The Dragon Stone

Mankato remembered one of the holders of history, one that he befriended many years before. A native by the name of Elsa, he greeted Mankato with a joyful smile. Fallowed by a grand welcoming and a warn greeting. Well old friend, Elsa said to Mankato what brings you to my door. Well Elsa my old friend I need to find the history on something that has been band for many hundreds of years, and was thought to have been forgotten. Well don’t keep rambling on tell me what it is you need to know, and I will see what I have in my memory.                                                                                                                             
                                You know of the dragon stone right, what do you think I am an idiot! Cut in Elsa. NO I am trying to get to what it is I am going to ask. Well I will just get to the point then, and ask you direct. What do you know of the language of the dragon stone? Elsa’s face went pale, and said not a word for what seemed to Mankato an eternity. When Elsa finally spoke he explained of the amount of time which had passed. Old friend what you ask has not been spoken aloud in many centuries. Evan I a holder of history did not know that there was a language of the dragon stone.                                                                 
                                                                                                          It would seem that there was at one time quite a different language all dragons spoke. Could you tell me of this language of the dragon stone, and does history tell of any one other then the dragons which knew of this language? What could you tell me other then what I already know. Well there is one thing of interest I could tell you, and that is back when the dragons decided to stop using this language it was decided that there should be one to keep this knowledge of the dragon stone alive.
                                                          This one dragon would be the only one alive with the knowledge of this dragon stone and the language. He than would go where no one would ever find him or know of his whereabouts until such a time he would be needed. Then it would be upon him to say weather he would speak the words that were not to be spoken. He was to be the only one, and there were no others. Yes that is correct there are no others that would know of the dragon stone and the language, would his name have been Wolof; Mankato ask Elsa?
                                          How do you know of this? No one alive should know his name, and what else do you know about this Wolof? Have you heard of the Elfins which where killed a few weeks ago Mankato ask. I have said Elsa, what have they to do with Wolof? They were called by the Elfins the keepers, and they knew of the dragon stone and the language. The have been using it for centuries, and from what I have been told they have over the years figured out every secret this ancient language holds, how cut in Elsa. Recently I paid the high Elfin priest Ham iota a visit, and he told me this old tail of the Elfin culture about the dragon named Wolof, who was near death.
                                                                                                        The story goes on to say how these Elfin people healed this dragon, and as payment and a way to thank them for what they have done for him he taught these Elfins the alphabet of the dragon stone language. It would seem Wolof did that which he was supposed to keep from happening. Wolof was the keeper of one secret and if what I have been told is true which it seems it is true, he betrayed this sacred trust. Yes it would spoke Elsa in reply. There is but one way to find out what had happened, and Elsa spoke with a seriousness that Mankato recognized. We must go to the temple of Lord Masus and speak with Wolof. May I ask of you the honor accompanying you on this journey?
                                                                                Elsa and Mankato leaped into the air and they were off. Mankato and Elsa flew without question, and they sword with the soft white midday clouds. Mankato relaxed and took in the beauty that mature offered.  Slowly the Rolling Meadows covered in a rainbow of colors started changing. First there were foot hills with their scattered assortment of trees, but the further the two of them flew the scattered trees became a dense forest. Mankato could see in the mist of this great forest what seems to him as this great city.  What someone would think was a capital city where a kingdom was ruled.
                                            Without a word said, Elsa and Mankato began to descend to this fabulous city. What is this place asks Mankato? My friend this is where it all started, this is that place where the dragon stone and this ancient language the language of the Elfins were brought together. This is the city of the Lost Empire. In the center of this lost city is the temple of Lord Masus the lord of every dragon.
                                                                                            Elsa, I never heard of this temple or this dragon lord you call Masus. Well this is a vary reasonable answer for your lack of knowledge, and that is this. You see old friend lord Masus is tied to the stone and the language of the stone. History says as part of the breaking of the stone and the language, being that Lord Masus was the creator of both it was agreed that Lord Masus should be left in the past along with this ancient language.
                                                                                            This is part of what today is referred to as the Lost Empire, there is so much more involved with this story than any could possible know. Come with me, Elsa ask Mankato, we must speak with Wolof. As Elsa and Mankato approached the great temple of Lord Masus, Elsa spoke in the word of the dragon stone, and the massive stone door covered in many centuries of dust rumbled to life.
