Chapter 61: The Dragon''s Hoard Part 2
<span style="font-weight:400"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">On the day of the expedition to the dragon''s keep, Daniel meets up with his mission team; Hekate, Treia, Gwenesphia, Aoloan, Wenlianna, a couple of Stalvaltan guards assigned to protect Wenlianna specifically, Vaergraes, and several of Xyreko''s heavily armed machine gun golems.</font></font>
<span style="font-weight:400"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">However, Daniel is surprised by who he finds at the shuttle waiting for them. “Master! You''re here!”</font></font>
<span style="font-weight:400"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“Kera''tai? I thought you were still in the surrounding town with your people.”</font></font>
<span style="font-weight:400"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">She sports a wide smile. “I was! But, we''re all settled in. Thank you for letting us move here. The… other tribe leaders are still talking about invading east.”</font></font>
<span style="font-weight:400"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“I''ve heard mention of it. If I knew how to stop it without exterminating a lot of people…”</font></font>
<span style="font-weight:400"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“I know. For now, being out of reach is fine. So! I also heard from Shek and Skloe that you''re heading to the dragon''s keep!”</font></font>
<span style="font-weight:400"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Treia murmurs, “Shouldn''t you have told them to keep it quiet, Daniel?”</font></font>
<span style="font-weight:400"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“It''s fine. No one will be able to overtake us, and if they arrive after we do, they still have to fend off our defenses. Hopefully, the… uh… cultists around the keep will be friendly with us.”</font></font>
<span style="font-weight:400"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Ryuogriar, standing with Geirahoel and Reignleif nearby to send them off replies gently, “They should cooperate. If anything, they''ll beg you to tell them where we are. I expect they will be happy to join you if you permit them.”</font></font>
<span style="font-weight:400"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“Are youfortable with having them around? They didn''t pester you before?”</font></font>
<span style="font-weight:400"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Ryuogriar waves her hand dismissively. “They''re mere human kin and weaker demon kin. They are no threat to us.”</font></font>
<span style="font-weight:400"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“I think he meant a nuisance, rather than threat, Ryuo,” murmurs Reignleif. She exins to Daniel, “Many of our acolytes were chosen from the cultists.”</font></font>
<span style="font-weight:400"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Geirahoel scoffs. “''Acolytes''. They were servants. Poorly treated servants, and yet they still kept crawling back.”</font></font>
<span style="font-weight:400">Hekate is coldly quiet as they speak, and Geirahoel takes notice. She murmurs, “Apologies, Hekate.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hekate twitches, but she pastes on a smile. “It’s alright now…” She faces Daniel, adding, “They’re right. The acolytes volunteered to serve every whim of the dragons, including spies, assassins, maids and butlers, and even caretakers for the livestock. I never saw any baby dragons, but I heard some of the acolytes were killed when they let one of the infants die.”
<span style="font-weight:400">All three dragons grow soft.
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel disrupts the dark tone, “This is getting a bit too heavy. Will having the acolytes here cause problems for anyone? Please answer honestly. No hard feelings either way.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Reignleif speaks first. “I intend to care for my own children, but I won’t object to them otherwise.” Ryuogriar and Geirahoel nod in agreement.
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel looks at Hekate, and she replies softly, “I was envious of them for a long time. They have to agree to serve me as a feldrok.” She hugs herself as she adds softly, “They… will probably fear or hate me.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“If that is the case,” answers Ryuogriar. “Then they are no allies of ours, either.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re just saying that ‘cause Daniel’s here…” grumbles Hekate.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Don’t tter yourself, child,” retorts Ryuogriar. “You’ve said it yourself, we’re all Daniel’s family now. If I were to allow Daniel’s family to be harmed by mere servants, I would be a disgrace.” She teases in her smug way, “I’d rather trick you into serving me than distress you with obsessed cultists.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hekate blushes and looks away bashfully as she tries to hide behind Daniel. She points at Ryuogriar from Daniel’s opposite side, “J-Just because you said something nice doesn’t mean I’ve given up our rivalry!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Everyone chuckles together, and Ryuogriar replies warmly, “I wouldn’t have it any other way, your Greatness.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Good,” replies Daniel. “Then, we’ll see how the acolytes and dragon followers behave and make our decision in the field.” Daniel then looks at Kera''tai. She smiles, and he asks, “Let me guess…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m going with you,” she replies confidently.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You didn’t let me guess,” retorts Daniel dryly. The others chuckle at him, and he asks, “Everyone else ready? Kera''tai, are you prepared for a trip?”
