Chapter Six Hundred And Seventy One – 671

Despite the rough landing, almost everyone was fine. When the bindings were released they were merely sore, bruises at worst. Nothing was broken. Pit was fine too, which had worried Felix for all of the second it took for him to review his Companions Status Sheet.

The only one truly hurt seemed to be Yintarion.

I am Yintarion of the Cerulean Sky! Acknowledge me! he shouted for the third time into the sky. The giant Dragon statue, easily three hundred feet tall, glimmered briefly with light as it responded the same as it had two other times.

Authority Rejected.

Ridiculous! Preposterous! This Fenweld is clearly in disrepair, he muttered, floating about like a snake that swallowed a beach ball. The final bits of the Superior Elementals core were in his clawed hands, now no bigger than a marble. I must Evolve. To not recognize my noble mien or piercing gaze? A tragedy of that magnitude must be rectified.

Of course, Yin. Far from amused at her Companions annoyance, she seemed wholly distracted by the large doors before them. Her Spirit, which had flowed through anger, grief, and joy in the last few hours now emanated a sense of quiet wonder.

Felix came up to her as she studied the designs carved into their metal surface. SoWyvarran Royal line? Do I call you princess now?

Vess chuckled. Oh please, no. I am no more a princess than Harn.

But your mother?

Was of the Wyvarran royal family, yes. A distant cousin. Which makes me forty-sixth in line for the throne of Wyvarr.

Felix rubbed his chin. His beard was really starting to come in, now. Huh. Well thats fancier than me.

Vess flicked her golden-brown gaze up to his blue one. Felix, you are the Lord of three entire Territories.

Oh. Right. I forget about that, sometimes.

Her small smile dimpled her cheek. You are a very silly man.

Try not to spread it around. Ive got a reputation, you know? He threaded his fingers through her own and pulled close. Youre okay?

I will be, once weve removed these raiders. She ran her hand across the metal door, tracing the wings of some draconic creature. I cannot fathom why my father hasnt destroyed them already. Nor why Hierocratic Priests were involved. I need answers.

She pushed lightly on the doors and a glimmer of that sky blue Mana surged across the carvings. It opened.

Then lets find them, Felix said, before casting Abyssal Skein on everyone. It flowed from him like a cold, oily cloak that made all of them shiver. Even the Eidolons. Form up on me.

The doors opened up into a hallway that was just as wideand just as emptyas the elevated platform they had landed upon. The entire place was clearly designed to accommodate Dragons the likes of Yintarion before his transformation. The floor was tiled but thick with grime and spiderwebbed with cracks, its patterns often incomplete or shattered entirely.

Its nice to spread out in here, Pit said, stretching his wings to full. Almost makes me feel tiny. We need to visit more places like this, Felix.

How about we make one? Felix asked. You deserve somewhere you can feel comfortable.

Ooh, can I pick the location?

I dont see why not.

SivasFelix, look at those columns. Theyre remarkable, Vess said, their hands still firmly clasped together.

Felix huffed a small, surprised breath through his nose. Those look like the pillars in my Omen Path.

Columns carved with more Dragons were spaced every twenty yards or so, and there were ten marking the long hall. Where they intersected the ceiling they spread outward, often forming an exhaled breath of the Dragon carved below. Felix picked out rock carved into flames, icy crystals, solid beams, and even clouds. They mingled and wove into one another, forming a complex lattice of elements that faded to thin lines as the designs reached the centerline of the ceiling. There was carved a massive spear, its blade pointed at the door they had entered and its haft extending the full length of the hall.

Wow, Evie said, stopping next to Vess and Felix as they gazed up at the ceiling. Thatspretty. I guess. Weird thing to decorate a roof with, though.This essence is securely nested within the heart of N?v€l??n★

I have never seen its like, Vess said quietly. But see where the breath mingles together? And then those all pour toward the spear?

Evie squinted, trying to take in all the details. Uh, yeah. I see it.

Its symbolic.

Vess? he asked. Does your book discuss the layout of this fortress?

No, but I was taught that all Dragoon fortresses were designed to be identical. Clearly some things have changed, she said, gesturing to the hall where Dragons once rested. But I am willing to bet that there is little difference otherwise. Follow me.

