_________________________________________

Leo

After Leo was done explaining the truth about the dragons and the last two eras, Vipa's visage hardened after a brief moment of shock, but Sairiss only seemed mildly interested during the whole thing.

“I will inform the queen, we may have even more work on our hands than I thought…” Vipa remarked with a grim and slightly dark expression.

‘I would imagine that the selarins wouldn't be particularly happy with the dragons, since their saviors were actually the cause of them nearly being wiped out or enslaved by the light born…’ He noticed that the ship had stopped, and not a moment later the messenger was yelling for them outside.

“Guess we're here?” He stood up, stretched, then floated his jacket over to put on while the others started re-equipping their winter gear.

Grabbing his staff and stepping outside, Leo had to blink the utter confusion from his eyes as he looked upon what could only be described as a massive Roman palace…but if nearly all the stone was replaced with wood.

The similarities in architecture was uncanny with its excessive use of pillars and large wide angle roofs. Swap back out the massively thick log pillars, dark hardwood walls, and the black stone cut shingles with the materials normally used and it would be no different than a palace villa back on earth. He also noticed that the area around them for about a quarter mile was nothing but flat grassland with trees dotted around, and a fairly high wall that surrounded the estate.

Elaria tapped the temporarily dazed man on the shoulder, shaking him out of his thoughts so he could fly all of them off the Icarus. When they touched ground, he was met with a long row of uniformed guards that wore a bit of very polished light plate and leather armor. In front of them was a pure white scaled selarin with pitch black eyes that wore more casual clothing, which confused Leo as the rest of the soldiers were heavily dressed for the cold.

She was about five seven with regal features, and looked both dignified and disciplined in posture and appearance. Like most selarins, her tail was about palm sized in thickness, but was very long, the longest he'd ever seen on a bipedal selarin. It was about twelve feet and didn't taper off at all, instead just ending in a rounded tip, and it moved around with a level of control that could make one think it had a mind of its own.

As the group moved forward to start introductions, the messenger sped ahead and initiated that for them. “Ladies and gentleman, may I humbly introduce the daughter of your esteemed host, princess Qassria Cobri.” She paused to face the princess before bowing deeply, then stepped to the side to start gesturing to each member of the group. “Esteemed princess, I am honored to announce the arrival of, tactical hand Sairiss Venomara Scarlet, general Vipa Venara, academy mage Allis Sphara, Lady Elaria, and finally…” She paused again to take a glance at Elaria before continuing.

Pulling out a small sheet of paper, the messenger coughed, and Leo frowned deeply. “Summon, lord, arch-mage. revolution starter, expert tradesman, magical inventor, demigod, savior of Telnar, guardian of the innocent, breaker of chains, and dragon of the sheets, Leonardo Alexander Erizmendiz.” She finished to his complete and utter horror, but the princess appeared a little impressed.

As he wore an expression of utter shock, the sound of two selarins giggling to either side of him drew his attention, and he turned to Elaria with a look of utter betrayal in his eyes. “When did you even have the time?!” He questioned accusingly as his shoulders drooped, resigned to the fact of what just happened.

Elaria held down her barely suppressed laughter to answer him. “It was when you went to pick up Allis, but we've all been planning this for a few months now.” She responded with barely restrained amusement.

‘Firstly, fuck you necklace for the breaker of chains bit. Secondly, I will have to have a talk with everyone that was a part of this little scheme.’ He mentally noted with a bit of irritation.

Letting out an exasperated breath, he stepped forward to clear up the little joke before anyone took it seriously. “Apologies for the overly excessive introduction. My loved ones thought it would be funny to give me so many titles, but please disregard them and treat me normally.” He paused to pinch the bridge of his nose.

“I was essentially a peasant on my world, so I don't like to be put on such high pedestals if I can help it.” He ended as he opened his eyes to see the princess now almost looking down on him.

