Empress's Endgame (Book 5 and final of the Death Incanate Saga)

by Jr H. Lee Morgan

  The gold giant heard four grunts while looking at all the calm appearing humans, seeing they too agreed with the female’s decision. Then he looked at Rex Semek, the dark gray male, and gave a deep rumble.

  The second largest male in the room stood up and lifted an arm to make a fist larger than the humans who all stood and backed away. Rex Semek used a small amount of magic and opened his fist to drop four massive bands of gold wider then a hula-hoop and four feet tall. He pulled his hand back and said “You must wear these rings I made for you to command dragons who pledge loyalty to you, Rex Moril Two-legs.”

  “How am I to do that?!” She almost yelled as she approached the mound and couldn’t manage to even lift one ring. “I’m not a dragon. I cannot…”

  He sat back down and said “Adjust they will. Ancient spells I placed during their creation. Only my colony can make these. Place one limb in interior and magic will shrink appropriately to comfortable liking. Once on, only you may remove. Excess I will keep and if challenge for Rex proves you are replaced, call for me to bring excess to fit new Rex. If you die, the five of us will also know you have and we will come to destroy the enemy.”

  Moril hesitated for a moment before trusting and dipping an arm into the hole and many felt the tingle of magic while watching three long inches of thick gold parted from the mass and snapped instantly to her very wrist like a solid bracelet. She admired it for a moment before putting her other arm in to find nothing happened. Rex Semek shook his head. “One ring per limb. All magic now imbued on you. One ring, one part of spell. All four must be part on one body or not work.” He seemed to have the hardest speaking, but was understood.

  She went to the next and a new bracelet snapped almost instantly on. Moril threw a leg over and made anklets. As soon as the fourth was in place she grabbed her head and swooned, but Cage was suddenly there as she said “I feel dizzy.”

  “You will adapt, New Rex.” Nattan spoke as Semek gathered the excess gold and made it disappear. “The spells have bonded to you so your words hold weight to dragons loyal to you. Do not abuse this great trust or we five will replace you. Being Rex is a sacred trust all dragon kind must respect or all will topple.”

  “I will do my best to prove I am as honorable as you’ve been to us.” She replied with the shake of a head. “Rex Nattan, will you allow me to have Xamii send me some magic. These rings are making me too lightheaded.”

  “That will not be needed.” He said and blew a blast of hot air through leathery lips that smelled like hickory smoke, but contained in it was mana. She instantly felt better while it all passed Cage harmlessly since others couldn’t give him mana. He had to intentionally take it. Which he’d never do again. “Better?”

  “Yes!” she said with spunk. “Thank you so much.” Moril pulled from Cage’s gasp and sat back down.

  Everyone else resumed their earlier seating arrangements when the eldest stated “We still know so little on how your small colony will be effective or how many from ours must come and bond. Please state your requirements for this discussion.”

  “You’re up, Kiddo.” Cage whispered and only those with greater than average hearing could pick it up. “Just like we practiced before bed and at breakfast.”

  Rena looked up at her dad with minimal hesitation and his proud smile had given just the boost she needed to shed her wariness and stand right back up. As priestess of the tribe it was now her responsibility to deal with concerns of the tribe while Moril’s was in how it would be led and how it needed protection. She stepped forward and all eyes turned on her. Cage and Daku were by far the most proud she didn’t reveal any insecurities before these giants and her voice was clear and projected confidence. “Before that, I have concerns and questions I and my tribe must understand so mistakes, dangerous mistakes, result. And I must ask you do not mind-ling with any outsiders of these next matters.”

  “King Tate Two-legs understands and has left my mind. Speak of them, Hatchling Two-legs.” The gold one promised, by the twinkle in his eye, many could see he was enjoying this meeting.