          For the first time in many thousands of years light was seen inside the temple of Lord Masus. History tells of a time Lord Masus and the Elfin were peaceful in their relations with one another. History also speaks of a time that the language of the dragon stone was of Elfin origins. Which is why today the dragon stone welds its magic without the language being spoken? If this was the way history tells, why didn’t the Elfin’s remember this language in their own tongue?
                                                                        This old friend is not written within my memory, but I would say this is something the high elfin priest Ham iota may know. Is the temple of Lord Masus where we’ll find Wolof? Yes it is, but before we enter let me tell you a bit of the history of Lord Masus and this temple. Before Lord Masus this temple was known as the temple of Lard Laird. You see with the changing if each dragon lord the temple also changes names. After Wolof passes on the temple will be known as the temple of Wolof. I am not going to go through each and every name change this temple has had. I just want to share a bit of the history with you.
                                                                                                      If what you have said is the truth this temple will never be known as the temple of Lord Wolof. May we enter and speak with Wolof, and hope we find what we know to be untruthful. If what you say is found to be true you realize what you need to do my friend Mankato. As the two of them, Elsa, and Mankato entered the great hall where they saw the Paladin warriors who once rode upon the dragon brotherhood.
                                                      Wolof, roared Mankato with a booming voice. Wolof come forth we need to speak with you. Wolof it seems to Mankato small as far as the size of dragons go, but there is a reason for Wolof being here in this place, the greatest temple of dragon Dom. Wolof in his day was the premiere warrior dragon, and he and his paladin rider were never defeated in battle.
                                                                    Wolof slowly made his way to the canter of the hall where he spoke to both Elsa and Mankato, asking why you are here in my temple, and what do you want of me. I have not called upon you; yet you are here in my temple calling upon me. I do not serve you; you are to serve me upon my calling. Silent roared Mankato silent, you will be silent, and you will answer our questions.
                                                                                                              Many years ago you were injured and near death; is this true. Wolof erupted with anger, who do you think you are coming to my temple demanding of me things that are none of your concern. Elsa and Mankato in one motion step forward; Elsa said to Wolof you will answer our question, were you injured or near death? With his anger still in his eyes Wolof reconsidered and relaxed his anger. I will answer you your question, I was injured all those years ago, and may I ask why you have come all this way to ask me this.
                                                                                            We ask you this hoping that what happened afterwards is not true. Were you hurt and near death and healed by some Elfins? I was, and I have waited all these years wondering if what I have done was right. I know why you are here, and yes I did that which I was sworn to keep secret. I did give to the Elfins the script of the dragon stone as payment for their kindness, but that is all. This happened many years ago why you travail all this distance to ask about something so trivial.
          Wolof you have spoken an oath when you became lord of this temple, and you were to uphold all that this temple stands upon. Yes this I have spoken and I have upheld all that this temple is built upon. No Wolof you have not; you have betrayed that which you have swore an oath to uphold. The price for what you have done has been great. Not only have the Elfin’s learned our language they have taught it to an outsider by the name of Hoaxers. For what you have done your name from this day onward will be the betrayer; never again will you be spoken as Wolof.
                                                                                You will not have you’re your name written in this temple or the Paladin Hall, and here today for what you have done as Elsa as my witness I challenge you and your rider to fight until one of us are dead. With this Mankato roared with a great thunderous voice Amos paladin warrior, and out of nowhere appeared Amos the paladin rider of the black dragon Mankato. Steal of Mankato and in the hand of this paladin warrior was the sparkling black sword of Mankato; named Raven.
          Amos was a young man in his mid twenties with black hair that hung past his shoulders, and a physical build. He stood beside Mankato and without saying a word he knew what Mankato wanted of him. Amos rider of Mankato will slay Wolof and his rider. Wolof, and his rider the most celebrated dragon and rider ever to take to the sky. None present except for Wolof know the name of his rider, just his nature. Many a man has died from the blade of Wolof when in the hands of his rider, and Amos would be the paladin warrior this rider will battle.
                                                          Mankato and his rider Amos while not as well known as Wolof and his rider also have never lost a battle. Call forth your rider Wolof lets finish this, and Wolof did so. Standing beside Wolof was has rider when Amos ask this unnamed rider; shall we do battle sattled or standing? We will so this standing replied Wolof rider. You see there are two ways these challenges can take place, one is sattled riding your dragon, and the other standing with sword in hand.
