The Crosslink Saga is a story spanning years and years.
I am no hero in this story. I am merely the one who lives on to tell this tale.
I will begin in the woods.
I had crossed the border into Aden's northernmost reaches six weeks earlier.
It would take a bit of explaining to understand why I was sent here,
so I will spare you.
Unless, of course, you have time to listen.
I digress. Local law forbade the use of my wings.
So, this long journey had been made on foot.
Branch by branch. Bush by bush. Vines by vines by endless tangle of vines.
I was tired. Exhausted beyond compare. Hungry. Thirsty.
I am no hero in this story. I am merely the one who lives on to tell this tale.
I will begin in the woods.
I had crossed the border into Aden's northernmost reaches six weeks earlier.
It would take a bit of explaining to understand why I was sent here,
so I will spare you.
Unless, of course, you have time to listen.
I digress. Local law forbade the use of my wings.
So, this long journey had been made on foot.
Branch by branch. Bush by bush. Vines by vines by endless tangle of vines.
I was tired. Exhausted beyond compare. Hungry. Thirsty.
This is not me. I am not a bird.
This is me. I am a dragon.
I had been in those woods for what felt like years.
This journey was the first time I truly learned what hunger is. I had been hungry before.
This was different.
I could, under normal circumstances, last about a month with no food.
But it had been two months since I had last eaten.
I was delirious. I was so far gone, that when I saw the edge of the woods, I shrieked.
I had been in those woods for what felt like years.
This journey was the first time I truly learned what hunger is. I had been hungry before.
This was different.
I could, under normal circumstances, last about a month with no food.
But it had been two months since I had last eaten.
I was delirious. I was so far gone, that when I saw the edge of the woods, I shrieked.
ARCTURUS:
LAND HO!!!
LAND HO!!!
My wife, a fae folk named Satyra, had been at my side for this journey.
Unlike me, she does not need to eat.
She was however quite concerned over my predicament (and deteriorating mental state).
On several occasions, she offered to charm the wildlife into offering itself as a meal.
I refused on moral and ethical grounds.
This was good for my conscience, but bad for my hunger.
Unlike me, she does not need to eat.
She was however quite concerned over my predicament (and deteriorating mental state).
On several occasions, she offered to charm the wildlife into offering itself as a meal.
I refused on moral and ethical grounds.
This was good for my conscience, but bad for my hunger.
SATYRA:
I still don't understand why you won't fly.
We could have completed that whole trek in just one week.
I still don't understand why you won't fly.
We could have completed that whole trek in just one week.
It's illegal under Adenian law to fly without a permit!
Dumb. You're a dragon. What will they do, arrest you? I'd like to see them try.
Right, I'm sure I'd escape instantly.
I'd probably screw up and end up glassbound if I got arrested here.
I'd probably screw up and end up glassbound if I got arrested here.
Wait. That... It's a city! A real city!!
CIVILIZATION!! SWEET, SWEET SOCIETY!!
CIVILIZATION!! SWEET, SWEET SOCIETY!!
It was then, that I saw it.
Tolikra. The city I would call home.
The city where I met the heroes of this tale.
Those heroes... they were my best friends.
In the long, long time since I left, I can safely say I have never met such wonderful people elsewhere.
My wife... Was not so impressed.
Tolikra. The city I would call home.
The city where I met the heroes of this tale.
Those heroes... they were my best friends.
In the long, long time since I left, I can safely say I have never met such wonderful people elsewhere.
My wife... Was not so impressed.
Well, have fun with your mortals in that cacophanous iron zoo.
I, meanwhile, will lounge in tranquility upon beds of verdant moss.
My ears, treated to dulcet birdsong by morning, and the calls of the undergrowth by night.
Should you get bored, my dear, you are welcome to join me.
I, meanwhile, will lounge in tranquility upon beds of verdant moss.
My ears, treated to dulcet birdsong by morning, and the calls of the undergrowth by night.
Should you get bored, my dear, you are welcome to join me.
Is that so?
Please get bored soon. I miss you already.
I love you, my dear wife.
I love you too, you dork.
It would only be two weeks before she got bored and entered the city anyway.
But for now, I will introduce the other newcomer to Tolikra.
A peculiar swordswoman named Addie.
But for now, I will introduce the other newcomer to Tolikra.
A peculiar swordswoman named Addie.