Ripples of Shadow
Chapter 7 - The City in the Sky

Dro grunted at an elbow to his ribs. He glanced down and saw Kaihlyn looking up at him, an amused smile on her face. Dro’gath realized his mouth had been hanging open and he shut it with a snap. The warlock turned her attention back to the scene below them. They had arrived. A great clearing of tiled stone was filled with beasts of all sizes, their riders either dismounting or preparing to embark on journeys of their own. Narithstraz carefully descended, picking a spot large enough for his enormous bulk.

As he settled, a man in colorful violet and golden robes, complimented with a deep violet cloak strode up to them. The gryphons landed gracefully behind Narithstraz, and their riders quickly scrambled off their mounts. Well, except Hendrig. He seemed to have caught his foot in a stirrup, and Rash struggled to help him while Mitsume struggled to hide her amusement behind her hand. Kaihlyn and Dro’gath carefully climbed down one of Narithstraz’s forearms, and turned to greet the new comer that approached them.

He was human and rather tall for one at that, on a height with Rash it seemed to Dro. His eyes betrayed no feelings of enmity however, and he smiled as he greeted them.

“Welcome to Dalaran, my name is Behldan. We have been expecting you for some time now.” The man was older, and almost completely bald. A band of grey hair clung to his head matched by thick grey eyebrows. His face however, was clean shaven, if only slightly wrinkled. The new comer took them all in with his gaze, but finally he settled his focus on Kaihlyn. “It is an honor Kaihlyn Do’marin, Dalaran extends her hospitality to you and your party.” The man bowed, flourishing his cloak behind him.

Kaihlyn returned a curtsy and gave a return smile to the man. “I thank you Behldan, I was not confident that the Kirin Tor would greet me so warmly, considering my choice of practicing the arcane…”

Behldan nodded thoughtfully as he recovered from his bow. “I believe the Council shares my beliefs that there must always be room for change, there must always be room for adaptation. We have come to accept some things that we previously did not. And besides, not all have forgotten what you have done for us.” The smile returned to the man’s face. “No, quite the contrary. Despite your best efforts to hide yourself behind a wall of ambiguity we remember. The Kirin Tor will accept you with open arms.”

Behldan’s gaze once again took in the rest of the group. “Accommodations have been prepared for you. And your mounts,” his gaze only touched the gryphons with those words. “will be taken care of. And as for you…” He stared up into the eyes of the red dragon before him. “It is an honor Narithstraz. To see you here with Kaihlyn strengthens my heart, and my resolve. It also shows me that she is indeed still fighting against the corruption that plagues our land.”

“The honor is mine Behldan of the Kirin Tor.” The rumbling voice all but shook the stones they stood on. “I will always be ready to soar with you Ko’rachim Des’bain Flam Shale.” The last was to Kaihlyn, and with that Narithstraz leapt into the sky, and disappeared quickly over the horizon.

The party watched the departure of the dragon, and all returned their attention to Behldan who spoke first. “As I said, accommodations have been made and unfortunately we must make haste. Rhonin has requested your audience this evening in the Violet Citadel.” Behldan turned, and gestured them to follow. Dro’gath hefted several packs in his arms, and strode after him. Kaihlyn followed right behind, and was soon joined by Mitsume. Rash and Hendrig brought up the rear, the both of them complaining about carrying the women’s necessities.