“The odds of dying by a dragon are very low.”
“That’s very reassuring, Havelock,” My-re replied happily.
“But they are not zero.”
My-re gave the arch-mage wizard the side eye. “It seems like we’ve been traveling the Rirorni Plains for the past two weeks. How far are we from the Twisted Land?”
“Captain, off the bow!” came a shout from a Shagornan elf from the crow’s nest.
My-re, Havelock, and some of the 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 towards them. Fast. Within several seconds the creature grew in size and was no ordinary bird. It was a dragon. She guessed it was at least twenty feet in length with a wingspan twice as long. Approaching it gracefully circled their flying craft twice. Flapping 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 port side of the ship like a snake and regarded the Shagornan elves. If anything it seems 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 is magic,” Havelock said holding his hands on his apparel, quite pleased with himself, as he approached the dragon’s head.
Apparently, 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 quickly said.
‘Little girl, are you the designated voice?’
“I’m not a girl,” My-re replied. “I’m a wo-”
‘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 go around it. However, you seem determined to enter the Twisted Lands.’
“We needed to talk the great house of dragon,” My-re said.
‘Which?’
“The biggest one?” My-re said hesitantly and slightly cringed as the words left her mouth.
‘There are two noble houses of dragons in these lands. They are mighty and equal. By knowing neither, you insult both. 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, “There are two mere dragons heading for the Twisted Lands. Kata and Kuki-”
“Not to be confused with a cookie,” Havelock interrupted.
‘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 term ‘part of Greywand’s hoard’, but in context to a dragon, it made some sense. 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 for several heartbeats. It turned its head back towards the Twisted Lands. My-re and the crew waited and watched. After a minute, its attention returned back to them.
‘Kata and Kuki are known to us. They are reliable minions and unable to tell an untruth. Araminth’s passing was conveyed by them. So, present your evidence to the contrary.’
Evidence? She didn’t have any. This was an unexpected turn. She 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 rescue 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, then.’
The entire crew of the Unsinkable III murmured among themselves.
‘No witnesses that saw Araminth alive?’
“Araminth’s companion, Westwind said she was alive,” My-re said.
‘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. The known truth at this time was delivered by reliable sources, 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 daughters 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 let us through and talk to the noble houses of dragon!” My-re pleaded. “You can’t let hundreds of thousands of people die!”
‘Little manling, you speak to the noble houses of the dragon. They hear you, through me. What do we care of 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 seems to already know her thoughts and tilted its head in a haughty, knowing grin. Almost like it wanted things to play out and let the Rirorni Empire 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 side of the ship. A weight was then felt removing itself from the belly of the Unsinkable III. The green dragon soared back towards the Twisting Lands.
Turning on her heels towards Havelock, My-re said, “Make 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.”