  “If many dragons are coming, the first issue is land. Dad is making the island larger day by day, but is afraid of taking too much from the sea and affecting currents. For shelter, you need mountains and not enough can use this one. Dad also says it cannot be as deep as what we went through in the Darshay Mountains. He says hot liquid rock will destroy the island if you burrow too deep. We need land enough to give shelter and expand the island so all will be under Dad’s powerful magic. And also trees and bushes need to be grown so animals here may have a larger population.”

  “Those who volunteer will aid you and will know this.” He rumbled. “Extra land will not be an issue. We will find unused, fertile soil and work a method to deliver it here. Asteroids would certainly be plentiful.” Cage was the only one who smirked as he imagined just how that would come about. “The reef will be easy enough to be expanded and to add to the efficiency we will also supply unused gemstones from our treasuries to boost this island’s defenses. Your male parent allowed me to see them and they are highly effective and capable as any dragon colony.”

  “I appreciate it.” Rena said. “As for bonding with us. I know that women will gain the ability to cast magic and men will be stronger and faster than any are currently capable, grant eternal life beyond cause of accidents, can move from one place to another and you return aged bodies back to their prime, but what else can it do? What circumstances will result so we aren’t unprepared?”

  “We can oblige.” He replied. “What you have not spoken of is the binding boosts the mind’s functions in a certain part where it can touch the body’s mana. It is a forced evolution and has been against our laws for over a billion cycles, after the loss of a second species evolved on Valagax. This spell was made after observing you two-legs, for no race before yours showed such an ability to make Familiars. We found a way to create our own Familiars, but we did not require it as much as your kind since we have so few weaknesses or natural predators.” He started with this short back story for clarification. “Females naturally tend to be better as crafting spells no matter their species and males have strength. Your natural evolution would have started showing this after many generations, but at this point your magic users are both male and female and when you summon other creatures, they augment their strength with magic, some able to adjust their weight. When a female bonds and can touch her mana, she can express it externally. Males do so internally. Though it will not pass these features to the next generation.” Those giant golden orbs turned to the seven. “But when you have selected a partner, your youth will also make you fertile again.” The six elder women looked at one another and didn’t know this and the look they gave Metak promised that he had no other choice other than to give them more babies. He seemed fine by it. “Currently pregnant females must wait to have their hatchling before binding, but after, both will be safe. Two spirits cannot bind properly, especially one so underdeveloped. Also, current two-leg mages of the third and second wizard or witch will be raised to first, but the higher classes will not experience any change in casting power. It appears the binding allows the new union to be able to survive distance altering magic. It seems a survival mechanism in magic. Two-legs gifted with magic, but were born without, lose the gift… aside from the linked union of your mates, Cage Two-legs.”

  “What else?” Rena asked.

  “Nothing I can recall.”

  “Then does it affect children like me if I bound myself. Would I be an adult…”

  Rex Nattan’s eyes hardened along with the other four. “You are too young to bind, Hatchling. Females need till their first menstrual cycle to bind and males need no less than ten cycles here on this planet. Puberty in you human’s must be achieved or death will result. From your scent, you are not sexually mature. Males tend to physically mature faster in your kind. Binding will be done as follows, as we have decreed.” Rex Nattan said and gestured to the other four at his side. “
Males may bind at no less than ten cycles and females have first menstruation. Binding will be completed depending on maturity of dragons as well. Our development is much slower. Females will be no younger than ninety cycles and have a mentality compared to a human near fourteen. Males will be a hundred and twenty cycles before their sleeping flames manifest to show they are sexually mature, to bind. But since your maturity is so quick, most, if not all will be considered elder at a thousand cycles. Bindings will be one to one without exception other than what has happened to your three life-givers, Hatchling. All females will learn as much magic as their minds can contain while males fight to learn how to use the abilities of their body. Each partnering will learn of each other. Your Rex will communicate with us and she will speak if any are loose in preparing for war. Each partnering will also depend on the life you two-legs have chosen. True warriors will bind with my soldiers. Food makers and hunters will get Rex Hessan’s people… it will work well, we believe. Strong thinkers will benefit Rex Gralla’s and it will be done this way. No hatchlings will bind by enforcement of your new Rex Moril, as will be her first command to all who vow loyalty in her territory. They cannot disobey.”

