Io's Labyrinth

[Nephrite]

"Do you exist here to challenge us?" Moore asks. "Or for some other purpose?"

[Ebiris]

"Well met Kecasandarenala," Alicia nods to the great wyrm. "I am Alicia. How do you feel about where Io placed White dragons in the hierarchy of your kind?" she asks curiously since he raised the subject and must be closer to Io's mind than most.

[Corwin]

"A pleasure," Seira says politely, listening to the answer to Moore's question.

[Anastasia]

The dragon slowly rears back, speaking clearly. "I will challenge you momentarily," he declares, "Io over weakened them, favoring fire with reds and golds, but at least silvers embody the power of ice. When Io at last determined the draconic form, he chose many possible materials to make them from. A blue ice dragon, akin to a silver or a white dragon." Slowly speaking, "Do you understand? A hunter of cold deserts, a lord of the sands like many blue dragons. Yet from my scales comes mists and ice, providing life into the frozen sands. Perhaps a mountain amid the sands would be best, so that my mists would become clouds and rain over the wastelands."

[Nephrite]

Moore just blinks and does his best to hide his confusion on this particular topic.

[Ebiris]

"Ah, my apologies. I had reckoned you to be an immensely old white wyrm," Alicia ducks her head. "So you are another kind of primordial dragon, like the spectral ones or the land-bound ones Io has shown us outside?"

[Corwin]

"If I might be so rude, what caused Io to choose platinum as the basis for perfection over blue ice, rimefire or any other substance?"

[Anastasia]

"I am," Kecasandarenala confirms, "Though perhaps a white or silver dragon could become as I am. From me twin stream comes, both of them feeding the two dragons. Yet dragons are captains of their own destiny, making their own choices."

At that the wyrm considers Seira, "Platinum is purer and more valuable than even gold. A prismatic dragon is all the colors of the rainbow. I do not know why ruby dragons are the apex of the gem dragons. Regardless, platinum is valuable and above gold. A prismatic dragon has all the power of the other colors. Both indicate something above the normal draconic ranks."

[Anastasia]

Meanwhile, Jetina nods along, glancing at Moore.

"So it is a symbol of superiority. Yet diamonds are harder than rubies, and often more valuable and magically reactive," Antenora says, "Curious. It is also the Ruby Rod, not the Diamond Rod," she remarks, half to herself.

[Corwin]

"But that is sophistry," Seira protests. "White is the perfection of color! Combining the rainbow and other colors besides gives you white. How is that not a more perfect representation from prismatics? And black is likewise all colors, except via subtractive mixing rather than additive. Draw all the colors on the same spot, one by one, and they combine into it. Either could have easily been chosen instead! And what of positive energy, or goldenfire or even Good?"

[Anastasia]

"Io chose gems, metals and colors," The wyrm finally says, "His word is that combining the colors is superior."

"Prismatic magic, Renbuu," Amaryl points out, "A rainbow is far form an original concept."

"No matter," The wyrm rears up at that, "We have talked enough. Are you prepared to face me?"

[Ebiris]

"What are the terms of battle?" Alicia asks, readying her blades.

[Anastasia]

"To the death," is the reply, "Fear not, for I will return in time even if slain."

[Ebiris]

"So be it," Alicia raises her double-bladed sword in a salute, prepared to battle under those terms.

[Corwin]

Combining the colors doesn't actually make a rainbow, that's so simplistic-- Seira shakes her head, drawing Dragon's Grace while the Philosopher's Friend is in her other hand.

"Is there anything you want out of life?" she asks the dragon before they are to face one another. "Anything we could appeal to Io on your behalf?"