<span style="font-weight:400">She nods, and Vaergraes replies, “I have brought several magic bags, as well as a handful of potations and curse-dispelling devices if we need them.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You have magic devices that can dispel curses?” asks Wenlianna eagerly. She’s wearing armor simr to Daniel’s, but much lighter and more mobile, primarily protecting her head, torso, neck, forearms, shins, and knees. Normally, she’s wearing herb-smock, but she looks like a proper adventurer.
<span style="font-weight:400">Vaergraes nods her head politely in response to Wenlianna. “Indeed. I understand curses are not used in any wide capacity in the east, but there are tribes in the Demon Covenant that specialize in nothing but. If we aren’t the first ones to arrive, I want to make sure we cover our bases.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Aoloan replies sheepishly, “I… brought my cooking supplies. P-Please protect me.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Gwenesphia remarks warmly, “Feels like we’re going on a squad drill.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Treia nods. “But, with people that can destroy a fortress in seconds.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The group chuckles, and Daniel says, “Alright. Let’s head out, then. Ladies, hold down the fort for us.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Ryuogriar, Reignleif, and Geirahoel all smile, and Geirahoel adds softly, “Return quickly, Daniel.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, if I fall any further behind my juniors, I will be quite perturbed, Mukori,” adds Ryuogriar.
<span style="font-weight:400">Reignleif simply steps forward and hugs him, pressing her growing belly against him. “Be safe, Mukori.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You, too.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel finishes his farewells and joins the others on the shuttle. Xyreko’s golems pilot the shuttle, lifting it into the sky before the jets propel them towards their destination.
<span style="font-weight:400">***
<span style="font-weight:400">Wenlianna pouts a little as she observes the inside of Daniel’s shuttle. In every way, it’s superior to the airship she designed. It’s even faster, it has its own armaments -excluding the wind-shock cannon- that Wenlianna’s had, and its profile is much smaller. In fairness, it carries a lot fewer people, but it also -assuming people were flying it instead of golems- requires a lot fewer people to operate. Wenlianna had to do her best with descriptions and what she could trante from Daniel’s phone. Daniel has seen the real thing in his past and was much better able to emte it with magic equipment, especially because Xyreko and her golems make it significantly easier for Daniel to manufacture and assemble devices.
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel notices her slightly sour expression, and he teases her, “Wenlianna, you could say I cheated. Yours was definitely impressive.”
<span style="font-weight:400">She blushes. “Thank you, but… Even the seating is morefortable…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hekate replies, “Uh, yeah! My butt’s soft! I want to befortable when we fly.” She also ‘whispers’, though the target of her joke isn’t present, “And, I don’t know if you know, but dragons are really hard.” She grins deviously, saying warmly, “Fortunately, there’s always a backup option.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Wh-What’s that?” asks Wenlianna innocently.
<span style="font-weight:400">Hekate hops from her seat next to Daniel onto hisp, giggling as she leans back against him, and he simply lets her getfortable. Wenlianna watches with rosy cheeks, and Hekate says warmly, “Tada! Daniel is quitefortable.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I alsoe with an ejector function,” says Daniel. He stands up, carrying Hekate towards the door, and she squirms, “Hey! Daniel!”
<span style="font-weight:400">He feigns throwing her, even though the door is closed, and she spins in his arms, hugging him firmly as she clings to him. “Not funny! I told you… I’m… afraid of heights…”
<span style="font-weight:400">He chuckles and sits back down as the others snicker. Treia asks a little bluntly, “Don’t feldroks have wings? Y-Your Greatness…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hekate pouts, “What if we do? No one ever taught me. I don’t even know how to transform into my true form. And, frankly, I don’t need or want to. As long as I have Daniel, I don’t need to fly.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kera''tai teases, “I know what you mean. He makes me feel like I’m flying, too.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hekate points at her, saying haughtily, “You’re lucky Shek and Skloe vouch for you. Mistressesing out of everywhere.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I meant no offense, your Greatness. Just that I knew the feeling.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hekate stares at her skeptically, but Gwenesphia interrupts the moment by pointing out of the window nearest and ahead of her. “Look there. Is that it?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hekate leans around Daniel to look where the gatonine is pointing. She nods. “Yes. I think it was an old temple of some kind, but it’s just a bunch of holes in a mountain now.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Xyreko, standing just inside the cabin from the cockpit, replies, “Lady Ryuogriar says that it was an old dwarven mine and foundry. They tend to build grandiose structures, so it’s easy to believe it was a temple.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hekate crosses her arms, and Daniel pets her head. “She has more experience, Hekate.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah… I know…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Dwarves…” murmurs Wenlianna. “How old is the keep?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Since the dragons took over?” asks Xyreko. “Centuries. Older than the three dragon Empresses.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Then, isn’t it just older than…?” Daniel covers Hekate’s mouth before she can finish the obvious, but also unwise. “Hekate,...”
