by Eric Vall
“It is,” I said as I came over and pulled a dagger from the wall, “but you have to maintain your hold on the hilt, otherwise the enchantment doesn’t work. Here, I’ll show you.”
The Elders gathered around as I dragged the Halcyan blade across my forearm, and when no blood seeped out, they began muttering excitedly amongst themselves. Then the slit in my skin healed right before their eyes, and they fell silent as they stared in shock.
“Oh, that’s not from the blade,” I muttered, and I quickly pulled my sleeve down as I returned the dagger to the wall. “I uh … I heal quickly.”
“No need to hide your secrets amongst us,” Dogra told me in a low voice. “No man could survive a fall like that with magery alone, and we saw how your healer struggled to adjust your leg before your bones fused together of their own accord.”
The Elders studied me carefully while they waited for me to respond, and I finally nodded.
“Fair enough,” I replied. “I found an elf in Nalnora to brand me with a rune that heals my body at an accelerated rate. I’m not immortal or anything, but I’ve survived several bad injuries thanks to the power of the rune I wear now. Including the fall last night, thank the gods.”
“Then the elves are still practicing rune magic,” Foreg mused, and he stroked his white beard as his eyes widened with intrigue.
“Some elves still know the ways of rune magic,” I corrected him, “but a lot of the ancient knowledge has been lost.”
The dwarves shook their heads in disbelief as they stared down at the Halcyan blades in their hands, and even though I knew Dorinick would have a field day when he found out, I made a snap decision.
“You should take some of these blades with you back to Orebane,” I told the Elders. “Who knows when you might see one again, and I certainly have more than I need.”
“Surely, we couldn’t infringe on your hospitality,” Foreg immediately declined, but Killick was already hopping on his tippy toes to get at the serrated sword, and I chuckled as I pulled it from the rack for him.
“I insist,” I assured Foreg. “It’s the least I can do, and I thank you for the suggestions where my home is concerned. I’ll do what I can to make sure it’s improved by your next visit to Illaria.”
“Never mind that,” Foreg replied, and he waved his hand dismissively. “We have just the thing. We’ll see to the necessary supplies as soon as we return to Aurum.”
“That’s really not necessary, Elder Foreg--”
“Nonsense,” he cut in. “We owe you greatly, Defender Flynt. Not only for ensuring the tariffs were properly opposed, but for speaking so loyally on our behalf. You showed great integrity on the matter, and we thank you for upholding your dedication to Orebane. Not ten in ten hundred would speak as you did this past evening.”
“Nor would they tell a baron to fuck off in front of their own king,” Dogra muttered, and he sent me a grin that bore a striking resemblance to Dorinick’s.
“I’m still getting the hang of this nobility thing,” I admitted as I rubbed my neck.
“On the contrary,” Foreg replied, “I believe you have it all well in hand.”
I nodded my thanks as the Elders swapped daggers and swords to make their selections from my hoard of weaponry, and when my women arrived with their cheeks still flushed and their hair mussed after our steamy afternoon, I sent them a broad grin.
There were a few unmistakable bite marks flecking their slender necks, but luckily, the dwarves were more distracted by my weaponry than my women. The four of them smirked to themselves as they settled in on the edge of the fountain, and when the Elders expressed their gratitude to them for so readily defending the castle, they just shrugged, smiled, and blushed some more.
“You ought to expand your collection, Defender Flynt,” Dogra said as he finally decided on a particularly deadly Halcyan glaive. “I see you’ve acquired an impressive flail, but a few well-wrought battle axes wouldn’t go amiss, and I see no lances.”
“What an excellent idea,” Aurora mused with a deadly grin. “I think battle axes are just what we’ve been missing.”
“Perhaps a mace or two,” Killick added. “We’ll have some of our best sent from Aurum.”
“You’re too kind,” Cayla assured the dwarves, and I could have sworn I saw Killick blush beneath his beard as she fluttered her lashes at him.
It was understandable, though. She still had that sultry look in her blue eyes that she always had after a good fucking, and I sent the princess a wink as I returned the last few daggers to my rack.
