Princess Karn Virta Tornal Val’Emris walked through the streets of Valla wishing she had some way to blend in, despite all of King Beowulf warnings of what to expect the staring and whispers were quite overwhelming. Even so, she couldn’t blame them, if she saw one of the beings responsible for driving her people underground strolling through her home she would likely take issue with that as well.

The city was beautiful, the buildings were carved into the stone of the cave walls and the clang of hammers on anvils rang through the streets. She gazed in wonder as she moved through the throngs of people, carts pulled by giant moles moved in dedicated lanes with guards occasionally stepping out to direct traffic and allow people to cross the street.

She saw Dwarves of course but she saw also Humans, Elves, Beastfolk, and many more people but most of them were just visitors, few relished living underground after all.

Her distracted thoughts were brought to a halt by a sudden flash of pain, she looked down to see a young dwarf who hadn’t even hit puberty yet shoving a kitchen knife into her leg, the crowd around her stopped dead in its tracks and everyone in it had gone deathly pale.

They were all looking at her with fear and panic in their eyes, even the young dwarfs face had gone from burning rage to the shock of one who’s realized he’s started something he can’t win.

Karn reached down and pulled out the knife, she cast a quick healing spell to seal the wound, afterwards she wiped the blood from the knife and held the blade pointed the hilt to the boy,

“You really should be more careful running in a crowd like this when holding a knife, someone could get seriously hurt.” Understanding dawned in the boy's eyes and he took the knife, she heard sighs of relief travel through the crowd as she continued walking towards the palace.

The outside of the King’s palace was every bit as ornate and opulent as Beowulf always told her it was, the walls were painted gold and covered in jewels while the courtyard was full of huge stone statues of past kings, queens, and heroes.

As Karn approached the palace gates she was greeted by a dwarf woman with fiery red hair and a quite gorgeous mustache in a green dress waiting for her “Welcome Princess Val’Emris, I am Lady Heith advisor to King Beowulf. I hope you found our city most delightful” she smiled warmly but her eyes were cold.

Karn bowed low “Your city is most beautiful. I am honored to be invited by his majesty.”

Lady Heith nodded and signaled for Karn to follow her and so they entered the palace, walking in silence through the halls adorned with tapestries, paintings, and vases, all depicting the history of the Dwarven people. Karn gazed in wonder at it all.

Finally, they reached the door to the throne room and in the rotunda just before it stood a statue of a dwarven woman in rags standing atop the head of a dragon.

“Brunhilde the Slayer!” Karn said excitedly as she looked at the statue “By the Serpent it is even more impressive than his words ever communicated”

Lady Heith raised an eyebrow “I wouldn’t have expected the Slayer to be a favorite of yours… considering.”

Karn laughed “I suppose not, but on one of King Beowulf’s diplomatic visits with my father he sang me her tale and I was enchanted. To risk everything for the sake of your people against impossible odds is admirable, besides despite what some in the Dragon Court say it’s undeniable that we were the villains.”

Lady Heith almost looked impressed “Yes, well we can talk history later. His Highness was most excited to meet you.”

Karn followed as the noble dwarf led her to the doors which swung open as if by magic, and as she entered a deep masculine voice called out.

“Now entering the honored Princess Karn Virta Tornal Val’Emris of the Dragon Kingdoms.” Karn straightened her back and kept her eyes forward, just as Beowulf had instructed her many times when he discussed Dwarven customs.

She could hear the gasps as people saw her eyes, and the whispers wondering why she was here and if it was truly wise to trust a “scheming lizard”.

King Beowulf sat upon his throne in polished iron armor and with diamonds braided into his silver beard, he looked at her impassive and imperious.

It was only once she reached the foot of the steps to the throne that his mask finally broke,

“Ha ha, welcome Princess of Dragons. I pray the journey to my dear home was not too difficult for you?” He stood from his throne and wrapped her in a hug until she gasped for air.

Karn recomposed herself then smiled “I thank you for your welcome, oh most noble King Beowulf. I had no trouble on my journey. Your city is beautiful and your people are most kind and welcoming.”

Beowulf snorted “You really are too polite for your own good sometimes, most would find being stabbed rather unwelcoming.”

