“The city looks like one gigantic, game board,” Vomarian Fae said sitting next to My-re on a wagon carrying the caged mere dragon, Koma.
Twenty Rirorni riders were escorting their group of Shagornan elves towards the capital of the once great Rirorni Empire, Rithakhar. White and black stone had been used intentionally as the face of the main buildings giving the illusion of a chessboard from the distance. My-re was expecting the city to be a crumbling, decaying blight on the landscape from losing the war, but the city had been restructured and the motif highly organized.
Entering the walled city, it was alive and active. Buildings were being repaired or reinforced. Men were working, women where shopping, talking, and chasing after small children. There were a lot of children. They noticed them first and surrounded the wagon, pointing and shouting with excitement at the caged mere dragon. This drew others attention and quickly a large crowd began to gather around them. Their Rirorni escorts were having a difficult time keeping them at bay and traffic came at a standstill.
My-re could feel Koma thrashing around in its cage from one side to another at the throng of people. Glancing back, its rapid movements caused the children to laugh and point with excitement, teenagers scoffed with indifference, and adults clamored with enthusiasm drawing in more people.
It was getting nervous and from its wild eyes, scared.
Vomarian Fae said, “It this thing breaks out-”
An unearthly and ear piercing screech cut the air like a scimitar.
Everyone stopped.
Koma issued another, louder ear piercing shriek at the mob. It felt like daggers piercing their brains. My-re and the others tried to protect their ears. The dragon rushed the cage causing a loud, metallic crash striking the iron bars.
Children cried in panic and scattered, as men and women clamored back in fear. Their Rirorni escorts turned their spears at the mere dragon ready to slay the caged beast.
My-re spun her legs over the back of the seat and leapt onto the cart. Throwing her arms out and placing herself between Koma and the Rirorni spears, she yelled, “Whoa, whoa, whoa!”
Koma turned in circles around its confinement and snorted in annoyance.
There were several heartbeats that passed, but the mere dragon started to settle down at the crowd’s dispersal.
“It’s okay, it’s okay.”
“Keep the beast calm, or we’ll slaughter it where it stands,” the main Rirorni stated. “Follow, quickly.”
“Where are you leading us?” My-re asked.
“The palace of the Great General Khan, Karameikos.”
“What did he say?” Vomarian Fae asked. “We going to an inn?”
“No, someplace we don’t want to go.”
They continues to travel along one, main route leading them up to a great structure. The center of the building was at least three stories tall with a triangular roof. On each side of an enlarged doorway, towers soared another story and atop each was stonework of a great dragonhead. Eerie orange flames glowed from the wyrrm’s eyes and mouth, looking capable of breathing fire against any assault. The structure’s wall extended to both right and left, then circled around at a great span. A similar orange light blazed from windows scattered along its length. A double-pathed bridge was attached by massive chains on either side, crossed a sunken, twenty-foot trench with twisted and sharpened wooden spikes at the bottom, jutting upwards like the jagged teeth of some foul pit beast.
“The leader and one other,” the Rirorni escort said. “No weapons.”
My-re removed her battle axe and motioned to Vomarian Fae and translated. “Only two can come. Follow me. The rest will need to stay with the wagon.
Entering, their path led to a long hallway flanked on each side by guards wearing heavy, fur-lined armor and holding long spears twice their heights. They guarded a great wooden door with ornate carving of mounted Rirorni hunting a man with wolves. My-re’s Rirorni escort opened the door. They pleasant smells of flowers, exotic perfumes, and cooked food surprised My-re, which made her mouth water.
My-re whispered out the side of her mouth. “Do everything I tell you and don’t say a word unless spoken to. Understand?”
Vomarian Fae nodded quickly.
A span of thick, wooden beams, like the rib cage of some massive beast, traveled the length of the room. Standing in front of each timber stood a stationary guard. Between each pair of beams stood a huge cauldron with burning wood that warmed the room. Rirorni elaborately garbed in silk clothing with bright colors lined each side of the room. A grand, wooden throne was at the far end of the room held a heavily clothed Rirorni, seated and leaning back watching them.
Ensuring her headdress and veil were in place, she went to her knees. My-re looked to the Shagornan elf. Vomarian mimicked her. She then began to crawl across the room’s expanse, not looking at anyone as she crossed. The elf followed. All eyes in the room were on them. Approaching the end, a Rirorni advisor stepped up and they stopped. She bowed four times and recited a prayer to the four winds, as customary. They then rose.