Then Foreg cleared his throat with a stern frown in Killick’s direction.
“We had best be on our way, Defender Flynt,” the elder announced. “The train to the north will be leaving shortly, and we have much business to attend to now that you’ve restored the mountains to the west of Aurum.”
“Absolutely,” I agreed.
Aurora offered her arm to Agrokea as she helped him down from the stool, and he chuckled hoarsely when she insisted on escorting him to the station as well. Then I led the Elders out of the house and across my bridge while I tried not to feel too cocky about my soon to be moat, and I snuck a glance over my shoulder to admire the outside view of my mansion.
My self-satisfaction shot up as I realized it had to be three times as big as House Quyn, and Cayla looked as proud as I did while she sauntered behind the dwarven leaders like a queen. The mages in Falmount stared openly at the sight of us escorting the Elders through the lanes, and I would have sent them all away if the attention didn’t seem to please the dwarves so much.
“I suppose these are your soldiers?” Killick grunted as he gestured to a group of gaping Aer Mages.
“For the most part,” I replied. “That reminds me, if I were interested in purchasing some dwarven armor, how much--”
“How many soldiers require armor?” Dogra cut in, and I sent him an uneasy glance.
“A couple hundred probably,” I admitted. “I know it’s a lot, but--”
“We’ll send enough for five hundred,” Dogra decided with a nod. “You’ll likely gather a larger force before long.”
My women’s eyes went wide at the offer, and I nearly tripped over my boots.
“That’s incredibly kind of you,” I managed. “How much do I owe you?”
“Nothing, of course,” Foreg replied as we mounted the steps to the platform of the station.
“Elder Foreg, I couldn’t accept such an offer,” I argued. “Your work is unparalleled, and--”
“As is your own, Defender Flynt,” Foreg interrupted. “Contrary to popular belief, the dwarves are an extremely gracious race. We honor those who honor us, and the efforts you’ve made on behalf of Orebane more than pays for any wares you require. You can expect the first shipment of armor within the week, and the moment our western mines begin production, we will see that your women are the first in Illaria to wear black opal.”
Cayla’s eyes glittered as she stepped forward to take Foreg’s hand, and she bowed deeply to the Elders as I quickly followed suit.
“Thank you for honoring us with your visit,” Cayla said in earnest. “Words cannot express how much we appreciate your alliance.”
Foreg looked extremely pleased by the princess’ gesture, and he bowed in return while Cayla’s smile grew even wider.
Then Foreg turned to me. “If you hear from Dorinick before we do--”
“He will,” Killick muttered, and Dogra rolled his eyes.
“Do give him our best,” Foreg continued.
“And let him know he is treading on thin ice,” Killick growled. “We are not above withdrawing the offer we’ve extended to him for a seat amongst us.”
I smirked. “I’ll be sure to let him know.”
The Elders bowed once more before they filed into the train car, and they were already studying their Halcyan daggers again before the door slid closed. Then Bagneera ignited the engine, and the train slowly pulled out of the station to head north into the
mountains.
Cayla immediately burst into giggles as she clutched my arm and sent me a giddy smile, and Deya curled her arm in mine to lay a kiss on my cheek.
“You’re officially the only noble in Illaria to ever receive the dwarven Elders in your home,” Cayla informed me. “Don’t you feel better than every other person in the nation? I do.”
“I do, too,” Aurora said with a satisfied smirk.
“You’re all letting this go straight to your heads,” I decided, and I turned to lead my women back to our mansion while Shoshanne giggled and pulled Aurora along with her.
“I can’t believe our army will be fully suited in dwarven armor,” Deya sighed.
“I can’t believe we’ll all be wearing black opal before Lady Emonie,” Cayla moaned.
“I believe it,” Shoshanne said with a shrug. “Mason has more than proved his worth to the dwarves. Why shouldn’t they repay him directly?”
I sent a grin to the healer over my shoulder, but as I turned my head, a strange sound registered in my ears. It was coming from the woods just east of the station, and my feet slowed to a stop as I tried to decipher what I was hearing.
