“We’re not here to discuss vicious rumors, Rohdann,” one of the Korli dragons growled. “Lord Raejaax addressed that issue two weeks ago, just before he and Jahrra left, because of a threat to the Chosen by outside forces. Those rumors were tainted with negative magic and obviously spread to cause corruption among the members of our cause.”
Rohdann snarled and opened his mouth to argue again but was cut off by a torrent of discussion among those members closest to the stage.
Shiroxx gritted her teeth, again. Why wasn’t Rohdann pressing harder? If she had been down there with him she would have made sure of it. Curse those who had agreed with her ousting, and curse them twice over for continuing to follow through with Jaax’s orders after his absence.
This whole organization was losing focus, growing weak and far too accepting of the false human that had somehow won Jaax over.
The slate tiles of the rooftop squealed under Shiroxx’s claws as she once again fought against her anger. The voices of the people far below her grew steadily until they had once again dissolved into another wave of arguments. It was nothing new to Coalition meetings but what with her recent expulsion and the departure of their fearless leader and his fraudulent ward, the quarreling was more frequent and more vicious in nature.
Shiroxx cast one last glance through the dome shaped window, checking Rohdann’s position, a black smudge in the top corner of the room, before turning her head away. She could wait for him and see how this particular meeting ended but she had another appointment, one that the black Tanaan dragon was not privy to. However useful and reliable Rohdann was to her, this other scheme of hers did not include him.
Taking a fresh breath and spreading her wings, Shiroxx climbed to the edge of the great University building and dove into the air, gaining altitude as the lights of Lidien after dark glittered below her. She soared over the cityscape, taking a leisurely pace as she moved eastward.
It was an hour later, somewhere in the hills below the Hrunahn Mountains, that she had a secret meeting with her contact.
Landing delicately on a barren hilltop, Shiroxx folded her wings and cast her sharp eyes around, scrutinizing her surroundings for anything out of place. Tall pines grew in clumps all around her but she was just able to detect a figure standing back in the shadows.
She snorted. “Show yourself, Boriahs, for it grows late and I must be back in the city before dawn.”
The figure, a tall creature in a dark cloak, stepped forward with the agile movements of an experienced assassin. He made no sound as he strode nearer, his face hiding beneath the hood of his cloak. When he approached the Tanaan dragon, however, he threw back the cowl to reveal a shaved head and a bedraggled face scarred with the brand of the Crimson King.
Shiroxx curled her lip in disgust. Despite her own resolve, the strange man made her feel uneasy. His dark, sharp eyes held no remorse and an uncomfortable degree of brutish intelligence. He would not be one to double cross, for she was sure he was the type of person who had no capacity for mercy. Nevertheless, she treated him as she treated everyone she didn’t trust: with disdain.
“You’re too late with your men,” she said coolly. “Jaax and his human have left Lidien.”
The man growled in irritation. Shiroxx wondered what exactly his lineage was. Too broad in the shoulders to be purely elvin, not short enough to be a dwarf. Probably some combination of Nesnan and something else. Another reason not to like him; too many bloodlines to keep track of.
“They got away in Oescienne as well. Was that not also your fault?” Boriahs rasped.
Shiroxx whipped her head around and hissed. “You acted prematurely! You were only supposed to spy on her, not kill her guardian!”
Despite all her spiteful determination, Shiroxx had never meant any harm to come to Hroombra. She had liked the old dragon, despite his softness of heart, but this was a time of war and during wartimes casualties were to be expected.
“I took advantage of an excellent opportunity!” Boriahs snapped. “And you were not even in the province at the time, so I knew you could never be implicated. And as for that old Korli dragon . . . His death was very much welcomed by my Master and colleagues, so I do not regret it.”
His face hardened and his dark eyes narrowed in the pale moonlight. He took a breath and spoke again, to no one in particular it seemed.
“My priorities are to my Master. You, my dear dragoness, sought me out asking for petty favors, so don’t feel so betrayed when I don’t bow down to your every whim.”
Shiroxx curled her lip and snarled, “Yes, and in return I hand over Jahrra. Is she or is she not the grand prize your so-called master desires above all? If he needs to employ trifling little rats such as yourself to find her, then he must still be quite feeble from his last attempt at destroying the world.”
The Tyrant’s servant bristled. “He is stronger than you think, and I’d be very careful of my words if I were you, Shiroxx.”
“Yes, yes,” she said, dismissing his threat rather boorishly. She was tired of this game.
She heaved a great sigh and closed her eyes. She had goals and ambitions, her own plans and aspirations. This sniveling simpleton was only a tool, a way to get what she desired. And what she desired was well worth the price.
“As much as I’d like to linger and chit chat with you, I have other obligations I must see to. You may have been too late this time to trap Jahrra in Lidien but if you hurry you might just catch up to them. They left about two weeks ago and they are heading for Nimbronia.”
The man made a sound of outrage. “If they make it to that city, there will be no catching them!”
Shiroxx sniffed as she turned to leave. “Then you had best hurry. Just remember,” she growled as she spread her wings before take off, “when you deliver the prize over to your master and he regains the power he lost five centuries ago, don’t forget to tell him my price; what it is he owes me for my aid.”
Without waiting for an answer, she launched herself into the sky, heading back in the direction of Lidien as the sun peeked over the eastern mountains.
As the red dragon disappeared against the pale dawn sky, Boriahs watched with a sneer on his face. Oh I’ll tell him what you want, Tanaan dragon, he mused, but I doubt you will receive it.
Pronunciation Guide
Anthar – AN-thar
Archedenaeh – ARK-uh-di-nay-uh
Cahrume – CUH-roo-muh
Ciarrohn – CHI-ron
Cierryon – CHAIR-ee-on
Dathian – DA-thee-en
Dhonoara – DEN-or-uh
Edyadth – ED-ee-adth
Ellyesce – EL-ee-ess
Ellysian – EL-lis-ee-en
Ethoes – ETH-oh-es
Eydeth – AY-deth
Felldreim – FELL-dreem
Gieaun – JOON
Hroombramantu – HROOM-bruh-mon-too
Jahrra – JARE-uh
Kehllor – KELL-or
Kiniahn Kroi – KIN-ee-an KROY
Kruelt – KROOLT
Lensterans – LENS-ter-ans
Lidien – LI-dee-en
Magehn – MA-jen
Milihn – MEE-leen
Neira - NARE-uh
Nesnan – NESH-nan
Nimbronia – nim-BRO-nee-uh
Oescienne – AW-see-en
Phrym – FRIM
Raejaaxorix – RAY-jax-or-iks
Resai – RESH-eye
Rohdann – ROW-den
Sahrielle – SAW-ree-ell
Scede – SADE
Semequin – SEM-ek-win
Senton – SEN-tun
Shiroxx – SHEE-rox
Sobledthe – SO-bledth
Tanaan – TAN-en