“My father was one of the few healers in Eimval ten years ago and like many other healers had to settle for transferring miniscule amounts of life into his patients from plants. But, in spite of his hellish job, he was happy knowing mother and I were be waiting for him at the end of each day. This all changed when my mother grew sick and much to the surprise of all the healers, no matter how much life energy they poured into her, she never got better. It was then discovered that she had something growing in her head and so father, alongside his fellow healers tried killing it by absorbing its life energy. However, they were filled with horror upon seeing that as they absorbed its energy, so too was mothers energy drained. The healers concluded that nothing could be done and so they reluctantly returned to their duties while father and I remained by mothers side. She told us to live happily together, even after she passed but my father couldn’t accept that. Now, I didn’t now why at the time, but in the months that followed, father lost more and more weight. It got to the point almost all of his bones were visible. His colleagues ordered that he stay at home and recover and its on the following day that I discovered his corpse, laying next to mother’s unmoving body. Her head had grown large and deformed from swelling, leaving her incapacitated and her mind ruined. In a panicked state, I ran and called for my father’s colleagues. They followed me home and upon seeing my mother’s body, they knew exactly what had happened. Father had spent the months after finding out mother was sick transferring his life energy into her in a desperate to keep her alive. I asked the healers if they could somehow make her a new body, after all, healing magic could very well regrow limbs but…” Neaj stopped as his trembled and his voice grew hoarse.

He cleared his throat and sat down, keeping his head and eyes low.

“My mother eventually died and she was cremated just like my father, but at this point I was living with my grandparents. I spent every night after, even nights like this, wishing I could have given my mother a new, everlasting body. So that she and father wouldn’t have to had to die.”

Silence befell the tent.

“I see.” Voliah said before walking up to Neaj.

“Raise your head.”

Neaj did as instructed and he lightly gasped after seeing a strange expression on the Kommáti’s face.

She looked sad… almost heartbroken.

She gently placed her armored hand beneath his chin and held it up.

“Go on, child. Conduct all the research you need. Although I suggest you keep it a secret. How many others apart from is know of this?” Voliah asked.

“Just Mr. Farin and Aevana. Although neither know the specifics.”

“Good. If it is as you say, we may need to coat our hands evenly in blood and for the sake of the peace that Shiru, Deag and lord Katsíki desire, we will have to operate under the cover of dark. I will bring the sword to your lab and your Kommáti will ensure that no one disturbs you.”

“T-thank you.” Neaj said.

Voliah nodded before turning to face Shiru who wore a gentle smile.

The Kommáti gave her a bow before suddenly disappearing.

Shiru turned to face Neaj, who looked beyond exhausted.

“The work day has long since ended. Get some rest, ok?”

Neaj nodded before watching as Shiru leave.

She made her way home via the silent streets of Coh and she arrived to find that the house was empty.

“Mmm?” She sounded.

“They are spending time with Thneia in the Dragon Borrow. Should I take you there?” Rear asked but Shiru shook her head as she made her way to the bedroom where she got undressed.

She then neatly placed her dress on a table at the foot of the bed before crawling onto it and just as she felt the beds softness, her eyes grew heavy and she immediately fell asleep.

Raer manifested and gently placed Shiru beneath the blankets as she soundly slept.

.

..

Morning came rather pleasantly for Shiru, who opened her eyes to find Erna sleeping soundly next to her.

“What were you guys up to?” Shiru yawned.

“Thneia just really wanted to spend time with Erna. They got along so well that it reignited Erna’s desire to become a warrior. Which is reasonable considering that the Draconic Knights are impressive.” Qualel said without materializing.

“I see.” Shiru said as she crawled out of bed.

“We made several dresses for your trip.” Qualel said and this time she appeared behind Shiru as she left the room with a large bag in hand.

“Let’s see… Will I need any books?” Shiru asked as Qualel placed the bag down near the couches.

“Unlikely, but you will need breakfast before you leave so you’ll have to excuse me for a moment.” Qualel said.

Shiru tidied up the already clean house a little before returning to the bedroom where she shook Erna awake.

“Mmm?” The little girl sounded as she sat up.

“If you’re tired, then maybe you should reconsider staying up so late.”

“But it was important. Ms. Thneia told me that I had what it took to become a warrior!” Erna whined as she followed Shiru into the dining room where Qualel had placed two bowls of porridge.

“Did she specify what it was that made a warrior?” Shiru asked as Erna cautiously ate the piping hot semisolid.

“Yes! She said that that true warrior is a person who watches over others and well, I sometimes watch over you, so…” Erna said while smugly tapping the tip of her nose.

“Oh, my. Is that so? Then please continue to look after me, ok?”

“I was gonna go it, even if you didn’t ask!” Erna said with a pout.

Shiru smiled before looking out of the window and to her surprise, the sun was up and shining, although the air had a sharp chill to it.

