So, the Orphean Cult had spies among the rogues in the tavern. They had not been idle while we were in the ruins. Before us lay yet another army of renegades, rogues, and mercenaries.
They were no match for us. We were an army unto ourselves. It was beyond time to put an end to this. No more would the Orphean Cult pursue us. I will not allow a single one to escape today. Enough!
“Nix Portos Maxima!” I cast.
My spell lit up on the ground, spreading out over the entire battlefield and beyond and disappeared. If you could see mana, you'd see a thin shield of mana preventing anyone from leaving.
“What the Hell was that?” Darby asked.
“I'm not letting a single one of these bastards get away this time. I'm done being nice. Don't hold anything back. Go full out! If you use up your magik, I've got you all. I'm really pissed off. When you're all done, I'll finish this off. Have at it,” I said.
“Oh yeah! It's Hammer time!” Rosie said, and shot off right down the middle.
“Try not to hit her with any spell or projectile,” I laughed.
“You got it Little Queen,” Darby said, as he bolted after her.
“I'm seriously going to smack him when this is over,” I said.
“He he. Little Queen, I like it. Fire Arrows Maxima!” Celestine said as she cast toward the surging army on our right.
“For the White Queen! Darkness Dart Maxima!” Kanae cast to the army surging from our left.
“Maxima Darkness blades!” Kiera cast at the surge between our front guard and the left side Kiera attacked.
“Fire and Ice Arrows Maxima!” Aoi cast between our front guard and the right side.
“Earth and Fire darts Maxima!” Fergus cast.
“Nice dual casting you two! When did you guys make those spells?” I said.
“Right after we came back from the spa. Can't let you be the only one creating your own spells,” Fergus and Aoi said.
I let them handle the battle for as long as I could. But, the hoard was inching closer, so it was time to end this. I transformed into my battle form. I launched as my scales all turned white. I flew up into the sky above and many who saw me cowered in fear. No one had seen a White Dragon in over a thousand years. They were the fodder of nightmares. I could see some turning to flee, and many mages trying to teleport only to have their spells shatter against mine. So some of them decided to flee the old-fashioned way. Run away little mice. You won't escape me.
I saw a mage who looked to be the leader,
Stasis!
I saw one among the mercenaries who was ordering the troops,
Stasis!
Sol Wind Maxima! I cast.
A white-hot fireball hot as the sun flew out of my hand and shattered into a thousand shards. The shards sped at the ground with blinding speed and light. The ground thundered below as the shards impacted it. I scanned across the field and wiped out the entire back-line, leaving a few stragglers to avoid hitting Rosie and Darby. A great gouge appeared where my flames hit. The heat so intense, the ground melted and turned to liquid glass.
“I thought you said you'd wait, until we had exhausted ourselves?” Rosie came stomping back.
“The hoard was getting too close, and I got bored,” I said.
“Great Goddess! You wiped out half of the army on your own!” Celestine said.
“And you all got the other half,” I said.
“What's the deal with those two, way out there, in some kind of chrystal?” Kiera said.
“I'm going to interrogate them,” I said.
“Won't they just blow up like the others have?” Kanae asked.
“Nope. I'm going to reach into their minds and rip it out. It's a horrible way to die, but I am so ready to be done with these heretics and fiends,” I said.
“Is that even possible?” Celestine asked?
“I'm a necromancer, Celes. Yes, it's possible. It's basically forbidden knowledge, but I was born with it. It's darkness incarnate, and I hate drawing on that power. It can eat away at you, if you are not careful. It's banned and forbidden for good reason. I don't do this lightly. But need drives me to it,” I said.
We walked up to the mercenary. I reached into the darkness and I found the spell. I pulled at the Fabrik and found his thread. Clouds formed in the sky as the temperature dropped. A black fog rose around my feet. I reached along the thread and followed it into his mind. I saw the protection spell and I crushed it. Lightning and thunder raced across the sky as if the sky itself were a battlefield. I reached into his mind and pulled out his memories. His body turning undead. I pushed out the darkness and his body turned into dust, and the storm receded. The fog dissipated, and I shivered.
I could see the fear in my companions eyes receding.
“What was that? It was so cold. Did you cause that storm? That darkness? It was cold, dead, and dreadful,” Fergus said.
“Yes. Now you can all see, why I hate this power. This is Minerva's power. The cutter of the thread. It is death incarnate. A power of the Goddess bestowed upon Dragonkind. Pray you never meet a dragon that has succumbed to the power and become Undead. Legend speaks of an ancient Queen who wandered too far, and was lost,” I said.
