“It is a great honor to finally put a face to the man that has been aiding my people. From the entirety of my clan, you have our sincerest gratitude.” Koga Khan was a sizable black scaled Draconian, a triset of horns arced over his scalp in smooth curves that followed the shape of his skull. An abundance of scars peppered his body from scalp to sole. He had bowed deeply and showed more gratitude in his stance than formality. He and his companions had taken their seats across from Talia and myself. Koga is as professional a diplomat as he is a warrior. The Draconian clan, Khans, are a nomadic race of dragon humanoids that have traveled every stretch of land their horses could carry them too. Centuries of this cultural lifestyle have forged them into some of the best hunter trackers in all the Alysium boarders. At one point they were a fierce enemy combatant, now he and a few of his kin stand in our halls as diplomats and emissaries of peace. A strong and hostile disagreement had erupted between themselves and another Draconian clan that had settled near the peaks of the Skybreak Mountains with an Abyssal clan. I never understood that situation in its entirety, but my wife does. “It was an honor and privilege, to have been able to witness firsthand the combat prowess of your clan. I had heard tavern stories from brigands and vagabonds about times they have crossed blades with your people.” I replied in kind with equal respect. “The horseback archery skills are truly top class. Even if I trained for a century, I doubt I would be able to compare.” I embellished a little with my statement, in 50 years I could learn in a century I would surely match their talents. As did Koga, “If we could train for an era, I doubt anyone of my clan, or people for that matter, could ever hope to match your skills with a blade.” The mutual respect we shared for one another is refreshing but the presence of my wife and the on looking staff were enough to progress the conversation forward.
“As per our standing arrangement the theft of your horses, destruction of caravan wagons, assault on your non-combatants, honor stained by bigotry and abduction of vital food stores have been corrected and or restored to the best of our abilities.” I stated in a more professional tone. “As added punitive measures for the harsh treatment of your clan within our boarders by ones considered citizens of our territory. By order of Emperor Viktor Iroris Yeltsin and supported by the five allied High Kings, we grant you territorial ownership of the Greater Golden Plains that span the northern borders of the Alysium empire neighboring the coastal kingdom of Pelicade to the east. From the Glimmermist River that marks the edge of the Palladium Forest in the west to the Kaiyto Ocean that hugs the eastern coast. These lands will be yours to settle, cultivate, and govern as you see fit with the influence of your own culture and customs. There are some finer details that still need to be established but we felt it best to allow you to voice those particulars.” Talia had followed up with. The room grew quiet except for the draconian chatter from our guest. The excited and frantic nature of their discussion initially put a smile on our faces yet for every passing second, I could feel their trepidation building.
A little past an hour hastily goes by as they deliberated in their native tongue. You see I am not the sharpest linguist in the room, or the city for that matter. In this chamber, the palaces conference hall though, I counted four separate Alysium individuals that are fluent in Dracaenes. Luckily for me one of my personal aids who was close enough to them, just so happened to be one of those fluent in dracaenes. The arcane weavers and enchanters of Alysium are quite good at their craft. For those of captain rank and up, we received these nifty little enchanted peridot earrings. Teledots the creator had entitled them. Like my personal telepathy link gem, this earring works in a similar fashion. These were meant for multi-linked telepathic quick burst communications. For it to be successful it required two things to work. The first was to feed it a constant light connection to the arcane by pinching it. So low a requirement of leiline that even those lacking a connection to the arcane could still activate one. Second was being within a ten-meter range of another Teledot. Our guest continued to debate back and forth over the time of a couple of telepathic sentences. My aid had brought me up to speed with one message after another. On the surface edge of my mind, he left these imprints.
“They have reservations about accepting the offer.”
“Another clan have been a nuisance for that city. Brigands, bandits, and criminals.”
“Pelicade hasn’t shown hostility to their kind as whole, but that could change.”
“Is the land for them alone or all their kind?”
“Is it room enough for the Old Clans to settle?”
“What else is expected out of them for this generosity.”
“Are they a free people like the others in the alliance or will they be seen as Alysium citizens.”
“What of their culture, practices, and beliefs. Where do they draw the line with our customs?”
“What of the other place to the west, the ruins?”
“Sire, if I may be so bold it is time for Mrs. Talia to settle their concerns, before they deny this offer of land, home, and Alliance. They are preparing to ask a chain of questions that may not be so simple to answer.”
