Chapter 24: Darling Nox (Kai)

Females.

They are…

Females.

And dies just as well as males.

What? I don’t have many insights about them. Weapons, however, I do.

-Kai Bloodseeker, on the subject of females

~Kai

After the interrogation, it took the whole of the afternoon and night to finish the preparations for my leave of absence. An army without its head is, well, simply like a headless beast slowly dying. Luckily, I had multiple spare heads.

In my absence, I would leave command to the second oldest of my Bloodguards and the one who had known me the longest. If I had to call someone my best friend, it would be him. Mature, responsible, and with a role as my acting conscious, it would be Bane. Contrary to his eight feet tall green-skinned appearance, he was quite intelligent and was a second opinion for me.

Leaving him in temporary command of the Third Frontal Fortress would leave me feeling assured. But just in case of unforeseen troubles, I made another three of the Bloodguards stay behind with him.

The next cockcrow, under the light of the morn, I stood inside the wyvern roost, patting the scaly body of my mount.

Wyverns are captivating creatures. They are similar to dragons, only much smaller in both size and strength. In the air, it is an unparalleled beast losing only to a few exceptions which can be counted with two hands.

What differentiates them from dragons are their diversity. Multiple heads, multiple wings, assortments of scales and skins, and various other body parts—they come in all sizes, numbers, and shapes. In my opinion, they made for far greater mounts than Vulcans.

And my wyvern?

She was a black scaled leathery beauty, a darling to the eyes. A cute upturned nose with two big nostrils, two pale waxen horns, a spiked tail, and a row of inner and outer fangs all made for an exquisite appearance. Her body was beautifully proportioned with two upper limbs and two lower limbs. But the most alluring feature of all were her glittering ruby eyes.

Stroking her lower nape, I whispered softly to her sensitive pointed ears, “Did you miss me, Nox?”

Her long neck wrapped around my shoulders once before she positioned her face directly in front of mine. Her warm breath fell upon me, tickling my face. She crooned softly, a deep purring that traveled across her neck, making a soft trembling sensation around me. Her tongue lashed out at my cheeks softly.

Even softly, a wyvern tongue can strip the flesh easily in a mere second. It was a good thing my skin was resistant with a natural born Hardening ability, else my cheeks would have long been devoid of any flesh.

Releasing her long neck around me, Nox stretched her wings, conveying her eagerness even more. And a pout went across her face, a gesture which I always found delightful. Although rather than a pout, it was more of a bloodcurdling show of her fangs.

“Not to worry, Nox. We have plenty of time to stretch your wings. A few weeks, in fact.” The estimation sounded about right. A month was plenty of time to cut across the Cruorus Lands and into the Dread borders for a small visit. Especially on a flying mount.

A few minutes passed by as I affixed a saddle onto Nox, making sure the straps were comfortably snug around her belly. To the sides of the saddle, I hung a few packs filled with necessities.

Two decades had already passed by since I required the use of reins while riding Nox. We were both already familiar with each other intentions. Soaring through the skies, we were both simply one individual with two heads.

To the sides of the saddle, there were spots where I could hung my sheathed broadsword and shield. Both of the equipment were made out of Xeonite metal, the strongest metal known to the Tribal Alliance. It was resistant to both physical and magical attacks. The only drawback to the metal was that it was almost impossible to carve runic markings onto it. The only way to overcome such a problem was to mix the Xeonite with an alloy metal that could allow for conduction through the runic markings.

But with such a solution, there also came a set of problems. The mix of metals would make it less resistant and less durable. The advantages of runic markings, however, could sometime overcome the problems of the alloy metal through very rare materials and proficient Runic Enhancements.

As such, the black rectangular shield I wore was of an alloy making. Flexit metal to block the non-Volatile Essences such as light, nature, and earth, then the polar Reflexit metal to block the Volatile Essences such as fire, lightning, and wind. The two metals were polar opposite and was rarely found in nature. It had taken many favors and compensation to gain them.

And a few more favors for the top Magus Runemasters to engrave the markings I desired onto the shield. Having spent such wealth and time on the shield, vanity had struck me unexpectedly in my time of weakness. What was a little more wealth? Thus, I had carved an insignia of a red wyvern onto the front of the shield.

Having finished the preparations, I headed outside onto the courtyards with Nox following me along, waddling on her two lower limbs.

Though I called the building I had left behind the wyvern roost, there was only one wyvern in the entire Third Frontal Fortress. The rest of the flying mounts were all Vulcans and various other lesser creatures.

Wyverns could not be tamed except for under special conditions. Even if one stole the eggs from under the watchful eyes of the mother wyvern, there was still a major risk of the imprinting not occurring.

In the Third Frontal Fortress, there are a total of thirty courtyards, most of them reserved for drilling and practicing. I met Nuala and the three Bloodguards that would follow me along on the trip. They greeted me with a wave of their free hands, the other hand holding onto the reins fixed around their Vulcans.

There were various reasons I would bring these four with me on my investigation.

Nuala, simply because she was like my right hand. And I didn’t trust her to stay on her best behavior when I was gone. If I left her behind, I would come back to find myself a stack of bodies to clean up.

