Inside the grand Palace of Emon, General Krieg stood at the foot of the Sovereign's golden, overbearing throne with his armour scorched and blackened while his crimson cloak and lining were all but singed to nought but a crisp. His usually immaculate blonde hair and moustache were bedraggled and coated with a thin layer of ash along with his paled complexion. The illustrious General had clearly just undergone a horrific ordeal of his own, being one of only thirty survivors of the military detachment deployed outside the walls in some ill-fated attempt to slay the beast that burned their lands and slaughtered their people.

"And you saw it?" Uriel interrogated as the scarred soldier before him bowed his head, ashamed to look his ruler in the eye. "What did this?" he demanded, surrounded by the other members of the Council, including both Lady Kima and Allura whom had safely made her way back to the keep aboard the Skyship.

All eyes bore down upon the once mighty warrior as he picked himself up and straightened his fatigued posture. "The beast, is a blue dragon, sire. Only a few of us managed to escape." he growled sorrowfully unleashing a rasping breath as the faces of the dead and dying clouded his mind.

Atop his throne anguish shuddered through the Sovereign's soul as a horrified look fell on his face. "My Gods. Allura, you've dealt with such creatures in the past. How do we fight it?" he questioned glancing toward both the human Councillor and her armour wearing, halfling companion stood side by side.

"Oh, that was a red dragon, years ago." she began as her eyes darted between the many members of the Council. "But to my experience, dragons are fiercely intelligent, calculating creatures. Their machinations run deep." she revealed tearing her worrisome gaze to the floor.

Suddenly, the towering entrance door to the chamber clanged open as quiet footsteps trudged toward the raised platform. As quickly as his legs would carry him, Sir Fince made his way toward the raised platform, coming to a stop before it looking up at the few Councillors present. "Ah, Sir Fince finally joins us. I hope this crisis hasn't kept you from your skulking." Krieg sneered at the pale skinned Drow draped in his usual black clothing.

Fince stood firm against the humans insults, refusing to acknowledge them, "I've been gathering intelligence we sorely lack. Seems your band of fools has gone missing." he twitched, locking both hands behind his scrawny back. "Safe to say you've sent Vox Machina to their doom?" he questioned venomously. However, just as Krieg opened his mouth to reply, the chambers pearly doors once again swung open as the battle weary party in question strutted through, stopping just behind the sullen Drow.

"Doom? We don't know the meaning of the word." Scanlan called out as Fince's smug expression twisted to one of contempt, dropping his shoulders ever so slightly as he along with the other nobles turned to face them.

As usual, the party's resident, ashen skinned knucklehead leaned forward, standing between both Keyleth and Percy quirking a confused eyebrow at the overdramatic Gnome. "Uh, I certainly don't." he uttered in confusion receiving no reaction from both the Air Ashari or Gunslinger alike.

Scanlan, having seemed to have taken the role of the groups mouthpiece took a single bounding step forward. "Sovereign, hold on to you goddamn crown. We've discovered that the monster is none other than..." The bard paused for a few tense moments, his habit of making everything a performance shinning through as he dramatically dabbled his finger tips against his forehead and outstretched one of his arms toward the expectant Council. "A blue dragon!" he announced proudly pointing his stubby finger toward the Sovereign himself.

The Council and Uriel alike simply wore unsurprised looks upon their faces, "We know!" every one of them spoke at once, deflating the Gnomes now pointless bravado, much to the pleasure of the parties newest addition.

Lady Allura, still being the most forward with the mercenaries cut through the other nobles questioning mutters. "Did you kill it?" she questioned as her overbearing gaze bared down upon the party, her eyes darting between all awaiting an answer. However, none took notice of the noblewoman's attention laying on Ragnvaldr for a moment longer than his companions.

Gripping her wooden staff in her gentle grip and bracing her meagre weight upon it , Keyleth shrugged her shoulders nervously. "I wouldn't say 'kill,' really..." she uttered politely still unsure of the predicament Vox Machina found themselves in, glancing toward Pike for help in explaining themselves.

"We're still kind of working on that part." The scarred, white haired Cleric stated, biting her lip ever so slightly. She too struggled to put into words what herself and the rest of the party had witnessed.

