D&D Way to Sword Coast

Chapter 23: Cult

Alidorim knew fear.

Fear was cold. It shocked the very soul like a polar plunge. His pulse would race, but it left stout hearts frozen and numbed the mind to thinking. Skilled hands would shake, and every breath would burn like ice in one's chest. Fear was likened to the hand of death. Once within its grasp, His fate was almost assured.

Alidorim was no stranger to fear. It had set his mind to panic in Triboar. It had dragged him down the night he carried Yulia through the storm. He'd seen it in the eyes of a trio of Goblins. In the Evermoors, he'd fought it. Far to the south on a mountain trail so long ago he'd faced it.

Fear was as familiar as breathing. What Alidorim felt now...was terror.

"What words do you bring the great Venomfang!" the Green One declared.

Almost at once Fenric and his followers bent a knee in supplication. "Oh, mighty Venomfang we count ourselves blessed to know your name!"

Alidorim tried not to flinch in surprise. The cultist had already spoken to the dragon before and was just now learning its name? Did Venomfang not completely trust the cultists? That would make sense. Green Dragons were known as master manipulators. That also made them highly paranoid, especially when it came to guarding their lairs and hordes.

They'd come to Thundertree to find herbs. He had no idea they would end up facing a dragon. Maybe with a full party of silver ranked adventurers they could stand a chance, but it was just him. Could he fight a dragon and protect Yulia and Lesmythe at the same time?

No! He didn't have time to think otherwise. Alidorim just had to do it, with whatever skill he had. Maybe...just maybe...it would be enough for Yulia and Lesmythe to escape.

Glancing over his shoulder he saw the tears on the Tiefling's cheeks. She clung to a trembling Lesmythe. "I promise everything will be okay," he said in a hushed tone. Despite the fear in her eyes the half-elf nodded. Alidorim turned back towards the dragon just as Fenric began to speak again.

"Lord, I am but a humble messenger." He waited until Venomfang nodded before continuing, "The great goddess's time is nigh. She calls her children home." There was a moment of silence as the monster contemplated the man's words. Then the green dragon began to chuckle. That chuckle grew into a deep throaty laugh that shook the very air.

"Is that all?" the great Green One demanded, his voice taking on an icy edge. "Empty platitudes and a rallying call from a dead god?"

Whatever the cultist had expected, this was not the reaction they'd wanted. Perhaps realizing that his life hung in the balance, Fenric started to panic. The cultist began to gesture towards the Dragonborn and his companions, "If that is not to your satisfaction, I offer up these Sl--."

"—Servants!" Alidorim cut in. He wasn't sure who this Goddess was, or what the cultist's agenda was, but Fenric was desperate. If he read the cult leader right, Olkith had no desire to be his sacrificial lamb. "We are your...humble servants." He went to one knee, bowing his head respectfully. He had to be smart. Venomfang was a young dragon but still well over twenty feet long, with a wingspan twice that. At his full height, Alidorim barely came up to the dragon's shoulder. With armored scales, there were few if any vulnerable spots, and if he attacked straight on his teeth and claws would rend the warrior's armor in seconds.

Venomfang considered the Dragonborn for a moment. Fenric attempted to regain the dragon's attention and favor but fell silent beneath a glare. "You once served my ancestors." Its head lowered to stare Alidorim directly in the face. "How will you serve me now?"

Alidorim swallowed a lump in his throat. Thinking quickly, he unslung the satchel they'd found earlier along with his purse. "By first offering a token of my fealty." Slowly he laid out the coins and healing potion before him. "Please accept this poultry sum and slaves," Lesmythe and Yulia flinched appropriately as the dragon's gaze shifted towards them, "From a servant whose value is in his sword."