The trio were sleepless as they were exhausted. Anthony for having fought mages, a demon, and chased a horse, Master Zoe was curious about the new mineral in their possession, and Selene was coming to terms that her brother would be involved with privatized hunters. She knew her brother all too well to believe that his motives were truly on the better side of his true ambitions, considering she had known him his whole life.
“It just doesn’t add up.” Selene questioned sitting in the dawning light of their room at the Inn. “Tychon’s not the type to do things like organizing a private hunter operations. Those kinds of outfits are more common in the Free States where demon outbreaks are more common.”
“He did say he has connections in the Free States, maybe he’s involved in an outfit of border guards which are common in the Empire.” Anthony surmised.
“That would certainly explain their knowledge of tackling demons, not to mention they had access to some sort of Star Gem apparatus?”
“I recall that their wind mage mentioned it in passing.”
“Star Gems are incredibly rare, especially in this region.” Master Zoe lectured. “They can only be found in demon species known as Dragons, Earth Dragons, Sea Serpents, Wyverns, and Red Dragons to be precise. While the first three can be found both in the Free States, they are highly regulated in this continent.”
“The Empire protects the Free States and oceans lines of the mainland from demon attack?” Anthony recalled the common knowledge from the Empire.
“The Empire is vast, but it can’t protect everyone. Even in the mainland, I’ve had to do joint task forces with private hunter outfits, mainland forces, even pirates and privateers. Lots of them were contracted with resources from the Empire under certain guidance.”
“It still doesn’t make sense.” Selene said. “Mother and father invested in safe ventures, within the Empire and Duchy but never anything as risky as Free States or the Mainland. It’s one thing to acquire demon resources, but to capture and harvest is a completely different matter.”
“Demons are a high risk, but considering what we know now about Demons infecting the Duchy it would make perfect sense.” Master Zoe raised her fingers and counted down from two. “First, the Empire would select a privatized outfit within the Duchy that wouldn’t mind the high rewards. Considering your brother’s ambition I think he would practically leap at the chance to be involved at despite the high risks interred. Second, given access facilities for processing and capturing demons in the name of the Empire he’ll most considerably get a hard finders fee for wild demons he brings in. It would be much the same way that Duchy requires to capture Sacred Beasts instead of killing them.”
“It’s true that the Empire is in need of demon material for its continued fights in the mainland.” Anthony nodded in agreement. “As it stands armor and weaponry of demons are reserved for military officers in high risk areas. My father often lamented that of the major drawbacks demon and elemental gem materials were in high demand since they have been known to amplify a Mage’s abilities in the same way the star gem apparatus amplified a mere Lightning attack into Holy Light from a small amount of gem.”
“I agree you make valid points, but that I still don’t seem to fit with Tychon’s character.” She held her fingers up much in the same manner as Master Zoe. “First, my brother is never one to take high risks, unless he’s got an inside track. Second, he’s not above playing dirty to get what he wants.”
“What are you suggesting, Selene?” Master Zoe asked.
“Think about elemental gems. They’re not something that come in large deposits like a gold mine or mineral deposit. If they are found it’s usually inside demons, greater beasts or remnants of their gravesites.”
“You’re suggesting he has a source of demon materials that may not be legitimate?”
“That or he could be working with a higher authority like the nobility or maybe the Empire itself.” She silently ran through the room as Selene gathered herself trying to keep herself awake considering none of them had got any sleep. “Those notions aside, we have no proof of any nefarious plots or associations. Unless we find one, we risk damaging our current working relationship with the Bank. Best we just keep cautious and worry about that later.”
“As always Ms. Menander, you’re always good about putting business first.” Master Zoe got up her feet and started gathering her things. “Anthony, help me gather our belongings, the carriage driver will be waiting for our trip. I suggest we conserve our strength and rest up for the journey back to Gourd.”
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After gathering all their belongings and loading their carriage for the long journey back home, after a long and exasperating night of activity. Master Zoe was the first to fall asleep, but Selene could not get a wink of sleep with all the bumping and movement of the carriage ride. With Anthony by her side, she watched as Zoe slept peacefully and calm.
