THE PAST...
Blades crashed amidst the stirring of the early morning light. Slowly was it that the sun's eldritch reaching fingers of light peeled across the skies. Bathing the early morning dew in palid light as small droplets dropping from the surrounding trees, glowed with the light of the sun, tiny thousands of droplets clinging to the tree leaves before they slid down to the dirt ground below.
" Ha ... " A guttural growl echoed as the leaves were disturbed in this early morning, as the early morning smell of these plants was disturbed and dispersed by a crack in the air that caused the air to shutter, sending these leaves flying to disperse the dew that had collected on them spraying about.
Within the mirage of trees, two shadows moved a blur, sparks flying between them.
" Rrrghhhh" Knight's, one garbed in robes with armour shifting as he moved, wielding twin longswords within his grasp as he parried a downward stab from the second knight.
' Come on Vyke is that all you've got ' Arvernus looked at Vyke, garbed in his pristine knight's armour, the second of the two finally touching down after having jumped up and thrust down at him.
" COME ON VYKE... " Arvernus called as he raised his blade, angling it to catch Vykes spear by the pommel ans drive it downward to his feet, whilst he used his left hand weapon to slash at Vyke's mid section.
Vyke didn't respond verbally, entirely engrossed in their practice duel, he dodged back as he yanked his spear back, the split air where Arvernus's blade had cut acting like a wave as it passed over him even after he landed.
' Hes faster than me... and he's gifted in duel wielding, but I still have the edge in strength, I'll have to spice things up' Under his helm, Vyke sweat, pver the last days they had spent the early mornings sunrise practising with their new weapons. It ahd become quite apparent to them both just where their particular skills lay.
Vyke was physically stronger than Arvernus currently, and yet Arvernus himself more often than not proved to have better reflexes to an almost unnatrual degree, sometimes Vyke had suddenly lashed out, yet Arvernus would still somehow manage to avoid the strikes by the thinnest of margins. Not to mention he was faster, when Arvernus got running ... he could run.
With that in thought, not wanting to turn this into a chase he was sure to lose and fall into some trap, Vyke reached and decided to two hand his Spear, fixing his friend with a long stare.
They stood under a pair of towering willows, whose shadows cast dark stretches across their armour, Staring eachother down as they stood upon its roots.
" Oh ... this is new " It wasn't mocking on Arvernus's part, he'd never mock his friend in such a way. Rather he was curious as to what Vyke was doing. Ever interested in learning new things, his eyes widened as if to take more information in to learn more from their exchange.
' He's not coming to me ' Arvernus gripped the hills of the longsword of his right hand and the short of the left, fixing a hard glare under his helm before he lowered himself slightly ... and rushed Vyke.
" Good ... " Vyke smirked, watching as Arvernus pointed the tips of his blades together and thrust directly at his chest, making to skewer him on his pointed blades.
' I don't think so ' He leant to the side, kicking his feet to dodge out of the way much to the same aggravating way Arvernus did, howling in his head at the effectiveness of the dodge.
' My turn ' He heaved with all his might, lifting his spear over his head and beginning to rotate. ' phase one ... '
Despite being able to clear the distance between them or dodge out of the way, Arvernus was more keen on studying what Vyke was performing.
' Phase two... ' Pivoting on his feet, Vyke locked his arms in place as he lowered the spear to shoulder level and began to rotate the spear around him, spinning with the blade as it sung a vicious vortex around his body.
' Interesting ' The dust that was being kicked up around them by the spinning of Vyke and his spear almost obscured his vision, yet he strained to see ...
' PHASE THREE ... ' One the fourth spin, finishing a wide arc, Vyke lurched forward, shifting his momentum from a singular spinning motion to aim it directly at Arvernus. Leaning forward at the end of his spin, he launched forward, brining the back end of the spear around in a long sweep directly at Arvernus's abdomen, whilst preparing to follow through with a razor's slash at the chest.