Karn laughed awkwardly and scratched her cheek “I suppose but can I truly blame the boy, we both know our people’s history is not one of friendship until very recently.”

He nodded “You really will make a fine ruler one day girl. Now come let us enjoy some good food and talk more. I want to hear news of your father and the court and of course your journey here.”

Karn smiled as she followed the Dwarven king out of the throne room and back through the halls of his palace, they stopped in another rotunda this time with a statue of Beowulf himself, he rang a small bell and a green skinned Elven girl arrived in a maids uniform.

“What can I do for you m’lord?” she said in a high voice with a low bow.

King Beowulf smiled “If you’re not too busy Azalia could you show our guest here to a room and help her clean up and get dressed for the feast tonight?”

The young elf nodded quickly then gazed in wonder at Karn

“Come with me, your ladyship, right this way and we’ll get you looking fresh.”

Karn smiled and followed after the young elf as the King began walking another direction.

“If you don’t mind me asking Azalia, how do you manage to navigate this palace? It's huge.”

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Azalia laughed “Practice mostly my lady. The first three days of a servant's training are devoted entirely to learning to navigate the palace.”

Karn nodded “I see, that makes sense I suppose.”

The maid stopped in front of a door and took out a ring full of keys, she removed a key from the ring, unlocked the door and then put it back.

The room was painted blue with beautiful white carpeting and a massive bed. Azalia smiled as she opened a door to a giant bathroom with a huge pool like tub “You can wash up in here my lady. Do you need assistance or would you prefer to do things yourself?”

Karn smiled and dipped her head “I appreciate the offer but I prefer to do such simple tasks myself.”

Azalia bowed “I will leave you to it then ma’am. I’ll be here preparing your outfit if you have need of me.”

She closed the door behind herself and settled comfortably into the warm water of the pool feeling her muscles and soreness ease.

After bathing and getting dressed Karn stood there looking at herself in the mirror, the black dress was sleeveless showing off her shoulders and it only reached down to her knees “the King wishes me to be bold I see. Many of my scales will be on full display.”

Azalia smiled sympathetically “Yes. His majesty felt it would be good to emphasize your draconic heritage so that when people speak with you they see that dragons aren’t all the cruel beasts of legend”

She nodded as the maid continued speaking, going over the planned events for the party and feast.

She tried her best to listen but found herself failing. Something was wrong, she didn’t know what yet but she could feel it.

The feast hall was filled with hundreds of people, the banners of Valla hung from the pillars, the golden mountain on the banners shone in the light of the lamps.

The nobility of Valla wore their best dresses and suits as they laughed and talked. She heard talks of marriage alliances, trade deals, and the ever popular scandalous gossip.

The room fell silent as a horn blared and a steward introduced her to the room.

“Now entering Princess Karn Virta Tornal Val’Emris, Respected friend of the King!”

The silence continued as she made her way into the room, all the eyes in the room bored into her, the whispers followed as she passed and as usual Karn found herself wishing more people knew just how good draconic ears were,to the assembled nobles their voices were hushed tones, to her they were like a drum blasting directly into her ears.

“How dare she strut in here showing off her scales!” she heard a man mumble to his group.

“Why does his majesty insist on entertaining these vile monsters?” a woman whispered with a giggle.

Karn found herself wondering if coming here truly was a wise choice, she had expected a cold reception but she hadn’t planned for outright hostility.

Before she could do anything else the trumpet blared again and the steward shouted through the room again “All rise for the Great and Mighty King Beowulf Valla The Fourth.”

Karn clapped along with the other nobles around her and joined the crowd waiting to greet the king.

As he made his way through the crowd he brightened at the sight of her “Ah there you are my friend!” He patted her hard on the back “Lady Heith picked this out and her choice was absolutely perfect.”

Karn smiled and nodded “Indeed I wasn’t sure when I first put it on but it’s grown on me.”

The King laughed again “Yes, yes. Now follow me there’s someone I’d like to introduce you to.”

Karn followed the King through the crowd and they soon reached a table of dwarves in colorful clothes with wide brim hats. As soon as they caught sight of the King they all stood and saluted immediately.

