Editing Clash of the Dragons (campaign scenario) (section)

=== Timed events ===
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{{TErow| 1 |day 1|[[Mutare]] made a mistake splitting her forces between [[AvLee]] and [[Erathia]].  She tried to conquer too much, too fast.  Now, with the help of the [[Faerie Dragon]]s I've been able to push her all the way back to the sea.  I'm certain that the [[Elf King]] and the King of [[Erathia]] are cleaning up the [[Nighon]] armies I left behind in my lightning attack.<p>But now the [[Dragon Queen]] has focused all her forces against me.  Not only do I have to cross the sea to get her, but a giant, fortified sandbar as well.  There is much to be done.}}
{{TErow| 4 |day 4|This morning, I received an unexpected letter from the [[Dragontalker]].  She explained that a powerful combination artifact called the [[Power of the Dragon Father|Power of the Dragonfather]] might help me defeat [[Mutare]] and her army.  All the pieces are located in this area.  Unfortunately, some of them are rumored to be in [[Mutare]]'s land.  If I can build it, the [[Power of the Dragon Father|Power of the Dragonfather]] would be a great equalizer.}}
{{TErow| 8 |loc={{red}}|comp stuff|freq=14|computer stuff - DO NOT TRANSLATE|effect=+20 {{m}} [[Mercury]], +20 {{s}} [[Sulfur]], +20 {{c}} [[Crystal]]s, +99999 {{g}} [[Gold]]}}
{{TErow| 10 |day 10|It's been almost a week since I last thought of [[Valita]].  I think I am getting better at forgetting the things that make me happy.  Yet, I've been hearing reports of her efforts to protect [[AvLee]] from the raiding [[Dragon]]s of [[Nighon]].  I smile when I think about it.  So many [[Dragon]]s have been killed that they must fear the mention of her name.<p>And despite myself I wish I was there by her side.}}
{{TErow| 13 |day 13|Another letter from the [[Dragontalker]] reads:<p>"[[Tarnum|Dragonfriend]],<p>I have talked to the Seers who possess the pieces of the [[Power of the Dragon Father|Power of the Dragonfather]].  Seek them out.  Most will ask for some sort of compensation.  The good news is, they've agreed to see only you or someone who flies your banner.  At least [[Mutare]] won't be able to get the [[Power of the Dragon Father|Power of the Dragonfather]] for herself.  Good luck!"}}
{{TErow| 18 |day 18|An Elven scout entered camp today, shivering with fever beneath his torn cloak.  He had been gone for weeks, searching for a passage to [[Mutare]]'s land.<p>"She is a bright one, that [[Dragon Queen]]," the [[Elf]] said, pausing to sneeze a few times.  "The sandbar is a barrier to ships, and there is no land route to her region."<p>"Is there no way to get to her?" I said.<p>He nodded.<p>"I took a fisherman's boat out looking for a way around the sandbar and accidentally got sucked into a [[Whirlpool]].  I thought I was dead, but I came out on the other side soaked to the bone but within sight of [[Mutare]]'s shores!"<p>"A [[Whirlpool]]?  Dangerous, but if it's the only way...at least now we know how the [[Dragon Queen]] got across.  We thank you for you courage.  You're relieved of duty until you rid yourself of that nasty cough.  Now, go find a healer before you give it to me!"}}
{{TErow| 24 |day 24|An [[Elf]] was carried into camp today on a stretcher.  He was weak from his injuries but insisted on talking to me.  I noticed immediately that most of his body was badly burned.  How could he stand so much pain?<p>I knelt by the brave [[Elf]] and said, "You should be resting, brave soldier!  Quickly, what is it you want?"<p>"My commander was Captain...[[Valita]]," he began.<p>My heart froze, refusing to beat again until the injured [[Elf]] spoke.<p>"She's been captured!"<p>"How?" I asked.  It was the only word I could force through my constricted throat.<p>"We heard of a [[Dwarf]] leading some [[Red Dragon]]s.  They were attacking the [[Elf King]]'s supply lines.  [[Valita]] immediately went after them like a woman possessed!"<p>A [[Dwarf]]?  She must've thought she had a chance to catch [[Kurbon]].  I was the only one who knew how much his betrayal had hurt her.  She would've gone after [[Kurbon]], hoping to capture him, hoping to find out why.<p>"It was a trap!" the burned [[Elf]] said.  "Packs of [[Red Dragon]]s came at us.  We fought off the first wave.  We killed all of the second wave too, but at the cost of the last of our [[Dragon]]s.  The third wave took us!"<p>"And what about [[Valita]]?" I asked desperately.<p>"I saw her fall from her horse as she fought one of the beasts.  She drew her sword, sunk it in the creature's eye a moment before it struck her with its tail.  I do not think it killed her, but she did not climb to her feet again."<p>All this talking quickly tired out the [[Elf]].  I ordered the stretcher-bearers to take the poor young soldier away.<p>"Give him anything he wants," I ordered, because I knew the [[Elf]] would soon die.  No one can survive such wounds for long.}}
{{TErow| 25 |day 25|I can't think!<p>During my strategy sessions, I hear reports of enemy troop movement and suspected numbers, but I don't care.  [[Mutare]] can have the world if she wants!  I just want to be with [[Valita]]!}}
{{TErow| 32 |Day 32|A message was delivered in the middle of the night by a single [[Harpy]].  The horrid creature assaulted one of our patrols long enough to drop a rolled piece of parchment, and then she fled.  A scratched and bruised soldier brought me the note.<p>I glanced at the bottom of the letter to see who it was from, and nearly crushed it when I saw [[Kurbon]]'s name.  I regained control and read.<p>"[[Tarnum]],<p>I have [[Valita]]."<p>That was it.  So, I crumpled up the letter and threw it in the nearest campfire.<p>"I'm going to crush that [[Dwarf]]'s throat with my bare hands!" I said so fiercely that several of my own men took a few steps away.<p>I don't blame them.  For a moment, they caught a glimpse of the [[Barbarian King]] who tried to murder an entire society.  Thankfully, by the time I returned to my tent I was able to suppress that evil part of my personality.  I sat in the dark, unable to sleep, staring at my quivering hands.}}
{{TErow| 39 |day 39|[[Kurbon]] waited a week to send another letter, allowing me to torment myself with thoughts about [[Valita]] in [[Mutare]]'s hands.<p>Again, the message came in late at night in the hands of a [[Harpy]].  I chose to read it in private this time.<p>"[[Tarnum]],<p>[[Valita]] is alive.  I'm feeding her well, and nearly all her injuries have healed.  Let us meet.  We have things to discuss.  On the other side of this letter is a map.  Of course, you must come alone or [[Valita]] will suffer.<p>[[Kurbon]]"<p>It would take only a couple days to get to the location indicated on the map.<p>I buried my face in my hands, uncertain what to do.}}
{{TErow| 41 |day 41|In the darkest hours of the night, when most of the camp was asleep, I slipped from my tent and into the forest.  It didn't take me long to get to the place indicated on [[Kurbon]]'s map.  I found a huge, moss-covered boulder shaped like a headless man.<p>And I found [[Kurbon]] perched on top of it dressed in black armor.  A battle axe was propped over one shoulder.}}
{{TErow| 41 |day 41|"Nice threat, [[Tarnum]].  You really are working for the wrong side," [[Kurbon]] said, forcing a laugh.<p>"Why, [[Kurbon]]?  What did [[Mutare]] give you to make you betray your own people?"<p>"My life!" [[Kurbon]] said.  "You know, that pompous [[Elf]], [[Aspen]], was right about something.  You spend long enough in the hands of the enemy, and soon their side makes sense. You, too, would do anything to stop that kind of pain!"<p>I heard movement in the trees around me, but pretended not to notice it.  Instead, I brought one hand out and held it above my head.<p>"Speaking of [[Aspen]], I have something for you," I said, and threw the small white statue up to [[Kurbon]].<p>"What's this?"<p>"The bishop - the advisor.  You took [[Aspen]], but I promise that will be the only piece you ever take!"<p>[[Kurbon]] chuckled, placing the piece in his belt.<p>"I'm sorry, [[Tarnum]], but before the night is done I plan to take the king as well," he said, lowering his axe.<p>The shadows came alive as dozens of [[Minotaur]]s charged from the forest.<p>I would've been a fool not to realize this was a trap.  I sprinted toward the boulder, raising a wooden whistle to my lips.  I blew as hard as I could even as I dove into a recess between the rock and the ground.  It provided me just enough cover.<p>The [[Minotaur]]s stopped in the middle of the clearing as they heard a hissing sound cutting the night air.  They looked up.  Something blocked out the stars in the sky, and then hundreds of arrows rained down on them.  My archers had fired from extreme range.  We'd spent the last two days practicing this maneuver, so it worked.<p>No one survived that first attack, except [[Kurbon]], thanks to his thick armor.  He was immediately swept into the air in the arms of a [[Black Dragon]].  I watched him flee into the night.}}