Kassina, for she knew the various languages of the wild beast tribes and had quick wits that could slip us through most situations. And who knew, perhaps we might even have to use some of her gentle persuasion.

Jenna, for her scouting abilities and expert bow-hand. Her Demona Hunter abilities, Hawk Eyes and Precision, would come in handy in the Cruorus Lands and within the Dread borders.

Zan, because he was an Earth and Darkness Magus convenient to have around in unexpected situations. Full of rare knowledge and magic, I would have loved to pick his brains thoroughly. He was a grey skinned hommid, a term the Tribal Alliance uses to group the two-legged together. Two limbs to walk upright, two limbs for arms, and of course, having enough intelligence; those were the conditions to be a hommid, though there were always discrimination against the wild beast tribes, and of course, against the Dreads.

With his bone white beard that covered half of his face and eyebrows that drooped down to almost his cheeks, he was the oldest of the Bloodguards. And though he was getting on in his age, his body was still stocky with muscles. His appearance wasn’t anything striking. I could have found plenty of lookalikes in the Greynat tribes.

Thinking of his age had made me curious.

“How old are you again, Zan?” I asked.

“A hundred and twenty two years old, Commander,” he said, all gruffly and deep-like. “Last month was my name day.”

I capped an arm around his broad shoulders dressed by a thick plain black robe. “You should’ve told me, old friend. I would have given you a few congratulatory gifts.”

He shook his stubby neck, his white beard swaying along with the motion. Fascinating stuff, his beard was. One could have hidden multiple daggers inside the hairs. “It is not right for an elder to gift his younger,” he said quietly but deeply.

I smiled at that, though in truth, my smile was a frown. I didn’t like to be reminded of my age. Not even by myself. My age remained a secret alone to only me. Everyone who knew of my exact age was long dead already, by my own hands or by my own indirect hands. It was the same to me. Directly, indirectly; all me in the end.

Half a breath. Discipline, I reminded myself. Discipline.

Jenna, perhaps suspecting of my displeasure, interrupted us. “Shall we head out now, Commander Kai?”

I turned toward her, meeting her look. She didn’t flinch, so I smiled. “Sure, let us head out.”

As each of us climbed up onto our mounts, a familiar figure came running toward us, her bosom bouncing softly from the sprinting. I drolly watched her run across with haste, her breaths coming faster and faster each step. A good set of tits bouncing is always a high form of entertainment in my list.

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“Stop! I am coming with you,” Magus Sabria shouted across from the courtyards.

Nuala scowled at me, her mouth twisting into displeasure. It was obvious that she disliked Magus Sabria. As for the three Bloodguards, they awaited patiently for my instructions.

To run across a courtyard would take more than a few seconds, especially for one with her kind of fitness—Magus are usually physically unfit compared to the warriors. So I had some time to collect my thoughts.

Supposedly, if I did not bring the Magus with me, she would tattle to the Tribal Alliance Councils, of which there were forty-two recognized seats with the recent additions. However, it was more like thirty-three seats with nine of the recognized tribes in the far west choosing isolation. Of these forty-two seats, I held one of them being the only sole member of the Incretio tribe.

For a few years now, the Tribal Alliance Councils had been an annoying flesh wound, always dogging my trails, watching over me lest I become too rowdy. They were all so wary of my famous hospitality.

I weighed the annoyances of the nagging I would receive from Magus Sabria against the future annoyances of the Councils if she tattled on me. It came close, but in the end, the Councils won out.

“We will bring her along with us.” I decided.

“Just great. Real fecking great,” Nuala muttered. “I should just stab her little mouth. Bleed her red with blood, dance and then piss on her corpse.”

Ignoring the muttered death threats from Nuala, I watched as Magus Sabria stopped short just before my wyvern.

Now that she had a closer look at the mount, a stupefaction came over as if she had been slapped hard by a palmed hand. Or perhaps it was because she was out of breath. “Why,” she said, stopping to catch another breath, “do you,” another breath, “have to make this trip yourself? And why didn’t you wait for me?”

“Your accusations are like arrows to the heart, Magus Sabria,” I said nonchalantly. “I was merely waiting for you here.”

“How was your sleep?” Nuala butted in.

A blush dyed her already red cheeks into a deeper red. Being of the Elva race, and quite fair-skinned if a bit tanned, blushing was easily noticeable on her. It suited her too. Gave a little color to her cheeks in my humble opinion. “Fine, thank you,” she said, voice sharp as blade. “How was yours, child?”

A growl escaped from the depths of her throat at that. What Nuala hated most was being called a child. And though she was full grown, she still gave off a childish appearance, especially with her too slim figure and an uncomfortable fascination with the size of her breasts. Too small, she thought of them.

Stroking the dagger that had appeared out of nowhere in her right hand, Nuala shot a glare at her. “Much better than yours, thank you.”

For a minute or two, the two of them tried to drown each other in their voices, arguing back and forth.

I tried not to laugh at that. Over the past month, the two of them had bonded with each other quite well.

A quick hand reaching underneath her sleeves.