“What is that?” Deya asked as she did the same, and Aurora furrowed her brow.
“It’s getting closer,” the half-elf muttered.
My hand slid to my pistol as I slowly headed back toward the tracks, and the sound was loud enough now that several mages in the streets were also reaching for their revolvers while they trailed behind me.
Then I finally realized where I’d heard the noise before.
“Son of a bitch,” I whispered, and the green glow of my snatcher’s gem flickered between the trees as my gut dropped through my ass. Then I flipped around and raised my voice above the grating roar coming from the woods. “Everyone clear the streets! Now!”
Chapter 15
Chaos broke out as the mages hurried to take cover, but Aurora stood right where she was as her emerald eyes lit up, and if I wasn’t so concerned for everyone in Falmount, I would have rolled my eyes.
Instead, I herded a few panicked mages in the proper direction while Shoshanne ordered the inhabitants of the houses near the tracks to evacuate, and Cayla demanded everyone holster their weapons immediately.
Only half the mages heeded her words, though, and Aurora swiftly turned a venomous glare toward the lingering crowd until they finally obeyed the order and lowered their revolvers.
“Anyone who pulls a trigger will be burned alive,” the half-elf growled, and I quickly ran to her side.
“Aurora, you can’t threaten to kill our mages,” I mumbled as I sent them all an apologetic nod, but the look the half-elf turned my way was enough to make even me shrink back.
“Please?” I tried, and Aurora cocked a brow. “Great, good talk.”
I abandoned my efforts there as I sprinted toward the tracks like my ass was on fire, and my women were at my back when the snatcher whirred across the tracks.
“Wait!” I ordered the automaton. “Don’t bring it--”
But the large, black dragon snared in the snatcher’s netting gave a furious roar that sent flames shooting right over the automaton, and we all jumped back as frantic screams broke out around Falmount.
“Godsdamnit, that’s a big dragon,” I gasped as I helped Shoshanne to her feet.
“I want it,” Aurora announced.
“You can’t have a fucking dragon!” I growled, but the words were lost to another furious roar, and the wings of the dragon beat hard against the ground to send tremors shaking the lanes.
The beast was only half subdued despite the three darts pricked in its black snout, and as it continued attempting to free itself, the tips of its wings smashed through the roofs of two nearby houses.
Then I caught the sound of the Defenders running from the pub, and when another house caved in, I knew I was going to have to think fast.
“Shit, shit, shit,” I muttered, and Shoshanne sent me a terrified look.
“Mason, I don’t have enough tranquilizer for this,” the healer informed me.
“I know,” I said with a nod. “Um … okay, let me just--”
“Defender Flynt!” Urn suddenly barked, and I cringed as I turned to find seven furious Defenders pulling their revolvers out at once.
“Don’t shoot!” Aurora screeched, and then she bolted straight toward the dragon.
“Aurora, what the--” I tried, but the dragon’s flames shot out a split second later, and when they engulfed the half-elf’s body, I lost all ability to function as my legs collapsed under me.
Shoshanne’s shriek pierced my ears as every mage in the streets went into a full panic, and I heard several hammers cocking behind me, but I couldn’t seem to do much more than stare as my world caved in on itself.
Then the flames died down, and a coal black Aurora coughed as she swiped the soot from her eyes.
“Don’t shoot!” she choked, and Cayla fainted on the spot.
“W-What the fuck?” I stammered as I shakily got to my feet. “Aurora, you … what are you doing?”
“Don’t shoot!” she demanded again. “I see your guns, you bastards, and I meant what I said about burning--”
“Shut up and get over here!” I bellowed, and Aurora jumped at the tone of my voice.
Then she reluctantly abandoned her position, and I couldn’t decide if I should chain her to the house for the rest of her life or have sex with her right here in the streets. For ten seconds, I thought I had lost her, but now I was twice as pissed as I’d been when she ran toward the dragon.