Leo realized that he may have humbled himself a little too much, because saying that he was a peasant in front of royalty would have obvious implications.

‘How do I fuck up even when I'm trying to fix something!?’

“Well, then you must be honored to work with us. Follow me, the queen is waiting on you.” Princess Qassria said with a condescending edge that made him genuinely think about sending her on a little skydiving trip.

He chastised himself for the overreaction while they were led into the palace. ‘No… You can't do that to every person who pisses you off Leo, especially to the queen's daughter. I need to get th- What the hell is she doing?’ His thoughts halted, because the princess had wrapped her tail around his neck like a leash.

He glanced back to everyone behind him, and all of them seemed to be holding back some mixture of amusement at his situation, even Sairiss was raising an eyebrow.

‘Is this normal? Maybe it's some kind of royal custom… But then why are they all looking at me like I'm part of some gag? Wait, is this because I said I was like a peasant? Possibly, but Allis isn't doing anything so it might actually be some weird royal thing… I shouldn't have skimmed over my past reading assignments… I feel like such an idiot right now…’ He thought in resignation, as they were all led through the palace halls and into a large and long throne room with three titanic guards spaced out on either side of the walls.

The guards in the throne room were very different from the normal looking ones outside, as each of them were Kesl sized, wearing near full plate armor and wielding weapons that would seem comically large to anyone that wasn't over seven and a half feet of pure muscled power.

There were also two of the uncommon quadruped selarins on either side of the throne that were wielding large lances, and considering horses were used as medieval tanks, then those two massively armored guards were the second most dangerous thing in the room.

Leo glanced to either side of him to see Allis's type of selarin that were escorting them slowly to the throne, each with nearly twenty foot long tails that were close to double Allis's thickness.

Even after all that, what Leo was most surprised by was that all of the guards were male.

‘If I didn't have magic, I would probably have been very concerned with the amount of nope in here…’ His thoughts trailed off as they stopped a few yards from the throne, and he finally got a look at the queen.

She was six feet tall, and like her daughter she was pure white with pitch black eyes. She had an even longer tail, closer to twenty feet, and he saw that it started to taper off at around thirteen, probably to denote maturity. Her features were a little more pointed, but held the same regal look as her daughter, though the expression on her face was that of an analytical boredom as he approached.

The messenger stepped forward to introduce Leo. “Presenting Summon, Lord, Ar-Mmnn nmm?” Leo had used his magic to shut her mouth before she embarrassed him again, and the queen suddenly seemed more interested, but a bit upset.

He could hear some snickering from Elaria, but she sounded a little far from him. Craning his head slightly, he saw that the group was closer to the middle of the room, with the two serpent guards on either side of them.

‘Hmm, I smell trouble…’

Queen Anasslia narrowed her eyes at Leo. “Well, that's a convenient way to shut up your lessers…” She remarked bitterly before noticing the tail around his neck. “By the way Qassria, does he even know what you're doing?” She asked while giving her daughter a critical look.

The princess smirked as she coiled her tail a little more around his throat, which only piled onto his confusion. “It's simple mother, he is a peasant. I don't need his consent, nor do I need to explain it to him.” She said smugly, and the queen looked speechlessly between the two before she groaned irritably.

The oblivious human blinked, then furrowed his brow immensely as everything started to add up. “Excuse me, but is she claiming me as a mate or something?” He questioned with a deep concern as he glanced at the possessive appendage.

The queen sighed, and sat up straight to glare at her daughter. “It's an old practice that, like many things, has all but died out among our people. Now it is only done by those of royal blood, as well as a few nobility. And I would like to remind you Qassria, that other races are exempt, even if those laws did apply to his status.” She informed the now crestfallen woman, and he felt her tighten her grip before uncoiling it to step up next to her mother.

