Twenty Rirorni riders began to escort their group of Shagornan Elves toward the capital of the once-great Rirorni Empire, Rithakhar. White and black stone had been intentionally used on the faces of the main buildings, giving the illusion of a chessboard from the distance. My‑re expected 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.
“The city looks like one gigantic game board,” Vomarian said, sitting beside My‑re on a wagon carrying the caged mere dragon, Koma.
They entered the walled city. It teemed with life and activity. Buildings were being repaired or reinforced. Men were working. Women were shopping, talking, and chasing after small children. A lot of children, who 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 had difficulty keeping them at bay, and traffic reached 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 to scoff with indifference, and adults to clamor with enthusiasm, drawing in more people.
Koma’s wild eyes indicated nervousness and anxiety.
Vomarian said, “If 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. Men and women hastened back in fear. Their Rirorni escort turned their short, recurved bows at the mere dragon, ready to slay the caged beast.
My‑re spun her legs over the back of the seat and leaped onto the cart. Throwing her arms out and placing herself between Koma and the Rirorni arrows, she yelled, “Whoa, whoa, whoa!”
Koma spun in circles around its confinement and snorted in annoyance.
Several heartbeats passed, but the mere dragon settled down at the crowd’s dispersal.
“Koma. It’s fine, it’s fine.”
“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 asked. “We going to an inn?”
“No, someplace we don’t have a choice but to go.”
They continued to travel along one main route, leading them to a great structure. The center of the building stood at least three stories tall, with a triangular roof. Towers soared another story on each side of an enlarged doorway, and atop each occupied the stonework of a great dragonhead. Eerie orange flames glowed from the wyrm’s eyes and mouth, capable of breathing fire against any assault.
The structure’s walls extended to both right and left, then circled at a great span. A similar orange light blazed from windows scattered along its length. A double-pathed bridge, 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, motioned to Vomarian, 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 height. They guarded a great wooden door with ornate carvings of mounted Rirorni hunting a man with wolves. Their Rirorni escort opened the door. The 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 direct you to do, and don’t say a word unless spoken to. Understand?”
Vomarian nodded.
A span of thick, wooden beams, like the rib cage of some massive beast, traveled the room's length. 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 nobles elaborately garbed in silk clothing with bright colors lined each side of the room. A grand, wooden throne at the far end held a heavily clothed Rirorni, seated and leaning back, watching them.
My-re checked to ensure her headdress and veil remained in place and went to her hands and knees. She looked to the Shagornan Elf. Vomarian mimicked her. She then crawled across the room’s expanse, not looking at anyone when she crossed. The elf followed. All eyes in the room were on them. Approaching the end, a Rirorni advisor stepped up, and they stopped. As customary, she bowed four times and recited a prayer to the four winds. They then rose.
In front of them sat the Great Khan General Karameikos. Surrounded by a thick fur mantel, he wore golden silk clothing. A large man, the leader of the Rirorni Empire, seemed to have not missed many meals. He was clean-shaven and bald, except for a tuft of black hair on his forehead. He had piercing dark eyes with a keen intelligence behind them. 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 goods,” My‑re replied in Rathiri.
“Simple traders, perhaps. In simple goods, no,” Karameikos commented. “A mere dragon transgresses simple wares. Highly skilled are the ones who manage to capture such a magnificent creature alive. I will buy it from you.”
“What’s he saying,” Vomarian whispered out of the corner of his mouth.
“He wants to buy Koma,” My‑re translated. When the elf’s eyes widened with shock, she hissed, “Shhh.”
“Great Khan, that is most gracious. As fate has it, we already have a buyer and are honor-bound to complete the contract,” My‑re explained.
Karameikos grunted in a dismissive gesture, “Who is this buyer.”
“Mighty Khan, they wish to remain anonymous.”
Karameikos slowly leaned forward on his throne and stared at her, hard. A few murmurs came from some in the room.
“She goes by the name Araminth,” My‑re acquiesced.
“Ah,” Karameikos said, leaning back. “I remember that one in my court. Tawny hair, slender, and a little rangy. 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 asked her or if it was more a rhetorical question. Seeing him stare at her, she answered, “Breeding, great Khan?”
“Perhaps, but the beast was ancient. I dare say I’d be surprised if it still drew breath. However, from what my advisors say, your creature is young and a fine specimen.”
My‑re nodded. “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 advisors brought over a wooden chest. They opened the container. It held six tied sacks, making a pleasing coin sound.
My‑re opened her mouth, but the Khan grunted, stopping her. The two advisors brought another chest containing another six sacks.
“There is enough for each of your associates to purchase their own dwelling in the heart of Rithakhar,” Karameikos said, waving to the two containers. “I imagine this is much more than Araminth offered and more than compensates for your expenses.”
At seeing the Rirorni bring out the coin chests, Vomarian harshly whispered, “What in the nine hells are you doing?”
In a no-win scenario, My‑re in no way wanted to sell Koma. However, the ruse of selling to Araminth appeared torn to shreds, like the fictitious contract she said she had with her. If she didn’t sell to Karameikos, he’d become suspicious, especially with the amount of coin he offered. It would likely cost them their lives if compromised, and Koma would remain in his possession. She had no viable choice.
“I’m keeping our derrieres alive,” My‑re translated and then spoke in Rathiri. “Mighty Karameikos, your generosity is without bounds. If it pleases the Khan, we would like to remain in Rithakhar, enjoy our bounty, and take in the city's delights.”
“My city is open. We do not get many Shagornan Elves in Rithakhar,” Karameikos said, adding, “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 spirits in my palace. My Nai-Shang mages and shamans highly protect it. Remove your veil.”
My‑re hesitated.
“Do you not wish to receive the blessing of the Great Khan of Khans?”
She slowly removed the veil and headdress, revealing 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 she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. A solidly built Rirorni moved through the crowd and emerged. A flat, broken nose made him stand out. She recognized him, Re’Lan, a person who had been present at her arrest when she killed the prominent warrior, Do’Kas, all those years ago. He had also testified in her trial and was there when the sentence of banishment was decreed. However, there was a slightly bigger problem. He recognized her, too.