Relma and Drakaran quickly made their way out into the midst of the camp, and there Relma saw Wrynncurth. The cow-sized dragon had folded up his great wings and seemed to be speaking with some of the sentries. The other dragons, most of them smaller, were pacing around this way and that under the gaze of Dust Elves.

"Many thanks, old chap. Glad to be welcomed." said Wrynncurth.

"Wrynncurth!" called Relma, moving up to him at a run.

The dragon removed his pipe between his teeth and smiled with his toothy maw. "Relma Artorious. Splendid to see you once again? Is the Lady Pandora about? I'd wager we have a thing or two to discuss."

"I got separated from her," said Relma. "I'll tell you later. Right now, there are other things we need to talk about. This is King Drakaran."

"I know all too well," Said Wrynncurth, moving past Relma rapidly, "Drakaran, nice to see you, old chap. Hear about your coronation. Sorry about your father."

"You know me?" asked Drakaran.

"Oh yes, of course, old chap," Said Wrynncurth. "We haven't met directly, but I know many people I haven't met. Jolly good to meet face to face at last, though. Very nice city you have here. Blends into the natural landscape like a chameleon."

"Well, we try," said Drakaran.

"And you succeed," said Wrynncurth. "I am fond of some human architecture, but some is just tasteless. And others are so menacing you might think they expected me to be afraid of them.

"How is it that you two came to be together?"

"Drakaran is my host at the moment," said Relma quickly. "I only just got free of Del Gabor."

"You escaped Del Gabor?" asked Wrynncurth, raising an eyebrow. "Now that sounds like a story in itself. Do tell?"

"Well, actually, I was set loose," said Relma. "You see, I convinced Lucius that I might be able to help him get a meeting with you."

"You do?" asked Wrynncurth. "And what makes you think I'd ever accepted such a thing?"

"Well, he is one of the oldest beings in the universe," said Relma. "And he is heavily associated with undead magic. It would be him if anyone could help you with your research."

"Well, he might," noted Wrynncurth. "But that's the trouble with deals with his sort. It all seems very mutually beneficial, but you get deeper and deeper. Pretty soon, you're in their service.

"I'm mostly self-taught myself."

"Well, that was just the thing," said Relma. "You wouldn't be going it alone. See, Gel Carn could act as an intermediary in the whole thing. That would bring Elranor into the equation, and Elranor is much more powerful than Lucius."

"So that's the scheme, eh?" asked Wrynncurth, motioning with his pipe. "Start dealings with dark powers and have their machinations help your machinations?"

"Well, good is stronger than evil," said Relma. "And if evil men can use good ones' for their own ends, it stands to reason that the reverse can be done."

"And what makes you think they won't slowly cause you to slip into evil?" asked Drakaran flatly.

"Because I'll be making them slip into good," Said Relma. "They won't realize it at first, of course. They'll say 'I'll use this naive fool for my own ends.' But they'll have to do a few good things here or there, and it will get easier. And then one day, they'll wake up and find that they've become good people, and I will be laughing.

"Or something like that."

"And what happens when you run into someone who decides they'd much rather just cave your skull in?" asked Drakaran.

Relma took that to be a potential threat. Especially since he'd done that. "Well, I'll improvise.

"Where did you say Aunt Pan was?"

"Some miles to the south, among another city of ours," Said Drakaran.

"Right, I really appreciate your help," said Relma, deciding now was the time to leave.

"Wrynncurth, I'm sure Aunt Pan will want to know I'm alright. Do you think one of your dragons could carry me to her? I know it's an awful inconvenience, but I don't want to inconvenience King Drakaran."

"Of course. I shall carry you myself," said Wrynncurth. "I wager I ought to consult with her on all this before making any decision."

"King Drakaran, I'm sorry we never got to have tea together," said Relma quickly, bowing to him.

"But I hope you understand why I'm in such a hurry."

"More than ever," said Drakaran.

Wrynncurth bowed down, and Relma got onto his back, doing her best not to touch the spines. Then he surged, and she held on for dear life. Soon the Dusk Lands were all beneath them, and Relma could see a vast emptiness. Occasional trees could be seen, and what might have been villages. But in this place, they felt utterly alone.

It was eerie that so many could dwell in an empty place. As if they were all just ghosts drifting through an obliterated landscape. The remnants of forgotten ages, newly diminished with each day.

"So, do tell Relma, old girl," Said Wrynncurth. "Was he planning to murder you?"

"Actually, yes," said Relma. "If you hadn't arrived when you did, I'd be in trouble."

