Michael
The southern mountains had transformed since the last time Michael had visited Ferrekxan. Roads and smaller paths covered the lower and middle regions of the mountains and small mining towns had emerged as the starting point of these paths.
The forest that covered most of the lower and middle parts had been thinned out around the settlements and mine entrances to give the undergrowth a better environment to grow and prevent landslides. The forest wouldn’t be completely cut back for the same reason, which had the nice side effect that, with the relentless hunt for monsters by the adventurers, the mundane animals returned to the mountain forest.
They came across quite some traffic on their way to and up the mountains; groups of workers, trains of carts transporting tools and supplies into the mountains or raw resources out, and of course patrols of the new mounted outriders.
They were a rather recent addition to the guard, lightly armored and armed with bows and spears they specialized in patrolling the rough terrain of the borders. With the reduced threat from both the eastern and southern borders, they had decided that foot patrols were too slow and manpower intensive, so the outriders had taken their place. This meant fewer men and forts were needed to cover the less dangerous borders. The northeastern edge of the border inhabited by the boar clan was still patrolled heavily by the previous forces though. It had become somewhat of a crucible to refine the troops against serious threats and prevent complacency as the boars were still actively raiding into the kingdom at every opportunity.
That wasn’t important right now though. Their group didn’t attract much attention next to all the other activities, so they silently continued on up the mountains on horseback as far as possible.
“You humans really are quite industrious if you want to,” Solon commented from the back of his donkey while inspecting a group of men pulling out tree stumps with the help of some oxen.
“Humans need one thing above everything else and that is direction,” Zeke commented. “If you give us a goal and a reason to be motivated then I am sure we could easily move this mountain ten kilometers north by hand. Lord Rowan has given the people a goal and by releasing them of their bonds he gave them motivation.”
Michael listened to them only half-heartedly he had been pondering the words that Ferrekxan had imparted to him in their very brief conversation and what exactly the dragon could have meant. There were of course many different conclusions he could reach, from an invasion by his uncle to something coming that he didn’t even know existed yet. He knew it was a futile line of thought, but Michael couldn’t help it.
“It has been quite the achievement. Though we have been very lucky to even have access to this because of him,” Solon replied and directed that answer more in Michael’s direction.
Michael now emerged from his thoughts and turned his attention to his compatriots. It was a small group, just his guard and Solon. The dwarf had been adamant about wanting to meet the mythical Ferrekxan himself and find out the true intentions of the dragon. It was a mix of wonder and mistrust that Michael had not yet seen in his mentor before. Michael of course had no objections to it and so Solon had joined them.
“It is but this is just the beginning. We are on a good way but still far away from reaching our goal and we have just a little over three years left,” Michael noted.
The ascend became more laborious as they approached the end of the tree line which marked the beginning of the upper region, as Michael had agreed, there had been no efforts to colonize this region and due to that, there were no roads leading to the edge either.
They left their mounts behind at the last outpost they came past and traversed the wilderness on foot. This time they weren’t beset by harpies or even saw one, the wyvern had been obviously active in hunting them down and driving them out of this region. They were however greeted by two wyverns who were relaxing on a huge boulder.
Michael wasn’t sure at first if these were the same brown and greyish ones that they had met the last time but just a moment later he could feel the recognition echo through the mana of the beast. Even if he didn’t recognize them, they clearly recognized him.
“Have you been waiting for us,” Michael asked and eased up on smoothing out his mana. He had started practicing his control over the ripples that went through his mana since Ferrekxan had told him that one could read the thoughts of it, but the wyvern and many other magical creatures could only communicate through it.
The brown wyvern rose from his spot in the sun and reached out with his head to Michael. He patted the scaled beast and said, “Long time no see, right?”
He opened his mouth a little and his tongue fell to the side in some kind of smile, not for the first time Michael felt that the behavior of the wyvern resembled puppies. Huge and murderous puppies mind you but puppies, nonetheless.
Together with their guides, they climbed the remaining way up the mountain to the familiar cave entrance. Solon’s eyes darted around continually as he inspected every part of the tunnel they took down into the mountain.
“It is quite common for mana refuges to have a high quantity of precious resources,” the dwarf commented. “That is why adventurers hunt for them, but I have never seen one with such riches.”
“There is a dragon here after all,” Michael replied, and Solon nodded in agreement.