                                                                                                    With the clashing of blades the challenge between Mankato and Wolof was on. The echoes thundered around the great hall; one would attack and the other would counter. It was the rider of Wolof doing the attacking for the most part; while Amos was the one doing the countering. The nameless rider with great power and a vast amount of experience played with Amos using moves Amos never before saw. The nameless rider, like Wolof though that he was unbeatable, that no one could better them in battle.
                                                                                So the nameless rider would bring his blade low, and then high playing Amos as the fool. He toyed with the young rider he consider not his equal. This the nameless rider had done for more then an hour, and Amos showed no fear, made no mistake; Amos would just counter and counter. At first that is all Amos would do is counter, he would study this nameless rider and counter. The rider would say to Amos in a mocking tone such things that may anger him, but Amos paid this nameless rider no attention.
                                                  You the rider of the legendary Mankato; Amos the Great the unbeatable paladin warrior today you die. Some say you are a greater warrior then I, but to be the best you first have to defeat me. I am the greatest swordsman I was he who battled Luther the rider of Lord Masus. I am he who laid Luther and his blade to rest. You come here at the request of Mankato; do you even know the reasons Mankato ask you to die? Still Amos would not show this rider any reaction; he kept doing what he had done before, and counters.
                                With every move the rider of Wolof made Amos would just counter and study until he could find the one weakness the rider may have. As the fight went on the minutes turned into hours, and it was the rider of Wolof which started to anger. Amos thought maybe it is the weakness he had been searching for, and this may be his only weakness. With this insight it was time for Amos to go on the attack.
                                                                                                            Amos stepped back with raven raised strait over his head, and when the nameless rider had seen this he disengaged and they both came to rest. It is a custom of all riders when one wants a fight to cease they request so in this fashion, and the other combatant has to honor this request. It was not Amos that wanted this pause, but Mankato. So Mankato stepped to the center of the paladin hall, and Wolof stood opposite him asking; why have you stopped this fight? It was you who came here to my temple; it was you that challenged my rider and me to this battle. Mankato said to Wolof I ask my rider for this so that you and I may finish this. This fight is between you and me not our riders; it should be either you or I that have to die not our riders.
                                              Wolof and Mankato stood opposite one another, and one could see that Mankato size would give him great advantage if they were to battle each other. It was Wolof who spoke first saying; no I leave this fight to our riders. It was you that put your young rider in this fight against my rider who has never fought his equal. Your rider’s death will rest upon your shoulders not mine. With this Wolof fell silent; Mankato said to Wolof I do not ask this out of concern for my rider, but rather concern for your rider. I know my rider and the way he fights, and before it go to far I ask you one last time. Wolof stood in silence while Mankato spoke one last time; Wolof one of us will die, but our riders if you and me finish this will live.
                                                                                  While Mankato spoke anger built in Wolof to his breaking point. Wolof roared you coward; your afraid your man child will die, but before Wolof could finish what he was saying Amos stepped forward and said to Mankato; enough. Mankato said not another word and went stood beside Elsa. In one movement Amos leaped in the air and drove raven in the heart of Wolof and he died instantly. It was Amos this time speaking; I Amos am speaking for myself and my dragon, and I this time offer you one last chance to end this fight.
                                                                                                          With this abrupt change it now was the nameless rider who found himself on the defensive. Amos now was the one doing the talking; saying I am not here to die at your hand. I came here to bring down the betrayer, the betrayer you represent. I know not your name and I do not wish to know, but before I lay you open I give you this opportunity to speak you name. You say I have to kill you to be considered the best rider; I ask you this one question why do you even consider such thoughts? We riders do not fight to be the best; we do not fight for fan Dom. We fight for that which is right; we fight for those that cannot fight for themselves.
                  That which this temple is built upon does not hold a rider responsible for the wrongs his dragon does. You the rider of betrayer have a choice; you have to decide for yourself if what the betrayer has done was wrong. You have to decide if what the betrayer has done broke his oath. You know as I that if a dragon or his rider breaks an oath the other has to either defend his partner or oppose him in breaking that oath. I await your decision.