Everyone shivered at that thought.
“This mercenary didn't really know very much. At least I know where he keeps his stolen hoard. Now for the mage,” I said.
I repeated the process, and when I released the darkness, I fell to my knees and vomited.
“Did you over do it? Is that magik sickness?” Kanae asked.
“No that was my body's revulsion at what I've done. It's a good sign, actually,” I said.
“Did you learn anything?” Kiera asked.
“I know where that unholy church, and its underground maze is. I also know the sealing spell they all have implanted, and how to remove it. Unfortunately, this one wasn't high enough in the order to know all the leaders. Anyone want to come with me on a cultist hunt?” I said.
“You know I go wherever you go, Dee,” Kanae said.
“As do we,” Said Kiera, Rosie, Aoi, and Darby after a quick nod to each other.
“You are my dear wife, no way I'm not coming,” Fergus said.
“This is a major concern for the entire kingdom. I'm coming as well, Little Queen,” Celes said.
“Don't pick up too many of Darby's bad habits, Princess,” I said. Everyone laughed.
“So, are you going to explain, all this whiteness and that sceptre?” Celes asked.
I put the sceptre into my storage bag, and my scales returned to their red state.
“The sceptre has accepted me as the new White Dragon Queen. This ruined territory is now my queendom. I rule over this dead land, and it is entirely under my dominion. I am indeed now one of the Queens of Dragonkind. I am both Red and White now. I'm pretty sure I can give birth to a new generation of white dragons. Literally. I'm not ready to test that theory, yet. I must seek an audience with the Ancient Mother. I need her guidance on this issue. But, I'm afraid of what she might do,” I said.
“What are you afraid she'll make you do?” Kiera asked.
“That she'll make me marry a dragon of her choice,” I said.
“Don't you already have a dragon fiancé?” Kanae asked.
“A half-dragon fiancé. Not the same thing among dragons,” I said.
“Ah, you're afraid they'll force a full dragon on you, and your children to mostly purify the race,” Celes said.
“Yeah, that sounds likely, given how dragons think. The chance of restoring an ancient line, is probably too much to pass up. Good thing the Dwarves don't know about me,” Rosie said.
“Why Rosie?” Fergus asked.
“She's a runaway princess,” I said.
“Oh? Oh, I can totally see that, but aren't there already a lot of Dwarven princesses?” Fergus said.
“Not like her. Rosie's special,” Kanae said and giggled.
“That's for sure!” Aoi chimed in. All those who knew laughed.
“Must be a private joke. Am I the only one not in on it?” Fergus said.
“The only one here, but not the only one,” I said, and gave Fergus a kiss.
“Alright, next stop, the residence of Count Damien Mac Daimaō,” I said.
“Kuria!” I cast, and cleared all my active spells.
“Dee, I've been wondering. Many of the spells you cast, and the ones we've learned at school, seem to come from the ancient languages. But it seems to be a random mix. Why is that?” Kanae asked.
“The ancient language of the Dragons is Nihonese. Most spells were created by the dragons. They also tend to be more powerful. The elves used to speak Gaelcese and they invented many other spells. Humans used to speak Anglese, which is closest to the Common tongue. Humans invented many of the spells based on that language. The word in any of those languages works to activate the spell as well. It's just that spells are taught in the original language of the original caster. So spells have names under the different languages. In the end it all comes down to having the vision in your head. For example the 'Kuria' spell could also be activated with 'Clear'. It's the thought, and visualization, not so much the word,” I said.
“Oh, that's interesting. I thought they could only be cast in the one language it's taught under!” Kanae said.
“You're a real scholar, Dee,” Celes said.
“Not quite there yet, Celes. Someday, I hope to reach that height,” I said.
“Celes, have you been to the residence of Count Mac Daimaō?” I asked.
“Yes, I have,” Celes said.
“Think of it in your head, and let me in to see,” I said, and leaned my forehead against hers.
“Teleport!”
We arrived outside the gate of the Count's residence.
Nix Portos Maxima!
Hanabi! I cast, and the guards exploded in sparks of fire and ash.
“They were Orphean cultists. Shall we go? I've locked down the whole place. No one is getting away,” I said, as I opened the gates and entered.
“We can't kill the Count, or any nobles we find, Dee,” Celes said.
“Fionaig Maxima!” I cast.
“What did you just do, Dee?” Celes asked.
