After fleeing from the Elven Woods, Attentus & Liliana Vess embarked for the mountains.
Scavenging food from scarce shrubs, hunting for occasional birds or other animals they reached the Dragonskull Summit - officially their property, but largely undiscovered.
Attentus encouraged Liliana to 'broaden the horizons', and she took that offer cautiously but warmly.
Aside from sightseeing & exploration, they wished to pay a visit to the Shivan Dragon they used to summon & bargain with long ago.
Travelling for weeks, they passed marshes & mountains ... and closed to the Summit ... when by an accident Liliana noticed a cave opening at the side of the mountain.
'Let's rest there for a while, my legs hurt already too much, and night is approaching soon anyway' - she complained gently to Attentus.
'Alright, but let's be cautious - there might be bears or other animals inside'.
They set a torch alight, and approached cautiously.
Opening was dark ... but they saw a light flickering deep inside.
'Civilization?' Attentus told this in this snide-joke tone.
'Let's hope it's not too primitive for our tastes', Liliana replied sharply to his manners.
They went in slowly, with torches in one hand, and daggers in another.
They noticed rails, for mining carts reaching in ... and approached further.
'Who goesssss ?!?' - high pitched, wary tone welcomed them from inside.
'We are just travellers, seeking shelter from the night. We didn't foresee the civilization there. And who are You?' - Attentus this time was more polite.
'We are the Great Kobold Tribe of the Dragonskull!. If you came to rest & trade, your goods and services might be welcome! Come inside!' - Kobold was excited for no apparent reason.
With their guide leading, they marched through the mines, attracting vary glances of the hard-working kobolds at the metal & crystal veins. Then they entered the Halls, something similar to Ancient City, with Statues, Cobwebs, and occasinal torch stands.
'This is our Kher Keep, i'll lead you to an Inn. Do not make troubles! We have warrens with weapons here, and more!' - He explained in his fast, excited, high-pitched & hissy voice.
Inn was nothing more than some roofs & campfires with roasted food, some bear rugs and beer kegs placed in open.
'So what do you have to offer? Gold? Gems? Weapons?' - He asked them before they approached innkeeper.
'We travelled far, seeking for Ancient Magick. We can make Your tribe stronger by our Secrets, Artifacts & Powers' - Liliana used her seductive, hushed, slightly hissy voice that mimicked Kobold tongues.
'Artifacts! Lore! - i'll inform our Wisefolk, you wait here and eat!' - He told and ran off.
Attentus & Liliana enjoyed the roasted meat & watered down beer in moderation, despite their hunger. Manners required them to do so.
After meal & drink they were cuddling each other by the fire, speaking softly of the private matters .... then a kobold that looked like Old Shaman appeared.
'Do you know of Planeswalking?' - he started openly.
'Yes ... ' Attentus looked at him and told cautiously, as Liliana held his hand.
'You must lead us to the Ancient Doors of Destinies, so we can be strong again. For that we will pay handsomely. And do not think of causing trouble, or we'll awaken the Dragon' - his voice was cautious, excited and menacing for a hissing, raspy kobolds.
'We can agree to terms' - Attentus carried the conversation - 'And we wish to parley with Shivan Dragon'.
'Dragon is sleeping, didn't you hear?!? - After You show us something promising we'll wake her!'
Then he sat by Attentus & Liliana, and exchanged tales of Tribe's Past, when another Planeswalker led them ... they forgot her name. Now they formed Alliance with Dragon, who protected them for their mining services & other assistance. But the Tribe dreamt still about retaining former Glory, Dragon cared not.
Shaman explained that Doors of Destinies are places hidden & protected by old Magick, perhaps damaged by time. 'They can make even meekest very strong - so our fathers told' - he explained.
Then Attentus told them these and those of more colorful parts of their adventures, and revealed that they are allied with Vampyre Clan of nearby swamps, catacombs & castles.
'We shall see how it goes - You better find the Doors!' kobold insisted.
'As soon as we can. Caution is neccessary, and this takes time & effort'.
Nodding, kobold left them to sleep by fire, they decided they will plan what to do next, tomorrow.
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