“I never thought that I would see one, you know? Dragons are so high up the ladder of magical beasts that it is said that they dwell only in the deepest parts of the earth and ocean. Places where no mortal could even reach, and then you find one on a mountaintop. Quite ironic,” Solon said and smiled into himself.
“A dragon was the last thing I expected to find here. To be honest, back then I didn’t even know what I expected.”
“And still you followed a voice in your head all the way here,” Solon stated dryly.
Michael scratched the back of his neck as he grinned awkwardly. “Yeah, I did.”
They finally reached the dormant volcano a few minutes later and Michael relished in the look of wonder that his master had on his face. Michael was sure that he didn’t look much different the first time he was here, and he still felt the same now, but it was nice to see that even Solon, who had seen so much in his life was still awestruck by this sight.
The most eye-catching thing about this place was as before the great iron-scaled dragon in the center of the cavern. Ferrekxan was already awake and ready as they entered through the tunnel.
“I bid you welcome Michael and also his companions,” the dragon’s rumbling voice echoed through their thoughts. He cocked his head a moment later and said, “It seems that you didn’t appreciate me being able to see your surface thoughts through your mana. You have gained quite an impressive grasp of your mana in such a short time.”
Stolen story; please report.
“My thoughts are the one thing that should be mine and only mine. A privilege that has been denied too easily and often in my case,” Michael answered calmly. He wasn’t actually afraid of the physical threat that the dragon posed, there was nothing he could do about that anyway, but much rather about the influence on his mind he might have. Michael had little experience with mind magic but both Kiran and Rayakan had said that it was very rare and even more dangerous.
“Fair enough,” Ferrekxan replied and then let his eyes wander to Solon. “Greetings son of Thorm, what brings one of your kind to my humble home.”
Solon stroked his beard and stood there silently observing for a few seconds before saying anything. “First of all, I thank you for inviting us into your home, great dragon. I do find it quite interesting that you could tell my lineage at a glance, or has Lord Michael told you before?”
“I knew both Yoren and Thorm when they created your kingdom and even if you seem much more composed than Thorm ever was I do see some of his traits in you,” Ferrekxan answered with a certain curiosity ringing along with his words.
“Very interesting. I would love to talk more about the esteemed founders of my home once we have taken care of what we are here for,” Solon replied, his eyes were burning in curiosity and Michael knew the feeling well.
Ferrekxan lowered his head in a slow nod. “I will be glad to converse with you, son of Thorm. It has been a long time since I had the opportunity to relish in old memories with someone else.”
Michael and Solon took a seat next to the dragon so that he could make himself comfortable while Eydis and the rest began setting up the camp some fifty meters away.
“So, what is this about? You said something was coming from the west,” Michael asked. His worry had finally hit its peak as he waited for an explanation.
“I … can’t quite tell,” Ferrekxan replied slowly. “I do feel that a massive amount of animosity is gathering past the western border of your kingdom. I fear that if you do not act then those that wish ill onto your home will burn and pillage for many kilometers.”
“Maybe the Rangda tribes have banded together. It has happened before mostly to defend themselves but also for revenge. It is called the Kirhen, the Call of Unity. I can’t think of any other large threat from that direction that might harbor animosity toward the kingdom,” Solon suggested, meaning the human barbarians that lived in the wilderness to the southwest of the kingdom, Eydis people.
If it is the Rangda people then they will hit my uncle, no doubt, Michael thought and for a moment a part of him wanted to just ignore it and let it happen. His better judgment won over him quickly though and he dismissed that thought, silently being disappointed with himself. If his uncle fell to such an invasion, then the whole kingdom would be shaken, and who said that they would stop in Grent?
There were so many more reasons why he shouldn’t let his personal feelings interfere with his judgment. Starting with the bet he had made with the king which would be near unwinnable if one of the counties of Praanen got razed and ending with common human decency and his duty to protect the people of the kingdom.
“Dammit,” Michael cursed and then turned to Solon. “Is there something else in that direction that could be meant?”
“That direction is mostly wilderness for hundreds of kilometers, there are other races of course but I think we would have heard about it if a large migration of other races displaced the Rangda tribes,” Solon concluded solemnly after a few moments of contemplation.
“Maybe it is the Firn Kingdom to the northwest,” Michael asked to check off any other likely possibilities.
“My knowledge about borders is quite spotty but I believe that this kingdom is too far away for my senses at the moment,” Ferrekxan answered.
Michael sighed and then answered his own question, “I don’t see the Firn Kingdom attacking us anyway with our alliance with the Perios Kingdom intact.”