He rubbed his neck and couldn't help but chuckle a little at his own expense. “It's alright, I don't re-”

“Before we continue, is it true that you were the one who captured and killed the butchers who attacked Telnar, all on your own? As well as leveling the academy?” She asked expectantly, and received a confident yes in return. “Then I would like to verify your capabilities myself. Guards, kill him.” She casually ordered while leaning back in her throne, propping her head up on an arm with a slightly entertained expression.

The unamused summon was about to lock up everyone in the room with gravity, but he couldn't help but smirk after a quick glance at Vipa and Sairiss. The pair were a little confused at how relaxed their sisters were, while they held an arm in front of them, probably assuming that they would try to help him in some way.

In actuality, Elaria and Allis appeared as if they were expecting to see something mildly entertaining.

‘Well, if they want a show…’

_________________________________________

Vipa

Vipa knew that the queen was going to test the summon to see if he actually had god-like magic, and if not then he dies, as either outcome would have solved a problem for them. Leo dies, the guild loses interest in Telnar and the queen could open negotiations to try and control the trade into Selaria. He lives and even surpasses expectations, then she takes him seriously and will make an effort to work something out with him to finally oust the nobility.

It's a win-win situation as the queen was already at the point that she needed to pressure more authority over Selaria. Now it was either do the work of kicking the nobles out herself, or let Leo do it for her. This little test was all just to make sure he is who he says he is, and from what Sairiss had said from her previously unknown intel, the kind hearted summon wouldn't casually kill anyone if he did have god-like abilities.

The only concern that she had was her sister, someone who caught her entirely by surprise. If he was killed, then Allis would most definitely hate her for the rest of her life. But Vipa had spent her entire life with a single goal, and as much as she loved Allis, her loyalties to the queen just barely won out in this regard. And while she was happy that her sister found someone to love, it didn't help that she wasn't too fond of exactly who that was.

Thus she moved herself to hold Allis back like Sairiss did with her own sister, but they both became very confused when their relatives casually leaned to the side to get a better view. They were apparently completely unconcerned with their lover's safety, and her jaw hung open a little when Allis just rolled her eyes at her.

‘Was all that in the ship just an act? That can't be-’ Her eyes shot open wide as her head swung over to Leo, who was loosely surrounded by the colossal plate armored guards.

She felt a monumental amount of mana surge throughout his limbs, and as the first guard lifted his massive halberd to strike at him, he stepped right into its arc and caught the blade with his bare hands as it swung down.

The inscrutable human grinned wide as the guard struggled to pull the weapon free. “You know it's dangerous to play with sharp things, you could poke someone's eye out with this.” He joked aloud while crushing the blade before letting it go, sending the guard stumbling backwards onto the floor with a loud thud.

Only moments later, and three more stepped forward to swing their halberds at him, this time just the spiked side.

The man suddenly found the top of his staff more interesting as he inspected the ornate owl carved into the hilt, completely ignoring the three, nearly eight feet, titans that were attacking him. When all of them hit their target, the spikes shattered on contact.

Looking down at the bits of mettle on the floor, Leo shook his head disapprovingly. “Tsk tsk tsk. Now look at the mess you made. If you don't clean this up, someone could slip on them.” He mocked with a chuckle, and Vipa could feel some more mana get used up.

The three guards dropped their weapons and tried to tackle him, but they all started slipping and sliding as if the floor was made of ice, and they were all soon enough falling over each other while trying to lift themselves off the ground.

The summon sighed as he looked around at the remaining guards, who were slightly hesitant to attack. “Are you not entertained!?” He shouted with his arms spread out and a smile on his face, and the two selarin that were guarding the group broke off and slithered at him at an insane speed.

One of them tossed the other his sword before he coiled his entire body around Leo in a literal death grip, while the other started stabbing relentlessly at his head. “Oh, this is comfy. It's like a sofa…but standing.” He remarked with a chuckle as he wiggled a bit, causing the coiled selarin's eyes to go wide as his grip was being easily pushed against.

