Summary: You sit in a dark cell in the Guild’s headquarters, wondering what sort of dark fate is in store for you. Then, suddenly, you see a familiar figure coming towards you. Your heart sinks as you see the Guildmaster’s lapdog, the Lieutenant—but something about him seems off. Then, your heart leaps as you realize it’s Tam, your dragon friend, who’s come to save you.

PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 PART 4 PART 5

Author’s Note: Let’s just pretend that Alter Self and Polymorph aren’t both concentration spells for the purposes of this audio, haha.

Usage:

• OK to record & monetize, as long as you give me credit in the video/audio description as the scriptwriter! I would also love to listen to the recording when it’s done–please send me the link on Reddit! Paywalling is okay; however, if you paywall, you must make it possible for me to listen to the finished product.
• Gender-flipping and small tweaks are okay, but no large edits are permitted.
• Feel free to use music or insert sound effects if you’d like. Any sound effects given are suggestions–use at your discretion. *Sound effects in bold, set apart by asterisks\*
• Any dialogue or reactions given by the Listener are purely for the benefit of the VA, to help them feel like they have something to respond to while they’re acting. Listener reactions in italics.
• Please let me know if you have any questions!

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Tam arrives at the Listener’s cage, disguised as the Guildmaster’s Lieutenant. Tam puts on a gruff voice, trying to mimic the Lieutenant.

\to the guard keeping watch over the Listener's cage** Hey, you! Yeah, you! The Guildmaster wants to see you.

The guard pales. “He—he does? What for?”

I don’t know. They didn’t sound happy, though, that’s for sure. You’d better hurry–they don’t like to be kept waiting!

The guard scurries off.

Yeah. Uh…good luck! \drops the gruff voice; blows out a breath** …I can’t believe that actually worked! Thank the Horned One! \turns to the cage** Lucky!? Lucky, are you in there!? Oh, gods! Are you okay!?

“Lieutenant!?”

No, no, no; I’m not the Lieutenant! It’s me, Tam!

“Tam? It’s really you!?”

Yeah, it’s me! I swear! I know, I look different—that’s the power of disguise magic! \thinking about how they can prove it** Um…wait! Remember when I told you my favorite book? No one would know that except me, right? It’s The Ugly Duckling. And then you gave your favorite book, the one you’d had since you were a hatchling. I mean, a kid.

“It’s okay. I believe you!”

Huh? I don't have to prove it? Oh, okay. Whoops. Sorry—I didn't know if you'd believe it was me. I don’t know exactly how this whole rescuing thing works. I was scared my disguise wouldn’t even be good enough to get me in.

“But, I thought—”

Yeah, it was risky. I had to at least try, though—I couldn’t just leave you here alone. Are you okay??? Did they hurt you!? Oh no—they didn’t hurt your sister, did they!?

“No, at least not yet.”

\sigh of relief** Oh, thank Bahamut. Don’t worry—we can go get her as soon as we’re out of here! It’s time for our great escape!

“Do you have the key?”

Well, no, I don’t have the key, but I do have this!

Tam produces a book from beneath their cloak.

\Sound effect—book opening/flipping pages\**

\reads title** “The Arcane Thief’s Pocket Guide”. See??? It’s got a whole chapter on opening locks. I only had time to skim through it before I came here, but I think it’ll work. Okay—stand back, just in case I get something wrong. \points at the lock; clears throat* Shasvaran aperite!*

\Sound effects—magic; breaking lock\**

Whoa! C’mon, Lucky—let’s get you out of here!

Tam opens the cage, and the Listener climbs out.

Okay. Now how do we—oomph!

Tam is interrupted as the Listener throws their arms around them.

Wait, why are you—oh, wait; is this a hug? That thing where you humans put your arms around each other? Can I try it?

The Listener nods. Tam folds their arms around their friend.

Mmm. \softly** It—it actually feels really nice. Sorry—my scales aren’t quite as soft as your arms. Just let me know if I’m too prickly.

“It doesn’t matter,” the Listener whispers. “I can’t believe you actually came back for me.”

Well, of course I came back for you! I promised I would. Like Nyldru always says, \imitates their older brother’s voice** “A promise is like a cornerstone—break either one, and the foundation will be weakened.”

“He sounds fun at parties,” says the Listener sarcastically, laughing through their emotions.

\laughs** You have no idea. If he’s ever about to eat you, just ask him about his opinions on the great dragon sage Rhythax—it’ll buy you another twenty years to escape. But, all of that aside, I think Nyldru was right this time. I don’t like to break my promises. And even if I were the type, I still wouldn’t break this one. You’re my friend, Lucky. You’re important to me.