' I see ... 'He didn't laugh or make any noise other than a grunt as he raised his short sword, angling his blade in such a way that the butt of Vykes spear would grind across his blade amd continue over head. ' A series of rapid spinning strikes, unstoppable thanks to the momentum behind them and difficult to dodge '
He grunted as the spears hilt carved along his blade, yet his focus remained on the head of the spear following its path like a shadow, coming upwards yet at a different angle.
' That's... ' Too fast was it, as the reversed head of Vyke's spear rose, it's guard catching his blade and all but wrenching it from his grip thanks to its hook.
' Shit ' His shorts word flew through the air as Vyke pressed the offensive. He spun again, winding around as his lips parted and a guttural cry escaped his lips, inscenced by his now presented advantage.
' WITNESS ME ARVERNUS ' He rotated again now that Arvernus was on the backfoot, arms a blur as he continued rotating his spear as he spun, this time raising the spear upwards in a singular final jab at Arvernus exposed left.
' I ..' Arvernus watched the spear raise and fall, it's head crashing towards him like a fallen meteor. Undodgable at this distance, unblockable in any sort of meaningful way. ' I'm proud of you '
He closed his eyes slightly, and allowed for a soft grunt to escape his lips as the bucketing winds blew his cloak about.
And yet the pain of the stabbing spear never came. ' You did good '
He opened his eyes, met with the spear stopped inches from his face, it's razor tip barely touching at the fabric of the cloak that wound around his armor.
" I ... " Vyke staggered out through small haggard breaths, shaking arms barely holding the spear up between them. " I win "
" That you do ... it was a splendid duel " With Arvernus's agreement, Vyke groaned amd allowed his spear to fall, it's tip cutting through the ground as he slumped over.
" What was that move you did at the end " Arvernus asked, sure he had watched it be performed, but he wanted to know what inspired Vyke so. " How did you come up with it "
" You remember where we saw that storm in the distance, where the tornado tear through the Plains " Vyke explained, painting the picture of natures destructive abilities as Arvernus listened.
" Ah I see, so you've used it as inspiration for your own style , mind if i... " He held his hand out for vykes spear, whom grunted and handed it over with a gentle toss.
"Be careful, it's quite difficult to get through " Vyke already knew what Arvernus was to attempt, yet felt nothing but pride at the recognition of Arvernus's desire to learn. ' I did good ... '
" Hm ... how did it go again " Like an image ingrained in his mind, Avernus began to recall what he had seen, as if he was reliving it as he was just moment before. " Ah yes "
Lifting the spear overhead, His hands began to twist above his head, rotating the spear across the palms of his hands as it began to pick up speed and quickly became a vicious blur above the head.
" That's phase one ... move onto phase two " Instead of acting outraged at having his personal move learned, he recognised the more formidable they were the more chances of success they had. ' I just hope you do the same for me '
Hearing Vyke's words, Arvernus did just so, lowering the spear down to his shoulders as he began to spin with the weapon. The wind around kicking up as dust and stone began to rumble. Kicking up vicious arcs of wind that created a vortex similar to the tornado they had seen just days earlier.
' He's doing it ' Vyke laughed behind his knight's helm, Smirking viciously, as his guttural laughter echoed throigh the soft morning light.
" YES ARVERNUS ... PHASE THREE NOW" He held his arms wide to the side, offering a target for Avrernus to move against, trusting the man he realised he was starting to see closer to brother than mere solider, trusting in his implicitly.
And such trust wasn't wasted, as Arvernus learnt forward, Spear rotating behind his back and into his right hand, before he lurched an upward spinning slice up towards Vykes position.
' One strike ' Instead of actually hitting Vyke, Arvernus stepped back slightly, allowing the blade to pass harmlessly infront of Vyke, performing four rapid strikes in rapid succession before he slowly began to stop spinning. ' I wander how many strikes you could perform before you can't continue '
Vyke wasn't simply watching Arvernus perfectly perform his pioneered move, rather he was watching, analysing what he needed to change, what he could add or if there was anything he should remove.
