“Triforce drakes are the only mounting drakes in Dralarag, being relatively small compared to other drakes. They are relatively hard to tame, especially considering their general apprehensiveness of larger beasts. They are the preferred choice of traversing through Dralarag, being favored by Seekers that delve in the area, as they are naturally hardy to the elements present and have great stamina, capable of traveling for days on minimal rations. Their ability to scavenge and hunt smaller prey efficiently also allows them to survive in the wild, until they become prey to larger beasts.”
̶ Fauna of Dralarag, Demonlord Serentia Kreshorok, 890 AS
----------------------------------------
With Tiana’s help regarding my current condition, my outfit is changed accordingly, with a new layer of thick cloths in my undergarments, keeping me clean and more importantly dry.
I was also given a small flask of thick, greenish liquid to drink alongside my breakfast. It tasted dreadful, but the pain in my stomach quickly subsided. With the instructions to drink a small amount of the liquid after breakfast and dinner, it seems my problems may not actually be so problematic in this place.
---------------
Standing outside the gardens of the castle, looking outwards into the open sky in front of me, I am nervous about the upcoming travels. I’ve never seen Dralarag, well except for the little bit along the way here, which was uneventful to say the least, coupled with the fact that I’ve spent most of that journey soundly asleep. I also haven’t left the castle grounds in the past weeks, partially out of fear for what may happen on the outside of it, and partly because there wasn’t any real need to do it anyway. That changes today, as we start our journey to the Capital.
That’s how they call it, just the Capital, no special name. Well, at least that’s how it translates to Lyndarian anyway. In Dral, it’s named Democrit. I’ve been told it’s not as large as Frital, but I’m pretty sure it will be just as interesting, or even more, considering it’s a place with a vastly different culture from what I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying in my last sixteen years.
The same large carriage that I rode in after the wedding is present in the gardens, waiting for Cerolus and me. This time however, the convoy of carriages is joined by several armored guards, and some of them are holding large beasts by the reins. The beasts look like overgrown lizards on two strong back legs, their gaping maws full of serrated teeth the size of a large dagger. Every lizard has three horns on their head, two going backwards along the backside of their cheeks, while the thirds stands prominently on their forehead, allowing them to pierce whatever they headbutt should they need to do so. The front limbs of the lizards are comically small, containing only two small claws on what can be appropriately described as a twig of an arm, the use of such small appendages eludes me for now. Perhaps they don’t even have one at all. The beasts are growling from time to time, but seem both used to and looking forward to the travel, the saddles on their back allowing for one rider per lizard.
“What are they?” I ask in Dral, trying to get used to the language as quickly as possible, I’m pretty sure I’m going to need to use it during the course of this travel.
The guard closest to me provides me with an answer. “These are Triforces. Milady. They are a kind of drake here, one of the few species we use for various occasions. Triforces are a riding beast, which are used to combat, and if properly utilized, can be a great boon to a warrior’s battle prowess. Master has asked for several of them to accompany the convoy during the travels, as several dangers may be encountered on the road. But have no worry, Milady, we are here to protect you from harm.”
Cerolus enters my view just as the guard finishes his explanation. “We are ready to go, everything has been prepared. The trip should last three days at most, but we will spend most of it travelling, allowing us only brief amounts of rest. We will stop at few towns along the way to restock and rest the beasts.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Now let’s get in and start the journey at once, the road awaits.”
With that, I enter the carriage, saying goodbye to the castle for now. I wonder when I will get back.
------------------
Travelling is boring. Cerolus keeps reading various books around him which he has prepared for the journey, and I can only look at the passing landscape as we slowly trudge forward, Triforces being clearly slower than Firemanes, but the convoy must move at the speed of its slowest part. Maybe I’ll use this chance to get to know more about his family; I am supposed to be meeting them after all.
“So, can you tell me something about your family? I want to be at least somewhat prepared when I meet them, I wouldn’t want to insult them somehow.”
“Alright, I guess. You’ll need to lose the necklace for this conversation, it will be important to remember how to pronounce certain terms.” I oblige, the necklace I got so used to having around my neck now resting on the side of the carriage.
“First of all, let’s start with the names. The Supreme is called Herod. You can refer to him as Maou, as that’s the word for Supreme in our language.
He has two wives, Serentia and Feitora. Serentia is a mother of two, Sarron and Hieron, while the newborn is Feitora’s first child.
Herod has two living brothers, Pharalad, who has a daughter named Sierra, and Dariel, who has a son named Rollokor. There was one more brother who died in a war, leaving behind his son Saraad.
You can refer to Herod’s brothers and their wives as Lord and Lady, that would be the proper etiquette, but I’m sure Tiana has already informed you of that. The children you can call by name, they are not that far away from you in age and I’m pretty certain they won’t mind. Hieron is actually just a bit older than you, I’m sure you’ll be able to get along easily.
You don’t really need to know anything else basically, you’ll get to know them once we get to Democrit. I have my own residence outside the Grand Palace, so we’ll be staying there for the time being.”
I take in all of the names presented to me, but that doesn’t actually mean much unless I get to meet them in person, so the knowledge I have and would have gained would be superficial at best. I guess Cerolus is right, I’ll get to know them when we actually meet, no point in trying to take in unnecessary information beforehand.
“Look, you’ll be the only Human present in Democrit, so everyone will know who you are beforehand. I am a member of the Kreshorok family, and you are now as well, so you have that status going for you, which is nice.”
“So my name is Sophia Kreshorok now?”
“You still retain your birth family name, so it’s Sophia Leonia Kreshorok actually. That’s how we put it in the books too. Do you not like it?”
“It’s fine, I guess.”
Does my name matter to me anymore? Leonia, Kreshorok, what is the difference anyway? I’m here, I’m married to a Demon, and I can’t escape that fate.
“It does have a nice ring to it though: Kreshorok.“ Sounds intimidating and proud when you say it like that.
Who knows, maybe I will actually get used to it. Maybe I get used to all of this.
-------------------------
The first day of travel passes relatively quickly, the scenery almost featureless as we pass through the open plains. Nothing important happens on the roads here, I guess. I wonder why we needed the guards for.
As the Sun begins to descend below the horizon, I spot walls ahead of us. I can discern a small gate on one spot, surrounded by two watchtowers. It seems we have arrived at our first stop for the journey. Maybe this place will be more interesting than the roads we passed.
“Welcome to the town of Hadron, my wife.”