The homes of Coh were well insulated so wearing nothing but nightgowns wasn’t a problem as long as you were inside.

Outside, however…

Shiru and Erna eventually finished eating.

The two then worked hand in hand in filling the bag Raer had dropped with some essential things. They got changed into some warm clothes and Shiru wore the unsightly wristband.

They left the house and made their way to the war room where a group of fifteen people stood in front of Thneia and Rix.

Five were Kommáti and the other ten were regular soldiers.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Shiru walked up to Thneia who immediately gasped upon seeing Erna.

“Good morning!” The giantess sang before picking up the little girl who ran into her arms.

“Did you sleep well?” Thneia asked as she placed Erna on her shoulder.

“Yeah!”

“Good.” Thneia chuckled before facing Shiru who was smiling warmly.

“I take it you’re ready?”

“Yes. Also, I didn’t know you and Erna had gotten so close.” Shiru said.

“Who wouldn’t be infatuated with little Erna on first glance? She reminds me a lot of lord Katsíki… well, before the war began in earnest.” Thneia said.

Shiru droned in agreement and faced what would be her entourage.

She then gasped upon seeing some familiar faces.

“Oh- you’re the one hundred and third, right?”

“Hey, you remembered us!”

One of the soldiers yelled although he tried his best to stand attentively and keep his voice low.

“Yes, I heard you were acquainted with them and so I decided that it would be them who accompanied you west.”

Deag eventually left his office to join everyone and he wore a lighter version of his uniform and although he was a fairly handsome man, not much could be done about the begs beneath his eyes.

“I take it the Disahni be informed of our arrival?” Deag asked and Thneia nodded.

“Yes, come. I’ll accompany you to the teleportation platforms. Oh- for added security, you’ll have to travel with Rix.” She said as she led everyone out of the war room.

“Wee!” Erna sounded while atop the Dragon Knight.

“The safer the better. Oh- how are Llana and the Flamouriá doing?” Shiru asked as they made their way to southern Coh via a path to the west that went around the crater.

“Things are going great. They’ve accepted the Black Flame and it’s ideals although they insist that we dragons are not only embers, but manifestations of the Flame’s will. They leapt to this conclusion since we dragons can breath fire and for some reason that makes us the holiest of beings… don’t ask, just go along with it.” Thneia said as they arrived in Southern Coh.

“And how does Llana feel about this?”

“She’s beyond delighted. The temple is always full and although she isn’t always there, no one misbehaves or causes trouble. Hehe, just like before.” Thneia said with a light chuckle.

“Before? Back when she was the Dark Priestess in Rahadiya?” Shiru asked.

“Yes. She had always been… of the caring sort.” Thneia muttered as they arrived at the teleportation platforms.

“Alright, good luck. Remember, we cannot outright ask that Disahn fold itself into the UEF. Start small, establish trade and bring up the idea of a possible alliance. See how they react and if it’s positive, have all conditions written in ink. If it’s negative, answer in one of two ways. If they simply reject all of our offers, leave, but if they dare raise their blades… well, I’m sure you were told how Lord Katsíki got the Foph to fold.”

“Understood.” Deag said.

Shiru nodded as she joined her group on the stone platform.

She then looked up at Erna who was making a rather sad expression.

Shiru simply smiled but this only made Erna grow even sadder.

Thneia must have noticed this because she brought the now weeping girl into her arms.

Shiru nodded at Thneia in thanks before rapidly blinking as the space around her shifted.

Her eyes then widened upon seeing that they were at the bottom of a stone wall that was about fifty meters tall.

Guarding the nearby gate were several guards dressed in dark leather armor and wielding various weapons.

Several people could be seen going in and out of the gate and they all looked… miserable.

Most of them were protected from the winter cold by torn rags and strings.

Their bare feet dung deep into the cold sand and some of them dragged carts filled with their belongings.

Shiru’s face twisted as she looked at each of them as they passed by but she was snapped back into the moment by Deag, who lead everyone to the gate where they were stopped by two guards, both of whom were dirty and visibly sleep deprived.

“Who are you and what do you want in the great city of Disahn?”

One guard asked.

“I am Deag and this is Shiru. We are Regents of Coh and leaders of the Expanse. We have come to meet the Aureate King.” Deag said clearly.

The guards exchanged glances.

“What are you doin’ just standing here? Go call the overseer!”

One of them yelled, prompting another to run into the city.

“Sorry, but you’re gonna have to wait for a bit.”

“It’s alright.” Deag said before turning to face Shiru, who looked rather tense.

He shot her a weak smile and she smiled back before suddenly turning to face the one hundred and third troop.

“Sorry, but I never got your names the last time we spoke.” She said with a smile but to her surprise, the soldiers all bashfully looked away.

“Ahem! My name is Boma, this is Tremaine and-“ Boma stopped upon seeing a rather well dressed man approaching and to everyone’s surprise, it was a human.

