Hyndla led the way through the winding tunnels but her thoughts kept returning to what Karn had told her, the draconic princess had made every effort to show her good intentions: from her in-depth understanding of the dwarven legends to her understanding in the face of those who had suffered the dragons’ cruelty, Karn was trying and Hyndla respected that.

They finally reached the locked stone door that Hyndla and the Rangers hadn’t been able to open yet, but something had changed from her last visit: there was a group of red robed figures creating a ritual circle in front of the door.

Hyndla turned as she heard Karn gasp “What is it? Did you see something?”

Karn’s expression was one of shock and nervousness “The writing on the door is in draconic, it says ‘Here Stands The Golden City’ but that’s wrong, the city crashed in the Salt Wastes, it shouldn’t be here…” Karn trailed off seemingly lost in thought.

Hyndla quickly shook her shoulder “Hey, I know this is a lot but we need to focus on these robed creeps, we can figure out the rest later.”

Karn looked unsure but nodded “You’re right, sorry.”

They turned only to find the figures had finished drawing the circle and begun chanting before either could move in.

“Hyndla, that’s a version of draconic. They’re definitely summoning something but their pronunciation is off so I can’t tell what.”

“Can we interrupt it?” Hyndla asked

Karn nodded “I can interfere but they built that circle well, something will come through though I can make sure that whatever it is doesn’t become corporeal.”

Karn stood slowly and pulled the words from the page, as the chanting reached a crescendo a bolt of purple energy shot into the circle with a blast of gray smoke.

The six cultists began coughing, but as quickly as it came the smoke was blown away and in the center of the circle stood an older looking draconic man wearing a fine suit with horns sticking out of the slicked back red hair on his head, a tail and wings at his back, and his scales were gold with streaks of red on them.

“Humans,” the man sneered, “as incompetent as ever I see. No matter, one set back won’t stop what’s been set in motion.” The man’s voice was similarly deep to Karn’s but there was no warmth there, no hint of her kind heart.

One of the humans was on his hands and knees “We are so sorry Lord Val’Emris, an unknown mage interfered.”

The draconic man laughed “No, no, no. Not unknown, that is my dear sweet niece Karn.”

Hyndla found herself reeling from everything happening. She looked at Karn, whose whole body was shaking with rage, her fists were clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms causing a small trickle of golden blood to leak out. She’d nearly gone full dragon and before Hyndla could say anything Karn jumped down to the ritual site.

“You bastard, was the fall not enough for you? Have you already forgotten what the First King said?”

The man glared coldly at Karn “Still playing the hero little Karn? Who cares what that old man said, he left us. He went off with that human and then he comes back and whines at us about his ‘vision’. What nonsense!”

Karn growled “It’s you who's the fool, Uncle. You and all those like you, stubbornly cling to the golden past that only lives in your mind. Without humans, elves, beast folk, without those so-called ‘lesser species’ we’d still be living in caves and stealing cows, you wouldn’t have all those fancy jewels and suits you obsess over.”

The man, Karn’s uncle, didn't respond; he simply glared then vanished.

Karn stood there silently raging while the humans in robes sat in quiet fear. Hyndla ran down to the ritual site and just stood there next to Karn. Her whole body was tense, she didn’t know what to say, she didn’t know what this all meant.

Finally the silence broke, Karn fell to her knees and began to cry, Hyndla slowly walked forward “Karn?”

Her words seemed to ground Karn. She turned to look at Hyndla, her face wet with tears and filled with horror “I didn’t know Hyndla, I swear I didn't know he was involved.”

Hyndla felt the tension leave her body as she walked closer to Karn and wrapped her in a hug “I know Karn” she released Karn from the hug and lifted Karn’s chin so they were looking into each other’s eyes “I trust you, I don’t hate you.”

Karn looked on the verge of tears again but her face was less haggard. Hyndla smiled at her and stroked her cheek “Just relax and breathe a moment, I’ll sort these fools out.”

Hyndla left Karn to calm down and pulled out two pistols “Now, which one of you is going to tell me what that dragon was up to and how you’re involved.”

The one who’d been kneeling on his hands and knees raised himself; he was an older man with a small gray beard and a bald head “That was one of the divine ones, the glorious Lord Reen Toril Dav Hinl Val’Emris the true Dragon King. We are his lowly slaves, his instrument among the lesser peoples so that he need not dirty himself.”

Hyndla looked incredulously at the man “What kind of nonsense is that?”

Karn spoke up, her voice sounding hoarse and tired “Dragon Cultists, back when the old city still flew, there were some among my people who sought worship from the so called lessers, in their arrogance they sought the heavens. Didn’t think there were any of them left after the fall, should have known”.

