Chapter 14
The Fortuitous Discovery
An Acheron usually never fails their mission. If they can not complete the task the first time, they contain or secure what they hunt. However, if you are the one being hunted instead, it changes things. A day had passed and the trio arrive back at headquarters of the manor, Lupo helps his wife off the walker, checking on her condition. Bjorn looks to the pair, his nose stitched up from the fight. "Head over to the medical wing and get your ribs checked. Your husband and I have to talk to my brother about our “situation”.” She nods, giving a look to Lupo and uses the walker as a crutch to walk down to the other buildings. Lupo nods to Bjorn, knowing full well even if she accompanied them, it would only cause more harm than good.
The hunters head to the office space, this time Bjorn enters first as Lupo follows. His father lifts his head from the slightly floating book and eyes both of them. He then looks at Bjorn, seeing the stitches on his nose, he breathes in then exhales. “Report” he says reluctantly. Bjorn then explain what happened. After some time Lupo father clasp his hands interlacing his fingers together and looks at the book and grumbles. “Those things are not in the Codex” He curses to himself as he flips through the pages again “-and you say they just left? Just like that little brother? How could you let that happen? You're an Acheron for Goddess sakes, and now we have to inform those damn lizards of our incompetence… no” He looks to his son and points slowly, “Your incompetence.” Lupo balls his fist and begins to open his mouth but Bjorn just places his hand on his chest and shakes his head then looks to his brother. “Lupo did more than I ever could to those things but that not what important right now brother, what important is we know where they are coming from, and we need to deal with it. I've been to the farms on the outskirts of Nocturnia, the people are losing their livestock to them. They seem to be gathering supplies of some sort.” He points to his nose, “They are fast and armed. Highly intelligent beings, even I do not know if they were just toying with us or can confine in me to know their true strength” He eyes his brother “We have to tell the Moonshines that this is bigger than some stolen goods.”
Lupo's father looks at Bjorn, then to his desk. He places his hand onto his chin and thinks. “Gather the Moonshines, set up a meeting, and make sure word of this does not reach.” He looks at his son “clean yourself up” He brushes past both of them “and get out of my office”. Lupo catches his balance and breathes out slowly. Bjorn places a hand on his nephews shoulder, giving him a nod, lupo looks and turns, heading towards the medical wing to meet his wife. She sits on the wooden stool she is shirtless but bandages wrap her breast and shoulder as the doctor checks her individual ribs she winces and slightly smiles as lupo enters knowing on the door frame “Well I'm not out for the count yet, doctor says I had a few fractures but nothing broken just need some rest, and I'm lucky I got the potion in my system in time.” Lupo thanks the doctor for the check-up as he checks on his neck, after some time His wife speaks up. “I'm sorry for bringing the walkers…” Lupo sighs but fixes his wife's hair “No I'm sorry my love, I wasn't fast enough to get to you before this happened. At the end things could've played differently if we didn't bring them so, it was a good idea.” She blinks but shakes it off, “What did Bjorn say to your father?” Lupo explained to her that Bjorn gave a good excuse to why the walkers were taken. That it was both lupo and her idea to draw out whatever took the last walkers from the farmer, so they use the clans to lure it out. She blinks and shakes her head, but nods, “Your uncle sure knows how to ease your father into tolerance”.
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
After some well needed rest in actual beds the trio embark in formal attire to the Kingdom of Nocturnia The main hub for all in this vast realm. They move to the main and largest building on the kingdom. The castle with the banners of the dragons circling each other, like a Ying Yang of sorts, flapping in the wind. As they approach the large doors the guards open the doors bowing their heads only slightly as they begin to approach the throne room, in front of it a large round table. Sitting in the throne chair is a man dressed head to toe in a blue elegant silk robe, next to him a woman in the same attire. The man has blue and black hair flowing downwards behind him. Unlike the other dragons in humanoid form, he doesn't have horns on his head but antlers his ears pointed and covered in blue fur. His skin is fair and clear of blemishes or imperfections. Some might say he looks way younger than he truly is. The woman next to him however also had blue hair but her horns on her head adorns like a crown. While her body is beautiful and fair, her forearms to her hands are covered in light blue scales and her nails sharp with blue tips. The Emperor himself, Faroash, and his wife Kira. Sitting at the round table is Lupo's Father, Emilia Moonshine, and her Husband Elldiren, the brother of the Emperor. With fire like red hair, buff and prominent wings that look of ember and soot. He, too, has his forearms similar to the Emperor's wife but sporting red and golden scales and large black claws at the end. His ears are pointy like an elf and sport golden coverings on each ear. Three empty seats are left and the trio sit to prepare for the meeting to commence.
Bjorn straightens up and relays the information to the dragons, pointing to the world map that is painted onto the table. “These peaks are their last known location too high for humans to stay up there long, but we can assume they are built for high altitude. The Enhanced can withstand the low air but only long enough for traveling.” Elldiren crosses his arms, “What knowledge do we have of these people, brother? I thought every race was cataloged. This has to be some sort of mistake to me, it seems these people are preparing for some kind of war we must respond with negotiations" Faroash adjust himself in the high chair and raises his hand to stop his brother “Even as emperor I too have no recollection of these people. Perhaps we haven't fully scouted the true extent of all the races of this realm for the 9 Centuries we resided here. Let us not get ahead of ourselves to assume they are preparing for that contingency… If they have been in hiding for almost a thousand years, why come out now? We must try to peacefully come to an agreement and see what they want.” Lupo's father chimes in, “Your grace, If I may. These people are formidable, my own brother and son have come into contact with them first hand. Their tactics are unorthodox but precise. If they are planning something, perhaps it might have been wise that we face them head on, be it in a diplomatic way. They know when we are coming. Let the Acherons send a scouting party of capable climbers up to the peak if you need to come, allow us to escort you there.” Ellidiren stands, “I'll go and make sure this “diplomatic mission” doesn’t backfire on you humans” Emilia places a hand on her husband and speaks up. “I believe I should go. We need more of a soft-spoken touch to this situation and with my knowledge of language I may be able to translate my dear” Elldiren grumbles but sits down crossing his arms “I guess you're right my love.” The emperor stands which makes everyone else stand, just after, “Then it is arranged, let us hope the goddess is in your favor humans.” With that, the meeting is concluded and the Acheron family return back to their manor after half a day of travels.