“Can’t this ship fly any faster?” My‑re, the acting captain of the flying swordsman tri-master, the Unsinkable III, asked, approaching Havelock.
Snorting, the archmage replied, “By all means, climb up the mast and start blowing into the sails.”
Seeing Havelock’s scornful look, My‑re said, “Apologies, it seems like we’ve been traveling the Rirorni Plains for the past two weeks. How far are we from the Twisted Lands?”
“Captain, off the bow!” came a shout from a Shagornan Elf from the crow’s nest.
My‑re and some crew rushed to the front of the ship, and she used her hands to block the sun’s glare. It took a moment, but she saw what appeared to be a green bird heading toward them. Fast. Within several seconds, the creature grew in size and was no ordinary bird. It was a dragon, at least twenty feet in length with a wingspan twice as long. Approaching, it gracefully circled their flying craft twice. When it flapped its wings, they could feel the power from the green-scaled dragon as the wind struck them. It reversed course and turned to approach from the front of the ship. It was going to ram them.
“Brace for collision!”
The dragon dove under the ship. The crew spun to the aft section, but it didn’t emerge. The ship shook. It fell slightly. The creature had latched on underneath. Turning back, the dragon’s head slithered over the ship's port side like a snake and regarded the Shagornan Elves. If anything, it seemed to have a sly grin.
My‑re then felt a pressure form around her head, like a great hand had gripped it, and like a grape threatened to crush it. It gave her an instant headache like a dwarf pounding a stubborn piece of metal on an anvil. She then heard directly into her mind.
“What marvelous technology. When did humans develop the machinery to fly?”
“Not technology. It’s magic,” Havelock said, holding his hands on his apparel and exceptionally pleased with himself approaching the dragon’s head.
She wasn’t the only one who heard the dragon’s voice. She then noticed a few of the Shagornan Elves also rub their temples. They could all hear it.
“A pity. It is the only thing keeping you from being burned from the sky.”
“Whoa! We’re here on an important matter,” My‑re pleaded.
“Little girl, are you the designated voice?”
“I’m not a girl,” My‑re replied.
“Human sexes are too similar. Little boy, as the designated voice, the scurrying of ants does not concern us. Is it not enough to leave you humans alone to do your scuttling, but enter our home, and you will be exterminated. It is not personal.”
“Wait, we aren’t in your home,” My‑re replied. “We won’t enter the Twisted Lands.”
“You approach our land, which is leagues from any human settlement. That alone should be enough to keep pests out. You could travel around it. However, you seem determined to enter the Twisted Lands.”
“We needed to talk to the great house of dragon,” My‑re said.
“Which?”
“The biggest one?” My‑re mumbled hesitantly and slightly cringed as the words left her mouth.
“There are two noble houses of dragons in the Twisted Lands. They are mighty and equal. By knowing none, you insult all. You are like scampering insects going where you please without regard for where you tread. We grow weary of treating with you.”
Things were turning south fast. She didn’t know what she was talking about. The dragon knew it and considered itself superior to them. It was. However, she had to change the nature of the conversation quickly before the dragon became the boot and herself the ant.
My‑re began, “Two mere dragons are heading for the Twisted Lands. Kata and Kuki.”
“Not to be confused with a cookie,” Havelock added.
“Curious, you named them? You are part of Greywand’s hoard of Lord Protectors, yes?”
“Yes, that’s it.” My‑re didn’t care for the term ‘part of Greywand’s hoard,’ but it made some sense in context to a dragon. Plus, the dragon, knowing Greywand, might buy them some clout. “They’re bringing news of Araminth Goldeneye’s death. But she’s alive.”
The dragon tilted his neck at the name and remained silent. It turned its head back toward the Twisted Lands. My‑re and the crew waited and watched. After a minute, its attention returned to them.
“Kata and Kuki are known to us. They are reliable minions and unable to tell an untruth. They conveyed Araminth’s passing. So, present your evidence to the contrary.”
Evidence? She didn’t have any. This was an unexpected turn. She had already failed her mission to stop the mere dragons within the Twisted Lands. They already had them. Vomarian was right. Splitting up was stupid. She should have gone with her gut and rescued Araminth from Varick. My‑re opened her mouth and hoped something intelligent would come out, but her brain failed her.
“No?”
“Araminth was seen alive,” My‑re blurted.
“By you?”
“Well, no.”
“Bring forth the witness.”
The entire crew of the Unsinkable III murmured amongst themselves.
“No witnesses that saw Araminth alive?”
“Araminth’s companion, Westwind, said she was alive,” My‑re explained.
“Hearsay is your evidence?”
“You have to believe me. There’s no reason to lie to you,” My‑re said.
“There are many reasons humans lie. They twist words easier than they breathe. Reliable sources delivered the known truth at this time. Your counterpoint has no fire, and events are already in motion, which can not be stopped.”
“Wait, what events?” My‑re asked.
“Araminth’s parents, Feriale and Yrioth the Ancient, have been alerted to their daughter's passing. I dare say Feriale’s rage surpasses even that of her husbands. A treaty of dragons is forming within the Drakenfell Mountains. It does not bode well for the Rirorni Empire. It will be a burning not seen since the purge of the Folstrom.”
“You need to permit us through and talk to the great houses of dragon,” My‑re pleaded. “You can’t allow hundreds of thousands of people to die.”
“Little manling, you speak to the great houses of dragon. They hear you through me. What do we care about ants being killed.”
“But-”
“Being part of Greywand’s hoard is the only reason we still treat with you and not a smoldering ruin on the Rirorni Plains. Return to Alastari and report to your grey witch. There is nothing further for you here. If you return, you will know fire.”
My‑re had a losing hand. The nine hells, she didn’t even have any cards. She had nothing to present to the dragon and nothing she could say. Looking at the drake, it seemed to know her thoughts already and tilted its head in a haughty, knowing grin. It's almost like it wanted things to play out and allow the Rirorni Empire to burn. Scoffing at the green dragon’s indifference, My‑re growled, “Remove yourself from my ship.”
Snorting a bit of flame from its nostrils, the dragon’s head slithered back over the ship's side. A massive weight fell. It removed itself from the belly of the Unsinkable III. The green dragon soared back toward the Twisting Lands.
Turning on her heels toward Havelock, My‑re said, “Make the best possible speed south to the Drakenfell Mountains. We need to intercept Araminth’s parents.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.”
“Havelock.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“Does the Unsinkable III have any offensive or defensive capabilities?”
“Oh, yes. Extensive and considerable,” the Archmage replied.
“What are they?”
“Me.”