Just a Harmless Little Heist....

The dragon smiled.

--

The scholar pulled a white-leather, gold-embroidered book from the shelf. "This contains most holy spells known to the clerics of good deities."

Alistair closed her eyes and enjoyed herself while Sydney continued being paranoid and jumpy.

-

Siegfried took and studied it. "Thank you."

The dragon gently laid his head in her lap.

---

The scholar nodded and continued puttering.

Alistair petted his head, eyes still closed.

-

Siegfried read through the scroll, the others looking over his shoulder as he did.

The dragon rumbled low. Aliond.

--

[ book* ]

The scholar rummaged through his books, looking for more.

Aliond? Alistair questioned mentally.

-

[-facepalm- Yes, book. I fail.]

After a few minutes of half reading the book, Kajaise frowned. "So we really intend to face this person?"

Siegfried nodded. "Of course."

"Why?"

Siegfried sighed and looked up from the book. "First reason; as those who possess power greater than the normal person, we are obliged to help when we can. Specifically in cases such as these where normal people would not stand a chance. For your second reason, I doubt you will be able to return to your home until this is taken care of. And thirdly, if you are stuck here until this is taken care of, it is best to join with a resistance rather than skulk in a corner letting others take the risk."

Kajaise didn't lose her frown, but said no more on the matter.

He gently touched her forehead with his nose. Alistair. He withdrew and touched his nose with his tail. Aliond.

---

The scholar nodded, poring over books.

Ah. Alistair nodded. A fitting name.

-

After several minutes of studying the book, Siegfried passed it on to Brandice and Clyde to study more in depth. "We need to find out where this person is. Possibly draw him out, preferably somewhere scarcely inhabited, and also preferably before anything more damaging occurs."

The dragon gently curled his tail around her, resting his head in her lap and closing his eyes.

----

"Not going to work. Chessmasters don't come onto the board." The scholar pondered. "Finding his lair is the only choice. Or becoming a big enough nuisance to make him handle you personally, but then you're dragged into his lair on his terms."

Alistair rested comfortably against him.

-

Clyde looked up from the book. "I personally would rather not be dragged anywhere on someone else's terms. It is not a pleasant experience." He rubbed his arm, particularly the jagged scar under his sleeve. "Think that dragon would be able to sniff the lair out somehow?"

Siegfried shrugged and addressed the scholar. "Do dragons have that ability?"

The scholar shrugged. "It's a naturally good dragon, and they can detect evil... But I don't think the Red One will be that easy to find. There are spells to disguise alignment, and he may hide on another plane entirely when not influencing events."

Siegfried sighed and rubbed his face. "I see... Then, as an inhabitant of this world, how would you suggest finding him then?"

He went through his papers, rummaging. "The pattern, the pattern... The key is somewhere in the pattern."

Siegfried watched, feeling a bit weird to not be the one of the most informed people in the room.

He threw his papers into the air and flopped down in an armchair with a heavy sigh.

Siegfried grabbed for the papers. "Careful now. Wouldn't do to lose something."

He huffed softly. When Siegfried takes a close look at the papers, he notices a connection that the scholar hadn't.

Siegfried blinked a few times and spread the papers on the table, pointing out what he noticed. "Look at this."

They point to a connection between some of the most powerful summonings and a small kingdom in the mountains. The scholar blinked and nodded slowly. "A kingdom that small, he could be controlling them all."

Siegfried rubbed his hands together. "So, we know our destination then."

The scholar nodded and began gathering together a pack.

Clyde gave him a quizzical look. "You're coming?"

"I need to finish my research."

Clyde made a face. "But..."

"That is perfectly good." Siegfried waved at Clyde. "The more the merrier."

The scholar nodded, shouldering his pack.

--

Meanwhile, in the clearing, Alistair gets vague impressions of the dragon's dreams as it sleeps, head resting in her lap.