“So, what are we going to do about this,” Solon asked carefully, having pinpointed Michael’s thoughts exactly.
What are we going to do about this, indeed, Michael pondered. He should send a warning to his uncle and Duke Wallsten of course but what else? Should they prepare to help or simply move forces to their borders to prevent any of the catastrophe spilling over into his lands?
Michael could feel a push from the back of his conscious in the direction of taking a more active stance in helping to prevent disaster and he agreed with the old man. It wasn’t about his uncle; this was a selfish decision to keep harm away from his home and his people.
“We obviously can’t let this happen,” he said after contemplating. “I am gonna inform Duke Wallsten as soon as we return to Reen and then we will prepare to respond to anything that could happen.”
“You should warn Duncan as well. Despite your history, this is a matter of survival, and I am sure you don’t want to put your aunt and cousin in danger,” Solon told him sternly. It was a rare moment where Solon directly told him what to do but Michael was way ahead of that.
“I will go to Grent personally with a small force to scout out the situation while Geron prepares for a larger mobilization here, if necessary,” Michael shared his decision, now finally firm on it.
Solon frowned at that and asked, “Is it wise to go yourself? You are not on the best terms with your uncle.”
“He isn’t foolish enough to pull anything in a situation like this. It might even be a chance to get some clues into my family's murder,” Michael shrugged the argument off.
“What about you, Michael? Will you be able to resist the urge for revenge if you had the chance? A battle can be chaotic, and a well-placed attack made from behind can kill even the strongest,” Solon pressed the point.
Michael had learned to live with what happened back then, that didn’t mean that he had forgiven anyone, but he would push his personal desires back to a time when they didn’t interfere with his duties. His position had become everything to him, his life’s meaning, and he wouldn’t risk it for vengeance which he could achieve more safely at a later date.
“I can control myself. And hey, maybe he just dies in the fighting, that would make things easier,” Michael replied with a dry chuckle which earned him a disapproving stare from Solon.
“I’m sorry, Solon. I know you don’t believe that he did it, but you knew him nearly twenty years ago before he tasted power as a noble. Neither of us is impartial in this and I won’t apologize for hating the person that I believe killed my whole family,” Michael added and struggled to keep his voice calm.
It was clear on Solon’s face that he wasn’t one hundred percent sure that Michael wasn’t right and neither did he look like he wanted to push the discussion.
“It is quite a good opportunity to gain more influence and improve your reputation. If you were to save your uncle, then he would be in your debt. He also still is part of your family, and you have a claim on his position should something happen to him. He only has a daughter after all,” Ferrekxan noted, changing the subject back.
Michael narrowed his eyes at the comment and stared at the dragon. Ferrekxan certainly didn’t care about the human lives at stake here just the advantage that the situation could have for his plans. This was exactly the kind of manipulation that Michael was concerned about. He was not looking for power or advantages, he only wanted to do what was best, not for Ferrekxan but for his people. The implication that swung with the dragon's comment about usurping the County of Grent didn’t sit right with him either.
“Is there something else you would like to talk to me about,” Michael asked sharply.
“No, this would be the most immediately pressing matter. Though I do hope that you will take some time for us to talk. I am here to share my knowledge and guidance with you after all,” he said, his words flowing like honey into his mind.
Michael felt that he wanted to say more, to give him advice and push him to do something but Ferrekxan didn’t voice it, clearly feeling Michael’s disapproval. “Good, we will rest for the night, no reason to stumble through the dark down the mountain and depart at first light. Let me just get some food into myself and then we might talk about what wisdom you intend to impart to me. As long as it doesn’t pertain to any schemes and other trickery.”
Ferrekxan nodded, still happily eying the young count, and Michael walked away with Solon at his side.
“I think I am going to stay here for a while,” Solon said bluntly.
Surprise on his face, Michael looked down at the dwarf and asked, “You are?”
“I would like to talk a little bit and find out more about the past of my people from another point of view. You will be gone for at least a couple of weeks anyway, so I think this is a good time for that. I also do not trust him and would like to investigate his motivations,” Solon explained.
“Very well. Should I leave a guard with you?”
The dwarf shook his head and smiled. “That is not necessary. I have traversed this world for nearly a hundred years, I will be quite alright without a guard.”
“I guessed as much,” Michael smiled back but then his smile wavered as he added, “Make sure to be careful.”