Yin settled onto her shoulder. Confidence! Very good, Dragoon.

Hm, Ill play vanguard, Evie said, slipping ahead of them. Just in case.

Felix went to follow, but Eagin stopped him with a gesture. Lord Colossus, my apologies. We would ask that you remain within our protection while the fortress is explored.

I Felix swept his senses across all four Eidolons before inclining his head. Of course, just make sure you keep up with me.

Naturally.

After you.

Very good, my Lord, Eagin rumbled, clearly pleased. All of them were. It sang from their Spirits like a warhorn as they guarded him from all four directions.

While the corridors beyond the False Nests werent nearly as wide, they were thankfully still designed to accommodate huge creatures. The tiling on the floor continued, faint patterns showing through the dirt. Plants had invaded the fortress in a number of places, poking through the cracks in the floor and trailing down from the distant ceiling. Vines and ivy and flowering buds abounded, beautiful despite or perhaps because of where they blossomed. Life thriving in a place long abandoned, if not forgotten.

Why dont the Dragoons still use this place? Laur asked idly as they walked. Vess was ahead, chatting quietly with Evie and Yin. It is damaged certainly, but the complexity of sigaldry and wardings I can detect are advanced. Far more than what I know is common in PaxVrell. If this were restored, they could have a true foothold in the Rimefangs.

My understanding is that the farflung holdings of the Dragoons were abandoned long ago when they were deemed unnecessary, Tzfell said, rubbing a cloth across a section of the wall. A vibrant mural was revealed beneath inch-thick layers of gray dust. After the Hierophant conquered the Territory, all Dragoon activity was restricted to a five league radius around the city.

Reducing their power, Felix said, connecting the dots.

Precisely, my Lord. The Hierocracy typically absorbs local forces into its own units or greatly restricts or removes their authority. All in the name of peace.

Control, Laur corrected, and Felix was surprised at the heat in the mild-mannered Chanters voice.

Always that, Harn agreed. I dont have any love for the redcloaks, but the Hierophant is no fool. When she conquers, she leaves nothin to chance.

The tattoos on Tzfells head writhed and her expression was sour and pinched. Yes. Respect for ones enemy is hard to stomach, but the Hierophant must never be underestimated. Neer is suffering now for exactly that.

Neer. Right. Weeks ago, the Hierocracy had invaded the Territory with a full army and claimed it as their own. How many others were getting the same treatment? And why? They had no idea.

Tight squeeze, Archie said, moving between the tromp of Eidolon feet and the Chanters. He looked up at Iiana and stroked his goatee. Hey, Felixdo you think I can Stoneswim through one of them?

Unwise, Tzfell murmured.

Felix pointed at the Dwarf. What she said.

Alright, fair. But could I? Isnt that what you wanted me to do? Press the limits of my Skills?

Huh. Hard to argue that point, Felix admitted. But Id rather you wait until youve mastered easier, less hazardous things. You or the Exults could be killed.

Hmm, the Delven said. Alright. Anyway I was coming over to ask what the plan was. Theres raiders and were in their base, right? I got kinda lost during the whole rah rah go get these bad guys talk Vess was giving.

Felix smiled. First plan is recon. We need to know what these raiders want, where their hostages are, and how to stop them.

I dont get it. Evie said they were weak. Why not just Archie mimed an explosion followed by sword swinging and what seemed like lobbing grenades. and then just mop up when were done?

Aside from the kids they have hostage? Felix asked, eyebrows raised.

Aside from them. Lets say theyre safe. Why bother figuring these people out? Just kill em, take what we need, and everyones lives will be better, including the kids.

Felix stopped, forcing everyone to jerk to a halt. Are you so comfortable with killing, Archie? Im not, and Ive killed so many. Not just unintelligent monsters either. People. Ive wiped out armiesthousands of beingsbecause things went beyond talking and reason. Because of zealots and power hungry warlords and worse. Were not beyond that point yet. Im giving them a chance. A choice. Felixs eyes burned as he stared down at the small man. Understand?

Archie swallowed. Y-yeah. He cleared his throat. Yeah, I got it.

Good. Felix straightened and strode off. Keep walking. Weve got ground to cover.