"Thought so," said Wrynncurth, voice satisfied. "It's why I came to Lucius' coordinates double-quick. Dust Elves aren't very sporting fellows. Bloody good archers, though. You are smart with words, aren't you?"

"My goal is to become king without killing anyone. I need to be," Said Relma, smiling despite herself.

"But you've already killed people," said Wrynncurth. "Or put them in positions to be killed. And I wager you've stepped on an ant or two in your life."

"Well, that's different," said Relma.

"How?" asked Wrynncurth curiously. "How is it different to heal someone you know will kill someone else, however much they deserve it?"

"I suppose it isn't much," Said Relma. "But I don't want to ever have to take someone's life directly. I want to help and heal people. If I go around hacking people up, it will only cause more blood.

Wrynncurth laughed sadly." My dear, the bloodshed has been going on since well before I was born. Empires rise and fall. Worlds are created and consumed. But in the end, there is always war.

"It will only end when one side triumphs over the others.

"But I expect that side will only fragment and turn on itself. That is the way of things."

"It doesn't have to be," said Relma.

"And why not?" asked Wrynncurth.

"If people could come to understand one another, there could be peace," said Relma.

"Would there?" asked Wrynncurth. "I expect there would be those who wouldn't care, whether they understood. We are not the knowledge we possess, my dear girl. Knowledge is merely what we base our decisions and worldview. But in the end, a man who knows everything may still decide to kill a saint for no other reason than it gives him pleasure.

"Just as an ignoramus may choose to lay down his life to save a man he has hated because he judges it right.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"No, I'm afraid the world won't be so easily sorted out as all that."

"Then what hope is there?" asked Relma. "In your mind, I mean."

"What hope?" laughed Wrynncurth. "Why for a temporary reprieve from endless carnage. One that no one is fully satisfied with but which more or less curbs the bloodshed. And it may last a generation. Just long enough for things to recover, but not so weak that everyone needs to remember how to fight.

"It really is the best creation we can hope for."

"You've got a very depressing outlook on life," noted Relma.

"My dear, my entire family was murdered. I could only bring them back by returning them as a mockery of their former selves," said Wrynncurth. "My soul is tied into the hoards of gold I keep throughout the lands, and I regularly practice necromancy.

"I have a mind to ask what you expected."

" I don't really know," admitted Relma. "You seem the same when you're cheerful and angry."

"We dragons don't have facial expressions," said Wrynncurth. "And I always keep control of my voice. It keeps people guessing."

Then Relma had an idea. An idea that might be the key she was looking for all this time.

"Actually, Wrynncurth, if you don't mind. Could I bring another person into your meeting with Lucius?" asked Relma. "Someone I think you might find very helpful."

"Really, well, who is it?" asked Wrynncurth.

"The Fairy Queen Isriath," said Relma. "I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get her to join, but I think if she became involved, we could be in a powerful position."

"I don't much see what you hope to gain by this," said Wrynncurth. "But I've no objection. Ah, here we are."

He descended with a swoop toward a cluster of rocks that were tents; as they landed, out of them came Aunt Pan. "Relma?! What are you... How did you escape?"

"I talked my way out," said Relma, dismounting. "Hey, Aunt Pan, could you get me another audience with the Fairy Queen? I need to talk to her and quickly."

"What... why? What did you do?" asked Aunt Pan.

"Something reckless, I'll admit," said Relma. "But if I can talk with the Fairy Queen, I think I can make it work."

Aunt Pan looked between her and Wrynncurth. "...I could speak to her. But she prefers not to appear except in sacred sites."

"Tell her that if this works, we will be able to gain influence over Lucius," said Relma. "Not the other way around."

"What did you do?" asked Aunt Pan, voice furious.

Relma shuddered. "I promised to put Lucius in contact with Wrynncurth. In exchange for several concessions, of course. But if I can get the Fairy Queen involved, I can get several more. Worst case scenario, Lucius goes home with nothing."

"What is your plan?" asked Aunt Pan, moving forward. "And how could you think this would work?"

"Well, Lucius is the superior negotiator, right?" asked Relma. "He has much more power than any of us. But if we get enough people involved, we can present a united front that can force him to give ground. Either that, or he just goes home and gets nothing. In which case, we still get a powerful alliance.

"And he knows that.

"So he may give ground or lose all influence over a powerful force." Wrynncurth chuckled. "You've thought this through."

"What are you talking about?" asked Relma. "Of course, I thought it through."

"Well, even so, it's a good plan." Said Wrynncurth.

"Let me see if I have this straight, Relma," Said Aunt Pan. "You willingly put yourself into the hands of Lucius and made a deal with him. And now you are planning to bring him onto a council of the most powerful forces in the region. All so that you can control him."

