“Why are all of you wasting time arguing,” Kinsoriel asked of both sides while letting go of Ben and Moira, “when we should be focusing on our great city?”
Ben tilted his head. Did he assume they were here to help in his vision? His protagonist hadn’t told anyone else about this, save for him. There was no way he could have done it just today either. He’d been with him for almost the entire day, and he had heavy doubts he could do it in the time he spent hunting. Having an entire group of dragons together did make him wonder though.
None of the humans or other mortal races that were mixed in wanted to answer Kinsoriel’s question. One of the larger dragons stepped forward and gestured to the humans. “Dear brother, kindred spirit, these deathbounds say they’ve come at Wex’s invitation like us. We tried to explain the impossibility of such a thing. They would at best be expected to give what paltry knowledge they may have, but there is no place for them here.”
Wex’s invitation? That couldn’t be. None of the gods were supposed to be active in this part of the story.
An older man with a stern face and a pair of glasses strung around his neck spoke up. “Get over yourselves! Why would any of us come here if not for the guidance of the all-knowing? Wisdom is not exclusive to you or me!”
“As though you have any wisdom worth exclusivity!” Another dragon called back. “You rub a couple of sticks together and call it innovation when it catches fire!”
One amongst the crowd yelled, “Maybe you could learn a thing or two and stop eating meat raw, you bunch of animals!”
Rapid-fire insults flew back and forth. Ben tried to get his irritated protagonist’s attention in the chaos. “Why are all these people here, Kinsoriel?”
The attempt succeeded but also seemed to have gotten the attention of one of the other dragons as well. “Kinsoriel? The son of Ortremel?” he asked while pointing a claw accusingly. “Why does that deathbound know you by name?!”
The older man did the same sort of thing with the ex-Author. “Why are you with that dragon?! Whose side are you on?” Both sides became utterly incoherent.
“SILENCE!” Kinsoriel roared over all the other voices. The humans clutched at their ears and some of the younger dragons their ear fins. Those who didn’t were still rendered mute. “You are all here because Wex deemed you worthy to be part of his nation. To say otherwise is to question him directly. None of you has the right, none of you has the authority. If anyone wishes to contest this, you take it up with me.”
The first dragon that was talking squared up with Kinsoriel. He was Just about as big as him if not slightly larger, also boasting a bulkier body. A scar from the tip of his muzzle drew along his face to the bottom of his jaw. “And why should we? Who are you to command us to accept these vermin?”
A smug smile etched itself into Kinsoriel. “Seniority would be one such reason, but I’ll provide something far better. Behold!” He stood up on his back legs and dramatically extended his wings. A circle of bright light appeared over his chest where his heart would be. Looking closer, Ben noticed three additional circles within it, shaped more like eyes. He gasped as he recognized the symbol. “Wex has chosen ME as his champion! Let it be known that my will is that of his. Along with this, our god has given me the ultimate gift! Endless mana!”
Ben’s jaw was left agape. Most of the previously bickering groups had taken to kneeling or bowing. A pair of black dragons didn’t budge, one of which being the one that had provoked the MC. “How do we know this isn’t some trick? Wex told us all that his representative would be the oldest. Why aren’t you bigger than me if you’re my elder?”
Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!
“No good dragon lies,” Kinsoriel said with a tinge of disgust, “but you are more than welcome to challenge me to a duel. You wouldn’t have any problems beating me if I’m lying right now. If I’m not, however,” he said while narrowing his eyes, “Wex may consider that an act of heresy. Tell me, are you willing to take that risk?”
The opposing dragon stared back defiantly. After a brief but tense standstill, he snorted and backed away. “There is nothing worth dueling over here. If those deathbounds want to toil away for our lord’s favor, they can work themselves into the grave for all I care. Time will tell whether your words are true or not.”
Sunlight began to recede as the day drew to a close. Seeing this, Kinsoriel made an announcement. “Since it is already late, we will start our construction tomorrow. Rest well, for we have much ahead of us!”
The rest of the dragons followed the scarred one as he left further into the forest, some sneaking glances back. The mortal races all went their separate ways as well, some together and others not.
“Could I talk with you,” Ben said with a stress-poisoned voice, “alone?”
Kinsoriel agreed and Moira excused herself. They moved to the clearing in the raised outcropping for privacy.
Turning, Ben asked, “Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier?”
“I said I would rather keep it a surprise, did I not? Now, this wasn’t how I wanted to make such a reveal, but the deed is done.” Almost talking to himself, he said softly, “I couldn’t believe it when I heard that he didn’t invite you during a dream. You took to my teachings so well.” He put on a proud look. “That isn't important right now. So, what do you think, Benjamin? Your teacher has been chosen by the god of all knowledge! You were the first to be taught by me, an honor no other can claim!”
Kinsoriel was beaming, full of satisfaction. He probably did think this was a monumental accomplishment. He probably thought that Ben would freak out like a kid at a candy store and congratulate him. In any other circumstance, maybe it would be all those things. If only it was.
Taking a deep breath, he knew what he had to do. “Do you not find any of it suspicious? Any of it at all?”
The mirth in Kinsoriel’s expression evaporated. “What do you mean?”
“We have a run in with Stromwell, doing things you didn’t think possible, and then this happens? How long have the gods been absent? Why now would one show up?”
“Does it matter? What we have before us now is purpose, Benjamin. I get to help shape this world into something I’d always dreamed of. Whatever it is your brother is doing right now is of no concern.” He raised a hand at the moon. “Don’t you worry, Wex will give us all we need to fight against him.”
Dragging a hand across his face, Ben did his best not to keep his calm. “You don’t get it Kinsoriel, this is what my brother does. He must have decided to use the gods to manipulate things on a bigger scale. We need to figure out wh-”
“Excuse me?” the MC interrupted, “Nobody uses the gods Benjamin. They are above us in every way. Your brother is an anomaly, but nothing supersedes them.”
Benjamin couldn’t help but ball his hands into fists. “If this was just your story, that would be true. It isn’t right now and it’s not going to be if Stromwell gets his way.”
“There you are going on with that madness again.” Kinsoriel let out a sigh, his enthusiasm leaving with it. “You know, I almost believed it myself. If I hadn’t been approached by Wex, I likely would have. I’ll bring order to that fractured mind of yours one day, honored pupil. I promise I will.”
Clearly not getting anywhere like this, Ben gave up with a heavy breath. “Okay.”
A happy look returned to the dragon. “I’m glad we could sort that out. Was there anything else you wanted to discuss with me?”
“No, I don’t,” the ex-Author said with a defeated tone.
“Then I’ll see you in the morning. We have big days ahead of us and I’ll need you to handle the other deathbounds. Set an example for them, else we may have issues. Got it?”
After getting a nod, Kinsoriel bid his farewell and sought out a place to rest. Ben stood in that spot still trying to process everything that was said. He looked up to the moon, now visible, and grimaced. Whether or not his protagonist could see the puppet master didn’t matter so long as he was around. This would amount to an extended distraction at worst if he played his cards right.
But, that was for the future. At the current moment, Ben decided to follow the advice he’d been given and get to bed. Taking out his supplies from Pocket, he set up his bedroll and went to sleep. The sheepskin felt much less comfortable without that familiar campfire.