<span style="font-weight:400">She squirms her face free of his hand, whining, “What!? Dragons don’t view age like you human kin do…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Maybe so, but you don’t have to say the obvious.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Lady Ryuogriar would like to know how old you think she is, Daniel.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hah! I ain’t falling for that. Tell her she’s young enough to have children.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Xyreko nods, but Hekate grips his chest. “Graaaahhh! Daniel!”
<span style="font-weight:400">The shuttle touches down near some of the ancient structure still lingering as a ghostly sign of the foundry that once stood. The columns tower over the shuttle, casting long shadows in thete morning sunlight.
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel pulls his railgun out of its case, activating the first safety which makes it one step closer to firing ready. He slings it across his back, and then pulls out his high-caliber rifle. Hekate pulls her ice rifle out of her magic bag, suspending it over her shoulder just like Daniel. As backups, Daniel gave everyone else pistols to keep themselves safe, but he was extremely adamant that they be careful where they’re aiming.
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel disembarks the shuttle first, with Hekate close in tow.
<span style="font-weight:400">There’s a treacherous path that leads away from the keep, just as Ryuogriar and Reignleif mentioned. There are steep cliffs, unstable rock structures, and ancient wooden bridges that are barely clinging to their span across seemingly bottomless chasms.
<span style="font-weight:400">And, towards the keep’s entrance, likely the main opening to the ancient mine when it was operating, Daniel can see signs of life; small farms, docile wildlife, and a small waterfall working down the mountain into a creek that flows ever towards the base of the mountain far below them.
<span style="font-weight:400">The others cautiously step down when Daniel signals them, and Wenlianna begins huffing a little. “I… I’m sorry, I didn’t… Something’s off…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel replies, being mindful of his own breath, “It’s the altitude. There’s less oxygen this high up, meaning each breath is less. Be mindful of it. I think all of us will wear out a little faster.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Vaergraes nods in agreement. “Daniel speaks the truth. It’s the same thing that can be experienced on wyverns.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Let me know if you feel like you’re going to pass out. Everyone else, keep an eye on the rest of us, just in case.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kera''tai, after taking a few bigger breaths to try to catch her breath, asks, “Weren’t we even higher in the shuttle?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Xyreko answers, “The shuttle’s cabin is pressurized lightly with wind crystals. His Grace foresaw exactly this concern.”
<span style="font-weight:400">They look at Daniel. He nods, “I knew it would be a good idea.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I had no idea,” murmurs Wenlianna.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You would have learned. Your airship had the advantage of arge crew, which means if they’re all properly trained, that any one of them can take over in the event of problems. Early airnes of Earth had the cockpit open to the outside, and the pilots wore goggles and earmuffs to protect themselves. Enough nes went down from pilots passing out, that they decided to do something about it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Wenlianna sighs with a content smile that she didn’t cause any deaths due to herck of knowledge on the subject. Of course, Hekate makes the joke, “Yeah. It took a dragon, me, and the Harbinger of Cmity to bring down your ship.”
<span style="font-weight:400">They all share a chuckle, continuing forward.
<span style="font-weight:400">As they walk towards the mine entrance, Xyreko’s remote golem remarks as the shuttle lifts off, “Daniel, I’m detecting individuals.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hekate nods, whispering, “I agree. I can sense their magic.” Vaergraes nods as well.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hostile?” asks Daniel.
<span style="font-weight:400">“No active offensive spells yet, if that’s what you mean.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Any idea of their affiliation?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Treia whispers, “Leave it to me, Daniel. Keep calm and don’t pay attention to me.”
<span style="font-weight:400">He nods subtly, and she darts backwards, circling wide in a near sprint, though her cat-like grace keeps her nearly silent.
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel keeps walking, with the others cautiously following with Vaergraes and Hekate closest to Daniel, since their defensive barrier spells will let them protect the whole group. Kera''tai is providing the same defense for the rear, though she is the weakest of the three. Aoloan and Wenlianna remain close behind Daniel, and Gwenesphia guards them with her bow ready.