The old man looked at Karn with confusion on his face “If I may ask, oh great one, why are you so upset? Do you not desire a return to the days of glory?”

Karn looked at him with annoyance. “No I don’t want the ‘old days’ back, I want a better world than that. We’re not gods!” Karn glared at the man “What’s up with this door? The Golden City is rubble in the Salt Waste not behind some underground door.”

The man hesitated but under Hyndla and Karn’s glares he broke “My Lord and his allies seek to bring back the Blood King, this gate was meant to be the portal for the King’s return.”

Karn froze, her eyes widened and her voice became a harsh whisper “Are you serious? That’s his faction's plan? Have they lost their minds!?”

Karn stomped towards the door, stopping to examine it for a moment before nodding and punching the door to pieces.

“He probably has more cultists like this across the continent. I can’t allow the Blood King’s return to this world Hyndla, I should leave Valla soon.”

“Who is this Blood King?” Hyndla asked, almost worried about the answer.

Karn looked back at her with shame “He was our cruelest King. He drove your people underground, he forced the Orcs to become nomads when he turned their homeland into the Salt Waste. Your people call him Fafner I believe”

Hyndla gasped “Ancestors, your uncle is trying to bring him back?”

Karn’s shoulders slumped “Apparently.” She motioned with her hands and spectral handcuffs appeared on each of the cultist’s wrists “Come along you lot.” She pulled on a chain and forced the six cultists to their feet.

“This will certainly make an interesting report to King Beowulf” Hyndla mumbled tiredly.

The walk through the tunnels back to Valla was quiet, Hyndla seemed lost still trying to process everything they’d learned and as for Karn, she was spiraling wondering if Hyndla, King Beowulf, and all the people she’d met would suddenly see her as the monster, the villain she feared she was.

“You know what I just realized?” Hyndla said, breaking the crushing silence “I don’t think you’ve ever actually said your father’s name. You usually just call him father or the Dragon King.”

Karn smiled lightly “His name is rather long even for us dragons ‘Ilo Nay Corin Lot Gran Val’Emris’ and my delightful uncle is ‘Reen Toril Dav Hinl Val’Emris’ I never really liked Uncle Reen but this… this was unexpected.”

“I know Karn. The way you think is nothing like your uncle”

Karn froze in place “What do you mean?” she said, her voice tight.

“You’re both so different in your perspectives. You Uncle is consumed by his obsession with a nostalgic view of the past that never really existed. But you, you’re so weighed down by the sins of everyone else you struggle to see the path forward. You aren’t the dragons of old Karn, your blood isn’t cursed, you’re not one of the monsters from the old legends.” Finished speaking Hyndla let out a sigh and looked back at Karn.

Karn stood speechless, her eyes wide with shock “How did you… How could you possibly know what I was thinking?”

Hyndla smiled “Believe it or not we are friends, and I noticed the way you talk about the past. You quite rightly condemn the old cruelty of the Dragons but I’m perceptive enough to hear the fear in those condemnations, the fear that nothing has really changed.”

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Karn laughed “Maybe I really should avoid politics, I appear to be something of an open book.”

“Can I ask you a question, Karn?” Hyndla sounded nervous, like she was afraid of digging too deeply.

“Go ahead, we need to do something to pass the time and our new friends don’t seem to be feeling conversational,” Karn said, pointing at the cultists.

Hyndla laughed “Very true. Does your kingdom have a name? We Dwarves have the city of Valla, the Humans have Kamelot, the Beastfolk have Mag Mell, and the Elves have Arcady. But I always hear you call it just ‘The Dragon Kingdom’ so I was curious”

Karn nodded “When the Golden City flew our kingdom was called Imperia, but now we just call ourselves The Dragon Kingdom because that’s simply what we are now. My father, my people, we want to build something new. We have sent out diplomats, we have sought out peace, we don't know who we are anymore and I want to find it.”

Hyndla walked back and grabbed one of Karn’s hands “I understand, I want you to know that if you need help you have my guns.”

Karn smiled, “Your support really means a lot to me, thank you.”

With a shared nod they continued back towards Valla, but by the time they’d returned to the cave where they fought the zombies both of them were worn out.

“I think we should sleep. How about I take the first watch? You’ve dealt with a lot today, you need the rest.” Hyndla said

“Thank you.” Karn’s eyes were red from tears but she looked happier to Hyndla. Karn crawled into a sleeping bag and was out almost immediately.

“Let’s get a fire going” Hyndla mumbled to herself as she set about the task.