"Well, yes," said Relma. "Can I have Lightning Trail back?"

"No," said Aunt Pan. "No. I'm not cooperating with this."

"Oh well, I guess Lucius gets more powerful, and we all lose," said Relma.

Aunt Pan scowled and drew out Lightning Trail. "Here is your sword, Relma."

Relma took it and smiled. "Good. I need to talk to Ajax, Fayn, and Estela."

She found Ajax, Estela, and Fayn playing cards in the dunes a way up. Relma felt somewhat offended that they did not run to greet her. Fayn looked up from her cards. "Relma, you're alive."

"I told you she'd be back," said Ajax. "Pay up."

"Fine, fine," said Fayn, handing over coins.

"What happened?" asked Estela.

"Not right now, Estela," said Relma. "We have someone we need to meet and soon. Follow me."

"Where are we going?" asked Estela.

"To an ancient shrine of an angel," said Relma, remembering it. "One that lived here long ago but is now forgotten."

"In that case, how do you remember it?" asked Ajax.

"Simple enough," said Relma. "I am her.

"My memories are fuzzy."

Relma led them from the area on a course she needed help understanding. Eventually, she came to a place that looked to be nothing but sand. Yet, as they neared it, a great wind kicked up. From the ground rose a set of standing stones. They were made from bright white stone, each with seven points. At the center was an altar, and over that was a statue of an angelic figure. It was similar in appearance to Relma.

Yet the eyes were harder, and a sword was in her hand. Long ago, there had been worshippers in this place. But no more. Lucius had seen to that.

"I'd say she's a girl," said Ajax. "Why are we going here?"

"Because I need the three of you as representatives," said Relma. "Fayn, you're the heir of the Steward, so you'll represent Gel Carn. Estela, you are a Princess of Escor, so you can represent your people. And Ajax, you represent Telix's Broods.

"I need you behind me to gain credibility."

They stood among the standing stones that had once been the meeting place of the spirits, before the ravaging of these lands beyond repair. The three looked tired, as if they had just been awakened from a long sleep.

Estela sighed. "Okay, we know why you want us to wait here. What makes you think this is a good idea in any way, shape, or form?

"You want to make a deal with Lucius."

"No, I want to create a council at which every major regional power has a seat at," said Relma. "A place where race disputes can be resolved without a war. And also a place where we can unite against a common enemy, like the Dragon Empire."

"And you think that by getting all these powers together, you'll be able to get them to agree on something?" scoffed Fayn.

"I'm not sure of it," Said Relma. "But it's better to have the conversation and figure out the problems than to not talk about it at all."

"When was the last time you conversed with us?" asked Estela. "You just up and disappeared a few days ago! You gave yourself up to demons, and we all thought you were dead or worse! Then you come back here and start wanting us to meet with them!

"We were worried sick!"

"I wasn't," said Fayn.

"Shut up, Fayn!" snapped Estela, "Relma, you've got to stop going off and doing these things."

"I didn't have a choice," said Relma. "Well, I did, but it would have killed us all."

"You didn't have to attract the attention of Lucius in the first place," noted Ajax.

"Well no," said Relma. "But then he wouldn't have found me, and I wouldn't have been able to talk him into making a deal." Things were fitting into place now.

"Fine, fine," said Estela, "do what you want. But you aren't going to do this again. Not without consulting me. You are my squire, and you should be acting like it."

"I'm sorry," said Relma. "I just- Aunt Pan, you're here."

Aunt Pan walked out of the shadows, appearing tired herself. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Yes, I am. And I have been communing with the Fairy Queen. She has agreed to support your idea."

"Oh, I was hoping to speak with her myself," Said Relma.

"I spoke with her on your behalf," said Pan.

And then Wrynncurth descended to land amid the stone. He put his pipe between his teeth and blew a great smoke ring. "Jolly good of you, Pandora. Now, why don't we get straight to the point, eh? Summon forth Lucius, and come what may?"

"I'm certain this will go down in history as one of the great blunders of the world," said Aunt Pan. "But, we are committed."

"I find the whole thing somewhat inspiring, actually," said a familiar voice.

Relma got chills, and so did everyone else, from the looks of it. Together, they turned to see Lucius emerging from the ground. Aunt Pan's face went white with anger. "Lucius."

"Lady Pandora, you look far different than last we met," said Lucius. "I still remember when you were a young girl with pigtails."

"You ordered me flayed alive," said Pan.

