Adventure of Runty 2

The sealed arch opens without force. Emerald light spills across the vault, revealing the dragon, a mature female emerald dragon with jade scales, a long serpentine body, and a pale scar across her muzzle coiled around three luminous eggs in a cradle of living roots and ancient stone.

She lowers her horned head until one amber eye rests level with Runty. Behind him, Mara and Oren remain still, weapons sheathed, witnessing the untouched water, roots, and stores.

The three eggs pulse softly beneath her folded wings, their light passing through the roots like slow breaths. The dragon’s gaze moves from Runty to the witnesses behind him.

No threat follows the question. Still, the vault seems to listen: the eggs’ radiance steadies, and the open-hand sigils wait for Runty’s answer before the dragon judges their purpose.

The promise leaves Runty's throat quietly. Oath-Bound catches on its absolute shape, forcing a visible hesitation as the weight of protecting the dragon and her eggs settles over him.

Passwise Judgment separates honest protection from possession. Runty keeps his hands empty and his purpose plain, giving the promise the restraint the covenant recognizes.

The dragon's amber eye softens. Her coils loosen around the cradle without abandoning it, and the three eggs' light steadies into a calm, shared radiance.

Runty's hesitation does not vanish; it remains a hollow weariness behind his eyes. But the vault's open-hand sigils brighten, and the covenant admits them to its trust.