this you see, as I am, quite literally, having to shed my blood for this to be in effect.”
The dragon’s eyes and his outline through the darkness stood still. The same yellow orbs occasionally blinking as they watched over the mysterious woman.

Jarkoopi, Kepesk Altiui still wasn’t too happy about being on the same side as Isra right now, but it wasn’t like refusing was a better idea. Plus I’d give him the chance to view the city again and how it has changed, this time without projectiles flying towards him.
“Good, I shall accept it on the terms that have been provided.”
With a quick motion through the darkness, the dragon slightly teared the flesh on his knuckle with his claw, then raised the bleeding wound just above the floating paper. The dragon's thick heavy blood dripped down onto the parchment, magically absorbing in the bottom of the contract. He then dropped the magical gem from the same hand, falling like a feather, it rested on the paper as if it was weightless. He pulled his arm away, and let the sheet of text hover back towards its original owner.
“There, it is done. I’m assuming its effects will be in place as soon as it is signed by Empress Naoki.”
He then allowed Grandma to proceed towards the exit with the newly signed document.
“Oh, and should you or the High Lady require my Runesmithing skills, or perhaps just my sheer might or something else, send me a messenger.”
Jarkoopi, Kepesk Altiui wasn't too keen on just helping people of of the blue with not much to gain for himself, but if he wanted to keep Isra off his back, earning their trust again would be the first step. He would now let Grandma completely leave his lair uninterrupted.

“Very good. I shall keep it on me after I forge some sort of ring or chain.”
The dragon happily outstretched his claw to receive another magical goodie. The tiny gem plopped down into the center of his massive hand. He was then quickly displeased by the fact that Grandma need to ensure it was in fact, the real gem. Was his thousand year old word not trustworthy enough? He was one for tricks and illusions, but never a lie. Nevertheless, he kept silent as the agent of Isra disappeared.

The dragon would sleep for a couple days, resting and gathering energy to forge an accessory from his newly acquired tool. When he woke, he immediately went to begin chipping stone slabs from the interior of his cave. At last he had the perfect length stone, it could fully wrap around his wrist and not hinder his movement. With dragonfire, he cooked the stone to a hot temperature so he could bend it, but it would not melt. Smoke bellowed out from the lair entrance and rose to the sky. He bent the red hot stone around his right forearm, then began heating the joint of the slab, which would also burn himself, but dragons are mostly resistant to dragonfire and the wounds could be healed by magic. The dragon used his claw to dig out a half spherical hole where the gem would rest. He set the pale blue rock in the center of the hole, then began superheating it's socket. The molten stone would harden against the gem, locking it in place. It was a crude piece for now, he could fancy it up later. Now with a new garment around his right arm, the dragon set out to slumber once again.