I was in such a hurry to get back into my home that I didn't even consider how odd it was that the front door was wide open, or how when I went inside I found no sign of anyone in the main den. The reason became readily apparent as Tokols and Humey poked their heads around the corner from the dorm to wave me over. My path to the hobby room took a detour over there, and inside I saw both parents having a back and forth in front of the conspiracy board in regards to what they thought was going on with me. I guess it was time for me to fully reveal the dragon encounter of last night.

Just then a hand clamped down on my shoulder, the shock of which was enough to make me spin around in a defensive stance. Mibata stood there with a single raised eyebrow, completely unthreatened by my fists. He raised a finger of shushing to his lips, though from his eyes it would seem that this was more so for the brothers in the doorway than for myself. He pointed a finger at my bag and whispered quietly enough as to not be heard by mom and dad.

“Kayrux, I know what I saw with my own two eyes, but am I correct in thinking that you have just absconded with one of those imperceptible eyes you have mentioned?”

I felt the urge to enthusiastically nod in agreement, but the fact he knew caught me off guard. The only way he would know is if he saw me do it, which would explain why he wasn’t already here ahead of me. I hope this wasn’t true, but my best guess was that he had opted to not escort me home but instead watched me from afar with his secret spy skills. I don’t know whether to be impressed that I hadn’t seen him, worried that he was borderline stalking me, or touched that he wouldn’t let his sister walk home unsupervised. I’m going to just feel all three of these emotions at the same time and just nod along to his question without the added enthusiasm.

Mibata struck the typical thinking pose of a hand across the chest, atop which was the other arm holding onto his chin. He looked past me into the room beyond and his voice raised to a low speaking voice.

“I won’t ask how or why you took one, but I must confess that I am…curious about the physical and magical aspects of such a device. We can inspect it later, but for now it seems that you have some explaining to do.”

I followed his eyes until I was facing back into the room where Juaki and Bahruk were waiting for me with impatient stares. I approached them slowly as though they were about to scold me, though I knew they weren’t angry with me as much as they were just concerned. Looking at it from their perspective, it was obvious that I was not very good at communicating what was going on and why things around me were always getting so complicated. I really need to get better at keeping everyone in the loop.

Juaki crossed her arms and huffed a small puff of steam or smoke.

“All right Kayrux, I have been patient with you, but it is time for you to make good on our agreement. Honesty time. Tell us what happened last night, and why it was that you shone with enough magic that even my dull senses could feel it.”

That’s going to take quite a bit of explaining, and maybe another few chunks of chalk for both the slate and the conspiracy wall. Please hold dear family, this is going to take a while.

…

It was quite a while until the end of my detailed theorycrafting session that had attempted to convey the complex relationship between the great holy dragon and its so-called priestess. Everyone looked to be following along quite well, right up until I told them of the cryptic future warnings and the side quest to kill one of the elders. Everyone looked nervous, confused, and above all else terrified. Great, looks like we’re all on the same page about how screwed up this all is. Bahruk was mortified, his strong faith in the dragon seemingly shaken by what I had retold.

“Kayrux, I know it is ignorant to ask, but is this all true? Is the dragon really being used by the elders?”

I had to solemnly nod along. I didn’t want it to be true, but I can’t change the facts of what I had seen. Tokols had something click in his mind, his posture shifting to a hand on his hip and all of his weight shifted to one side.

“So all that black gunk coming out of the altar, the priestess getting zapped by her own spell, and the fact nobody died was all your doing? Crazy, but also pretty awesome. Well it looks like you've got a quest now, just like those tales of heroes!”

Juaki thumped him on the back with her tail in warning.

“Tokols, do not be crude. This is a serious situation we are in. Kayrux is being given what must be a divine trial, a test to see if she is able to meet the expectations of a great dragon.”

Humey rubbed at the sides of his head, his eyed pinched shut as he worked overtime to be as quick witted as Tokols.

“Three deals, three tasks, three gifts… is it just me or does it sorta feel like the dragon's desperate for help? Like, asking Kay for mana is kinda dumb since she's got so much of it, and the third task was just a free gift if it's something that's gonna happen anyway. I’ve got the feeling that the second one is the real favor here: the priestess is a threat to the dragon.”