My palace aids have always supported a set level of professionalism with me, but they know good and well that they do not need my permission to speak their minds. Syrus is my best aid for this reason. He tells me what I need to hear when I need to hear and keeps me on track with my official stately affairs. I have been lucky to learn that his intelligence is not of a basic or academic levels. No, Syrus mind rivals those of our intelligence officers. In this current moment I found myself in full agreement with him. I cannot discern their language, but I can read body language and the draconians had gotten noticeably more tense. I gave Talia a quick glance, but she was already on the move. She stood and spoke confidently to the room, “Sire, it was not but a century ago that our nation had ended conflicts with one of the Old Clans, The Su’Roth. It’s also to our understanding your clan was called upon to settle a blood debt that was paid in full. We may have won some of those battles but we both took a heavy price in blood and death. In the time since we have gained a better understanding of not just your culture but of your morales and ethics as well. Our citizens in Farraday have told us about your warriors help in hunts of the beasts that plague the forest. We have reports of an azure scale sea serpent being brought down on the Coral Coast by your clans' best slayers. Our scouts have even confirmed reports of your own clan having already established a set a settlement on the western part of the land already granted to you.” She took a moment to give the Khans a chance to vocalize any comments, questions, or complaints. They sat with uncut attention waiting expectantly, for the one question the whole room knew was coming. “We seek only peace and allegiance to a greater purpose. A worldwide unity of all people. Yours included. What of this offer has you hesitant?”
Koga Khan was taking a moment to articulate his thoughts, the advisor to his left tried to lean in and make a suggestion. One glance placed her back into the seat with a weary expression. “It’s not that we wish to hesitate on a response, we simply did not expect to have a decision of this caliber made for us without our input on the matter. I know you mean no offense by this, but my advisor here...” he gestures to the one on the right. “Makes a valid point in seeing that this could be construed as, disgraceful.” This was a shift in attitude that we did not expect. Talia quickly began to weave the situation like the diplomat she is.
“I see the misunderstanding now.” She stated enduringly.
“You think I misinterpreted?” He said with curious intent.
“The only things we offer that we see as nonnegotiable are the territory and the alliance that has already been established with your clan. If you have demands that can be met, we are honored to fulfill them.” She assured him.
“And what limitations are there to the demands we might make?” He asked.
“Most anything is on the table, except three things. No slaves, no forced marriage, and no trade of national secrets.” She said with a tone of absoluteness.
This had taken Koga aback a bit, but his rugged exterior did not crack. If anything, I think she just gained the respect of a very honorable warrior.
“Can I ask for clarity?” He said as he crossed his hands and leaned forward against the edge of the table. I could see he already understood what was presented to him, yet I cannot help but feel as if he is looking for solidity in our request.
“We will not give you slave labor, nor will we allow it within the borders of the lands that compose the Celestial Alliance. We will not force the men or women of the noble families beyond their own consent, to be married for political or military power. We will not trade nor ask for any secrets of your culture or clans. Information is given openly and freely only if it pertains to a separate third party. We actually have such information to give you on that regard.”
“I see. I know of some human and elven territories that practice the trade. They are distasteful people. Yet another reason as to why we seek peace with Alysium and Emperor Yeltsin. He respects all lives.” He said dryly. As respectful as he put his statement I could tell he cares about one thing, and it’s not this meeting.
“We have the interpretation that you wish for us to settle closer to the coast. Am I wrong in that line of thought?” He asked, his tone was as hard as stone. Unwavering on the core of their hesitation. Talia looked at me unsure of how to proceed. This was new too her, Koga was completely correct in his assumption. To settle in between Alysium and Pelicade was what we believed they would do or at least be relatively close. Our interest was to have easily secured and supported trade routes, but I began to sense they aspired for something else all together. “No. You are not wrong in that assumption.” I said as monotone and neutral as possible. “Is there a particular reason for it?” He asked as equally neutral, negotiations were still going I had seen. “Trade. Secured, honest, and guaranteed trade.” Talia had spoken in my place. “Your hunters have more success than the guild in Farraday, scholars have need of specific ingredients for alchemical study, and we believe that both your clan and our kingdom would benefit from joint military cooperation.”
