I sat at a desk in the grand library, quietly writing a letter to Thynorth and Franerra.
I must leave for some time. Please forgive me, as it's not something entirely in my control. I'm doing this for the protection of you both. Xulred came to me in a dream and threatened your lives if I don't leave. From what I know, he can have his god break down the wards. I don't know what else to do. I'm terrified for you Franerra. I hope you'll understand. While I'm gone I will do what I can to gather the strength to get our kin back. I love you. Both of you stay safe, and may your skies be clear.
~Amanice
Partially a lie with who came to me and how. But it's what would make sense. To them, Hrongl wouldn't bother with me. To them, Hrongl views me as a mere ant. It would inevitably raise questions if I mentioned Hrongl.
Next I started on a note to Emarenthae. Nothing special. Just something short and consise that would get the right message across. I changed my hand writing to the version I use as Asi. As myself. From simple lettering to dazzling cursive.
Good luck. You know what you can do with this. I'll be watching.
I began my meditation to summon my book, keeping myself alert to anyone who may come near. It took quite a long time. It's been a while since I've done this. I guess I've grown rusty. A dark mist swirled on the table, spilling over the edge. The mist vanished, leaving behind a book the size of my chest, from shoulder to shoulder. It was dark leather, with bronze studs and oval obsidian glass in the center. I placed Emarenthaes note on top, teleporting it to her room, and the letter to my family to the room that Thynorth stayed in near Franerra's.
May they forgive me.
With that I quickly left for the Anzure mountain under the night sky. I'll need Nijar's input on the situation. I need time to think this through. Plan it out.
I won't be able to keep up this charade much longer.
***
I arrived at the mountain not to long after I left. However the flight gave me plenty of time to think things over. I was sure of what I was doing... Even if it could very well bite me in the arse later. I walked through the cavern, spotting Nijar with a few earth dragons. The earth dragons would motion towards the new buildings they've created with their tails, which looked like the start of a market. He would then point at an empty space with a talon. Maybe they were discussing what's next to do for the area.
I quickly reached Nijar. To no avail I tried to push myself back down, before he spoke. Amanice barely exists, and that's been the reality for years.
“Ama-”
“Don’t.” His golden eyes focused on me. “What did you do? Something’s off.” I frowned at him, transforming back into my original form. “I revealed the book.”
“Why? That’s reckless! People can use it against you!” My size increased, now towering over Nijar. The other dragons, kept their distance while Nijar didn’t back down. “You think I don’t know that?!” A growl rumbled in my throat, less of annoyance and more so a threat. “I don’t care if the elves, dwarves, or the foul humans even attempt to use it against me! They don’t have the mass knowledge for it anyway. Emarenthae has it in her hands for a reason. She's my pawn, no matter the choices she makes now having it in her possession.”
“So you're just using her…” I huffed at him, “For the time being, yes,” I paused for a moment pondering on my decisions. “I'm not ready to release the spell, however I've put it into motion.”
“You've stormed up a plan,” he stated. I grinned, “one I need your opinion on.”
“Alright let's hear it then.” I walked away from the others to a more secluded area, Nijar in toe. “I'll be traveling throughout the other kingdoms in my secondary form. I'm going to attempt to gain their allegiance against the wyvern riders, and ultimately Hrongl and his lackeys.” Nijar seemed to think on it for a moment. “How exactly will you go about this? Don't get me wrong, I think it's a good idea to attempt, however most humans are fearful of anything fae as you well know. Dragons, elves, doesn't matter, their legends paint most of us as something that will steal their children in the night and use their bones for spells… Which is partly you're doing. You'd have to prove we can be worked with.”
I snorted, “funny given I never touched their children. Nonetheless, I agree. It's going to take time and plenty of diplomatic work. It can be done. I'll play them like a fiddle if I must.”
***
Nijar filled a bag with gold coins from his personal hoard, picking through to be sure I didn't get his favorites. “What's your first target?”
“Untja,” I said as I plucked a coin from the hoard, and flipped it between my fingers. “The humans will be the most difficult to handle, so I need to start on them sooner than later.”
He chuckled, weighing the bag in his hands, “you used to terrorize Untja’s grand cities some generations back, right?” I nodded watching him tie the bag. “I did. King… um- what was his name- King Jerian II was the only one to ever take action against me. He hired the best sorcerers to try to keep me out of the country, and the capital, if I got past the first dome they had up. He even enlisted mere apprentices. I tore down the first dome around the country with ease and made my way for the capital. I was adamant about taking the king's head at that time. When I got there, once again I took down their dome. But I couldn't help but notice, not one sorcerer or apprentice ran. They began to try to put the dome back up, and prepared their spells to fight me. So out of respect for their courage and valor, I left without any blood spilt. I haven't touched their people since.” Nijar gave me the bag and we began walking down stone steps that the earth dragons formed. “Really? I've heard many variations of that story, but I'm positive I've never caught wind of that one.”
I snorted, “The original story never really made a great tale for the bards to tell. Brave sorcerers, going to battle with a Titanic Dragon, ultimately killing it or causing it to flee from severe injury always reels in an audience. However I'm pretty sure Untja has the true reality of it somewhere in their records. They've always held history quite dear to them. Anyway, I must be on my way. Keep the rebels safe Nijar, alert me if anything drastic happens.”
“Of course. I swear they'll stay safe, even if it costs me my life.”
“Thank you.”
He nodded, “I wish you luck with Untja. And please don't keep me in the dark. I want to know how this plays out.”
“I'll keep you informed, don't worry.”
Nijar smiled, “May your skies be clear Asi.”
"May your skies be clear,” I echoed back, swiftly taking me leave.58Please respect copyright.PENANAr46f38cykM