He wore a fully brown uniform and had on a pair of shiny black boots that didn’t get dirty even through he walked in the sand.

He also wore a brown cap which was adorned with the crest of a golden bird snatching at what appeared to be a stream.

Shiru turned to face the man who scanned the group with his grey eyes.

“Follow me.” He said with a rather raspy voice.

Deag and company then followed the man into the city and Shiru’s eyes teared up a little as she took in the various exotic smells that filled the air.

They weren’t bad in any way, just all new.

The city itself had a rather familiar design in the sense most of its architecture was made from carved stone.

This wasn’t a practice exclusive to the Rendaro, but Shiru noted it anyway as she and her entourage were led down a wide stone stairway.

Lining the city’s streets were all manner of stores and merchants who sold all manner of goods ranging from powdered spices, dried foods and all kinds of leathers.

“Welcome to Disahn, the last bastion of hope.” The overseer said.

Shiru found the city’s name a little pretentious, but her face didn’t show her displeasure.

They weaved their way through the city’s streets all while attracting the gazes of the Disahni.

They watched in awe and possibly fear as the Kommáti, the soldiers of Coh and Rix walked protectively around Deag and Shiru who looked around and saw that although the city itself stood strong, it’s people were barely holding themselves together.

Shiru noted smelling what must have be a decaying corpses as she was led deeper into the city.

This smell was quickly replaced by various perfumes but still…

The roads were surprisingly clean and almost every street was patrolled by guards.

The overseer eventually led Shiru and company to a wall deep within the city and it was properly guarded by men clad in golden armor.

The overseer walked up to one of them and told them that Shiru was expected.

The guard nodded before entering the large, golden gates.

It’s here that Shiru noticed that Rix was missing, but before she could ask anyone about it, the guard returned.

“The ones known as Deag and Shiru have been permitted to enter alone.” The guard said.

Shiru frowned at this, but she assumed Deag and Rix had some sort of plan.

“Stay here. You all know what to do if we don’t return.” Deag said and although the one hundred and third troop was reluctant at first, they all nodded in understanding.

Shiru then followed Deag who followed the guard into what appeared to be the heart of the city and she gasped upon seeing just how clean everything was.

Even the streets themselves had a strange gleam to them and the air, although strangely still, was cool and each breath taken was refreshing.

The buildings were all beautifully with bright pains and the banners of Disahn decorated and unlike the dull stone architecture from the outer parts of Disahn, these buildings had a design that was completely foreign to Shiru.

Walking this part of the city were… humans.

Many of them.

They all looked at Deag, Shiru and even the guard with looks that varied from intrigue to disgust.

Most of them sat by balconies which overlooked the streets and they all wore fine, clean clothes that were all stiff looking, even though they were rater stylish.

The guard led Deag and Shiru to a gigantic palace made entire from pale marble slabs.

Carved into each slab, were countless golden lines that converged at the entrance which was liked by countless golden guards.

Although, their armor was vastly different form the armor worn by the knights of Lanceberg.

They wore golden helmets with pure white plumes on top of them and instead of a single set of golden plates, their armor was a collection of tactical plates that were placed at key locations such as the chest, thighs, shins and such.

They a held various weapons and most of them were Rendaro.

The guard led Deag and Shiru up the pale marble stairway and up to the grand golden doors which slowly opened revealing a single path lined by a dark carpet which had the crest of the sun at its center.

They were then led into the palace where the guard left their side.

He entered a door not too far from the larger ones in front of them, leaving them alone in the silence of the hallway.

Shiru was overcome by nervousness and so she checked her appearance.

She was wearing another beautiful dark dress that Qualel and Erna had made although she wore the UEF jacket on top of it to keep herself warm.

Her shoes were covered in a little bit of dirt, but it wasn’t anything to fuss over-

Shiru’s heart jumped as Deag reached for her hand.

Without facing her, he briefly squeezed her hand revealing that his hands were rather sweaty.

He eventually let her go just as the grand doors in front of them opened, revealing a rather tall man, clad in golden armor, sitting on a throne at the end of the chamber.

Standing by his side were seven beautiful women who all wore extravagant dressed in silky dresses that were covered in all manner of jewelry. Although one of them, the one closest to the throne, wore a veil that covered her face. Sitting on to of her head, like a crown, was a thin golden chain.

“You may enter.”

The guard said as he exited the chamber.

Deag and Shiru did as instructed and walked forward all while locking gazes with the man on the throne.

His armor, like that of the guards outside, was segmented although he wore a strange dark bodysuit beneath.

What surprised Shiru the most as she and Deag walked towards the man in complete silence, were the thin silver lines on his skin and his white hair.

She and Deag stopped about ten meters from him as he rested his head on his arm.

He then deeply sighed before narrowing his glowing white eyes.

“Kneel.”