“Dragons!” came a voice from outside the mine.
Breathing in and sighing longingly, Araminth said, “And here they come.”
All eyes turned to the sky.
Vomarian slowly came up and nodded to My‑re. They went to the back of a nearby wagon outside the Rirorni pit gladiator mine. She looked to the Shagornan Elf, who had removed his armor. His bloody, battered, and bruised swollen face and body made her wince.
He stared at her charred shoulder and burnt hands. My-re only wore her under-armor attire. She didn’t even try to cover herself as modesty was the furthest thing on her mind. He returned a weak cringe.
“Don’t we make a great pair?” Vomarian snorted. “I’m not sure who is worse off?”
“We’re both worse off,” My‑re quipped.
“Lady Greywand indicated you were hesitant to come on this mission. I can now see why. Do most of her missions typically go this way?” Vomarian asked.
“Usually worse.”
“Worse? How so?”
“In my last mission, we fought an Elkarrish, most of the Lord Protectors died, I almost drowned, was possessed by said Elkarrish, and was under threat of being eaten by a gargantuan crab named Grumpy in the Lake of Mists.”
“Oh. So, you’re telling me I should have charged Lady Greywand a higher fee.”
My‑re chuckled but cringed in pain when her shoulder moved. She started to feel the effects of a healing potion Havelock had given them. She glanced at the archmage, who discussed their nature with a Rirorni Nai-Shang mage.
“It normally takes two weeks for the full effects,” Havelock informed her.
The wind picked up. In the distance, it blew the tops of the trees wildly. Scared faces stared at the sky. Their eyes darted for the threat. Horses neighed and began bucking. Most ran with riders still saddled. The Great Khan Karameikos’ personal guard surrounded the Rirorni leader. Cracks of unnatural thunder rang over the valley.
“I don’t have anything left to fight dragons,” Vomarian commented.
“This isn’t our fight,” My‑re said, pointing with her chin.
In the center of the Rirorni camp, Araminth stood wrapped in Westwind’s cloak and looked up with him next to her. They held each other’s hands tightly.
A massive creature swooped in front of the pair. The ground shook as it landed. A gargantuan dragon with silver patterns rose to its full height, over fifty feet long. It stretched its wings, which were easily twice that length.
“Araminth. My most favored child. I knew the news of your passing had been grossly overstated by humans, no less—the affront. Nonetheless, I am pleased to lay eyes on you again, even if it is in this wayward form,” Yrioth the Ancient said.
My‑re heard Yrioth in her mind. From the blank looks on the other's faces, it didn’t seem like they were hearing the dragon. She wasn’t sure if she had become attuned to the dragon-speak or if someone permitted her to listen in.
“I am your only child, father,” Araminth replied. “And this wayward form, as you call it, is what I am. Accepted or not.”
Overhead, nine more dragons flew in a circular pattern around the valley. A smaller but equally impressive dragon with green patterns broke from the group and landed a few seconds later.
“Minthy, time was provided to try new things. Stretch your wings. You played as a human, though I do not understand why. You veiled your mind for ten years. Yet, space was given. However, it is past time you were mated. You will understand what it means to be dragon once you have a drake of your own,” Feriale said. “I came to know this when I mated with your father, and you were hatched.”
“I am mated,” Araminth replied. She gripped Westwind’s hand tighter.
Both Feriale and Yrioth the Ancient’s heads withdrew, and they snorted in displeasure.
Feriale said, “Minthy, I do not understand. A human?”
“I do not expect you to understand. I expect you to accept my decision,” Araminth said.
“Enough, Araminth,” Yrioth said. “Bid farewell to your toys. There will be no further discussion until we return to the Drakenfell Mountains.”
Araminth moved to speak, but Westwind interrupted. “Mint, there’s no need to anger your mother and father. Travel with them. Plead your case. You are the smartest woman I know. You’ll convince them this is your life, your choice. I’ll wait for your return to my side at the Dragon’s Hoard in Shadowspire.”
“I am already at my mate’s side,” Araminth replied, taking his other hand.
“Minthy, the human is wise for one of its kind,” Feriale said.
“I shall return to you in two weeks’ time,” Araminth said. She looked at Yrioth and Feriale. “And do not call me Minthy. That is my drakeling name.” She transformed into a golden dragon with green patterns similar to Feriale's. She launched herself into the sky. Her mother followed.
“My‑re of the Humans. Report to Lady Greywand the outcome is acceptable. You have tallied favor with dragon. The right of request may be asked,” Yrioth said.
“Can I think about it?” My‑re questioned.
Yrioth nodded.
“What about Koma?” My‑re asked, looking at the mere dragon resting at her feet. “I understand it belongs to your family.”
“That mere dragon is mine! I purchased it for a great sum!” Khan Karameikos called out.
Yrioth’s head snapped in his direction. The outburst did not please him.
“Which I’m gladly returning to its rightful owner,” Karameikos said hurriedly and gestured to the mere dragon.
Turning his head and gaze back slowly, Yrioth said to My‑re, “I sense the female mere dragon has a fondness for you. She is now in your care.”
“I didn’t know Koma was a female. I assumed she was male.”
“Male mere dragons are small. Most are eaten after mating,” Yrioth explained. He then turned to Westwind. “Araminth will be properly mated. She is dragon. You are not.” He then launched himself into the air. The eleven dragons then all turned and flew south. Their loud thunderclap echoed in the distance.
Khan Karameikos proceeded toward My‑re and Vomarian, along with his royal escort and Bal’Taz. “My‑re, two matters are left unsettled between us. First, that is a fine beast. As the rightful owner, I will purchase it from you…again.”
My‑re looked to Koma. “My apologies, but ‘she’ is not for sale Great Khan.”
Snorting in annoyance, Karameikos continued looking back to Bal’Taz. “Second, it has come to my attention that you have been banished from the Rirorni Empire, a transgression punishable by death.”
Vomarian stood up, and the other Shagornan Elves stiffened and gripped their weapons.
Glaring daggers at Bal’Taz, My‑re replied, “Apologies again, Great Khan. This is true.”
“It is also my understanding you were banished to fight in the Blood Games tournament in Valamantis as punishment. You were then crowned Blood Games champion upon your victory,” Karameikos said.
“Yes, Great Khan, this is also true.”
“Your victory by combat has commuted your sentence, so banishment has thus ended,” Karameikos said and then continued, “To ensure there are no future misunderstandings and since you are a friend to dragons.” Karameikos motioned to one of his guards. He produced a small box, made of cherry wood, with a gold design of Rirorni on horseback. He opened it. Inside sat a round disk made of steel with wording in a bronze cast in four languages. The largest font was in Rathiri, the native language of the Rirorni. The common tongue of Kannish spoken in the Delequaran Federation. Frats, or Frafrejan, spoken in the Andorian League, and Tathanit spoken along trade routes and the most widespread language of the Free Blade and Independent Nations.
My-re asked, “What is this?”
Karameikos explained, “It is a Rirorni Imperial pass allowing the holder to travel through any and all ports. It reads, I am the emissary of the Khan. Let through or die.”