Wow, that was actually quite the insight. Come to think of it, these tasks did feel askew now that I looked back on it. Giving mana was not a problem, and the dragon was certainly aware of what I was able to provide. Passing its lost art of the dragon knight on to me was a free one as well, as the dragon even stated that I couldn’t avoid whatever destiny was before me even if I could cut through the strands of fate. Getting rid of her was the big ticket item, which must mean that compared to the other gifts the information withheld from me must be incredibly valuable.

As I was busy gnawing on my thumb claw there came a sigh from Bahruk. He shook his head and looked back up at the wall of conspiracy material hopelessly.

“I can imagine why. She is a powerful woman in both status and magic, and if she is truly joined by two other elders in dark rituals then she will have even more power with the high guard and the holy guard working together under the command of the demon hunter himself. I know only what is passed along in whispers, but the two of them are a cruel combination of cunning and skill. I would not be surprised if the high guards came rushing into the room right at this very moment.”

I instinctively held my breath as I looked out of the door to the main room, but it looked like dad didn’t jinx us this time. I found my hand reaching into my bag past the still dormant Tim for the drone I’d stolen, and upon grabbing it felt a tense feeling of unease. This wasn’t fate, it was my logic and common sense. There was no way they didn’t know I had this eye drone, which meant that they would make some kind of move to counter me in some punishing way for acting against them. Unless this tiny eyeball was actually capable of independent control there had to be an operator, but later experimentation would give me that answer.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

As for what dad had said, he was absolutely right in being apprehensive at the idea of an insurrection against the head of the cult elders. Having a majority of the armed forces tasked with protecting the city at your beck and call definitely made one a difficult target, and considering that I only had a hammer as my under-developed combat runes at the moment it definitely felt quite impossible. Then again, I’m already on my way to having the cornerstones of precision machining ready to go, and my recent breakthrough into having lightning runes opened up the potential of progressing in both physical and magical arms acquisition. I’ll have to sideline that idea until my next week in the lab, and preferably when I get ahold of some more iron to put towards expanding my tool cabinet.

Juaki let out a hiss as she looked back to the conspiracy wall. I could tell she wanted to put her fist through it like she did with all her other problems, but luckily she was remaining composed for the time being.

“I always hated that witch. She always calls out ‘rejoice’ every time one of our young is swallowed by the dragon, smiling as families lose hatchlings to the mirrored plate atop the altar. I have no kindness to show to her, but even I know better than to try fighting her horde of loyal warriors. If this is truly wish of dragon, then perhaps Faerkurch can sense some kind of mark that might have been left. If your claim is confirmed by the scribe master, then he can move greater things in place than just our family could manage.”

Huh, I’d forgotten to mention to them that the old bugger was actually there for this last ritual, so it might be a good time to mention that. I spun my slate around for her to read.

“Speaking of him, there was a floating platform high above the altar with him and another elder on it. They had a staff with a lantern, and had a strange hood over their face. Any idea who that could be?”

Mom’s eyes widened as she read what I’d asked, and a smile spread over her face for a moment before she composed herself.

“Ah, sorry, was excited for a moment. You describe the wanderer elder, a traveler that goes to the kingdoms on our behalf to speak of peaceful things. If Lothengus has returned and is at Faerkurch’s side, that means his personal guards are here as well. Oh I cannot wait to see Moyalok again!”

The shared look of confusion from all of her children seemed to stall her train of thought for a moment, at least until she slapped the top of her head gently to convey that she had skipped over something.

“Moyalok is my sister. It is very unlikely that she will visit, or that she will be happy to meet any of you because of my mate being who he is, but I can talk with her about travels and learn of what happens in the surface lands.”

I glanced at my father to see what he had to say on her statement, only to see him shrug with a frown. Alright then, I guess we will never know why she hates him. I looked over to my brothers, and they too seemed to be disquieted by their lack of explanation. Looking to mom for answers only got us a single ‘no’ head shake.

Mibata took a few steps towards the door, turned to face us, then halted as he seemed to lose his words. He sighed and tried again.

“I…I do not wish to pursue this conversation further. We now know what goes on beyond the veil of mystery and the beyond, but as we are unable to make any preemptive moves with our limited understanding I suggest we put the matter on hold. If you will excuse me, I am feeling as though my stomach contents are not settled properly.”