' It's coming along well ... ' Still there was something missing, As Arvernus came to a complete stop, heating the spear around a final arc as Vyke stopped paying attention.
' Now what should I... ' His attention was disturbed by the world around him flipping, the trees he had turned to look at blurring as a sense of vertigo assaulted him.
" Argh " He landed face first on the ground, helmet slamming into the dirt before he realised what had happened.
" Huh ... I can confidently say ... you're a genius Vyke " Arvernus stood over Vyke, having used the hook of Vykes spear to rip his footing out from below him. " What do you say ... Victory to me "
There was more mirth and amusement in his tone than any sense of seriousness, as he planted Vykes spear into the dirt beside its owner.
Fuming, Vyke rose, right hand already reaching for his spear he knew was at his side. " You ... you "
Arvernus smirked, stepping back several paces, reaching down to where his short sword hand landed as his fellow tarnished slowly turned to look at him.
" YOU CRAVEN FIEND ... " Vyke cried out, heating his spear and pointing it at Arvernus with mock fury.
" THATS CHEAP AND YOU KNOW IT " Vyke bellowed as he kicked up stone straight at Arvernus, before launching forward, the dirt and mud pmatering the front of his armor sliding off with wet splats as he rushed the man who felled him.
" Is thou so craven they can't admit loss " Arvernus laughed as he ducked a stab, the spear lodging into a tree, the enraged Vyke standing over him as he looked up with a smirk hidden by his helm.
" THAT WASN'T A LOSS, YOUR CRAVEN TRICKERY KNOWS NO BOUNDS " Vyke reached his spear from the tree and swung downwards, hissing as Arvernus dodged cleanly out of the way. Only for the spear to stab into the tree once more as it finished its upward strike.
" Haha " Arvernus called mockingly, never tiring from agitating the lover boy known as vyke. As for why he was a lover boy, he never shut up about his excitement to recieve his so called maiden. Spouting about his dreams to have a large and loving family to the heavens every God damn night.
Such was why he had taken to annoying Vyke, if Vyke was going to annoy him, he was going to do the same.
" GET OVER HERE SO I MAY EXACT MY DUE VENGEANCE " Vyke cried, letting go of his spear and simply leaping at Arvernus with his arms held wide, wanting and willing to simply begin an exchange of fisticuffs.
' Ah hahaha'
... THE PRESENT ....
" Ugh " Calanthe groaned as another lord of the northern realms came up to her long table, prattling on about a son of theirs they wished to unite with Ciri to bolster the northern kingdoms.
' Never again 'Wrathful fingers curled around her cutlery, her harsh glare neutering the lord with the baleful hatred she could muster, making him flee back to his table as she fumed. She'd made the mistake in the past with Ciri's mother, she wouldn't allow it to pass a second time.
" It is alright dear " Eist whispered as he gently cupped her right hand, watching her almost convulse in rage as his pleasant whisper soothed her bubbling rage at the presumptuous lord ever so slightly.
" I want him gone after the banquet " She hissed as she cast a somewhat possessive glance to Ciri whom sat beside eist, her breath hammering from her mouth. " Don't worry dear, some lords bloody son won't have you hand in marriage for political means, not unless my body rots from death itself "
Ciri looked down at her meal, and smiled slightly at her Grand Mother's protective nature. This was one of the many things she loved about her kindly grandmother, she needn't worry so much about foreign lords and their sons begging for her hand, for Calanthe was a protective lion who would sooner die than see another of her blood lost in a similar way to her mother.
Seeing Ciri's smile, Calanthe finally cooled, sitting back into her chair as she looked to the right as the two empty chairs she wished filled at this very moment. ' Mousesack what has got you held up so long '
This dreary banquet held by the lords of the northern kingdoms had become custom somewhat when a time ten years ago she had returned from a voyage a drunken mess, calling for the lords to celebrate as she hissed a bloodied curse at the world for the loss of her daughter. How she regretted it so, for every year after the lords would gather in Cintra to curse the fate and world for taking her dear daughter from her, such was her innate hateed for voyages across the seas now.