{{TErow| 41 |loc=(broken - NOT AI){{red}}|day 41|Computer Stuff - DO NOT TRANSLATE|effect=-10000 {{g}} [[Gold]]}}
{{TErow| 49 |day 49|I've been a coward!  The battlefield, I have learned, is not the only place where one must have courage.  First, with [[Adrienne]], and recently with [[Valita]], I have folded beneath the weight of my fears.<p>I never should've denied my feelings for [[Valita]].  Yes, one day I may have to leave her forever, or if I'm lucky she will grow old and die in my arms.  No matter!  I realize now, that I will never know happiness if I fear the loss of it.  I don't want to live that way!<p>I only hope I'm not too late.  [[Ancestors]], please protect [[Valita]]!}}
{{TErow| 55 |day 55|We saw the smoke rising in the distance, black and thick.  [[Dragon]]s, perhaps?<p>I split my forces in case it was a trap, leaving a third of them behind to protect the supply wagons.  I led the rest toward the smoke to discover [[Red and Black Dragons]] battling each other.  At the center of it all was a horde of [[Minotaur]]s fighting several [[Azure Dragon]]s.<p>What is this?  Are [[Mutare]]'s forces quarreling with each other now?  Could I be so lucky?<p>We watched the battle play out before us.  Both sides lost many lives.  The [[Minotaur]]s all perished, leaving a single wounded [[Azure Dragon]].  It seemed to be searching for something, or someone.<p>That's when I noticed a prison wagon tipped on its side in a ditch beside the road.  There was someone still inside it, and a small, stocky figure trapped underneath.  The [[Azure Dragon]] finally focused its cold gaze on the wagon.<p>"Archers!" I shouted.  "Kill the [[Azure Dragon|Azure]]!"<p>The [[Dragon]] turned in time to witness its doom.<p>Quickly, I sprinted across the bloody and burnt battlefield to the wagon.  And there she was, [[Valita]]!  She looked well, although she was dirty and there was a fresh cut on her scalp.  There were tears on her cheeks.  She was trying to reach the hand of the [[Dwarf]], [[Kurbon]], who was trapped beneath the heavy wagon.<p>[[Kurbon]] saw me and coughed up some blood as he tried to speak.  I didn't move.<p>[[Kurbon]] struggled to pull something from his belt, and then he held up a small black statue.  A pawn.<p>"Checkmate!" he said.  He coughed up some more blood.  "Take care of her!"<p>By the time I smashed open the lock on the wagon, the [[Dwarf]] traitor was dead and [[Valita]] jumped into my arms, weeping.}}
{{TErow| 56 |day 56|I woke up this morning to find [[Valita]] sitting on the ground next to our bedroll.  She was looking at something held in her hands.  I sat up, put an arm around her shoulders.<p>"What do you have there?"<p>She showed me the tiny black pawn [[Kurbon]] had tried to give me.<p>"He took me from [[Mutare]]'s prison, against her wishes.  That's why she attacked him," [[Valita]] said.<p>"You think he was trying to save you?" I asked.<p>"I don't know.  He wouldn't talk much, but he did say one thing."<p>"What?"<p>"He said he didn't want to live inside his fear anymore.  That it was no way to live."<p>I had practically said those same words to myself not long ago.<p>"He was trying to save you, [[Valita]].  In the end, he was trying to do good," I said.<p>She looked at me and said, "You sound so sure."<p>"I am."<p>She smiled and that made me just want to kiss her, but [[Valita]] placed her head against my chest.<p>"Marry me," she said.<p>"There's something about me you should know first," I said.  "You might change your mind when you hear about my past."<p>"No, I won't.  Marry me!"}}
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