"You godsdamned woman, why did you speak up for that monster at the meeting? I know we might lose a few good mercenaries, but think about it! That's better than the alternative of letting a dragon roam freely! Especially one YOU claim is so incredibly dangerous."

"Mercenary coordinator, I understand your concerns. If you have any questions you want me to answer in private, right now— ask away. Whether they regard my commitment to this city, its people, or questions about the dragon. I'm open to anything. I'm willing to put everything of mine on the line to keep everyone safe. That means you, too."

I'm taken aback.

I'd expected this woman to bicker with me, as women are wont to do, but she simply tells me to put up or shut up. I'm mildly annoyed... Though, I greatly respect her courage.

I should continue to speak firmly, but I need to tone down my frustration.

"I want to know exactly what made you convey the dragon's message, then plead for its pardon on top of that. Exactly. Why do you think it's deserving of so much caution? Magic Erasure is a rare skill, but—"

"It wasn't a skill."

"What?"

"I'm saying it wasn't a skill. I don't know what he did, but I never felt the activation of a skill. In fact, I didn't feel any skills for any of the magic spells he casted."

"Wait. It casted other spells? Why didn't you mention that at the meeting?"

"Because he was casting Make Bread."

"Make— Make Bread? The useless two hundred and fifty Int spell? The one mages like to use at parties?"

"Yes. Silently. And he was making complex shapes; he showed me by making a bird."

"No chant... And, a... Bird. Are you sure?"

"He had made another in the shape of a chewed-up human before I got there. It was so life-like I thought it was a dead human body. He'd placed it atop a pile of similarly huge slices of bread, which made it look like a pile of human torsos at first glance. I wasn't sure if that was an implied threat, so I decided to keep my mouth shut."

Damn. I feel ashamed of my thoughts and behaviors. She was making all the same decisions I would've. Moreover, she volunteered to go see this thing without any way to defend herself or any backup at all. I never would've dared; especially not by myself. Before, I thought her foolhardy. It seems she was making a calculated decision.

...

I've been far too dismissive toward Achiton's guards. With a woman like her leading them, they... They might be better than my mercenaries. I never should've dismissed the rumors surrounding her leadership skills.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

However—

"You KNEW it could cast other magic but said nothing at the meeting?"

"What chance did I get? I was cut off by the mayor. Besides, if this dragon knows such a high level spell, we can assume he's at least a two hundred and fifty Int mage. Meaning, he knows lesser spells, too. However, since he didn't use chants for a two hundred and fifty Int spell, this infers he's actually five hundred Int or higher. If I blurted out such lunacy, I might be on the execution platform right now."

I nod my head.

Fair point. The mayor really does like executions.

"Alright, I'm starting to see the reason for your hysterics. A five hundred Int mage is already unassailable by our forces, but the damn thing's a dragon on top of that. Such an obscene monster can't be fought by throwing mercenaries at it."

"No, it can't, mercenary coordinator."

I nod again.

"Call me Kalo in private. You're a solid leader."

"Thanks, Kalo. I'm Yenim, like the cloth."

I grab her shoulder.

*chok*

"Listen, if the mayor tosses you under the carriage for your comments earlier, you come to me. We need someone like you leading a mercenary group."

She smiles a little.

"I appreciate it, Kalo. Today's been a whirlwind. Even though everything seems settled, it feels like things are moving under my feet. People are tense but keep trying to act normal. It's like we're building up to something big."

I let go of her shoulder.

"You feel it too, huh? Well, we are. We are. The mayor is a strong man— but he's too strong. Worse, he's chosen to surround himself with incompetence. There's a storm brewing, Yenim. I... I have it on good authority that the dragon is just the beginning. However, if that dragon gets involved, gods forbid, then we need to pick our sides carefully."

"I'll keep that in mind. Any other questions?"

I gesture with my hand. I hold my thumb, index, and middle finger straight out toward her, my pinky and ring fingers partly curled, palm up. It's a polite way to signal that I'm asking for a favor.

"No, just a request. Please, be safe out there. For all of our sakes."

"You too. You've done good work for the people of this city, Kalo. It's why I was willing to talk with you in private."

I turn and open the door I'm standing near.

*keeech*

I step outside, but...

*chak*

Ah, I forgot to ask about the dragon's appearance! Silly me. I turn back around.

"Oh, also—"

*cha-twang*

*thew-CHHRK*

image [https://timjames.net/data/acd/images/012.png]

"U—... Urrp."

I fall to the ground, noting that I can see Yenim again from where I fell.

*thruk*

An arrow is intersecting my neck's spinal column and plate armor from left to right, at a slightly downward angle.

I'm not able to see it— I simply feel the searing pain.

I also feel...

I also feel immense amounts of blood. Everywhere in and on my neck. It shredded my arteries, somehow.

That's not a normal arrow.

"KALO! NO!"

*shiiiing*

Yenim draws her weapon and faces the front door.

She yells.

"Guards! We have an assassination attempt, secure the perimeter! Immediately!"

Silence.

"Rob? Steven? Maro? Report status!"

Silence.

*cha-twang*

*chink-chunk-tok*

*thew-TINTNNNnnnnnnnnn*

She dodged it at the last second. That unusual arrow impaled a cast iron cooking pot. Based on the sound, it traveled all the way through and hit the other side of the pot.

What the hell are those arrows made from?

I focus back on Yenim.

She apparently isn't the type to cower under danger. She isn't brash or reckless either, so she doesn't rush out.

They've hurt people she cares about. I can see those thoughts clearly displayed upon her face.

They've made it personal.

As for my life?

My vision's fading, so...

They've made it end.