“What’s your relationship to the traitor god?” the elderly cultist said, snapping the silence.

Hyndla turned to look at the old man who seemed to be the leader of these cultists, or at least the one who does the talking for them, still chained but peering at her as if searching for something.

“Traitor god?” Hyndla said, the cultist moved to speak but she held up a hand before he could respond

“No, don’t say anything I don’t really care. Look she’s my friend, we met and just sort of bonded it’s hard to explain I guess” she responded after some thought

“You don’t seem to bear a dragon’s mark.” the man said

“What’s a dragon’s mark?” Hyndla asked

“It’s an old practice of magically burning your name into someone. It was used to mark someone from a ‘lesser’ race as that dragon’s ‘property’ ; it was a painful and cruel practice; it gave the dragon access to the subjects' every thought and every memory.” Karn said sitting up

“Sorry, did I wake you?” Hyndla asked worried

Karn laughed “No, I just happened to wake up and when I heard your question I figured I should tell you so you get the truth instead of whatever lies my uncle fed them.”

The man scoffed “It hurts yes, but do the gods not deserve access to our everything? We are their instruments and you neglect the benefits it can bring to the subject as well.”

Karn growled “The risks far outweigh any meager benefits”

“What kind of benefits?” Hyndla asked her eyes alight with curiosity

Karn let out a sigh “Alright i’ll tell you, one who’s marked can if allowed draw on their master’s power to enhance their senses or their physical abilities.”

Hyndla hummed thoughtfully, “Those are pretty good benefits, shame about the excruciating pain and destruction of all privacy.”

Karn laughed “Such is the nature of Imperia, on the surface it seems so nice but underneath there’s only misery. Even for dragons, believe it or not.”

“What do you mean?” Hyndla asked

“Not all dragons were nobles receiving tribute; some were left to do the menial tasks because no ‘lesser’ could be allowed in the Golden City of course. All dragons were superior to other races but some were more superior than others. That’s not to say it was suffering on the same level as for example the dwarves of course.”

“Well, that’s a lot to think about before I rest huh.” Hyndla said with a laugh as she climbed into her sleeping bag.

“Rest well” Karn said as Hyndla fell asleep.

It was only a few hours later that Hyndla woke up to the smell of coffee “You are my hero Karn.” Hyndla said as she got up and received a cup.

Karn smiled “I try, you want some pancakes as well?” she held out a plate and Hyndla gladly took it.

They ate in silence, once finished they stood up to continue walking back and got the cultists moving as well.

“We have quite a lot to report to King Beowulf that’s for sure. Are you going to tell him everything?” Hyndla asked.

“Karn nodded “Yes. Hiding the truth will only cause more problems, it’s best to just be honest I think. Some in the court will feel validated in their hatred but that’s acceptable compared to the prospect of breaching the King’s trust in me.”

“I respect that. I like a girl who’s honest.” Hyndla said with a smile and Karn’s cheeks flushed as she looked away from her friend.

They finally made their way out of the tunnels and began heading towards the palace to make their report to the king. Unsurprisingly they attracted a lot of attention, the duo returning with a group of six prisoners in glowing chains inevitably draws the eye.

As they walked they were met by members of the Royal Guard, Hyndla was never comfortable around them; their expressionless masks just made her nervous.

One of them stepped forward and began speaking “We have been sent by His Royal Highness to escort you to the palace. He is most excited for whatever news you bring.” The helmet moved ever so slightly onto the prisoners “Who are these humans?”

Hyndla thanked them for the escort and explained as they began walking that they were part of a cult but didn’t want to say more for security reasons. The guard nodded in understanding and they moved in silence the rest of the way surrounded by gossip and the bustle of the city.

The palace was in uproar as they arrived, rumor had moved faster than their feet, it seemed to Hyndla that the whole court was there to hear what was going on. The King had even moved from the throne room proper to a larger feasting hall to accommodate the sheer number of people.

Karn glanced around nervously, she knew she had to do this but that certainly didn’t make what she had to say any easier to put forward.

Finally they reached the steps before the throne and there they knelt.

“What have you discovered at that strange door?” King Beowulf asked, his voice booming off the walls.

After they shared a look it was Karn who then spoke “We have discovered a plot most foul my Lord.” The room exploded into chatter and was quickly silenced again as the King struck the ground with a mighty hammer “Continue” he said.

Karn continued “We discovered the six people at the door drawing a summoning circle, I was able to prevent them from summoning it in a corporeal form. It was no beast or spirit that they sought to summon, sir, but a dragon. Specifically my uncle, Lord Reen Toril Dav Hinl Val’Emris.” again the room exploded with voices and again they were struck silent.

