The Dragon Realms Saga

Chapter 11: Warning for the Scale Lord


Koda walked slowly beside the Collector over a long bridge spanning across a massive crater caused by a falling star. Draped over his shoulder was his midnight black Dead of Winter cloak with a hood to shroud his face.

His thoughts still swirled around the use of Elucard for Wraslyn's more nefarious deeds. How could someone who sought the best interest as he turn around and manipulate Elucard to the point of brainwashing the elf. The same elf that put his life on the line countless times to rescue him from certain death? And yet now abused for the gain of power. Now he was an accomplice in something so heinous and it disgusted him. However, he chose this life and who was he to question the motives of his master?

Master, Did he serve the purpose as a student or just a common slave in this guild?

He glanced at the Collector. Like him.

He shook his head with such thoughts. Concentrate on the task at hand. Find the seals, destroy them, and release the gods!

He peered down to the crater and then looked back to the Collector. "Where might the dragons hide the seal, Collector?"

The yikathi grinned under his hood. "I believe you walk above it now, dear Koda."

The young mage raised his brow. "In the crater?"

"In the crater?"

"Yes, within the crater"

The natural walls of earth served as an excellent defense and disguise from potential enemies for a large rune. Enemies like us…

The two guild members halted before a set of heavy iron doors carved within the wall of a titanous mountain peak. Dragons of all sizes soared high in the skies, slicing through the clouds and roaring their mighty calls.

A pair of draconians guarded the gateway into the city. They both held large bladed spears that could easily lop off the torso of Koda's body in a single swing. Koda stepped back a few steps just in case their introductions went awry.

One of the imposing dragons gave Koda a ruthless glare. Koda turned to the Collector, neversally waiting for the cat to say something; say anything.

Finally he spoke, "We seek an audience with the great Scale Lord, Rellethek.

"What is the purpose of your visit?" a guard demanded.

"We speak for the Duke Alifinster Fen. He has a grand proposition for the city and your ruler."

"Which is?"

"Which is for the Scale Lord only, of course."

The sentries both looked at each other before turning back to the Collector. Both raised up and banged their spears on the ground which sent a ringing echo through the air. The doors began to open, grinding at the ground, dragging a path of earth behind them. The deep groan rattled his bones instead of his ears. Between the grand doors dawned the first glimpse of the city, widening every second to more grandeur until Koda and the Collector took their first steps through the gate.

Homes and shops sculpted the walls and humongous naturally formed columns stooping to the floor from thousands of years of erosion. The pathways winding throughout the city shared by dwarves, avians, draconians, and sky elves passed by Koda in their leisurely lives under the mountain. Koda's nostrils filled with the scent of deep earth sweeping through the caverns, fresh with the Winter's frost that permeated the stone walls.

***

Koda stood with the Collector at the center of a spanning, round throne room, before Rellethek. Stationed next to him stood only two soldiers serving to protect the Scale Lord.

As mighty as Rellethek is, he must be so arrogant to think he needs such little security around him, Koda scoffed to himself.

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Koda dug further into the safety of his hood so that only his chin peeked from underneath the shadow.

"My lord," The Collector began with a long and elegant bow. His sleek, black tail curled around his foot, telling Koda he too feared the dragon king. "We represent the Duke Alifinster Fen—"

"Get on with it, cat!" boomed Rellethek's voice. Koda nearly out of his boots.

"Yes, of course, great one. The duke offers you supreme control of all of Stratus for the seal that you safeguard."

Rellethek scoffed. "And what would this Ailfinster Fen do with my seal?"

"Only study the significance and marvel of it," the Collector said without hesitation.

Rellethek leaned to the side in his throne. "How can he give me such power over the ice elves?"

"The Duke has much political influence in the world and many resources at his disposal, your grace."

The Scale Lord stroked his chin, as if pondering the thought before responding, "The dragons of these mountains have kept prying eyes away from our seal for nearly three hundred years. Since written in our land, not even the Night neared its magic, now you wish me to hand it over?"

Koda stepped forward. He believed now was the time to show his worth as both a leader and guild member that Wraslyn saw him as. "My Scale Lord, please consider Wra—the Duke's proposal. He only wishes the best for the rune and would never bring hard to such a world wonder.

"Your voice…" Rellethek said in a low manner, "It is familiar."

"He is no one of consequence, my lord," said the Collector, trying to guide suspicion away from his partner.

"No, I think not." Rellethek stood up. "Remove your hood."

Koda tugged at his hood and shied away. "I-I am hideously deformed, your grace. I would rather not."

Rellethek approached Koda and reached for the hood. "Remove it at once. I command it!"

Koda attempted to back away, but the draconain's claw caught his throat before he could react.

He gasped and struggled in the suffocating grip. "Co-Collector, p-please Help!"

The yikahti reached for a sword.

"Halt, cat," Rellethek roared. He ripped away the hood revealing Koda's face. "I knew it!"

The draconian threw Koda to the ground. "How dare you enter my presence!"

Koda crawled to his feet. "Please, I beg you to reconsider, Rell—"

"No! You are fortunate that I will not destroy you or the cat where you stand!"

The Collector took hold of Koda's shoulder and forced him into a bow. "We shall leave, at once, your grace.

Rellethek waved off his guards and sneered, "See that you do."

***

"I apologize," said Koda as he moved through the crowd with the Collector. "That was disastrous."

"It was accepted, whether you came along or not."

Koda looked at him "You accepted it?"

"We presumed talk would fail with the Scale Lord, even if I went by myself."

"Then what are Wrasyln's plans moving forward?

"We shall send a message to the dragons."

Send a message? Did he mean…

Koda's stomach churned. "Do you mean you plan on assa—"

"Lower your voice!" the Collector hissed. "Forget not where you walk."

Koda's eyes shot back and forth, peering at each face to make sure he was not heard. He let his voice fall to a tiny whisper, "Are we sending Elucard to kill the Scale Lord?"

"Just as we did with Jaelyn."

Koda's face went white. "No, one... one of my father's nobles betrayed him... Athar Moonfall sold him out to Wraslyn?"

The yikahti placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "It was the only way to force you into power."

"No..Wraslyn would…never…" Koda trailed off. Tears welled in his eyes. His most traumatic moment in his eyes, caused by the man he saw as a mentor.

"If you do not have the stomach for this you may wait by Wraslyn's side."

"I…want—I want nothing to do with you."

The Collector dug his claws deep into Koda until he winced. "It is too late for you to back out now with such knowledge of our organization."

Koda lowered his head. He was right, if he should defiance, Wraslyn may murder him, or worse, transform him into a mindless puppet like he wrought onto Elucard.

"Fine," Koda muttered. "But you'll never be fo—"

The Collector yanked him off his feet and into a nearby alley. Before he could yelp, the cat muffled his mouth with a claw.

"Hush," the Collector whispered, "Look."

Wildeye and several of Koda's former allies, along with a troop of soldiers wearing black armor and crimson cloaks, pass by the alleyway where he and the Collector hid.

Inle paused and peered in the shadows.

The Collector quickly took a hold of one of his many hilts and the Inle jogged away to catch up to his group.

"It seems Elucard failed his mission," the yikahti hissed. "Disappointing."

Koda wrestled free. "How did he not see us?"

The Collector smirked. "The Blade of Illusions. Difficult to obtain, as one would imagine, it being invisible and what not"

Koda moved to touch the sword, but the cat swiftly sheathed it with a snap of his wrist.

"Come," he said, "We must report back to our Master."

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