The absurd man frowned at the one stabbing at his head, who was getting nowhere with his efforts. “Excuse me? I am trying to enjoy the comfy.” He told him in a little bit of mock indignation, before the swords were yanked out of the selarin's hands by something unseen and sent flying outside the nearest open window with a tilt of his head.

Vipa finally noticed that she felt almost no mana on whatever spell he used, but then realized that he wasn't actually saying anything to initiate his spells. ‘What… What the hell?’

Wriggling a bit more in the bind he was in, he sighed, appearing overly disappointed. “Yup, it's ruined.” He remarked sadly, and she felt a bit of mana get spent before he shot upward out of the selarin's grip.

The selarin struggled to try and coil back around Leo, and the whole scene turned comical as he looked like a very slippery fish. “Firmly grasp it!.. Or well, me.” He laughed while he continued to slip into the air, before landing on the ground and sprinting toward the exit.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

The four guards on the ground finally stood up and proceeded to chase him past the pair of sisters, but he stopped at the doorway while all of his pursuers attempted to tackle him.

Each one passed right through him as if he were a ghost, causing all of the dogpiled selarin to go wide-eyed, like he was an actual aberration. He laughed, but no sound was actually coming from him, but back toward the middle of the throne room, albeit a little high.

She saw her sister giggling as she stared up at him, the real one, who was laughing in the air as his double faded away. He slowly lowered himself to the ground while trying to suppress his mirth at his little trick, and one of the two, four legged guards readied his lance and charged at Leo.

He noticed this, then grinned wide while he waved out his cloak to the side. “Toro! Toro!” The obvious taunt prompted the other guard to also ready their lance with a very annoyed expression.

As soon as the guard was barely at his target, he was lifted into the air ever so slightly. It took a few seconds for them to register what was happening while their legs continued to try and push forward, but they slowed to a halt upon finally noticing.

“Come on! You're almost there, don't stop now!” The goading man mocked the guard, who simply slumped sadly in the air.

His mouth hung open at the sad sight, and he dropped the side of his cloak to throw his hands up in the air. “Ah come on! Really? How can you make me feel bad about people who are actively trying to kill me?” He questioned indignantly, while the rest of the guards surrounded him with determined and very pissed off expressions.

“Respect the effort, but unfortunately none of you are taking me as seriously as you should, especially when I can do this.” He paused to snap his fingers, then the plate armor and weapons of all the guards in the throne room bled away into the air, leaving a handful of dust to fall onto the ground.

The throne room fell silent as everyone realized that everything that the academy mages said were true, and that he could quite easily kill everyone in the room with a snap of his fingers. All the guards glanced at the queen, knowing that there was literally nothing they could do to stop him.

At that moment Vipa considered being the one to hide behind her sister, because that man was way more dangerous than a dragon. And as she looked back to Allis, she saw a smug expression cross her eyes as they met.

“What the hell is he?”

_________________________________________

Leo

Things were, so far, going quite well for Leo. He got to the capital before the mass deaths, met his loved ones relatives, and managed to show off properly to those in charge.

Sadly, all of that didn't help his awkward wincing at the guards and their resigned look of death. “Alright, funs over. If your grace would be so ki-” He faltered at what he saw.

The queen had a manic smile as she sat on the edge of her seat, her face a little flushed with excitement.

“Uh, your highness?” He inquired hesitantly, not expecting that kind of reaction from her at all, and what she said next threw him off completely.

“Would you consider a marriage proposal with my daughter?” Queen Anasslia nearly begged as she leaned even more out of her throne.

His mind stalled for a moment at such a sharp turn in mood and conversation. “...What?”

Princess Qassria's tail whipped behind her. “Mother!” She yelled indignantly.

Queen Anasslia raised an eyebrow as she stared confusingly at her daughter. “Didn't you have your tail around his neck not a moment ago?” She asked pointedly while her own tail almost curled into a question mark.