“Why did they seek to summon him?” King Beowulf asked, his voice full of confusion.

Karn took a deep breath and saw Hyndla mouth “It’s going to be okay” to her,

“My Lord, my uncle sought to use the door as a portal to bring The Blood King, whom your people call Fafner, back from his eternal prison. These humans are remnants of the ancient Dragon cults.”

The room fell silent with shock and fear. Before the king could speak, another man asked “Why tell us this?” Karn looked over and saw a gray bearded dwarf who’d been introduced to her as the advisor on military affairs glaring furiously at her.

“Because sir, I have no reason to hide. I seek to stop him as much as anyone else, he is a monster and he seeks power from an even greater monster. If I lied it would still come out and would only sow more division and fear.” Karn said looking the man in the eyes showing as much courage as she could muster.

“This is quite the revelation” one of the nobles muttered.

“Hyndla, do you trust her?” The King asked glancing at her

Karn looked at Hyndla as well, her friend looked up to the King “I trust her with my life, I was there as this happened. I heard the argument she had with her uncle. I saw the rage and the hurt she felt.”

“That could easily be faked, staged for your benefit” the King’s spymaster argued.

“But why would she?” Lady Heath asked “If the Princess sought to summon Fafner, why stop it for a show instead of just letting it happen and taking over with the monster’s power?”

This brought a wave of silence as people contemplated the Lady’s words.

The doors to the hall burst open sending a shocked murmur through the gathered crowd which only intensified when people saw who’d entered.

Karn recognized Baldr, the caretaker for the Hall of Ancients, and beside him was a spirit, Karn’s eyes widened “Brunhilde the Slayer” she whispered.

“Why, pray tell, have you brought Lady Brunhilde, Baldr?” King Beowulf asked the short brown haired man.

“Lady Brunhilde heard news of the Princess’s presence in the city from a relative and requested to meet her, with all the tension over her visit and the questions of peace with dragons I thought her opinion would be of import.”

The King nodded “Very well, Lady Brunhilde the Slayer may I introduce you to Princess Karn Virta Tornal Val’Emris, eldest child of King Ilo Nay Corin Lot Gran Val’Emris”

The spirit scowled at Karn “I see your naming conventions haven’t changed, dragon”

Karn smiled awkwardly “They have gotten shorter” she muttered defensively and Hyndla failed to suppress a laugh next to her.

“Shut up, you’re supposed to be on my side” Karn whispered with a smile before becoming serious again as she turned back to Brunhilde “So, you wanted to meet?”

The warrior spirit nodded “I did, I’ve already learned quite a lot just by watching you” as she spoke she twirled an obsidian tipped spear. Suddenly with blinding speed she flung the spear towards the King’s spymaster, Karn’s wing sprouted in an instant as she caught the spear just seconds before it went through the man.

“Well, I also thought he was rude but this is a little harsh, Lady Brunhilde.” Karn said with a smile at the spirit.

“Not a bad catch. Let me ask you a question and look me in the eyes.” Brunhilde said, her voice cold. Karn nodded and looked into Brunhilde’s eyes.

“What does it mean to you, to be a dragon?”

Karn’s eyes widened and she thought silently for a moment before she responded “To me being a dragon means responsibility”

“Responsibility?” Brunhilde questioned

“Our physical and magical strength means we have a responsibility, an obligation to serve all those weaker than us” Karn said with a tone and posture that radiated confidence, Hyndla found herself smiling.

The warrior spirit grunted “Not a bad answer, well you have my vote. Oh and toss me the spear back please.”

Karn blinked then complied, Brunhilde caught it easily then walked out much to everyone’s confusion.

“Well, if Lady Brunhilde trusts her, who are we to disagree?” King Beowulf said.

The gathered nobles mostly nodded or shrugged, some looked unhappy but none could think of a way to discredit the nation’s greatest hero.

“My King Beowulf, I have a request.” Hyndla said bowing deeply

“What is your request?” He replied

“I would like your permission to leave Valla and accompany Princess Karn on her mission to stop her uncle from reviving Fafner.” She said with another deep bow.

After much thought the King nodded “Very well, Captain Hyndla of the King’s Rangers, you have my leave to follow the Princess on this endeavor. Act with bravery and kindness for you will represent Valla.”

“I will not disappoint you, your majesty” She said before dragging Karn from the room.

“Before we leave there is one last person we need to see.”

“Who’s that?” Karn asked

“My mother of course!” Hyndla replied with a laugh.