“Nuala,” I said calmly. “What did I tell you about using those needles?”

A sorry look crossed her face, and she removed her hand from underneath her sleeves. Lowering her head, she muttered, “Don’t use them against friends, only against enemies.”

I arched a brow. “And?”

She let out a sigh. “And don’t use them to kill Magus Sabria even though she is an enemy, for she is a pain in the ass. But if you really want to kill her, make sure not to leave any traces, especially traces that would lead back to the Commander.”

I nodded. “Good, make not to forget about that.”

“What? Did you really taught her that?” Magus Sabria looked outraged by the blatant confession.

“Of course not? Do you really think that I, as the prestigious Commander of the Third Frontal Fortress, would stoop so low as to killing you?” I said, my face all shocked-like. “Furthermore, an accusation without any evidence can have disastrous results.”

For a moment she stuttered and looked as blank as a lazy cloud. “But they heard it,” she said, waving a hand at the three Bloodguards.

“All I heard was the wind,” Kass said coolly.

Jenna shrugged. “I wasn’t paying attention.”

Zan merely stroked his flowing beard. “My hearing is just not as it used to be. And lately, it has been trying at best.”

Magus Sabria glowered darkly at me, her face all thunderous as if she was imagining her dainty hands around my pretty neck.

I pretended not to see her anger. “Who would you like to ride with on our trip, Magus Sabria,” I said, injecting a comfortable warmth into my voice.

She inspected me with suspicion on her face before a decision came over her. “I will ride with you, Commander Kai.” Most likely, she was afraid to let me out of her sight for even a second as if I would bolt away if not under her watch. Or perhaps she was simply fascinated with the wyvern.

“Climb aboard then.”

As she made to move, a thunderous noise exploded in front of her as a huge scaly tail slammed onto the ground. Startled by the explosion of wind and dust, Magus Sabria fell backward onto her bottom.

I scratched at her upper nape, a place she always loved for me to scratch at. “Now, now, my darling Nox. How many times have I told you not to accidentally crush someone with your tail?”

I looked down at the fallen Magus Sabria. “My apologies, Magus Sabria. I forgot to warn you about my darling Nox’s violet tendencies. She becomes entirely far too jealous if a female draws close too close to me while I am riding her.”

Moving a hand, I scratched further above, just below her pointed ears. Nox let out a deep throaty purr of a noise at that. “I am afraid you will have to ride with someone else.”

Picking herself up, Magus Sabria smoothed out the folds of her breeches, then at her sleeved shirt over which she wore a leather armor that covered her stomach. “Must you be this childish, Commander Kai?” Her teeth gritted, her jaws were set hard, a look of withheld irritation upon her.

“You are right. I am being a mean bastard this morning,” I apologized, letting sincerity paint my words. “It must be the lack of sleep getting to me.”

She didn’t believe it. “Commander Saria did tell me that you would be too much of a task for me to handle alone, that I couldn’t change your ways or make you attend the Alliance meetings. I didn’t believe her then, but after more than a month of watching you, I am inclined to change my opinion.” She paused, waiting for me to say something.

I didn’t.

“Well, let me tell you something, Commander Kai Bloodseeker. Once I accept a task, I will see it through to the bitter end. And if determination alone does not get the job done, then I will give even more determination. I will give enough determination until the whole Eastern Grasslands drown in it, until the whole world drowns in it. I will hound you until the ends of the world if must be.”

Nox let out a snarl at her tone. I patted her neck reassuringly.

“I must say,” I started, “this is the first time someone has ever come on so strongly to me. Not even my enemies were this determined.”

She had the decency to blush at that.

Then I laughed. I laughed loud and hard. It was a true laughter. “I always welcome a challenge, Sabria—may I call you that?”

She nodded as if to say do as you like.

“A word of advice though, Sabria." I let the nuances of her name roll around my tongue. "To change my ways, you must first step one foot into my world. But step that one foot into my world and you will drown in an ocean of blood, and not even a lifetime of love, prayers, or determination can save you then.”

Nox made an impatient growl, her tail in a frenzy and her wings itching to fly. “Let’s head for the Cruorus Lands now, my darling Nox.”

Halfway before I finished my sentence, Nox was already more than twenty feet above the ground and ascending toward the skies faster and faster. A moment later, we burst through a low layer of clouds.

The warriors milling in the courtyards of the Third Frontal Fortress were now like tiny dots. Behind me, there was the vast expanse of the Eastern Grasslands whose fields shot off endlessly. And in front, there was the sudden change into the Cruorus Lands, a maze of forests within forests, home to the wild beast tribes and other mysterious landmarks.

And of course, also home to the Lady of the Forest, a goddess worshipped by some of the wild beast tribes. But that was just a mere superstition of course.

Still, if there was truly a goddess living in the Cruorus Lands, how exciting would life be? I would love to challenge such a being to a duel.

Smiling at my own conceit, I patted her scaly sides. “Where would I be without you, Nox?”

“Certainly not in the air,” I answered myself.

Nox snorted as if she had understood my poor attempt at humor. Ah, darling Nox.

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