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Their body language began to settle slightly, except for Koga. “We definitely see the benefits of what you imply. We fully agree that what you seek may be best for all of us. Yet we still wish to settle on the western side of this provenance that has been gifted to us this day. Clan Lao has devolved to brigands and vagabonds. From our understanding they have caused a few problems for that coastal kingdom, Pelicade. We would rather not draw the wrong kind of attention and elves are not as forgiving towards misgivings. More pressing though as your scouts reported we are encamped near that river as we speak.” He spoke truthfully and plainly, like he was leading up to a request or maybe just a question. “The Old clans knew of this meeting and not so surprisingly of the three only Su’Roth’s War-chief had objections. They were of course out voted. Our people, as a whole, are in agreement with this request. A demand as I am sure you will see it, but we are looking for a lost draconian ruin. We seek to take it and resettle it with our people and in time other races as well.” He had said with an honest tone, the adviser on his right shifted a bit at his statement. I knew exactly where he was coming from though, I myself know nothing of the lands I hail from. What knowledge I do have about that abysmal place I read from works of scholars and journals of adventurers that had been recovered from expeditions to the lands. I have an entire bookcase with those pieces of literature in my office here in the palace. It’s odd really, I don’t know the place and the last time I was there was when I was a literal child. I have not been to Cascadia in over a century, yet I still have this inner desire to go and to see with my own eyes the hellscape it is always defined as. I was around 4 or 5 years old Viktor had told me. It was also the first time I died according to him as well. “You don’t know where the ruins of Xaliade are do you?” Talia asked with explicit concern. Oh dear lord, she sees an opportunity to have my mission scuttled.
“That is, correct.” Koga was a bit taken aback by my wife’s sudden and very direct question. “We have knowledge of the ancient cities location, but it is currently inhabited by a dragon of unknown age and scale.” She said almost sold that she kept me out of danger. “Lhilin.” Koga said with a flat solemn voice. The color in my wife’s face drained from the instant realization that this mission was practically fated to happen. Even I could guess what demand Koga was going to make of the Alysium empire. “We do not have the ability to slay an ancient dragon of her caliber. Karna, I have heard tales while roaming the lands between here and the mountains. Tales of an immortal that fights for this silver city. When I weigh those tales against what I have heard about you and your abilities, I cannot help but wonder if this immortal is you?” He stared at me with a look of unwavering certainty; he was so sure about this hypothesis. Unfortunate as right as he thinks he is, I am no immortal. I am close I think, but not completely. If I knew more of my origins, then I would know for certain. Yet as it stands on an official capacity no, I am not an immortal, just damned hard to kill. Emperor Yeltsin and Empress Te’shiana on the other hand, immortals.
“Unfortunately, I am not. Immortality is not a common thing to be found among the living.” I tried to shuffle him off the topic with a reserved answer. Hoping it would satisfy his interest, it did not. “You felled 20 armed bandits that had arcane and archery support. By yourself. That is not the capability of a mere mortal Karna.” He said becoming vexed by my avoidance of the matter. “Koga let us cut straight to the matter. What do you want me to do to aid you further? Walk into the home of a dragon older than the combined age of everyone in the palace and slay it? I cannot simply throw my life away because you ask. I understand, truly I do, that you want to reclaim the vestiges of a past lost to you. I admire that, I respect that determination and I am happy to help. Just not at the cost of my life because you choose to believe some tavern rumors. I assure you they are merely rumors.” I spoke to him as professionals as possible but I also spoke to him as one man to another. “Ma’am.” I turned my attention to the advisor on his left. The same female draconian that had tried to voice her opinion earlier. I had this suspicion that she was something more then his advisor. A husband can recognize when a wife is upset. “You seem distressed about something or another. Here in these halls all voices carry equal weight, what words do you have for me?” I asked her quite sincerely. She looked towards Koga unsure of the sudden shift of attention. He nodded courtly for her to speak freely.
“Honored one. We are most gracious to you, Alysium, and your emperor. We do appreciate the gesture in the land that is offered but we would be fools to ignore a chance to reclaim our history. It would be equally as foolish of us to just waltz in and place a flag and raise borders. That equates to nothing less than disrespect toward you, ourselves, and the dwarves that make the mountain ranges their home on the other side of the river. If we had the ability to quail the dragon that is Lhilin we would not be asking you.” She spoke with a level of concern for all involved. She would rather take up what we had planned out originally and to let it be as it is. Yet the love of her people and their history took precedence. “We know what we ask of you, goes above and beyond any peace treaty and alliance agreements that can be made, but for our people this is worth any favor or price.” She said so heartfelt. “With the skills of your clans and the aid of the others I do not see why you yourselves can not achieve this. We have no qualms with where you choose to settle, and we are more than willing to hand over any information we have on Xaliade.” Talia began to say. “We cannot for go hostilities towards dragons.” Koga cut her off from finishing that sentence. “In our culture, we revere dragon kind. They are our progenitors. In our culture we used to keep a verbal account of our history. Rememberants they were known as, the ones who passed the knowledge from generation to generation. When the Calamity happened centuries ago, we lost most near all of them. Time had taken the rest. What little we do have is about those divine creatures.” He had said. “And your culture forbids you to slay one for most any reason I assume?” I asked. “Correct, but we also are not allowed to interfere with any combat a dragon involves itself in. Even against ourselves. To them combat especially honor duels are of pride.” He said, all three developed this air of vulnerability. I don’t think we were supposed to know that, yet I understood why he told me.