"Did I?" asked Lucius. "Ah, yes, I remember. You interfered with my affairs. I had to make an example of you—very unfortunate business for all involved, to be honest. My plans were set back by years; of course, you had to deal with the trauma.

"Whether you believe me or not, I found it all very regrettable."

"I half believe you," said Aunt Pan with venom in her tone. "Others are coming to this meeting."

"Are there?" asked Lucius. "I never would have guessed."

"Another lie, Lucius?" asked another voice like bells.

Isriath made herself known in flowing sand. She was now tanner of skin, and the leaves around her were withered. Her clothes were far less conservative as well. Her appearance must reflect the land around her.

"Isriath, I must thank you for cooperating with my requests in all of this," said Lucius. "It is nice of you. You look as radiant as ever."

"I thank you, King of the Blood Rites," said Isriath cordially. "You appear veiled in shadow as always."

"Well, young demons like Melchious prefer to take on many faces and forms," said Lucius. "Zigildrazia likes to appear as few would expect her to. As for myself, I like to play to the expectations of my children.

"What better an appearance for the Archon of Envy than nothingness? Ironically enough, though, it is a domain I bear with good humor.

"Still, we should get to business.

"Adrian Wrynncurth, I have heard much about you. However, I fear we have never had the chance to meet."

"By design, I assure you, old chap," said Wrynncurth. "Hoping not to get involved in the Withering business, even if I use some means they created. Still, Relma seems to think you may have some knowledge to help me with my designs?"

"I have knowledge that can help in all designs," said Lucius. "As for the creation of a soul, that is a very difficult. But I know much about the subject, and I have no doubt your research has yielded similar results.

"Were we to compare notes, I am certain we could discover the secret."

"That is true enough to be certain," said Wrynncurth. "Of course, less jolly is some of my conditions. You see, I rely quite a lot on good relations. If I can't trust my neighbors not to go and invade me, I can't trust too much."

"Naturally," said Lucius.

"Well, this is the tricky part," said Wrynncurth. "My neighbors are all in something of a conflict with you. It's this satyr business, tramping around fighting Dust Elves. Of course, they're not overfond of Dust Elves, but they don't much like the idea of them getting wiped out either."

"Well, that is something of a problem," said Lucius. "You see, I must find an enemy for them to destroy. These have willingly laid down their lives in my service, and it would be a waste not to put them to use."

"Understandable, of course, old chum," said Wrynncurth. "I've had some idea which might solve all that. The news is that the Dragon Empire is planning to march north into Escor. With the conflict between House Stormstrike and House Vortegex brewing, it seems time.

"If those lobster scales get their claws past the passes, we'll face a series of wars. And that won't be good for any of us."

"So, you hope I relocate my satyrs to the north past the Dusk Lands. Then to the west to the pass of Dragon Bones," said Lucius. "And there we'll fight a decisive battle where all my minions will have their death in battle. And all will be satisfied.

"An ambitious plan.

"Unfortunately, it relies on getting an army of satyrs through Escor. All without them causing mass carnage across the land."

"Well, old chum, I'm sure you could instruct them not to plunder or destroy," said Wrynncurth. "And after that, that'll be Escor's problem, not ours. If it works, we'll have a very profitable agreement."

"Very interesting. Why are the rest of these present?" asked Lucius.

"We represent a Council which the Heir of Kings wishes to form," said Estela, stepping forward. "The idea is to have neutral ground where the various powers in this region can negotiate as equals. Demon, spirit, mortal, and angel. All can speak their case.

"If one acts out of line, the others may make a plan to deal with them."

"A clever way to maintain the status quo," said Lucius. "Or destroy it. And I imagine I must agree to join this council for our deal to have any effect."

"Well, it's nothing personal for a chap such as myself," Said Wrynncurth. "But we'd prefer to have assurances otherwise."

"Excellent," said Lucius with a laugh. "Now, what do we do about the Dust Elves who want my armies destroyed? If I relocate now, they'll be liable to overtake and destroy them."

"I am certain that I can arrange safe passage from your lands," said King Drakara as he emerged from the shadows. "And I am equally certain I can escort your armies the rest of the way to the front. To ensure they don't step out of line."

"King Drakaran?" asked Aunt Pan. "I don't believe we told you we were meeting."

"I was made aware of it some hours ago, and I intend to have my say in the matter," said Drakaran. "This... arrangement seems a fine idea, and I am willing to support it."

"Oh. Well, good," Said Relma. "Did I just win?"

"I would wait until after my warriors haven't carved a swath of destruction across Escor. Then you may declare victory," said Lucius dryly.

Relma smiled. "Right."

Things were looking up.