In Too Deep

[Dracos]

"Well, sort of.  As I said, my plans are just to protect my friends.  That's what I'm in here for.  And I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to beat the living crap out of the folks that decided it'd be good fun to blow my house up.  If we keep most the world safe and ignorant of this mess while doing this, it's all good to me.  The others, I think they're largely in it for that.  Fairly certain of it anyway."

Dracos

[Brian]

"That's a noble cause," Derrick says cautiously.  "It's certainly a more noble cause than the others.  While purging humanity may force us to grow, it removes from many the impetus to do so, I feel.  And running away is a poor answer, too."

[Dracos]

"Agreed on the last two, certainly."  Dracos nodded, walking along beside Derrick towards the golem.

Dracos

[Brian]

"What do we accomplish in the waking world by changing things here?" Derrick asks.

[Dracos]

"Well, it gets the attention of 'earth', for starters.  As I understand it, through having the attention of earth, you can get it to change according to the will of the victors.  There's also the side benefit of your strength being blended with that of the self 'here'.  Effectively, slowly becoming superhuman.  There is probably more.  But I'm not aware of it yet.  I expect to be soon, but without having ever witnessed this through either from the side or from doing it myself yet, I only have what I learned."

Dracos

[Brian]

"I see," Derrick says slowly.  "That ... explains all of it, then."  He nods to himself.

[Dracos]

"I take it you've noticed something similar in your time here?  How long have you been here anyhow?"

Dracos

[Brian]

"Four years, by my reckoning," he says, glancing at the moon briefly.  "But, no.  When I went on ... a journey, I wanted to find a number of things.  One, I found long ago," he says, gesturing to the golem, and the guards surrounding it warily.

The golem looks up when Phil and Derrick approach.

"The other," he says more quietly now that guards are around, "I believe ... to be you."

[Dracos]

"You know, I never actually thought I'd ever see one of these.  I remember reading about them ages ago.  It's quite expressive.  More than the solemn defender, the tales painted it as."

Dracos hummed, continuing in a very low voice.  "You were looking for me?  huh?  You have me by surprise.  Please explain?"

Dracos

[Brian]

"I was looking for the lore of Rabbi Judah Loew," Derrick says after a moment.  "I wanted that ... and more importantly, I wanted to...."  He sighs, and trails off, shaking his head.  "I was a researcher, in Israel.  I worked for a robotic technology company.  Making robots that could walk upright on two legs," he says quietly, as his golem straightens up and lumbers towards the pair of you, like a giant stone and steel puppy.  "The project was named GOLEM, mostly as a joke ... but I became curious as I learned more of the original story anyway."

He looks pensive for a moment.

"That was what lead me to learn what I did," he says, reaching a hand out and patting the golem on the arm.  It falls into step behind him as he turns to the keep, the golem behind him and the guards watching warily.  "And my journey brought me into a cave in Israel ... but when I emerged, I was not in my own body.  And I knew more than I did.  But I knew almost enough to make a golem.  And what I didn't know, my knowledge of robotics filled the gap in.

"I gather that whoever I was before I came to this world, my ability at creating golems was not so ... capable.  But I wanted to find two things.

"One of them was to be able to create a golem.  Which I have -- and I've learned a lot from it.  The other was to find a cause worthy of creating a golem for ... which I have now found through you.  Though ... the golem must be willing to fight for us.  I do not control it.  I created it, but it is only a friend, not my slave."  He glances back at the golem, which nods, its mechanical heartbeat echoing quietly.  "As it should be."

He turns to regard Phil again.  "But you have given me -- us, really -- a cause to warrant our ... my curiosity."

[Dracos]

Dracos ran a finger by where his glasses used to sit, thinking before responding to the man's words.  "It isn't easy stuff, you know.  No, I won't patronize you, you already realize that."  Dracos pondered.  "I'd be glad to have your help.  I'd be a fool to refuse an honest offer of it.  And yours as well." Dracos glanced up at the golem.

Dracos

[Brian]

The golem nods, but looks to Derrick to see him nod first.  "Then it's settled," Derrick says.  "But ... while I've traveled with Qurral for some distance, I cannot speak for him.  I do not know him as well as I would need to to make that judgement."

[Dracos]

Dracos nodded.  "I would be surprised if both of you decided to join our quest, regardless of the scope of it.  I just explained it really out of fairness.  If I was in your shoes, I would've wanted the chance to know and all.  Anyhow, there are five of us here, myself included.  As well as five from pax.  For the moment we're all working to protect this fortress.  I should be getting back to my men and making sure all is well before tomorrow's dreadmarch attack.  Anything else I can do for you before then?"

Dracos

[Brian]

Derrick shakes his head.  "There's nothing I know that you do not," he says.  "At least, I believe."  He offers a bit of a smile at that, and the golem makes a whirring noise, not entirely unlike laughter.

[Dracos]

"Pretty much.  There is more, but probably for another time."  Dracos nodded.  "Anyhow, rest well."

Dracos turned to head back towards the storm-riders camp.