“How large is the gap between a seasoned adult dragon and an ancient?” I asked. I accepted that I was going to the ruins shortly after my briefing with Viktor this morning. “Physical strength not much, but the arcane knowledge is far beyond. Ancient dragons are wise, if your lucky she may reason with you.” Koga responded. “Lhilin is over 2000 years old she has been there since before the Calamity. It was her home then and she keeps guard over it.” He finished with. I gave Talia a look and asked her for the reports on Xaliade and this dragon that we have minor information on. She nodded, stood, and walked the papers over to Koga herself. “Yes. Yes, this is the correct place. That is not Lhilin though, she rests at the most sacred sight in the ruins. A sanctuary that holds a grimoire of ancient knowledge and power.” He verified and corrected. “This is a different dragon, if Lhilin was awake you would know it. From her perspective your kingdom and the dwarves infringe on her territory and did so without her permission. This one is brazened and from the reports of your scouts it wants its presence known.” He spoke now with the mindset of a chieftain. “This behavior is akin to a red scale male. The biome, behavior patterns, even choice of nesting location.” He continued. “This one is a younger adult at that. A full-grown red would not be so quick to settle for ruins. It may have caught a sense of the tome in the sanctuary and wants the knowledge with in.” I looked at Talia almost ready to scuttle this mission myself. Something urged me on deeper into the topic. “When was the last recorded sighting of Lhilin? Is there a chance I find a corpse instead of an Ancient?” I asked.
“No. After living and strengthening their connections with the leiline they are nigh immortal. Unless the heart is removed it will live for eons.” He said this with confidence, now I’m curious as to how he knows any of this. For a race with a lost history and scarcely any recorded he has a surprising amount of knowledge on dragons. He went on for about another hour or so answering most any questions I had about Lhilin and this new Red Dragon. We ended the meeting with an agreement and an understanding. We did not reserve our interest in the tome either. Talia found it more appropriate to make our knowledge and intent of it known to Koga. “Well taking the tome may be for the best. Not only did the Calamity take our history it took our connection to the leilines. Not a single magic caster has been born since. It should not be my place to determine that, but your nation has the capacity to protect it better then we ourselves could after all is said and done with.” He spoke honestly and truly. “So, we come to an accord then my lord?” I asked Koga. “In exchange for the territory granted, allegiance with the Celestial Alliance, and trade with neighboring nations. We, of Alysium, will take the risk of retrieving and storing the Aveticus Quaildroma within the cities vault. We will also take the risk on clearing the area of the dragons.” I summarized to the best of my abilities. “Yes Lord Karna.” Koga bowed his head in respect. He had plenty to relay back to the clans, and even more work to be done.
They took their final bows and paid respect for out hospitality with a gift. They left us a gem, an exceedingly rare gem. These were exceptional in their arcane and alchemical abilities, but exceptionally hard to acquire. Koga left us a Blood Crystal, a crystallized piece of a dragon heart. These could only be harvested from a deceased ancient dragon of considerable age. There were a few underlying tones about this, and one left me a bit gritted. To start just having this proves any dragons can be felled. Second and more concerning, is who was strong enough to kill one and brazen enough to give the trophy of the kill to the one race that held them in high regard. “I do not like this.” I said after Syrus returned from escorting the guest to the courtyard and seeing them on their way. I looked up making eye contact with the captain general and the emperor. They had stood over head on the second story balcony for some time listening in on the proceedings. They gave each other a look and simply moved on their way. “Well, guess I’m killing two dragons.” I sighed as I leaned back in my chair. The leather soles of my boots slide across the slick wooden floor until my toes tapped those of Talia. She sat cross armed, with a lost look upon her. She was buried in thoughts, forming and scraping one idea after another. “Love.” I said as I tapped her toe. She was oblivious to my attempt at getting her attention. “Love.” I said a bit louder, tapping her toes a second time. “Huh? Yes love, what is it?” She asked. I chuckled softly leaning forward. “That is my question for you. You haven’t said a word since our guest have left the room. What are you conjuring in that mind of yours.” I asked her. “He said something that strikes me interesting.” She said as kept her line of thought going. “She may reason with you.” I could see where this was going, and sometimes I could genuinely believe my wife is clairvoyant.