In front of them sat the Great Khan General Karameikos. He wore golden silk clothing with a blue pattern around his shoulders and waist. The leader of the Rirorni Empire was a large man, who seemed to have not missed many meals. He wore a mustache with a tuff of chin hair, and wore a leather cap covering his bald head. He had piercing dark eyes with a keen intelligence behind them. With one hand on a knee and the other holding a scimitar, he watched and studied them.
“Shagornan elves. A rarity in my palace,” Karameikos said in Rathiri. “What brings you to my Empire?”
“Mighty Khan, we are simple traders in simple good,” My-re replied in Rathiri.
“Simple traders, perhaps. In simple goods, no,” Karameikos commented. “A mere dragon transgresses simple. Highly skilled are those who manage to capture such a magnificent creature alive. I will purchase it from you.”
“What’s he saying,” Vomarian Fae whispered out of the corner of his mouth.
“He wants to buy Koma,” My-re translated. When the elf’s eyes went wild with shock, she continued. “Shhh.”
“The Great Khan is most gracious. As the fates have it, we already have a buyer and are honor bound to complete the contract,” My-re said.
Grunting, Karameikos said in a dismissive gesture, “Who is this buyer.”
“Might Khan, they wish to remain anonymous.”
Karameikos slowly leaned forward on this throne and stared at her, hard. There were a few murmurs from some in the room.
“She goes by the name Araminth,” My-re quickly answered.
“Ah,” Karameikos said leaning back. “I remember that one in my court. Tawny red hair, small build, slender, and a little rangy. Breeding hips of a boy. Didn’t weight much. A strong wind could have blown her over. Fair skin and freckles across her nose. She wanted to open a trading post and pay tribute to the Empire. Now, what does Araminth need with two mere dragons?”
Two? My-re wasn’t sure if he was asking her or if it was more a rhetorical question. Seeing he was looking at her, she answered, “Breeding, great Khan?”
“Perhaps, but the beast was old. I dare say I’d be surprised if it still drew breath. However, your creature is young and from what my advisers say, a fine specimen.”
My-re said, “If the great Khan wishes, once our contract is fulfilled-”
“Your contract is null and void,” Karameikos interrupted. At seeing her pause, he continued, “Araminth is reported dead.” He then motioned and two advisers brought over a small wooden chest. Opening it, there was a pleasing coin sound, as six tied currency sacks were within.
My-re opened her mouth, but the Khan grunted, stopping her. The two advisers brought another chest containing another six sacks.
“There’s enough for each of your associates to purchase their own dwelling in the heart of Rithakhar,” Karameikos said waiving to the two containers. “I would imagine this is much more than Araminth was offering and more than compensating for your expenses.”
At seeing the Rirorni bring out the coin chest, Vomarian harshly whispered, “What in the nine hells are you doing!?”
My-re was in a no win scenario. She in no way wanted to sell Koma. However, the ruse of selling to Araminth was torn to shreds, like the fictitious contract she said she had with her. If she didn’t sell to Karameikos, then he’d become suspicious, especially with the amount of coin he was offering. If compromised, it would likely cost them their lives and Koma would remain in his position. She had no viable choice.
“I’m keeping our derrieres alive,” My-re translated then spoke in Rithiri, “Mighty Khan, your generosity is without bounds. If it pleases the Khan, we would like to remain in Rithakhar and enjoy our bounty and take in the delight of the city.”
“My city is open. We do not get many Shagornan elves in Rithakhar,” Karameikos said and then continued, “I heard there will be another elf joining you in time.”
“Great Khan?” My-re questioned.
“The one growing in your belly. Remove your headdress and veil, to receive the blessing of Karameikos.”
“Mighty Khan, as in Shagornan elven tradition, expecting mothers keep their face hidden to hide from evil spirits,” My-re explained.
“There are no evil spirit in my palace. It is highly protected by my Nai-Shang mages and shamans. Remove your veil.”
My-re hesitated.
“Do you not wish to receive the blessing of the Great Khan of Khans?”
Slowing removing the veil and headdress, she revealed her face and short dark hair. Karameikos held up his hand and began to mumble a prayer. Glancing around the room she saw unfamiliar faces, but then caught movement out of the corner of her eye. A Rirorni moved through the crown and emerged. She recognized him. It was Relan, a person who had been present at her arrest when she killed the prominent warrior, Dokas all those years ago. He had also testified in her trail and there when the sentence of banishment was decreed. There was also another very important detail. He recognized her too.