' Still ... I suppose it's not that bad ' She wished for Arvernus and his squires presence so they may lift her doused spirits. She could already hear the chatter through her halls about the empty seats at her side. ' Ou gossip you heartless lot .. you'll be silenced upon their arrival '
The long tables were full of food, idle chatter echoing about as the northern lords each retained their cliches.
' Look at them ... all they act like ' The airs they equipped themselves with, the false friendliness and the facades they showered eachother wish made Calanthe wish to gag. She hated such political events, even such small events like a banquet, non ever really stopped with their scheming.
She wasn't above it either, with more often than not few of the groups would make their way to her table at the end of the hall, showing her with pleasantries and making passes about alliances or trades. It was oh so tiring, having to deal with the political manoeuvring.
Quiet as her table was, she was able to easily notice the glances passed to her side, the empty seats.
" Is the queen expecting guests father " A young rather stout young man with dark hair and equally dark eyes leant to the aging man that was obviously his benefactor.
" Rumour has it, Kistrin, that the queen has an esteemed guest that seems to be irking her with their absence " Ervyll, King of Verden grumbled, running his hand throigh his finely kept brown greying beard, scheming all the way as Kistrin glanced at young Ciri, the girl he had been promised to through a politically arranged marriage. Yet when his betrothed ran away at the thought of marriage, the witch of Cintra called of his marriage, breaking the contract and irking both father and son to no small degree.
" Good ... look at how she squirms ... must be important to her " Kistrin chuckled as the queen continued to squirm under the curious gazes. " The kitchen deserves it "
Both Kistrin and Ervyll chuckled before they were interrupted by the king of Brugge paused, his neck tingling as he overheard the conversation.
" Mind your tongue serpent lest you find yourself void of it " Venzlav hissed, although he had been turned down for Queen Calanthe's hand after the death of her first husband, his fiery passion for the queen burned hot and true as the day it had the day he first lay eyes upon her, and defended the woman he loved just as he always would have.
" What was that... the minor king speaks " Kistrin laughed at Vezlavs threat, shouldering his father as if it were some grand joke.
The insult washed off like running water, only for Vezlav to reach down at the chuckling lords and swat the king of Verden over the head.
His laughter stopped as quickly as it came, with Ervylls humour snuffing out, slamming down upon the table and rising as if he wasn't a sweating hippo of a man. " Youuu craven cunt, I'll have you "
Vezlav lurched, wrapping his hand around the fat kings neck and began to shake him, as if this small argument between them couldn't spark a war between their kingdoms. Yet in the Queen of Cintras halls, such threats were meaningless.
The fat king of Verden struggled under Vezlavs grip, the large nord looking king threatening at any moment to smash their heads together to see who had the toughest skull.
" Haahahaha look at them ...uhhhh " Calanthe, along with all the chatter in the ball froze instinctual as the doors to the hall groaned as they slowly dragged apart, halting the activities of those within, each curious at who dared to step into the great hall so late.
" By the kind mother Freya he cleans up well " Eist hissed as everyone layed eyes upon the towering giant and his almost comically smaller squire as they strode across the carpeted floor that lead towards Calanthe's seat.
Wreathed in a lapis lazuli robe so finely made it would have felt like cloud given form. Red tapestries draped his neck, winding down his body as golden imprints of the Royal Carian family lay embroidered across the fabric.
The towering man, standing taller than any such a ruler of these gathered kingdoms had ever seen, each found themselves robbed of breath. Not of the exquisitely made clothing, but of the holy crown upon the strangers head. It radiated a soft golden white light so grand it was hard to drag one's eyes from its splendour. It compelled them to stare, compelled them to reach out and touch it so they might have a chance to grasp at divinity itself. Yet none of them found themselves blasphemous to touch this unknown man's crown. As his radiant blue eyes slowly turned over the hall with a rather unimpressed gaze .. the gaze of a ruler. His flurescent blue orbs falling on the two fueding kings for but a moment before they split apart.