Princess Qassria crossed her arms in a huff. “Yes, but he's a peasant! Even with all his power, his blood is beneath us. I was going to make him my concubine.”

Taken aback at the blatant admission, his brow arched painfully high. “What?”

Queen Anasslia sighed exhaustedly while she leaned back into her seat. “I would also be glad if you could fuck that purity belief out of her…” She trailed off with a sly smile. “Or are you into an older woman, because I would be glad to have a proper marriage with you, as long as you don't mind my other playmates.” She remarked a little eagerly, and a few of the guards took a glance at the queen with a look of concern.

“Mother!” The princess shouted critically.

“What?!” Two people responded for completely different reasons.

_________________________________________

Anasslia

Power and restraint, those were the pillars that held up Anasslia's entire world view, it's why she hated the nobility and rampant abuse in what was supposed to be her kingdom. She saw how her birthright was rotting away from the greedy and incompetent people that placed blood above any strength of their own, even though she knew she was being hypocritical with her own claim.

She tried to live up to her ideals through refining her body and mind to be worthy of her title, but the position was a hollow one as long as the nobility had true power over the kingdom. So like those before her, she worked for most of her life trying to increase the crown's influence and authority, but the power to do so was always out of her reach, until it suddenly fell into her lap due to the efforts of a single man.

She had almost dismissed said man out of reflex, because of her constant dealings with anyone with a modicum of authority left her with a dim view on anyone who had any. Having power, and being worthy or proficient in wielding it, were mutually exclusive. It was why she was so disinterested in him, that is until the fight started.

Watching the summon casually dismiss her guards with ease was just half of her instant interest in the man, her other being that he was simply putting on a show, and not one of force, but genuinely having fun. Anyone else with the kind of power he held would have simply killed everyone in the room, but his restraint made her excited in more ways than one, because even though it was a crude spectacle, it demonstrated his total discipline and skill. She also had the ability to sense mana, and she only wished that her daughter could have felt it too, along with her doubtful and absentee arch-mage.

Her mind raced with questions as the show ended. ‘What were the limits of his power? He most certainly can kill a dragon, but what would he be like against a minor god? Why wasn't he just taking over the world? Does he actually care about those who are so weak compared to him? What would he do to those who harmed the things he held dear?’ The last question prevented any others from arising, because she already had the answer to that, and a new goal had been set for her ambitions.

After the brief exchange of offering herself and her daughter up for marriage, Anasslia clasped her hands to explain the obvious reason for it. “Look, it's simple. A joining of our kingdoms would be the best possible outcome for all involved. You gain legitimate authority within Selaria, especially with you as a gatekeeper with your position in Telnar, and we get to finally remove the nobility.” She finished with a cheery tone, trying to make it sound as desirable as possible, while also moving a hand up to prevent her daughter's irrational protest.

The human appeared even more confused by her explanation as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Okay, hold it. You didn't look too thrilled when your daughter's tail was around my neck. Why the sudden and very eager change of heart?” He inquired skeptically, but she smiled wider at the non-refusal.

Not wanting to admit everything, she gave a partly honest reasoning for her change of mind. “There may have been two obvious motives for testing you, but there is a third that was more personal. You see, you can tell a lot about a person in how they fight, and I must say, I am more than impressed with your actions.”

Her words seemed to have peaked his interest, as he raised a curious eyebrow at her answer. “Care to enlighten me on how I passed your secret test?”

The selarin queen's gaze smoldered while she looked at him, then went on to explain passionately. “You have power, and not the kind that was just given to you. Even though I can't wield magic, I've studied it greatly, so I understand that to do what you did takes a level of knowledge that is on par with the gods. Not only that, but you don't seem to hang it over people, even though you were acting like an ass the entire time, you went out of your way to not outright kill or harm anyone. You were essentially putting on a show, one of which was very entertaining, even a little stimulating.” She ended with a sultry tone.

Qassria's tail whipped. “Mother!” She yelled in protest.