“Welcome My Lord.” said a black mustached dwarf woman wearing an orange and blue striped uniform with a bandolier of pistols on her chest, and a red feather in her hat.

“I’m glad you’re here Captain, there's someone I’d like you to meet. Princess Karn, might I introduce Captain Hyndla Ragvir.”

Karn put out a hand and smiled “A pleasure to meet you Captain.”

The woman glared at her a moment then sighed and took her hand “A pleasure I suppose.”

The King coughed awkwardly “The Princess is a heck of a mage. I think she might be able to help get through that little road block you were complaining about in your report.”

The glare came back even stronger now “With all due respect your majesty but do you truly think it wise to allow a dragon into the tunnels of the sacred ancestors?”

A small smile formed on the king’s lips “I understand your hesitation, really I do, however Karn has always been honest with me even when she maybe shouldn’t have. I know what you’ve dealt with and I’m not trying to disrespect you. I really think she can help” He looked into the ranger’s eyes for a long silent moment.

Hyndla frowned and said nothing further, Karn glanced between the King and Hyndla unsure what was going on or what to say.

Suddenly Karn’s whirling thoughts were interrupted by a sharp stinging pain inside her head.

She activated her mage sight and began looking around, her face fell as she examined the room. The King placed a hand on her side “Something wrong Karn?” his voice was tinged with concern.

She frowned and looked at him “I think so, I felt a sharp pain in my head and my mage sight shows a trail of tainted mana through the whole room. I don’t see the source though.”

Hyndla frowned “Tainted mana?”

Karn nodded “It’s mana from dark magic. Curses, necromancy, daemon summonings, that sort of thing. Best guess from me is that someone is wearing a cursed object.”

Hyndla and the king frowned and looked at each other. It almost looked to her like some sort of silent communication.

Before anyone could say anything more, an ear splitting scream broke through the chatter. And all three of them began rushing through the panicked crowd.

“Damn” Karn swore as she looked at what once had been a dwarven noblewoman but had now become some sort of monster. Sharp spikes protruded from the woman's back, her nails had become claws, her teeth had become pointed, and her eyes turned completely black.

Karn turned to Beowulf “This is bad. She's been possessed by a spirit, I can exorcize it but I need to move fast. Do I have your permission to use my magic, my lord?”

The king nodded to her “Work fast and well girl.” She nodded and turned back around to face the creature, tracing a sigil in the air quickly, she surrounded the possessed woman with a golden dome-like magical barrier. “That should keep her in place while I work.”

She quickly pulled chalk from her spacial storage ring “Apologies your grace” she began drawing a magic circle around the dome filling the three layers with draconic sigils.

She placed her hand on the circle and it began to glow purple. The possessed woman began to scream and pound on the barrier, with each strike cracks slowly began forming.

Hyndla moved next to her brass knuckles on both hands “I’ll keep her off you if the dome breaks. Do your thing”

She didn’t reply to the ranger and instead began chanting in draconic as she poured mana into the circle. The spell finished just as the barrier broke and the woman fell to the ground groaning, her clothes torn, and blood coming from her nose.

Karn panted as she staggered over to the woman and removed a strange necklace she was wearing. She grunted as she stood, “This woman will need a healer, do any of you know where she got this necklace? It's the cause of this mess.”

Karn suppressed a flare of anger as nobody so much as glanced at her.

“Hey!” a voice boiling with barely concealed rage stunned the crowd “Didn’t you hear her? Someone knows the woman right? She didn’t sneak in, I'm sure.” Hyndla had a hand resting on one of the pistols still holstered in the bandolier on her chest but shot only glares at the noble spectators.

One shaking man stepped forward “I’m her uh her husband Ori. She uh well… she didn’t say precisely where she got it um but she did mention that the merchant was a traveling avian beast-kin with fine blue plumage.”

Karn frowned “Not a lot to go on but if he’s selling cursed paraphernalia I might be able to track him. With your permission of course your majesty.”

The King rubbed his beard “Take Hyndla with you, and try to find this fool before anything else happens.

Hyndla was already halfway out the door while checking her pistols and ammunition, “Come along, seems like we got some work to do.”