“How can she sleep in a place like this?” Selene asked herself, watching the elderly woman resting on the side of the carriage window.
“I understand that many imperial soldiers from the mainland have been training to rest while in transit.” Anthony answered her question without thinking. “Demon attacks are constant so soldiers have rest whenever they can.”
“I was being rhetorical, but I forget you’ve got sharp ears.” Selene adjusted her body in her seat to get more comfortable on her side of the carriage.
“Since you’re awake, I was wondering if you would indulge me with a small question Ms. Selene.”
“Fa-fine...” She yawned loudly and vigorously. “...Maybe it will help me get some sleep.”
“Mr. Jason told me that before you left to join Master Zoe, you were known as the Silver Dragon because of your fierce determination and vigor. However, considering your animosity toward your brother, you seemed rather reasonable to let his affairs go unmolested. This contradicts the legends I’ve known about the Silver Dragons.”
“It all depends on what legend you’ve heard of.” Selene chuckled with her eyes closed. “Are you familiar with the legends of the Republic?”
“To some extent. The Republic is a collection of scattered city states in demon infested territory, most of their legends and history have been passed down through family or oral history, but rarely any documents to speak of.”
“Before the Banks of Menander, the first Menander who came to the Duchy was from the mainlands...sort of.” She said as she quietly nodded. “He told a story to his children that was told by my father and every child of the Menander line for generations. The second continent believes that the Silver Dragon is the end of an era, but the mainland believes it’s the beginning of one.”
“That sounds much like the Theocracy of Evadne. They worship dragons as heralds of the heavens, the Silver Dragon is said to be the first dragon of creation.”
“Is it any wonder their borders are partially in the heart of the mainlands?” She chuckled under breath. “My father told me the Silver Dragon sleeps only when the world is in turmoil and appears when it is at peace, only then can it be born anew. I guess you could call it, the calm before the storm, I guess that’s how it’s myth can be disaster or good fortune depending on who you talk to.” By now her drowsiness had faded as she seated herself in an upright seated position. “When I approved my first loan, I practically begged my family to approve it. I knew the risks involved but something my gut told me it was a worthy investment. Was it luck that it ended up proving to be successful or was it that feeling, I don’t know?”
“My father believed that intuition is not something you’re gifted, but something you develop over time. It’s why he was so adamant about our training in all the four rudimentary forces.”
“You’re saying I might be a natural mage, myself?” She laughed at the thought.
“Possibly, there have been cases where non-mages have awakened without formal training.”
“If I start breathing fire I’ll be sure to remember that.”
“Was your family proud of you for coming through?”
“They thought it was flux, a stroke of happenstance that could never be duplicated...but I did. I managed to make successes out of every business I’d see fit for my aid and it kept turning a profit. Then I started making my way in investment markets, risky businesses that others had long passed or withdrawn from, the moment I handled them began to rain profits. It wasn’t what you would call a major success, but the word spread that I could turn a disaster into a relief just by taking an interest. I don’t know who came up with the name Silver Dragon, probably my youngest brother Patroclus.”
“Patroclus?”
“He works in the family business in the Luxury States. He’s a lot like my parents, which I guess is why they chose him for the job. Me on the other hand, well, they haven’t really forgiven me since I left to be Master Zoe’s personal financial advisor. We haven’t turned a profit in the five years I’ve been working for her, but despite all the realism of it all that gut feeling still remains strong.”
“What impressed you so much you’d drop out of such a high paying business venture?”
“Ma-maybe I’ll tell you later.” She yawned again as she curled up in her seat leaned against the coat wagon. “Better rest up Anthony. It’s a long way to the next town.”
Anthony had many questions on his mind but those would have to wait for another time. Whether it was watching Master Zoe sleep or Selene trying to sleep, he realized it had been a long night. So, he rested again as the carriage continued to the town nearest Kosa. Before they left the middling states they managed to purchase several supplies vital to their research, purchased with the money they had received from their loan. By the time they made it to Gourd they had new gifts, new information and new stories to share with the rest of their pharmacy.