Anasslia directed a quick scowl at her naïve daughter, because she was too stuck on lineage to see the prize in front of her. “Excuse my daughter, her view on the world is…very narrow minded.”

The queen had sent her daughter to the academy to learn and gain a little worldly experience when she had found out that she had and could manipulate mana, but it turned out to be an action that Anasslia deeply regretted to this day. Even though the princess graduated with an even larger hatred for the nobility than Anasslia did, she had developed a steeper and irrational belief that bloodlines meant everything.

Clarity seemed to strike the now very desirable man. “Explains quite a bit… But I'm going to have to decline the offer, because I don't know either of you well enough to enter that kind of relationship.” He paused to smile slyly. “Though I would not be adverse to having a bit of fun, and I would be glad to fulfill the request regarding your daughter if she consented. It might take an entire day though…” He teased the now darker shaded Qassria, who quickly stormed off in both embarrassment and disgust.

Anasslia laughed while her flustered daughter sped out of the throne room. “I haven't seen her like that in years, and I'll definitely be holding you to rid her of that annoying trait.” She paused to stand up, and took on a more serious air.

“But that's not why you're here, and since the kill and marriage options are not practical nor desirable solutions, we'll start our talks tomorrow in earnest. You will probably be staying here at the capital for a while, since we will have to work out many of the details with those who will be reluctant to give up their authority. You're welcome to rest here for the coming nights, though I would fully understand if you'd prefer to spend them back at your ship.” She offered in a more refined manner.

‘I did just order my men to kill him…’ She thought a little regretfully.

A contemplative expression fell over Leo as he seemed to genuinely consider the offer. “Alright, I'll accept your generosity. But just so you know I am partnered to a dragon, so even if you do kill me, you will be dealing with someone who's a lot less…open to negotiations…” He let the very real threat hang, and she failed to hold down her brow from arching.

The queen managed to suppress a pained expression as his words sunk in, because all she had to go off of was rumors when it came to anything outside of what happened at the academy. The one rumor that was hard to swallow was that he had a genuine relationship with a dragon, because of their reluctance to partner with shorter lived races. So if she did manage to kill him, then she would have probably given herself and everyone involved a death sentence.

‘Glad he surpassed my expectations.’ She thought with a bit of relief.

She gestured for the rest of his party to be brought forward, and she was introduced to two of his partners, while being surprised that they were also both sisters to her most trusted soldiers. Vipa told her that she was just as surprised, but Sairiss being Sairiss said that she never asked, which actually went to explain some of the intel she had on the summon.

Although, Anasslia was upset that Sairiss didn't share more.

Before any more idle chatter continued, Vipa stepped forward with a dark expression. “Your majesty, I have something that I wish to speak with you in private about. It is very sensitive information that pertains to the kingdom, and even the world as a whole.” They requested with a grimness that the selarin royal only saw when they had discovered that someone close had betrayed her, so she dismissed everyone to speak alone with her two allies.

‘I wonder what unfortunate soul has crossed me this time.’

_________________________________________

Qassria

Qassria was fuming in her chambers, trying to get over what happened in the throne room while her tail whipped this way and that.

Her mother's flippant indecency always riled her up, but now a lowborn mutt had the gall to do the same, which wound her up even more. “That insolent, diluted blood, uncivilized, mutt! I can't believe I wrapped my tail around his filthy neck, he's not fit to even be my concubine!” She steamed while pacing back and forth in a huff.

She was originally going to offer herself gracefully to the vaunted summon, but as soon as he admitted that he was a peasant she simply claimed him immediately, since it was only right that someone of such low birth would submit to her.

His blood status meant that he would never properly be her equal, so a marriage as one was unacceptable.

“Gods! Mother is simply too accepting of the ill bred she brings into her chambers, offering me up to someone so… so… Beneath me!” She paused as her tail whipped the floor.

