The forests that surrounded Areiat peak were immense and imposing. Towering ancient trees, their branches intertwined in a canopy that filtered the sunlight into a mosaic of shadows, formed a natural cathedral-like setting. Moss-draped branches hung from the trees and vibrant wildflowers carpeted the forest floor, painting a picturesque scene that didn’t exist in the southern part of the empire.
In the distance, the formidable silhouette of Areiat Peak loomed majestically against the sky, its rocky slopes jagged and unforgiving. The peaks seemed to pierce the heavens, their snow-capped summits reaching into the clouds, casting an awe-inspiring backdrop over the lush expanse of the forest.
Amidst this natural grandeur, a procession unfolded. Guards in resplendent armor, adorned with insignias of the Draakin Empire, but more specifically the emblem of the Queen, marched at a steady pace along the long and winding path. Elaborate carriages and palanquins, crafted from polished mahogany and adorned with intricate designs moved with purpose along the well worn path.
What would draw most attention from those unfamiliar with Draakin were the creatures pulling these ornate carriages—large horse sized drakes, their massive bodies adorned with sleek, gray scales that shimmered in the light that poked through the canopy. Each drake bore a striking red crest running along its spine. Their powerful strides were confident, every step exuding strength as they pulled the entourage deeper into the forest.
Within the carriages and palanquins rode dignitaries and diplomats, their attire a symphony of opulence—robes embroidered with threads of gold, jewels embedded into their horns to accent their noble background sparkled in the filtered sunlight.
Aerin soaked in all the sights it had been two weeks of heavy training with Sila and Eun’he had given Aerin the confidence to manifest her magical attribute more naturally in combat. Princess Sila’s was that of fire, but she had never seen someone so proficient in fire magic as the Princess.
Eun’he was Ice which seemed to fit with her personality. Aerin didn’t mind though she saw Eun’he give pointers and help when she least suspected, which told her that she just didn’t like to open herself up easily.
Their armor was of a solid drake scale embedded leather which was light weight, but quite resistant to elemental magics as well similar to the scales of the drake they were harvested from.
For the warriors they rode on what they called Salamanders which were a subvariant of Drakes which were thinner and more nimble even capable of scaling trees and rock faces.
The Peak of Areiat was immense and imposing and jutted out almost ninety degrees from the rest of the solitary mountain. “So that is where the Harpies live? So close to our own territory.”
“Aye, those birdbrained Harpies fought us for years in small skirmishes over these forests and the surrounding wildlands, but in the end we took the lions share a few decades back leaving them on Areiat Peak, but Harpies don’t really require a lot of space to begin with, but are endlessly greedy for one thing specifically.”
Aerin looked at Ha’Dran who had been riding beside her along with the rest of the Queen’s guard in a semi-circle around the Queen’s Palanquin. “What are they greedy for?” Aerin asked her knowledge of Harpies was quite little, studying foreign cultures in a small village was not something high on priority list.
“Slaves” Princess Sila interjected having overheard the conversation. “A Harpy’s status is elevated if they have more of them. They aren’t too picky about what race they come from either. This is why they notoriously have bad relations with their neighbors because it wasn’t uncommon for them to raid nations around them. Even Draakin at one point were victims of them.”
Aerin couldn’t help, but be surprised by the revelation. “If that is the case, what purpose is our visit today? Draakin don’t have immense slave markets and ours is mostly underground to non-existent.”
Princess Sila looked at Aerin amused. “The latest Harpy Queen sent envoys to us about eight months ago after she killed the last Matriarch wishing to negotiate with us. The terms of the negotiations were vague, but enough to convince my father it was a worthwhile endeavor. Since most Harpy tribes are overwhelmingly matriarchal he tasked my mother with handling this matter.”
Aerin nodded it seemed like Emperor Ukaskon wanted to shore up any potential border issues in the north considering the settler crisis south of Flamespire. “So that is why only females will be entering the Peak I suppose?”
“Precisely, lass!” Ha’Dran spoke up “Those Harpies are not fond of males domineering over them and the slightest offense could set them off. The Queen wants this to go well.”
The entire situation was completely out of her depth; never had she seen a society dominated by women if Draakin society was like that it would crumble almost immediately; they just were not built to operate in such a lopsided way.
Aerin kept her eyes peeled as they moved closer to Areiat there was always a chance the Harpies were using this as bait. Just as the thought crossed her mind a small spear came hurdling out of the dark of the trees. Reacting swiftly she broke the makeshift spear easily.
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“Attack!” she screamed out as several more spears started emerging from the forest. Followed by yelps and jeers of an all too familiar sound.
“Goblins!” Captain K’Lir yelled out as the convoy had ground to a halt and the guards dismounted guarding the most important members.
Just as they prepared for the assault hundreds of goblins barely over half the size of Aerin herself emerged from the forest floor.