<span style="font-weight:400">After a moment, Treia returns, panting. Daniel faces her and lets her lean against him. “Catch your breath and tell us when you can.”
<span style="font-weight:400">She nods, breathing heavily for a long time. She finally swallows and takes a breath. “Defensive posture. Clothing looks to be vige, rather than expedition. I saw dattakoriens, subi, and oni. Maybe a human, too, but I’m not sure.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“A-A human?” asks Wenlianna, surprised.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Who woulda thunk it,” jokes Daniel. “A human all the way out here.”
<span style="font-weight:400">She res at him with an embarrassed smile. “Don’t make me fire you from being my assistant, Daniel.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Heughs, and Hekate replies boisterously, “Daniel is no one’s assistant. If he’s anyone’s minion, that would be mine.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel checks his shoulder pauldron, where he fastened the scale ‘seals’ that the three dragons made for him. He takes a breath and sighs. “Here goes.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Remember, they won’t likely speak eastern trade, Daniel,” remarks Vaergraes.
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s fine. I’ll approach, and if they speak, I’ll be counting on you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">She nods, and Daniel walks forward, keeping his hands visible as he walks with his rifle like a walking staff. He waves to draw attention to himself, as well as to let the vigers know he knows they’re there.
<span style="font-weight:400">As he’s approaching a threshold of stone ground where the forest has not yet reimed, a figure approaches from behind one of therger shrubs, also walking with a sounding staff with a rattler made of what looks to be dragon teeth.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Gaska! Cholka brah’unna fah.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel nces slightly at Vaergraes, and she whispers, “Halt. Who are you?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel nods, and he turns his seals slightly towards him. “I am Daniel. Ie with permission.”
<span style="font-weight:400">As Vaergraes trantes, Xyreko’s voice says in Daniel’s helmet, “<i><span style="font-weight:400">Daniel, they insist that you introduce yourself as Emperor and Lord of Dragons.</i><span style="font-weight:400">”
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel sighs. He whispers, “Hekate, please don’t make a scene.”<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What? Why would I?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel adds to his introduction, “I am Emperor of the Citadel and Lord of Dragons. The Great White Dragon, The Blue Ice Dragon, and the Orange Dragon Maiden are my Empresses. This is my proof.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The man, having listened patiently to Vaergraes trante, studies the scale seals on Daniel’s armor. He seems to be a bit surprised by the revtion, but he doesn’t give away his thoughts yet.
<span style="font-weight:400">After a moment, he speaks, and Vaergraes trantes, “He’s saying that he finds it hard to believe, especially because the dragons haven’t been seen in months, even though they’ve been taking care of the keep in their stead.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel replies, “I understand the concern. My Empresses were cursed long ago, which prevented them fromying eggs and giving birth, along with the rest of the dragons. They are afraid the curse still lingers on these grounds.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hekate murmurs as Vaergraes trantes once more, “Daniel, you better introduce me as your wife and first Empress.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, Darling.”
<span style="font-weight:400">She blushes, even though he was slightly sarcastic. Still, she smiles dopily, content with being called ‘Darling’ for the first time by Daniel.
<span style="font-weight:400">“He believes that you know the dragons, but the dragons have a lord, and the Red Lord would never take the form of a human-kin.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“As you can see, I am not the Morthybargaron. I killed him.” Daniel pulls out his magic bag, and then the head of the tyrannical dragon, dropping it before the man. The leader of the cultists gasps, stumbling back a step, and others also murmur and gossip nearby.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Geez, Daniel… A little warning,” grumbles Treia.
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel deres loudly, “The Red Lord was cruel, but behind that cruelty was weakness and fear. I conquered the Citadel with my wife and feldrok Empress, Hekate Fell Lawson.” Daniel gestures at Hekate, and she squeaks in surprise, but quickly regains herposure, putting on her best Empress face with her posture upright and rigid. “Some have called me the Harbinger of Cmity or the Feldrok Sorcerer,” adds Daniel.
<span style="font-weight:400">The man who came out to greet/challenge them sinks to his knees, and more of the vigers stumble out of the various brush and trees overgrowing the old foundry.
<span style="font-weight:400">The man that greeted them murmurs, and Vaergraes trantes. “He asked if you enved thedy dragons.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Without warning, a teleportation glow appears, and the massive form of Geirahoel appears behind Daniel. “Enough of this insolence!” she booms. “You dare make me show myself at this ursed ce because you doubt my Emperor!?” All of the vigers in sight drop to their hands and knees, bowing low on the ground. Geirahoel transforms herself back into her human form,nding next to Daniel. She scolds viciously in the samenguage as the vigers, all but snarling words. The vigers shrink, flinching under the verbal assault.