  Rena swallowed. “I understand. As of now I have spoken on my tribe’s largest fears and questions. You’ve also answered who will teach us as well, which I thank you for.” The twinkle returned to Nattan’s eyes. She took a breath while mentally tallying for her next battle and said “As of today my tribe number three hundred and twenty seven. I’ve also excluded my Dad and mothers from the total. Add another four if you must. One hundred and two are too young or pregnant to bind from your explanation. My brother barely made it in.” She added almost jealously. “Of the adults, we have seventy one true warriors. Of those twenty three are male. We have seven healers Meeka Mother is teaching. Twelve are carvers and metal workers and nineteen tend the herds. Last are all versatile, able to adapt to whomever you wish to partner. These remaining hundred and sixteen can do everything.” She looked over her shoulder as her dad cleared his throat and watched as he tapped one of the octagonal eyes that were attached to him. “And my dad wishes to also say he bought everyone able to bind, a crystal to aid in increasing mana passively when it is completed. He says that linking a gem to one person would help bring their new abilities to be as strong as possible in the Fall.”

  “Then we are appreciative. It will expedite the overall strength when reapers go to war.” Rex Nattan voiced. Then he took an introspective look. “Three hundred and thirty one living two-legs… Fellow Rexs’, any comments?”

  Rex Gralla spoke first. “We should ask if a thousand can take residence at this new colony.”

  “Speak you mind.” Moril said aloud. “Why a thousand?”

  “To view how you command as the first Rex not of Draconian origin.” Gralla stated bluntly. “It would be a good experience for the younger elders who aren’t so hesitant with acknowledging your actual sentience. You will be forced in an unnatural way we’ve expressly avoided. We five know you are sentient because you are creative and make the world work to your advantage. You can plan rotations and cycles ahead, just not as your instincts dictate and control. If the Rare Ones believe your people will save us, others need to see just why they believe so strongly to have each and every Rare One show up here to give their final warning. A thousand here would also grant added protection for the newly hatched griffins. Such a precaution and experiment would do wonders. My colony has proven to work well with you two-legs and many of our young learn in Twilight. If an expansion is coming here to this territory, a thousand will not be much. Would it?”

  “Would these thousand be comprised of some from each of your tribes?” Moril asked.

  “It shall. And it would be best if they all have at least a basic understanding in this tongue so that misinterpretations do not result.”

  “Elders? Priestess?” Moril asked.

  The seven barely looked to one another before nodding while Rena said “They are pretty. I want more dragon friends.” She spun back around. “Will there be children?”

  “Likely.” Rex Nattan spoke.

  “Then I only ask for those who wish to come. I do not want any being ordered. And I need to know they truly belonged to you. I would not want our new enemy to get that close before they speak their oath.” Moril insisted.

  “Wise. Perhaps any who come pretend to talk as they approach Moril.” Cage said. “My words block sounds to those outside. If it looks like you guys are saying a special greeting to her and she pretends to bow and someone sees and can read Draconian lips, we’ll trap them. If they do talk the greeting we can simply detain them and torture information. I can take down any dragon and suppress them with my power. One at a time would especially be ideal. Since only Nattan and I are magically strongest on the planet, I’m more than capable of doing this.”

  “Interesting.” The gold one considered. “It is a tactic that has few faults. We can speak to those loyal and volunteering in private and make it appear we talk while magically seal sounds while we do speak. It would be more authentic. Our breathing wouldn’t need to be forced and canceling sound is simple enough for any hatchling to do. If this greeting makes sound, not knowing the silencing spell is our method would certainly trap those outside our command and trust.”

  “What shall be pretended to be said?” Rex Shrral inquired.

  “How about this?” Cage grinned and switched to Draconian. Suddenly the room shook as all five burst out laughing, caught completely off guard. Semek almost rolled off his platform.