Aerin dismounted and shook off her fists as she snapped on two blunt metal rings onto her gloves before piling-driving the first goblin to approach into the ground hits head caved in from the blow, killing it instantly.
Feeling the elemental winds in the air lightning slowly began to leave her core and circulated onto the rings attached to her gloves.
Striking rapidly at the vicious little green monsters causing even passing blows to cause them to seize up as if their muscles tensed up. Ha’dran who came up behind her smashed their heads in with his large mace and shield after they tipped over.
Aerin’s eyes glanced over to the Princess who had just finished scorching three of them while impaling another on her one handed short sword called a jian.
Since training with the Princess she was incredibly impressed with her skills and power even though they were nearly the same age.
Aerin caved another Goblin’s ribcage in as she continued to keep them away from the Queen’s palanquin. The battle was over shortly as the Goblin’s were completely overwhelmed and ran away not bothering with their wounded or dead as they jeered with high pitched screeches in their crude language.
The battle ended nearly as fast as it arrived, leaving Aerin panting slightly as she bandaged up a few guards who had gotten hit by a lucky strike.
The Palanquin’s screen opened revealing the Queen who called over Captin K’Lir “How many wounded Captain?”
“About Ten guards were hit by the initial ambush, but thankfully no fatal blows.”
Queen Cithri nodded “Good put the wounded on the spare large wagon. I will request the Harpies send down some spare healers when we get there in the meantime get us moving again. Goblins tend to comeback in even greater numbers after failing an initial ambush and I don’t want to deal with more of their crude yaking noises.”
“As you will, my Queen.” Captain K’Lir bowed and began to bark orders.
…
The initial assault completely failed and it wasn’t long before the convoy reached the base of Areiat Peak. What was assumed to be a Harpy Border guards could be seen. Aerin had only seen pictures of Harpy, but it wasn’t far off the males had two large bird like wings sprouting from their back. Besides that they looked like normal humans besides the taloned bird legs they had from their knee down. The moment they saw the convoy one of them had flow off towards the mountain.
Their armor was far more simple that Draakin armor. Leather padding with long feathers at the edges. Most of them had short bows and ten or so arrows. They also had incredibly basic spears with small bone and leather shields on their forearms.
The plan was to set up base camp near the entrance to the peak and Queen Cithri and her aids along with her female guard would ascend.
After some time a colorful blue winged female harpy flew down rapidly and stopped prior to the convoy. “I am Espry Masyre we’ve been informed of your plan and approve. In addition to your own we will provide some of our own warriors to help guard your camp.”
Aerin couldn’t believe how beautiful the female Harpy was if she was simply a messenger and this is what people could expect from Harpy females she was thoroughly surprised.
Princess Sila stepped forward to Masyre “We are grateful for your assistance. Not long ago on our way here our convoy was attacked by goblins and a few of our guards were wounded. We ask if some of your spirit healers could be sent as well to help as well.”
“Thaaat is acceptable.” Masyre seemed to screech a bit as she turned around. “Follow me.”
A single drake pulling the wheeled Palanquin along with the aids and female guard quickly ascended the mountain path up the peak.
…
Aerin was extremely impressed with Flamespire, but it was one of many cities Draakin had and therefore there was never a seemingly endless amount of people in spite of that. Areiat, however, was far denser. The homes of the Harpies were simple wood, hide, and linen. Every so often as they ascended a cluster of homes in a very dense fashion would be crammed into small ledges or even simply hanging off the side of vertical cliffs. These pock marked the entire side of Areiat and she had no doubt the entire circumference of the solitary mountain was filled with colonies like this. The top became clearer which showed a massive network of interconnected homes and bridges. Thousands of harpies grown and still children flitted between homes and paths.
As they moved through what quickly became a dense city as they approached the summit it seemed like the entire populace was looking at the new arrivals with curiosity. It was unlikely most of them had seen Draakin before, much like Aerin had never seen a Harpy in person.
Espry Masyre would occasionally let out a loud screech at those who got in their way to watch and they quickly would part and leave the path open. Aerin assumed it was part of the Harpy language, but could never speak it herself.
The Summit finally came to a flat portion with a large several floor circular building which she assumed was where the Matriarch of Areiat Peak resided.
“We have arrived, the Matriarch will be here soon.” Espry Masyre said as she made her way inside quickly.
The Palanquin door opened and out stepped Queen Cithri who was wearing a more formal traditional Draakin dress. Her hair was done up in an intricate bun that was topped with a jade dragon pin keeping it all together. She stepped out stretching her red scaled wings which was many times larger in size than the smaller more streamlined Harpy bird-like wings.
The crowds who did not dare fly or step food into the actual summit cawed in interest and awe at the sight. Even Aerin who was used to the sight of winged Draakin was impressed at the majestic nature of the Queen of all Draakin.