A deep chortle interrupted the worrisome Gnome as Krieg reeled back slightly unleashing a near unbearable laugh. "I can't believe you made it out alive. How did you survive?" he questioned oddly, thoroughly entertained at the prospect of the rather motley crews survival. A simple question, that of course, made the honour bound Oldegårdian seethe with rage, gripping his hands into tight fists as the Councilman's true feeling came to light.

Standing tall above the rest of his friends, seemingly uncaring of the current situation Grog simply dipped his sausage like pinky into his ear scratching away as Scanlan continued on, prancing forth once again and placing one hand upon his hip. "Mm, trade secrets, I'm afraid, Kriegy." he dismissed quickly, trying his best to give himself and his companions an air of professionalism.

Although, the illusion was quickly shattered when Ragnvaldr's bitingly aggressive voice cut through the echoey chamber once again finding himself at Vex and Vax's side. "We hid and the bastard flew away. Any other pointless questions general?" he drawled crossing his arms one over the other, still wielding his hand axe like it were nothing, furthering the guards nervousness at the prospect of facing such an opponent.

Scanlan of course threw out a silent warning to his new found rival, wheeling around and pointing aggressively toward him, only to slouch over as Grog chuckled, agreeing with his fellow Barbarian and shattering what little shadow of competence the party had.

Bounding laughter filled the Council's chambers as Grog pressed one had against his stomach, however, it quickly faded as a single realisation burrowed its way into his head. "Wait. How did we survive that?" he inquired folding one massive arm over the other, shooting his eyes to floor, trying to make sense of it. As the party mulled over the Goliath's rather sensible question, just as it had on their previous visit, a throbbing, mind piercing ringing stabbed through Vex's skull.

Both Ragnvaldr and Vax shared a worried glance toward the She-Elf braced a hand against her head, trying desperately to hide the ever continuing pain of her affliction. Strangely, the seemingly uncaring red-head next to her heard the hushed grunt of pain and silently placed a frim but comforting hand upon her shoulder, a hint of worry laced upon his features. "These blabbering fools are useless, sire. Perhaps if we made an offering to the dragon. Gold in exchange for peace." Fince suggested, all while darting a singular scowling look back at the Mercenaries.

Not even a second passed as Ragnvaldr, having grown tired of the Council's constant mulling, stood tall in place beside the twins, releasing Vex as he gritted his teeth ever so slightly. A small part of him wondering whether or not the criminals in all but name alone gave this much thought when deciding the fate of his family and village. "This beast defiles your lands and slaughters it's people you all vowed to protect. Yet your first instinct is to bargain with it? Pathetic..." he sneered, holding every fibre of his being back from striking the Councilman down were he stood.

Immediately, before the silent Council had a chance to react Vex stepped ahead of the fuming Oldegårdian placing her gloved hand gently upon his chest, a silent but otherwise noticed sign to calm himself. "A dragon cannot be bartered with. If it desires Emon's destruction, it will not relent." she argued insistently.

"You heard her, sire. You know what must be done." The battle weary General ushered in agreement, twisting his bulky, armour wearing torso toward the Sovereign. Communicating his position on the matter, though his eagerness after clearly facing said beast head on and loosing so many men, raised a buried suspicion in Ragnvaldr's mind.

Thankfully, despite the hardened appearance portrayed by Lady Kima, while gripping her gauntlet fist broke in before Uriel could reply. "But what if it attacks the city? We'd be sitting ducks!" she exclaimed, begging her leader to see reason, much to Ragnvaldr's relief. At least one of them could see things as they were.

Uriel leaned his elbow against his thrones armrest, pressing an impatiently closed fist to his balding forehead. "What would you have me do? Let it burn more farmland, slaughter more innocents?" he exclaimed bashing his hand violently against glorified arm chair quickly turning his frustrated gaze toward the accusing Outlander. "No. We will bring the fight to it. On our terms." he stated determinedly, standing to his feet and staring down his commander. "General, you may move our soldiers at dawn." he finished, all while Krieg attempted to hide a strangely content expression.

"But sire, you know as..." Lady Kima began again only to be silenced into submission by the Sovereigns demanding glare. Unwittingly, Tal'Dorei's illustrious leader would be sending his all too valuable army to their deaths.