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel gently says, “Geirahoel, you don’t have to…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“No! They’re disrespecting you! Disrespecting us! They are little better than parasites, hiding in our shadow with very little given in return.” She snarls more angered words at the vigers, and from their tone of replies, they are begging for forgiveness.
<span style="font-weight:400">Geirahoel huffs fire off to the side. She says more coldly, “They were positioning to surround you, Daniel. They were nning on betraying you and reviving Morthybargaron.” She gestures for the magic bag, and Daniel hands it over. She stores the red dragon’s head, checking the bag briefly for any other contents, and then she incinerates the magic bag with her fire breath in front of the vigers. They all flinch, and Daniel realizes she may have been right.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Good thing I was done killing him,” remarks Xyreko a little disappointed.
<span style="font-weight:400">Geirahoel looks partially over her shoulder. “Apologies, Xyreko, but I’m tired of living in fear of that tyrant being revived and escaping. Daniel is the only Dragon Lord, now. A dozen dragon eggs drawing near hatching says so.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The orange dragon then growls more disgustednguage at the vigers, finishing with what sounds like a deration or amand.
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel whispers, “Sorry you had toe, Mukori. But, thank you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The young woman smiles softly, blushing a little. She bashfully whines, “I-I didn’t do it for you. I did it because…” Geirahoel halts. She never did mention anything specific she wanted from the keep the way Ryuogriar did, and Reignleif gave Daniel a list with a simple map to the treasures she hopes to reim.
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel replies, “I already know, Mukori. You came here for your dearly beloved friends.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“NO!” The youthful dragon flinches with rosy cheeks when she realizes he gave her an out and she denied it. “I-I mean, yes! H-Hekate is my friend. A-And…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel murmurs softly, “You can head back now. Thank you for your help, Mukori.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Geirahoel nods without looking at him. She tugs his sleeve, reminding him softly, “B-Be safe…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel nods, and he gently touches the brow of his helmet to her forehead in lieu of a kiss, just in case. The dragon Empress then says onestmand to the vigers, and Xyreko teleports her back to the Citadel. Daniel murmurs to Xyreko, knowing she can hear him in his helmet. “Xyreko, make sure she didn’t pick up the curse again.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“<i><span style="font-weight:400">Of course, Daniel. I’ve been monitoring the area for the curse’s signature. So far, there are no traces of it, at least externally.</i><span style="font-weight:400">”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Good. Vaergraes? What exactly did Geirahoel tell them?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Vaergraes chuckles nervously. “I suspect Lady Geirahoel would object to me tranting all of it, Daniel. I’m sorry. But, she did order them to behave themselves or consider themselves emunicated, and that she’s watching.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“And, their reply?”
<span style="font-weight:400">The group studies the vigers, still bowing low to the ground. Vaergraes asks, and the apparent leader of at least this group replies, lifting his head only high enough to answer her clearly.
<span style="font-weight:400">Hekate flinches, and Daniel looks at her. Before she can exin, Vaergraes replies gently, “They will serve the Feldrok Empress and the dragon Empresses as well as their chosen lord, regardless of appearances.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hekate nods in agreement.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What I wouldn’t give for…” As Daniel is about to remark how he’d like Leiwelles to be present, he looks at Aoloan. “Aoloan, you said you can discern intentions, correct?”
<span style="font-weight:400">She cocks her head. “Oh! Yes. I doubt it’s as urate as the human Commander’s ability to detect lies, but… None of these vigers have hostile intent anymore, nor doubt, so far as I can tell.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Daniel nods. He looks to Hekate, and she blushes. “Wh-What?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re the ruling Empress. What would you like to do?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“W-... You’re sure they will follow me?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Vaergraes asks again, and Aoloan pays closer attention. Again, the man seems to confirm loyalty, and those around him agree. “Yes,” replies Vaergraes.
<span style="font-weight:400">Hekate looks at Aoloan, and she nods. “No ill intent, your Greatness.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The young feldrok empress nods. “Very well.” She speaks in the samenguage as the vigers, which surprises everyone except Daniel. “Sh-She could speak to them?” whispers Vaergraes.
