In the centre of an endless meadow bowl, a stage appears. The meadow
appears smoothly slanted, and perfectly round, until closer inspection
reveals that it is, in fact, tiered and lopsided, with one flat side,
almost clifflike, while the other sides are, in fact, perfectly round.
The tiers are large enough -- and small enough -- to fit every denizen
of, and visitor to, Alfandra, each in a spot that is so comfortable to
them, it is like it was built exactly for them. The entire bowl, and
the area around it, is carpeted in grass so full, thick, and green, that
it has an almost mattress-like quality to it. Even the cliff side is
carpeted in the same grass, which helped the farr-off illusion that it
was round.
The stage is a castle turret. It is raised off the ground, but even so,
every spot in the front of the bowl has a clear view of it. Even were
the smallest visitor to the meadow seated behind the tallest, still both
would have a perfectly unobstructed view. But whether that is because
the smaller was raised or the larger was lowered is impossible to tell,
as the tiers themselves do not move, nor do the visitors sizes change.
On the stage stands a black dragon, one known to many, and friend to
all. He speaks, seemingly in a normal tone of voice, as no echoes
permeate the air in the bowl, yet all in and around Alfandra can clearly
hear the proclimation:
"Come, friends. Come and see the results of the competition in March.
Come see one of your own receive his long-awaited reward."
The black dragon lays down on the stage to wait. Although no time is
spoken, all who hear the words intuitively know that the event will
occur on Sunday, as the time is told in the "Real World" in the Western
hemisphere.
The black waits, apparently asleep, yet taking note of everything, to
await the coming of the people, and, especially, the one receiving the
reward.
Lord Flame Stryke
--
DC2.D~ Gm L120f60t180w W T Phawlt Sks Cbk,ere' Bfl A+++! Fr++ Nm M+ O H+
$ Fc~ R+++! Ac+++ J+ S++ U! I# V+++! Q Tc++ E++
Draco nigrum, oculi rubere, suppositus, magus.
Holder of the Scroll of Nobility from Lady Viriatha, Keeper of the Wand
of Sparklies in its case from Hex, Wielder of the Lady Viri Signature
4x8 from Ysable, Eater of the Mint Cheesecake from Whisper, Mate to Lady
Viriatha, Owner of Flame Stryke's Windex® Factory, Lord Balloonmaker,
Borrower of the Ebony Wood Fife from Luxatos, Accepter of the Small
Statue of a Green Dragon Covered in Ice Cream Toppings from Juniper,
Employer of a miniature Jester doll from SeaKing, Bearer of the Magic
Ever-Bill from SeaKing, Carrier of the gold piece from whisper: o,
Builder of Dragon Fyre Keep, First Dragon of Realism, Giver of the
Pickaxe of Icebreaking to Kalos, Winner of the *shiny* riddle award from
Pegasus, Wearer of the big *shiny* medal of posting-ness from Pegasus,
Taker of the Gold Medal for Most Posts in March 2007 (369), Aquirer of
the little blue flower from Pegasus
--
"Frankfort, Kentucky, makes it against the law to shoot off a
policeman's tie." -- Herd Thinners
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