" Come ... " His tone was meant for Tyr, yet it carried evenly through the hall as if he were standing beside each and everyone of the people present.
His stride was as holy as his presence, with his hands clasped infront of him in a rather exquisite rulers pose, ignoring all gazes amd glances as his towering form passed the long tables and headed directly for the Queens table.
" I was beginning to think you weren't coming " Even sitting upon her chair, which itself was raised along eith her table to see over the entire hall, she had to look upwards to make eye contact with the divine figure that had graced her halls and brokered her the beautiful silence about.
" Of course your majesty ... a man such as myself always keeps his promises " Arvernus inclined his head as Mousesack cleared his throat.
" Now presenting... the Lord of Caria ... Ser Arvernus " Mousesacks announcement was as ignored as his presence beside the giant, quickly ducking his head and making his way around the table to draw out the chairs Arvernus and Tyr would be sitting at.
Making their way around the table, under the drooling gazes of queens and the envious stares of kings, Arvernus strode around the table, clearing metres in few steps before syopping beside his chair and letting out a hum of thought. " Hm ... it's abit small, mind if I "
" Of course " Calanthe smiled kindly, a rare sight to the kings present as they found themselves surprised for a second time in a few moments. As Arvernus reached and gently placed a hand on the chair he was to sit.
And before the gaze of many, the chair unmade itself into an amorphous mass of brown, before swelling visibly, turning larger than the queen itself.
It shifted and twisted as if guided by foreign will before it suddenly shrunk back in on itself.
" It's beautiful " The chair it turned onto was beautiful, and larger than the table itself, with intricate carvings showing scenes foreign to everyone present, it towered, it's presence almost unbearable to stare at. And Calanthe found herself in love with the design.
' Not quite the elden throne... but close enough ' A scaled down version as to mot draw the ire of the queen or rob her of her presence any more than his entrance already had. It was simply nothing more than an intricate copy void of all the accessories the elden throne contained, with thinner arm rests and a thinner base, it wasn't so tall either.
" Ah ... better " The display of magic was enough to send a message to everyone else present, as his right hand slunk back Into his Lapis lazuli robes, his left dragging the chair back so he could sit.
" You're leaving it like that when you leave ... " Calanthe leant over and whispered her payment for the show, which Arvernus simply chuckled and waved his hand.
" You can have it" Arvernus chuckled, his arms falling to the chair, at the same height as Calanthes head. " Say ... what have I missed "
Slowly, as his gaze passed over the gathered kings, Calanthe chuckled as the chattered slowly picked back up, though the topic had certainly shifted. " Absolutely nothing... say ... is that the sigil of Caria"
" Hm ... " Arvernus followed her gaze to the embroidered cloth around his neck, chuckling, grabbing it and lifting it closer to the queens gaze. " Oh yes, the Carian coat of arms "
It almost glowed in hues of gold and blue, with crossed greatsword and staff rimmed by a magics circle, it was an intricate coat of arms far grander than even that of Cintra.
" Hm ... a well tailored ensemble " Eist spoke up as Calanthe became enraptured by how fine the cloth in her fingers was, almost artistically running the fabric between her fingers as her mind went blank.
" Yes ... it was tailored to me by my lady wife .. I'm quite taken with it " Eist chuckled at how Calanthe seemed to lose herself, lulling herself back amd forward as Eist gently grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back, whilst casting his gaze towards the crown sat upon Arvernus's head, which shone of golden light.
"What of that crown... " That was a question of the tongues of many present, it called to them like a holy artefact, as if it could whisper directly into their minds, disarming them of agitation or will.
" Ah ... that is more difficult to explain ... let's just say I earnt it " His words were difficult to decipher, yet they put the line of question to bed as he looked to the plates of food ready to be consumed at the queens table.
" Dear ... " Eist leant forward and called Calanthe back to the present, the Queen blinking and dropping the cloth from hand, a gentle gasp escaping her lips as she sunk back Into her chair.