<span style="font-weight:400">“She was the former dragon lord’s ve. I would be more surprised if she can’t.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ah… Right… Sorry, your Greatness.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hekate nods, her own face hidden in her helmet. “No offense taken, Vae. Daniel, I ept these people as my minions. I’ll make them learn the eastern tradenguage as soon as possible.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I have no objections,” replies Daniel. “Ask them if they can escort us to our specific destinations.”
<span style="font-weight:400">She nods, speaking to the vigers. They finally reluctantly climb to their feet, answering Hekate’s questions. “They can lead us to the chambers each dragon used, as well as the nesting room and nursery. They can also show us the entrance to the treasure vault and the artifact room, but they are unable to open them. He says it’ll be the final test. If you can open the doors, all that is inside must truly belong to you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Understood. Geira, Ryuo, Reina, we’ll handle it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">There’s a pause, and Xyreko says to Daniel only, “<i><span style="font-weight:400">Lady Geirahoel was just about to return.</i><span style="font-weight:400">”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I figured. But, trust me. I can open a door.”
<span style="font-weight:400">They nod, and Hekate confirms to the vigers. They then offer to lead, and Daniel’s group follows, staying alert just in case.
<span style="font-weight:400">***
<span style="font-weight:400">“Lord Hegemon, there is… urgent news.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“What is it?” asks Zolorad, the leader of the restructured Demon Covenant, now assembled as a proper hegemony with one true ruler. “Have Vaergraes and her followers been found?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“No, your Excellency. It’s the Dragon’s keep. Our spies have ryed an urgent message. Someone iming to be the new Dragon Lord has arrived and intends to im the treasures in the vault.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“A male dragon survived the Citadel?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I… The spies said he took human form and is wearing armor. He also imed to be the Harbinger of Cmity.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Zolorad flinches. There are few in the upper echelons of the Demon Covenant that doubt the existence of the Harbinger of Cmity at this point, and many believe for certain he or she is either the self-proimed Empress Hekate or one of herpanions. It’s also possible, in spite of Vaergraes’s ims before she was deposed, that the Harbinger of Cmity is the one who struck down the Devourer.
<span style="font-weight:400">Even ignoring that, Zolorad and his allies have been trying since the dragons were rumored to have been exterminated or enved -mixed reports have found his ears- to enter the Dragon’s keep and plunder the umted wealth of unknown centuries. Artifacts, magic scrolls and other texts, and a vast wealth of gold and gemstones are just the idea of what’s stored in the dragon’s keep.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Can our spies retrieve the artifacts?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“They are in proximity, but the Harbinger will have to open the doors. Until then, the artifacts are inessible, Lord Hegemon.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hegemon Zolorad ponders this information. It would take time to send reinforcements, and by wyvern, they would be sitting ducks for the wing drakes still prowling around the keep. And, the ‘Unity of the Great Dragons’, a cult of vigers of various races that lives near the keep, are fiercely loyal only to the dragons, having abandoned all attachment to their racial tribes and nations, and by extension, the Covenant.
<span style="font-weight:400">Many of the cultists have passed down magic spells more powerful than conventional wisdom allows, and only the most trusted are allowed to learn, which makes it difficult to steal the draconic spells being used. And, because of those very spells, the cultists are dangerous enough to hold off anything short of arge invasion if they be hostile. To waste troops for unknown gains would be risky. After all, there’s no telling if the rumored treasure vault of the dragons even has anything in it.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Summon our best assassins and give them the fastest wyverns. We must not let the Harbinger gain any more power than he already has.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“As you wish, Lord Hegemon.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The spy master retreats from the council chamber, and Zolorad scrapes his fingernails against his horns. The Harbinger is an unknown factor as far as power is concerned. The dragons were said to be among the most powerful beings in the world, and Vaergraes could only overpower one at a time, though she was able to subdue the Red Lord long enough for him to acknowledge her as a leader. If the rumors arepletely true, and the Harbinger of Cmity was able to kill the dragons, or even just one with a single spell, then not even Vaergraes, let alone Hegemon Zolorad, could pose a threat to him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Spy Master,” calls out Zolorad. After a moment, the summoned master of spies returns. “Yes, Lord Hegemon?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Make a concerted effort to learn more about the Harbinger of Cmity, and see if he is somehow tied to the child ying ruler, Hekate. We need to know what his weakness is.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“As you wish, Lord Hegemon. I will send my best infiltrators at once.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Zolorad nods, and the spy master retreats once more.
<span style="font-weight:400">Before anything else, Zolorad may need to remove the Harbinger as an obstacle to conquering the west before continuing with the real goal.
<span style="font-weight:400">***