"I have made my decision, Lady Kima." he said, silencing for good the Councilwoman's all too real concerns over the citizenry's safety. Something which her fellow nobles seemed to all but lack in. "This Council is adjourned..." Uriel uttered silently turning and marching off deeper into the heavily guarded keep. However, not before he sent a quiet nod to his Palace Guard, ordering the unpaid Mercenaries on their way.

Without a moment to spare, the heavily armed spear wielding Guards descended upon Vox Machina, ushering them out like a pack on stray dogs. "All right, you heard him. Clear out." their captain ordered as he and his men began pushing the group toward the large doors behind them.

"Hey, hey, hands off. I'm leaving... Geez..." Pike sighed as the short Gnome shrugged one of the guards hands from her shoulder. Meanwhile, as the party were pushed to the ever looming exit Vex kept her suspicious gaze on the sly Drow standing before the throne. Still he hadn't turned his full attention upon the group, merely giving them an eerie side eye as he stood with both hands planted firmly behind his back.

Scanlan weaved and ducked underneath a looming guards outstretched hand as he leaned his body from behind the humans legs. "Uh, don't kill it before we do. Y-Your offer's still on the table, right?" he called out barely avoiding the impatient guard who simply gripped the bard by his head and pushed him needlessly hard backward from where he came.

A guard shorter than Ragnvaldr approached him, intently looking to usher the already frustrated Oldegårdian from the chamber. Unlike his cohorts however, Ragnvaldr stubbornly refused to budge shooting a simple glare toward the Mainlander not to touch him. "Lady Kima speaks true. If you face such a beast in the open, the army will be cut down in moments, leaving the city and everyone in it defenceless." the muscled man called out as Uriel came to a stop turning his attention toward him. "You simply cannot afford what General Kreig proposes. Send us instead, we understand what's at stake. We've seen what it can do. There's no use in sending thousands to their deaths when they're needed elsewhere." he uttered refusing to tear his unwavering gaze from the ruler above.

Standing firmly upon the Chambers central floor, a poignant silence fell upon the chamber as both Lady Kima and Allura alike turned their attention to the unspeaking Sovereign, praying he saw sense while Krieg held his self satisfied smirk. "The decision has already been made. Guards!" he stated ascending deeper into the palace with his head bowed refusing to meet any of the Council's expectant gazes.

A shuddered breath hitched from Ragnvaldr's chest as his broad shoulders dropped, he had hoped his words would force Uriel to see sense, but it seemed just as he suspected, instead of reason, madness ruled in the heart of Tal'Dorei. "You have rocks in your head? Move Outlander!" the demanding guard ordered taking his spear and shoving the Oldegårdian backward corralling him toward the doors trailing behind the rest of Vox Machina. Without another word, Ragnvaldr growled in frustration as he turned on his heels and marched out of his own accord.

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The pair of towering, pearly white doors trudged open as Vox Machina piled into the welcoming light of the glistening morning sun. Ragnvaldr was last to follow, an overzealous guard quickly took his chance and shoved the Oldegårdian out. Turning around Ragnvaldr scowled at his fellow human as the doors shut tightly once again behind him. Unleashing a heaving sigh, he puckered his limps together and whistled shrilly calling Moonless from where ever she had wandered off too.

However, his call received no reply as he looked to his right to see a pair of guards stood either side of Trinket, with the bear in question being showered in unending affection. "Yes, you are... Oh, yes, you... Oh!" both men cooed as they patted the animals muscled, furry hide. Although, as soon as both realised Vox Machina spotted them, the pair instantly stepped away taking up their abandoned spears and standing at attention like nothing had happened.

Moonless meanwhile, lay on her back happily squirming without a care in the world as another soldier rubbed her undercarriage, her tounge lolled out the side of her mouth, but much to her disappointment, the guard hesitantly releasing the Dire Wolf of his unending love and returned to his post. Lazily Ragnvaldr's white furred companion flipped herself back onto her stomach, pushing her self up and seemingly awaiting her bear friend to do the same. Lumbering onto his paws Trinket joined her side as the two traipsed toward their respective two legged owners. Both of which stood together as well.