" Hm ... oh ... forgive me for my inappropriate actions lord Caria " Calanthe sat back, turning her gaze away from the cloth she had been so taken by, reaching for and downing an entire glass of wine as she steeled her vices.
" It is no worries " Arvernus smiled and enjoyed a morchel of chicken, the grime toying at his lips only to be wiped away the next moment. At his side Tyr readily ate with gusto, the days activities making his hunger a force of nature.
" My Queen... " Their attention was drawn by one of Cintra's closest allies, a man of muscle similar in stature to a warrior, Kong Vizimor the second approached his occasional ally. He was a warrior as much as a king. With a deep brown beard and brown eyes. " I mean not to intrude, but may I ask whom your friend accompanying you tonight is "
" This is lord of Caria, Arvernus, if you had opened your ears you would ha e heard Mousesack announce so " Calanthe rolled her eyes, she had little patience for the lords of the North, they were little more than bickering kingdoms at best trying to encroach on eachothers territories. Infact the whole purpose of these banquets was an attempt to keep the north strong and prepare for defence against the empire of the south.
It was with that she waved her hand dismissively, leaning over to talk to Arvernus whom had to physically lean down to talk.
" you don't seem to like your country men very much " Arvernus observed the way she glared at the people within the hall, noting the way many of the kings each remained far away from the queens table, most coward enough to hide away at the tables to eat.
" I wouldn't call them men if their cocks were thrust upon my table " Calanthe chortled, grumbling as the cursed these fat trolls whom wore the skin of rulers, rapists, paedophiles in power all. These were some of the worst men and women in the kingdoms and she was all but obliged to treat them well.
" I'm sure there's no need for that, there's children here ..." Calanthe chuckled at Arvernus grunt, his chest rumbling as he spied a couple of kings getting into a route on the other side of the hall. ' Do they not have any manners '
" You're quite right . Now ... about houses and politicking... I... " She cleared her throat, somewhat unused to what she was about to ask. For years Cintra had prided itself of its independence, holding it high above their heads and boasting to the realm they were a strong force unto their own. But even the mightiest of kingdoms needed allies, and what was better than a kingdom you couple potentially become long lasting allies with, with soldiers strong and lands vast.
" You wish to form an alliance between Cintra and Caria ... Mousesack told me " Calanthe shrunk back at the rather crass way Arvernus simply spoke her thoughts.
" That bumbling idiot of course he did ... what do you think " She glared over her shoulder at Mousesack, whom upon noticing his Queens gaze, gave a shaky wave with a small wavering smile. " Sp have you considered it "
" Whilst I am agreeable, I should inform you Caria does not boast a large army, we value quality over quantity. I myself once bore the title of Carian knight, appointed to stand as one of the twenty that serve the family " What Arvernus said didn't so much as deter the queen, her armies consisted of no large numbers either, rather consisted of heavy cavalry known for their might.
" I'm seeing nothing but positives so far, as I see it, there stands nineteen other elite soldiers not unlike yourself " Calanthe was sure, any elite unit that Aevernus could have once counted as would be no weak unit. She'd have eaten her left foot before even considering those nineteen men to he ordinary.
" Well ... you're not entirely wrong, each Carian knight doubles as an accomplished sorcerer and is capable at the very least of standing up to moderately large units of soldiers all on their own... they are truly a force to be feared " Calanthe shuddered at the prospect of such soldiers agreeing.
' What would that be ... a single man against twenty ... fifty ' Eist would have called bullshit had he not seen Arvernus himself utterly humble Calanthe herself, and at that thought he shivered. ' There's nineteen others just like him '
" And then there's the retainers and household troops, most are capable of atleast basic sorcery, trained since young age in the blade... I'd say ... there's about a thousand ... a couple thousand standing soldiers before drafting needs to be enacted " Shaking his hands, Arvernus shifted slightly as Calanthe pondered.
" Infact Tyr here can now be counted as part of Caria's military, since I appointed him as my squire that is " Tyr turned to stare at Arvernus's words, eyes blinking slowly as his lord chuckled and ruffled his hair, earning a groan from the bow whom ducked away.
