"I still feel that I must object to you entering the city until my cohorts and I have secured the barrier .
This city is far better defended than our usual targets. If you are discovered and we haven't secured the barrier yet, then they will lock the city down and trap you within. " replied Augustus.
"I appreciate your concern for my wellbeing, but this must be done. We would only have a few minutes once you hit the barrier, before they realized that something is going on.
If they delay me while on route to the site, it could completely undermine the plan." Storm replied.
"The resistance needs your leadership, Overlord... Without it, we will soon..."
"The resistance will continue whether I'm there or not! If I perish, another leader will simply take my place. Becides...."
Storm's form blurred as his magic took effect. He shrunk until he resembled a young man in his early to late 20's with bright blue eyes.
His hair was black with a slight dark blue glow that traveled all the way down to his shoulders and he had his simple grey robe with hood as clothing.
"A caged dragon is still a dragon and no one wants to be caught on the same side of the bars as one. " finished Storm.
The elf bowed his head.
"Of course, Overlord. Please forgive my foolishness. "
"Where did your men hide the device?" Asked Storm.
"In a small abandoned warehouse just to the side of where the auction will take place."
Augustus pointed out the building on an large unfolded map of the city and the surrounding area.
"Once the auction starts, you will make your way there and arm the device using the incantation I showed you. Once armed, you have 15 minutes to get clear of the blast radius. " Augustus explained.
"How big is the blast?"
"20 Miles. Enough to destroy the entire city and the surrounding area. " finished Augustus.
"20 miles in 15 minutes? Are you sure you and your men will be able to cover that distance in time?" Asked Storm.
"We elves are fleet of foot. We can cover that distance.
We'll wait until you're clear of the city before abandoning the barrier. "
"No!!! Absolutely not!! As soon as I arm the device, you and your men will get out of the region! Understand?!" Storm exclaimed.
"Yes, sir."
2 Days Later
Storm was standing in front of the large gates that led into the city, a thick stream of people were walking underneath the raised gates into the city.
Two guards were posted on either side of the gates and were scanning the crowd with their eyes as they passed into the city.
"Here's the first trial of this plan." Thought Storm.
He raised his hood, lowered his head, and walked slowly behind a group of people trying to enter the city.
The guards let him pass without giving him a second look.
"So far, so good." Thought Storm.
"You there!! Stop right there!"
Storm's heart sank. He turned to the sound of the voice and saw a single guardsman walking towards him.
"You don't look like one of the auction's clients and I've never seen you here before. What is your business in Storm Helm?"
"I'm here at the request of my master to purchase magical reagents from the markets." Replied Storm.
"Ha!! You? An magister's apprentice? You look more like a street rat to me!"
"I had trouble along the road. "
"Now 'that' I believe! Lower your hood!"
Storm slowly raised his hands to the top of his hood and slowly lowered it.
The guard studied Storm's face for a moment before he spoke.
"All right! We'll let you pass! But don't you DARE cause trouble here! Or you might end up a meal to one of the captured creatures in the city.
We like feeding street rats like you to the 'beasts'. "
Storm nodded his head in understandiing as the guard continued his rounds.
Storm continued walking down the main street towards the market plaza where the auction was scheduled to take place.
Off to the side were stalls where beefy men dressed in colorful clothing and finery were shouting out their wares to the passing crowds.
Meanwhile people barely covered in rags, were sitting on the streets and occasionally begging the passers by for food or coin.
Storm looked at the spectacle and shook his head in disgust.
"Not even the greedy dwarves turn their backs on their kin like this! They truly have no place in their heart for kindness. Not even to each other. " Thought Storm grimly.
The space around him soon opened up as he entered the Plaza.
A massive crowd had gathered and were waiting for the event to start. On a tall wooden stage stood a big balding man with a wicked scar over his left eye.
He was wearing fine clothing like the rest of the merchant class with an obscene amount of jewelery to show off his wealth.
He was eyeing the assembled crowd with a glint of greed.
Several guards were posted beside him, as well as around a large wagon that was hitched to four horses.
A thick white cloth covered the cage that was built on the back of the wagon.
"So they haven't started yet? I'll wait until they reveal the item before making my way to the warehouse. " thought Storm.
A pang of guilt entered his heart as he thought on the poor trapped creature waiting to be sold.
He knew that by going through with this plan, he was not only condemning the humans to death. He was also signing his trapped kin's death warrant with this plan.
"Your sacrifice will be remembered, kin. I only pray that you can forgive me some day for what I must do." Thought Storm.
Apparently satisfied with the turnout, the auctioneer called for everyone's attention.
"Welcome my fellow men and women. I understand that a lot of you have traveled far and must be tired and eager to start.
Therefore I will not take much of your time anymore. I have a special treat for you today. A creature that most only see in their nightmares.
A female of the species that would make a fine mount when broken, or as a limitless source of rare magical reagents if that proves to be too much trouble.
One of the fabled lizards from the mountain fringes!!"
The man pulled the cloth covering the cage and everyone gasped in suprise when they beheld what was in the cage.
Storm's thoughts devolved into a confused mess when he saw who was trapped in the auctioneer 's cage.
"Aurora?" Thought Storm.