"I felt it again, that same feeling I had around the dragon." Vex began, crossing one arm across her chest and leaning her free hand upon her chin. "There must be a connection. One of them is working with that fucker." she bristled as her hand reached to scratch at Trinkets snout while Moonless barged between Ragnvaldr and Percy, nearly knocking over the concentrated, white hired noble.

Of course, just like always Scanlan, quiet literally slid across the refined stone beneath his feet arms crossed in thought and his chiselled chin between both fore finger and thumb. "Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Yeah. I bet..." he uttered strutting toward Grog who was squatting downward, posed the exact same way as his friend. "I bet it's Allura. I never trust anyone prettier than me." he revealed twisting around to face the rest of the displeased party.

"Uh-huh, uh-huh. I knew it." the simple minded Goliath agreed, smashing his massive clenched fist into his open palm. Of course, the strange pairs rather blockheaded conclusions were met with Percy's usual, piercingly judgemental glare, followed by Ragnvaldr whom simply chuckled at their incompetence. All while Vex still nursed her ever burning headache.

Vex released a tired sigh as she rubbed her fingertips against her head, "No, you dipshits. Fince." she hissed tiredly, exhausted by the two males antics.

"The creepy one." Percy gladly remined as he crossed both arms, for once being the one to gaze down on Grog. "Looked like a withered piece of scrap leather?" he reminded quickly. His annoyance clear in his tone alone.

Grogs squared jaw shifted as his mouth morphed into that of an 'o', the realisation hitting him like a tone of bricks. "Oh. I didn't catch anybody's name." he chuckled heartily, looking down at his miniature bard friend, whom still, stood at his full height was shorter than the squatted Goliath.

Ragnvaldr stepped in, tearing both Vex and Percy's attention away from the blockheaded brethren. "What about their General, Krieg. For a man who survived a dragon attack he's strangely unscathed." he began, catching the parties questioning looks. "It just doesn't make sense. He was one of the only survivors of the last attack. He knows, just like us how deadly this fucker is. Why is he so eager to go out and face it again, using the exact same strategy, leaving the city conveniently undefended?" he mulled suspiciously, glancing toward the ground in thought as his mind began racing, knowing full well if the general had turned traitor their task would become even more daunting.

Nodding along with the Oldegårdians rather understandable hypothesis Percy allowed his mind to open to the possibility, "It may be a possibility. But that doesn't exonerate Fince either. Did you see how he looked at us. Like we were dirt on his shoe, or interfering with his plans. And the gold, why offer up something the dragon clearly doesn't want." Percy argued with both eyebrows quirked ever so slightly, pleasantly surprised by the normally grunting Barbarian.

Ragnvaldr, hummed ever so slightly agreeing with the gunslinger stood next to him. "You could be right. But basing it off a scowl or two, have any of you ever met a Drow? All of them are sullen bastards." His companions, all hummed in agreement. None could fault him for saying what he did.

"Still, as soon as he glanced at us, that feeling pierced through my skull. There's something off about both of them both it seems." Vex cut in as the three conspirators talked amongst themselves, seemingly forgetting about their other five, fellow adventures.

Meanwhile, Stood by herself right at the edge of the descending stone steps Keyleth, with her staff gripped closely turned toward the brainstorming Mercenaries. "So, what do we do next?" she questioned as Trinket trotted toward the Air Ashari, desperate for someone to continue with what the dotting guards gave. However, the poor bear didn't get any as Vex too joined her side.

"Vax and Pike go to Gilmore's. Buy us a weapon that can kill a dragon." she commanded glancing between both her brother and the Cleric as they stood either side of the she-elf.

Vax leaned a casual elbow against his siblings shoulder, "Uh, with what? We're flat fucking broke." he uttered bracing a hand against his hip just a sly, mischievous grin splayed across her rose coloured lips, leaning herself toward Vax so no one could hear.

"Please, with the way that man dotes on you, I'm sure you can work something out." she chuckled as Vax's smug smirk immediately fell from his lips, awkwardly rubbing his head and tearing his eyes from his sister, he alongside Pike descended the steps, both the Half-Elf and Gnome alike joking and messing as they went.

Having now assumed defacto control of their ragtag group for the moment, Vex turned to the others as Pike and Vax disappeared from view. "The rest of us will split up and search for either Fince or Krieg. If you find either, don't let them out of your sight." she said, eyes darting