So, I glared at the soot covered woman while I tried to breathe at a normal rate, and even the roars of the dragon couldn’t distract me from the war of relief and fury taking place in me. Silence fell in the streets while the mages kept their aim directed toward the partially subdued dragon on the tracks, and Shoshanne half-heartedly fanned Cayla as she eyed me nervously.
“Sorry?” Aurora tried with a crooked smile.
“Don’t--” My fury silenced me, and I settled for grabbing her arm and shoving her into Urn’s hold instead. “Don’t move.”
“But, Mason!” Aurora whined.
I leveled the woman with a look that finally silenced her before I turned to the rest of the town, and a few younger mages shrank back at the sight of me.
“Lower your guns!” I ordered. “Now!”
“Defender Flynt, that creature--” Urn began, but I raised a hand to silence him, too.
“No,” I countered. “No one say a damn word, alright?”
The dragon let out a vengeful roar at the command, and I rifled my hair as Deya offered me a tiny and awkward smile.
“Any ideas?” I asked the elf, but she shook her head.
“I’ve got one,” Urn tossed out. “Kill the damn thing. It’s a danger to the whole town, and if that machine brought it here, then it must be runed as well. We can’t risk--”
“But Mason!” Aurora whined once more, and I swore I saw her stomp her foot.
“Defender Solana,” Urn berated, “you are behaving entirely irrationa--”
“Fuck you!” the half-elf snapped, and she elbowed the burly Terra Mage so hard he lost his hold on her.
Then Haragh pushed his way through the crowd, and I could have cried I was so relieved to see him.
“Oh, thank the gods,” I groaned. “Haragh, just … be here. Fix this with me.”
“Is that a dragon?” he clarified when he got to my side.
I nodded. “Yeah, I--”
“Then shoot the bastard, what are ye’ waiting for?”
“How dare you!” Aurora screeched. “No one is shooting this dragon, and I may be your friend, but I will absolutely murder you if you try! Don’t think I won’t! I’ll fucking flail you to death and I won’t regret doing it!”
“Yeah!” Deya scoffed as she came to stand beside the half-elf and tried to match her scowl.
“Aurora …” I warned, but Haragh’s brows practically raised right
off his forehead.
“Alright, let’s just calm down,” the half-ogre suggested, and the look he sent me was too confusing for me to even discern its meaning. Then he cleared his throat, and I decided I really did not need his help right now. “Clearly tensions are high, and we’ve all got a lot to process, yeah? Aurora’s feeling a little over-protective, is all, and I’m sure her hormones are makin’ her--”
“My what?” Aurora gasped, and my women snorted in disgust. Then the half-elf punched Haragh directly in the diaphragm with all the force she could muster.
The half-ogre heaved and dropped to his knees as I nodded to myself, and another bout of flames shot from the dragon just to drive the stake in.
“Wh-What about hormones?” Cayla asked dazedly from the ground, and while Haragh looked anxiously between me and my pissed off women, he must have decided just to give up all together.
“Temin asked Mason to be head of the Order!” the half-ogre blurted out, and all of my women gasped in unison.
“You’re such an asshole,” I growled.
“Wait,” Urn cut in, “did he really offer you the job?”
“Mason, you didn’t tell us!” Cayla scolded as she tried to stand. “This is huge! How could you not--”
Suddenly, another furious roar broke through the crowd, but this time, it wasn’t coming from the dragon.
Mages shrieked and scrambled away as Taru lumbered down the lane, and when she saw Haragh doubled over on the ground, she let out another growl that actually silenced the dragon for a second. She still had the giant ruby Haragh made her propped under one arm while her club dragged in her other hand, and I craned my neck to look up at her as I tried not to appear too terrified.
“Oh, hey, Taru,” I managed, but she snarled so fiercely that my eyes dropped to the ground instead.
“Don’t worry, sweetie,” Haragh rasped hastily from the ground. “I’m just fine! This dragon is all that’s goin’ on. Damn dragon.”
“Dragon,” I agreed with a nod.
Aurora casually inched behind me as Taru’s blood red eyes swept over us all, and then the ogre woman dropped her massive club before hauling Haragh to his feet with one hand.