" From what you speak Caria sounds more than capable to stand up for itself, a prospect I can respect. And if each are atleast half as capable as you yourself are, then Cintra would be lucky to call them ally... so I reiterate... what is your outlook for an alliance " She cut straight to the chase. Jnfact she wasn't seeking Caria's alliance for any true need to call Caria to aid in any form of attack or defence. Rather recently things were becoming strained in all directions. And with no close allies, Cintra was under threat from am identity Calanthe wasn't yet sure.
' Any one of these fiends could turn on us ' And then there was the empire to the south. She didn't even want to think about them yet.
No, Calanthe needed the name of Caria itself to serve as deterrent. And while Caria itself was a mystery, the kings of the north had just been humbled by the mere presence of Caria's lord... any kingdom with Arvernus as lord was one many and all would automatically assume to be ... dangerous.
" Yes in short... As Consort lord to be of Caria, i am sure Rennala and Ranni would be in agreement" To Calanthe that confirmation was as solid as gold itself, She knew Arvernus was anything but a man to spurt honeyed words. And so she smirked viciously. Turning to the hall before rising as if she intended to launch herself to the skies.
" TONIGHT IS A NIGHT OF CELEBRATION, DRINK UNTIL YOUR WORDS SLUR AND LEGS GIVE OUT ... " Calanthe's cry echoed as the kings and lords of the north all voiced their agreement by downing mugs and mugs of Ale. They didn't even know what they were drinking to, just happy to waste away under the influence of heavy drink.
" Fucking idiots " Calanthe fell back into her chair, rubbing her brow in annoyance. " Thank you, I'll be sure not to call upon your aid any time soon, I thank ye for your indulgence "
" Hmph... think nothing of it, now ... onto less dire matters " Arvernus changed the topic as easily as snapping his fingers, rousing Calanthe from her agitated state by simply asking her of her grandest battle. And she was happily obliged to speak about her achievements.
For the next two hours they spoke of their own wars, with Arvernus heavily editing his stories as not to sew terror they wouldn't understand. In good spirits, Calanthe and Eist continued to drunk away easily, turning the hard almost unbearable atmosphere to one of good nature, laughter and easy banter.
That was atleast, until two kinsg and their sons got into another thick heated argument about hunting, spilling out from the table as they hurled insults, drawing the attention of everyone present.
' It's these two again ' Calanthes sharp voice cut through the chaos as the two kings froze and turned to the queen. " Are you two not content with making fools of yourselves a single time, yet here you are rousing trouble in my halls again... what could you possibly be arguing about now "
" Your majesty, forgive us, we were simply contesting for whom hunted the biggest prey between us, we meant no offense i sure you " One of the lords cowered, with ginger hair and a bushy beard, he bowed to the queen.
" oh erm yes... my apologies your majesty " The brown haired man he had been arguing with doing the same.
" Hunting ... really... you two tubby cunts look like you haven't hunted a day in your lives, the best I'm sure you could manage is being gutted by a boar on your own lands " Silently outraged by Calanthes rude demeanour, they were forced to still their tongues as the queen turned to arvernus, pondering on how to humble the righteous kings present.
" Lord Caria ... you've hunted right " Calanthe's lips parted into a knowing smile as many a head turned to the towering lord, whom paused midway through raising his glass to his lips.
" That I have ... " He then raised his drink as Calanthe chuckled.
" And just what is the largest thing you've put to your blade ... a real test of might " Calanthe could practically smell the anticipation in the air at her words, many a coward present wandering just what this lord was capable of.
" Dragons ... " Arvernus replied almost casually, stilling the movement of the men present with the ease it slipped out of his mouth.
" Surely you jest, maybe it was a creature of similar ilk " The ginger man whom had been arguing earlier suddenly rose as Arvernus turned a raised brow at the man whom was more round than he was tall..