Tokols also lost interest in continuing and went the same way as Mibata, walking backwards so he could talk to us as he made his exit.

“Yeah, what he said. I mean, we’ve got a plan now, but it’s gotta wait until we have an opportunity to talk to the scribe lord. Anyway, I’m going over to the clinic to see if Tuleni needs a hand with all those patients. Don’t worry Kay, I’ll check on Vimna for you.”

Unlike the other two, Humey decided to stay right where he was.

“Those two…whatever, it’s not like they don’t care or nothing. Aside from the elder of wandering being here, is there anything else was can do to sort of prepare for the worst?”

Juaki pursed her lips as she thought it over while counting some things off on her fingers.

“Well, we could stock up on provisions, work on a better door, buy you a proper sword, or go to the guard hall and do some sparring. What else could we do, Bahruk, Kayrux?”

As I was writing my idea, Bahruk went ahead and gave them a reply.

“In my opinion, I think we need that moss garden ready, but I must finish carving that room. I can do the door and provision acquiring and pay the extra few Draks to hire someone to move it all. If Humey is not in a sparring mood, then maybe going to the armory and getting a helmet shaped.”

Both mom and Humey nodded enthusiastically so I didn’t bother to finish writing my idea. They turned to me to see if I had any ideas ready for them only to see me shaking my head as I wiped my slate clean. Mom smirked at Humey, and against every preconception I had regarding how Humey felt about her brutal methods of training he seemed almost ecstatic to contend with her. Oh you sweet naive boy, just what kind of muscle head is she molding you into that being thrown through a wall seems like an enticing sparring match? Humey grabbed his slash resistant gloves from the edge of his bed and began strapping the thick leather bands around his arms on his way to the door.

“We can get me fitted for a helmet on our way down, but I’m not buying a sword mom. I already told you that I’m awful with them, and Kay already said she had an idea for something cool to make me.”

In reply she only rolled her eyes on her way after him.

“I know, I’m the one who helped her design your weapon. You see it when she makes it, but until then you need something to use. Maybe you take that old mace and throw it-”

Their conversation faded away as they turned down the tunnel, leaving only me and Bahruk in the dorm. I was midway through writing my words to explain how I was going to check on Mibata when he suddenly wrapped his arms around me, though at his height he was pressing his head into my midriff.

“I’m glad you alright daughter. I’m sure you were scared last night, even if you never let anyone see it. I was worried when you fell over and the altar began to bleed, I thought maybe you were doing the spell that made the black ichor eject from the mirror, but now know it was the dragon has put my mind to rest. Also, thank you for being open with us now, it is very good to see you trusting us more.”

Pops…I gently slid down in his arms until I was on one knee to be at his height, and allowed him to hold me tight as I nuzzled into his cheek. No attempt I made to explain how thankful I was to have a supporting parent in my life would ever truly encapsulate the lifetime of longing I had endured for moments like this. My eyes began to sting as some tears slipped through the cracks, but a full blown cry wouldn’t be happening today. No, these were happy tears, something I’d thought was only in movies and books. I quickly wiped my nose and sniffled so he wouldn’t join me in the sappy emotional display, and he just surprised me again by placing a hand on my cheek to wipe away the tears.

Once our little tender moment slipped by uninterrupted it was out of the dorm to get to work on our projects. Dad went off to begin carving his way into a new room for the moss garden, while I…what was I going to do? I stood in the middle of the main room for a minute looking lost until I heard a strange noise come from the toilet room. Was that Mibata crying, and what was this smell in the air? I reached for the door, only to hear the panicked shout of my brother from within.

“Don’t come in Kayrux, you don’t need to see this!”

Oh now I have to see what’s going on! I tore the curtain aside the blocked the bathroom from the main room, and the horror scene before me sapped away any positive emotion I had previously been glowing in. Blood. There was so much blood everywhere, and Mibata was the source of it. He stood there with his arms before him as fresh red liquid poured from a slit in each wrist, and in the middle of each cut was a sharp protrusion that appeared to be sticking out from within him. He turned to look at me, his face not showing fear for himself but fear for what I would do.

“Kayrux, please don’t be alarmed-”

I was already dashing for the med kit before he even had the chance to finish.