The Listener says they’ve got to get out of here.

Oh, Bahamut’s Horns, you’re right—we’ve gotta get out of here! What’s the best way out!?

“Back the way we came.”

Back the way we came? But then, won’t everybody see you? You’re not supposed to be out of the cage, right? Won’t it make people suspicious?

“Wait—what do you mean? Don’t we have a plan?”

Uh…uh-oh. Shoot—I didn’t think that far ahead! I, I don't really have a plan! Um…is there a secret passage anywhere?

The Listener explains it’s being guarded.

There is, but it’s being guarded, since they’d expect you to use it? \groans, then has a lightbulb moment** Wait—hold on!

\Sound effect—book opening/flipping pages\**

I turned myself into a smaller creature to get in here. What if we turned you into a smaller creature to get you out? Here—look at this!

Tam shows them the page. The Listener is wary.

I know, I know; it seems crazy. But if I turned you into something small enough, maybe you could hide under my cloak, and then we could both get out!

“That’s…so weird it just might work. Well…okay.”

Okay. Don’t worry; I can change you back later; I promise. Ready? One—two—

“Hold it right there!”

\gasp** Oh, no!

“Well, well, well…would you look at that?” says the Guildmaster. “Here I was, trying to figure out how we could possibly track down a damn dragon, when it suddenly comes waltzing right into our arms.”

I–I’m not a dragon! I mean—\tries to do the gruff voice again** Guildmaster, the prisoner has escaped! Quick, we need to—!

“Save it, creature. I know what you are. Did you really think your disguise would fool me?”

Hey! It may not be the best disguise, but it was enough to convince your underlings. Besides, I wouldn’t expect a coward who uses their fists to have much in the way of brains, anyway!

The Guildmaster turns on Lucky.

NO! Leave them out of this!

Tam pushes in front of the Listener.

“Tam, no!” says Lucky.

It’s okay, Lucky. I'll protect you! \to the Guildmaster** You…you monster! How could you use them like that!? They just wanted to save their sister!

“What would you know, you sniveling lizard!? Nothing in this world is free. They ought to be grateful!”

I may not know much about the world, but I know that no one is ever grateful to have met someone like you. And no one should ever be condemned for trying to be kind to someone! You used them, and hurt them, but it all ends now! Let them go, and I’ll surrender. You can have me—a real live dragon. Just, please, let them go.

“Hah! That ship sailed long ago, creature. Knowing what a weak-willed thing you are, why should I have to choose? I can easily overpower both of you.”

Then—then you leave me no choice. If you won't let Lucky go free, then prepare to face my wrath!

“…A book?”

That’s right. It may not have sharp edges or be able to slice through flesh, but words are far more dangerous than a blade. Last chance—back off, unless you want to know what’s in these pages!

The Guildmaster roars with laughter. “Now I’ve seen everything! What are you going to do, creature, read me a bedtime story???”

Yeah, yeah, go on; laugh it up. I’ve heard it all before…weirdo, freak, lunatic, loser. Stupid bookworm, sniveling lizard, worthless disgrace to the Horned One! But it doesn’t matter! No matter what I am, I’ll be damned if I let you take my friend! \starts an incantation* Nal tirath adeer meren; del firleth shasvana asen!...*

Tam continues repeating the incantation, their voice getting louder and louder. The Guildmaster’s smile drops, and their body begins to convulse.

\Sound effect—magic; a flash of bright light. Then, quacking\**

\gasp** By the gods!

The Listener stares at the Guildmaster’s transformed shape. “Are…are they…?”

\starts laughing** Well, I guess now we know what the spell meant by a “smaller creature.” I suppose a duck is pretty small compared to how they used to be.

\Sound effect—angry quacking\**

Oh, shush! Ow—hey, don’t peck me! Ow! That's it—get over here, you waddling fluffball!

Tam grabs the duck/Guildmaster.

Lucky—can you open the cell?

\Optional sound effect—cell opening and closing\**

There! Serves you right, you miserable bundle of feathers! Yeah, that’s right! Doesn’t feel so good when someone calls you “small,” does it!? \pause, slightly sorry** …I guess I should stop. Nyldru says that only a coward kicks someone when they’re down.

The Listener says they definitely deserve it.

That’s true. If anyone deserves it, they do. Well—either way, at least now we know they won’t be in our way anymore! C’mon, Lucky. Let’s get out of here.