" Oh ... no I'm quite sure... ive hunted both the lesser drakes, who even though they are not as eternal as their ancient counterparts, still produce molten breath hot enough to melt man to ash, their hearts still beat even after their death in the hopes that their immortality may yet again grant then a body to live " Arvernus's words robbed the incredulous men of opinion as he held his hand out, and drew out the still beating immortal heart of a dragon, with scalestone still forming along its surface.
The sight of the eldritch heart stilled their minds, as it visibly beat, audible to the ears of all. It throbbed and shrunk repeatedly in an uneven rhythm as Arvernus placed it down upon the table without so much as a hint of worry. " Don't be shy lords, although it still yet beats, the dragon is currently indisposed until it finds new form "
As easily as he would, he rolled the heart larger than his hand onto the floor as if it were a simple ball, where It rolled to a stop at the feet of the kings, whom regarded it as though it were as cursed as a fell beast itself. They recoiled away fron it ad if it may spray fire upon them for simply being nearby where it rolled to a stop much to Calanthe's amusement.
" You know how to shut them up " Even she herself stilled instinctually at the heart that beat forever more. " Though ... is it true or simply a jest "
" Oh ... no it'd quite true I'm afraid ... this heart belongs to an unfortunate individual whom committed the sin of dragon communion " He rolled the beating heart with his finger, remembering the sad Wyrm he had torn it from.
" Dragon communion ... what's that" Eist asked, cringing somewhat as the beating heart throbbed as it rolled itself every time it convulsed impossibly.
" An attempt to steal the powers and longevity of the timeless dragons, gifted by the dragonlord to man in the hopes they would use their greed to hunt the most dreaded of the cursed drakes..." He mocked the greedy ones whose heart he yet beheld." Cursed for the sin of consuming a dragons heart, a man may obtain power indeed, but they turn into a half dragon half man wyrm should they be found lacking of power and will to udnergo the transformation, cursed to crawl across the lands on their stomachs like lesser snakes... it is not a fate to be chased" Though his words carried warning, he could already feel the greed swelling within the hearts of man, as a brave lord, the ginger cunt, reached down amd lifted the heart to his eye level, marvelling at how it beat in his hand.
" And have you ever partaken ... in this sin " Eist whispered as many were enraptured by the heart in the lords hand at the centre of the hall, whispers breaking out as many dared others to pick it up and hold the beating heart of a dragon.
" Feel free to pass it about .... " His voice called out to the lords, startling them as they shuddered, quickly voiding it from their grip as they found they had been rather entranced with the rhythm of its heartbeat.
" In truth king Eist " Arvernus leant in close so that both Calanthe could hear, as his hands slowly moved to his eyes. " Man is not meant to harness the power of dragons... it does things to the mind "
Eist shivered at the dire warning, and sure enough, saw the lords each one by one be ensnared by the prospect of the dragons heart below. ' Such danger by such an unassuming thing '
' What did he expect me to say, to out myself as having performed such a thing ' In truth he had essentially performed and perfected dragon communion to the utmost, and unlike those failed wyrms, the demented half dragons. His was an ascension and acclimation of power without failure... a true success.
' And yet that is for me to know ' Arvernus mused, he was the most powerful force in the lands between, what hope did a measly bit of dragons power hope to change within him ... him ... a god pretending to be human.
' Though ... ' He could practically feel the burning curiosity of Mousesacks gaze upon his back, and with a small smirk, he gave the aged druid a sideways glance, allowing his eyes to momentarily glow a sight closer to that of the sun, of gold and red, than that of the moon, only for it to be snuffed by the unnatural blue of the moon in his eyes.
That was his silent answer for Mousesack, Mousesack being the only man present he could be almost entirely honest with.
It was a conversation he was sure Mousesack would hound him for later, but for now.
He snapped his fingers as the heart being passed through the greathall turned to ash that glowed back into him, startling the lords as they leapt back like the ash might attack them. " Don't meed them disappearing it "
" A good move ... now ... shall we have more drink" All of this made him weary, As Eist raised a mug to Arvernus.
" Don't mind if I do "
...
CHAPTER COMPLETE
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