Seekers of the Stone Maker
Draconic Gifts

The ancient blue dragon flew away, heading East, and Humboldt watched angrily. His gaze moved over to the tall human, whose face was concealed by black robes. As he pointed to him, the gnarled and decayed hand shimmered with energy as illusion magic made it similar to his other hand, hiding its true form.

“We would have had both of them if you hadn’t slipped up,” Humboldt snarled.

“I apologize. I cannot control my magic as easily in my cursed condition.”

The man stepped forward and revealed his arms. He was pale, almost the color of stone. Black shadows smoked off of his body, trailing his movement.

“It’s been getting worse over the few days we’ve been here. While I appreciate your help, Humboldt, I’m still unsure what you’re achieving from this deal.”

Humboldt waddled over to the black dragon. Its body was covered in wounds and was only an instant from death. Aiming carefully, he focused a spell inside one of the gashes on its chest, which erupted in ice, covering the dragon’s heart, which fought to keep beating.

“I can use this heart to brew an elixir that will make me resistant to other dragons that cause the same damaging effects. An older one might have given me an immunity that would be longer lasting, but this would have to do for now.”

“In return for helping you, I would retrieve the fundamentum from the creature, which you claim could help me with my curse,” The man concluded.

“I feel as if it is a wonderful negotiation, Volundr. We both get what we want, and we both have help. Especially you, whose magic is unstable at this time.”

“I appreciate your willingness to help me, even in this unstable condition,” Volundr bowed slightly. “I just don’t understand what your goal is here. Most dragons have become calmer creatures over the centuries.”

“It’s always good to have caution. I can’t even guarantee that any of this will be of use. Right now, it’s all just myth and fable.”

“Fable?”

Humboldt held his hand up and could feel the pulling behind his new eye. Something was on the other side, and he longed to meet with it. To gain its insight.

“All in due time. Let us harvest this creature, then I must replace more.”

“And I must travel South after this. I divined this morning that my tower would be ready by the end of the week, and I will be able to start my research on this disease.”

Humboldt’s hands worked carefully, using his magic to open wounds and burn away at connective tissue. He watched as the heart slumped down, no longer held up by the arteries and muscles. He retrieved his dagger, knowing it to be safer for the dragon’s other organs, but stopped with a look of excitement in his eyes.

“I, too, am looking to construct something like your tower in Fairhaven. Maybe when you have cured your disease, you can return and help me with what I plan to raise here.”