  “What did you say, Dad?” Rena couldn’t help smiling while the five struggled to regain composure, only to renew their humor.

  “The translation loosely means ‘I’m here, Human. And I’ll pretend know only Draconian just to piss you off and talk behind your back. I’m hungry and you look good. Perhaps I’ll make you a snack.’ But it’s funnier in Draconian. It refers to an old saying they have against warlocks who loved challenging dragons and wound up later as a steaming pile of shit.” He said and chuckled again.

  It took a good few minutes to get back under control. Rex Nattan still smiled though. “That would be excellent as a choice if Rex Moril Two-legs inclines her head while smiling, as if ignorant. If she raises a hand they can remove being silenced, to speak their oath. One word before that moment her arm raises must be dealt with swiftly. I approve.”

  “As do I.” “And I.” “And I.” “ And I.” The other four Rexs’ announced.

  “So shall have our main issues been resolved at this moment. Are there any further objectives that must be met?” Nattan asked and on at a time, every head shook from side to side. “Then we must get started. Rex Shrall, I ask you to focus on finding an asteroid to begin expanding this promising territory. We all know a secret phrase to now contact one another at any moment for emergencies. Rex Moril Two-legs,” she sat a little straighter. “allow Xamii Sunscales or Cage Two-legs to contact us on your behalf until such time as your power is strong enough to do it without aid. There is just one request I have for you, Cage Two-legs.”

  “How about a trade.” He countered while standing. “If I do this request, which I have an idea it’s about, help me. You all know I’m training in warlock martial arts, but my bones cannot handle the strain. I’m having difficulty measuring just the weight of my bones.”

  “A rather simple answer really. Allow me to lift you.” Cage lowered his wards and was immediately lifted gently. “Your weight is solid and extensively muscled despite your lean physique. According to gravity you weigh two hundred and twenty nine pounds. The natural skeleton in your species is about seventeen percent. The nearest accurate estimation would be thirty nine pounds. Likely it will need to double to not break.” Nattan gently sat him back down. “Drink lactate or extract calcium to reach that needed amount.”

  “I’ll need to drink. I ate last night. How many gallons would you say I’d require?”

  “Depends on the mammal. Cattle would nee
d two hundred and four at basic to hold such calcium and minerals to bind it to bone. It can be condensed through extraction and concentration to sixteen, but will be bitter.”

  “Thanks, looks like I’ve got work cut out for me. I’ll figure out somehow. So what is your request?”

  Instead, Rex Gralla answered. “In the coming conflict you likely will need to Jump from one war front to another.” Her fiery gaze was certain. “Information is greatest tool to any victory and when war comes, old magic will be used. If you require us or we you, many times will personal conversations need to be held to gain them. Sight mirrors can be spied on or used through illusion. To combat this weakness, leaders use old magics to verify a person’s intent and who they are. Magic can alter appearance and endanger security. Cage Two-legs, to increase how well you may move about you must visit more of Raliea. Flying will be more effective and the five of us grant permission to fly through our territories to view as much as possible.” She crossed her large wrists in a rather demure way that made her seem much more feminine. “After twenty five cycles, all young hatchlings leave the nest to see the world and take it all in. often alone since few predators exist that are a threat anymore. It allows Jumping since you have seen the lands with your own eyes. Magic will not allow one to Jump and complex mathematics take far longer to draft to Jump in such a way and isn’t as accurate as seeing with your own eyes. Likely you will have some need to Jump to many areas when time is too valuable.”

  “In other words you want me to scour your territories to make my own Jump Points to increase the number of places I’ve been to?” Heads nodded slowly. “I wish I could. Daku has his hands full with the griffin cubs and he barely made time today to do this. We cannot travel together as he’ll be too anxious to be far from them. I sure as hell can’t go flying through the Laqura Empire without their magic locating me and I sure can’t Jump in without Vika’s brainwashed cronies pinpointing my entrance and who knows what Heedi Rova’s dragons would do if they found a warlock flying in their territory. Too risky right now.”