Episode 2 of Magic: The Gathering’s Tarkir: Dragonstorm story begins from the perspective of Elspeth, who is waiting patiently to speak with Narset.
Upon planeswalking to Tarkir, Elspeth arrives on the deck of the Jeskai’s monstrous skyship, much to the surprise of the commoners nearby who have never seen a planeswalker, let alone an Archangel before. Before long, Narset meets up with Elspeth and the pair immediately get to business discussing the spreading dragonstorms.
According to Elspeth, dragonstorms have begun to appear on other planes and she came to Tarkir hoping to gather any clues as to why it’s happening and how to stop it. Unfortunately, Narset has little to offer the Archangel, and reveals that the storms on Tarkir have only grown stronger, enough so that they’re beginning to reshape the land.
“No, no, nothing is coming alive.” Narset thought on this for a moment. “Yet. Although according to reports, there are now oxen with reptilian eyes and cats growing wings. I don’t know how much of this is apocryphal, but one thing is for certain: there are primordial forces in play here. Something as powerful as Ugin.”
Elspeth moves on to enquire about the ritual Narset had used to summon the storms, but the conversation is interrupted by a loud crashing, splintering noise coming from somewhere on the ship. The pair table their discussion and rush toward the sounds of chaos, their movements accompanied by the urgent ringing of an alarm bell. Despite being relatively new to her position, Narset recognizes that the alarm is warning of a dragon attack.
After navigating through the ship, Elspeth and Narset finally get to the lower decks where they finally see what was causing the destruction – a huge ice dragon. Around them, Monks from the monastery are rushing to aid and evacuate the wounded while others move to confront the dragon. Despite their efforts, the dragon’s armored hide proves too tough for the Jeskai Monks to pierce, but they do succeed in distracting the beast long enough to evacuate the commonfolk from the area.
With sword drawn and wings unfurled, Elspeth tells Narset and the Monks to strike when she creates an opening. As the dragon draws breath, the air goes cold, at which point Elspeth rushes forward into the dragon’s mouth, her sword piercing deep into the beast’s throat.
Attempting to draw another breath, the dragon gags on it’s own blood and its mouth drops open, at which point Narset and the Monks focus their attack on the exposed teeth and flesh. Reeling from the attack, the slack-jawed dragon is forced to retreat, allowing Elspeth an opening to vacate the mouth. As the dragon flies away toward the upper decks, the pair give chase, but quickly realize that the Jeskai skyriders have the situation under control.
With the threat contained and skyship safe, Elspeth returns to business, asking Narset if the Jeskai would be willing to provide further assistance with the dragonstorm crisis. Unable to give an immediate answer, Narset informs the Archangel that she’ll have an answer prepared in the morning, and moves to show her to the bathhouse and sleeping quarters.
With her guest situated, Narset returns to her own quarters, only for her rest to be interrupted in the early hours by a knock at the door. Upon answering, Narset is greeted by Taigam, who warns her that he believes Elspeth’s arrival on Tarkir is an omen of danger to come and that the Jeskai should focus on the safety of Tarkir rather than getting involved in the greater affairs of the multiverse. After speaking his peace, Narset dismisses Taigam, knowing she has a difficult decision to make.
Just before daybreak, Narset makes her way to Elspeth’s room with her mind made up…
“I’m afraid the Jeskai cannot help you.”
Elspeth nodded. She had not come to Tarkir with any specific expectations, only a desire to provide warning, to find answers. It would have been preferable if she’d been able to solicit some help, but this was not Tarkir’s responsibility. The archangel—
Narset adjusted the strap of a rucksack slung over her shoulder, her face filling with a ferocious light.
“But I can.”
Read the full chapter from Wizards of the Coast.