“Then she went and offered herself to him, and if he accepted then that would make that filth my father!” She shrieked in anger, yet what she was truly enraged by was that he refused both of them.

“How dare he turn down two offers of royalty!? Even with all his power, he is not even partnered with anyone of proper high birth. He should have been awed by the offer itself, to be treated as equals and given a proper title as king. But he said no! No!?” Qassria balled her hand into fists as she recalled her mother's request.

“Fuck the belief out of me!? I should show that mutt his place and turn him into my plaything!” She paused to scoff. “And what does he mean 'an entire day', he wouldn't last a few minutes.” Her self ranting was ended by her mother walking in with a very stony visage.

The irate princess stepped forward to give her mother a piece of her mind for what happened in the throne room, but she froze at the piercing gaze that promised a swift retribution. “I have something that I need to discuss with you, and you will listen without a single word back unless I say for you to speak. Do I make myself clear?” She said with a commanding harshness that made her gulp and nod vigorously, as her mother was genuinely serious.

She had seen her get like this only a few times, and a majority of them were right before executing someone who betrayed her trust, which sent a wave of fear through the young woman as she was alone with her.

The selarin queen sat down on a nearby couch beside the large fireplace and gestured for her to do the same. “You must do whatever is possible to marry that man, and you will marry him.” She told her daughter who opened her mouth to protest, but halted as soon as her mother's eyes narrowed to slits.

Her mother scowled while looking at Qassria with a disdain that hurt her immensely. “I do not give a damn about lineage, that should have been apparent when I broke the same name tradition of our family with yours. And if you don't try to marry him, then I will. Because what I care about is restoring our family's rightful place as the rulers of this kingdom, and permanently removing all the parasites from our lands.”

Anasslia only held personal strength in high regard, it's why her concubines doubled as her guard, but the only thing she desired more was establishing the crown as a center of power in Selaria.

Ergo, something didn't quite add up for Qassria, and she humbly asked to speak her mind on it. “You are going to get what you have always wanted with or without the mutt, so why are you so fixated on a marriage with him?”

Her mother stood up and her face grew grim as she spoke. “We've had this conversation before, but can you tell me why our people prefer to build underground?” She asked as she slowly paced over to the fireplace.

Qassria cocked her head in confusion at the turn in conversation. “Originally it was to protect us against the light-borne's weapons.” She wasn't sure how it related to this particular summon.

A cold expression crossed her mother's face while she looked at the relics sitting on the mantle. “And after the light-born were defeated, why didn't we go back to building above ground? The dragons wiped them out, along with all of their weapons, so why did we continue to build underground with dull brick buildings?” She continued the well known inquiry as she traced her gaze carefully across the items.

The mood felt tense as Qassria's mother continued the conversation to an unknown destination. “Well, we've lost all of our unique architecture, as well as most of our culture during the conflict. Since unlike the previous conquests that involved a summons knowledge, the light-born dragged it on for nearly three centuries.” She recalled the widely known fact, a problem that many races faced after the war.

Anasslia paused her movements, and her eyes slowly narrowed at one of the relics. “But were the light born to blame for that loss?” She asked with a sneer, whilst her attention casually shifted to the fire below the mantle.

Confusion racked the princess's face, as the question was obvious, but her mother was insinuating otherwise. “I don't follow… The last era ended hundreds of years ago. What does any of this have to do with marrying me off to the low born?” She questioned directly, getting tired of being pulled along through a pointless conversation.

Anasslia directed a chilling expression at her daughter. “It has everything to do with him, because even when Selaria's mine, I don't have the power to carry out a new course that I will set for our people.” She paused to turn back to the mantle, and snaked her tail to pull down the item she had been glaring daggers at.

“You see, there is a tool that is used against me every so often, and that is the one thing that I hate even more than the nobility…” She trailed off for a moment to throw the centuries old gift from Selaria's saviors into the fire.

“Betrayal.”

_________________________________________