“I suspended everyone in place. What should we do? Should we go and collect the nobles and put them someplace? Do we kill the rest? Arrest them? Many will suicide themselves. Do we care about those that will? I can't replace all the poison teeth on a group this large, nor deactivate the master-control spell on a group this large. That one can be done at leisure when we need it. This holding spell will only last about fifteen minutes. So we need to decide quickly,” I said.
“Alright let's grab as many leaders and remove the poison teeth. We can put them in a secure mana-absorbing cell beneath the castle, and then deal with whatever happens after,” Celes said.
“Alright, let's go. I'll focus on the most powerful mana users. Maybe we'll get lucky,” I said.
Off we went at a blink to get to the main mansion. Celes was our guide, and we began searching for the Count, and other possible nobles. Taking in any strong mana people we found, as we went.
“That's the Count, Dee,” Celes said, in an office in the back of the mansion on the main floor.
“Extracia! Uncast! Teleport!” I cast and yanked out his poison tooth and disabled his mental master-control spell. Then teleported via the shared memory with Celes to the prison cell near the Castle.
“This is using too much mana,” I said.
“We're almost out of time. We've captured quite a few now, Dee,” Kanae said.
“There are some strong ones below, I want to try and get them,” I said.
“Alright, we'd better hurry,” Celes said as we headed down the stairs.
We managed to grab one of them before my pause holding spell gave out, after bypassing some security that was set up to keep unauthorized personnel off the lower floors.
“Be ready there are some strong ones in this next room,” I said as I threw open the door.
Stasis! I cast on the one with the most mana. But the others began attacking.
We took them out easily.
“Ok, now what?” Darby asked.
“This room is obviously part of the Orphean operation. Let's collect evidence, and move on room by room and work our way down,” I said.
About an hour later we had cleared all the lower floors in the mansion.
“Look, Dee! This looks like a hidden stair,” Kiera said.
“Yes, it is. Great find. Let's check it out,” I said.
Kiera hacked her way to open the stairs, and when we climbed down, we were in the caverns below.
“So this is the caverns, are we going to try and clear them out?” Kanae said.
“We haven't cleared all those above ground yet, and we are burning through mana. We have secured plenty of evidence. There aren't any really powerful people left here. I'll seal this stairway, and put up a confinement spell. We can let the Queen take over. We can come back for the labyrinth below,” I said.
“Mega kōkin!” I cast.
“That should lock everyone inside,” I said.
“Teleport!” I cast, and we returned to the gate outside our barracks.
“We're back!” I said to the guards.
“Welcome back, Lt,” The guard said, as he let us in.
“Home! Bath time!” Kanae said.
So, we went to our barracks and took a bath, had something to eat, and relaxed for a few minutes before reporting to the Queen. Celes returned to the Palace, and had her own ritual. I was sure we'd see her when we finally got to report to the Queen. We sent a request to see the Queen. Nearly three hours later we were escorted to the Queen's Study.
“Welcome back my knights. What news from the South?” Queen Matilde said.
“Well met, my Queen. We reached the Palace of the White Dragon Empress. We did not find the Divine Spear, but our search was cut short. We found the Sceptre of Hakuryuu no Jotei,” I said retrieving it from my storage. My arm turning to my combat dragon form in white scales, as before. I set it down on the table and a shield appeared around it as soon as I let go.
“As you can see. It has a built-in defense. It has recognized me as the White Queen. I have complete access and control of the ruins. We ran into a little trouble on the way out. I have questions for the Ancient Mother. I don't know how to proceed, just yet. But there's more. Has Princess Celestine filled you in about our latest exploit?” I said.
The queen was mesmerized by the sceptre for a few moments, then she said,
“Ah, yes, you've been busy with Count Damien, another member of the Orphean Cult. Thanks to your intervention we have been extracting key information about the cult. We have forces headed for the Count's estate, and will soon have apprehended or executed the cultists among his staff. You got his information from another cult member that attacked you as you left the ruins. The sceptre of the White Dragon Empress. Amazing,” Matilde said.
“It allows only you to hold it?” Matilde asked.
“So far. Perhaps any dragon can. Or perhaps only Royal Dragons can. I know it turns me into a White Dragon, when I'm holding it, or it isn't stored away. When I say turns me into a White Dragon. I don't mean it only changes my scales. I get a significant boost in my power and strength. It alters my affinities. It changes my mana. For those not aware, white dragons are the strongest and have Light affinity. Oddly when I am turned into a White Dragon, I become All-affinity. All seven,” I said.
“How? How is that possible?” Kanae asked.
“I don't know. I need to visit the dragons, unless anyone knows of any dragonlore experts?” I said.
“We have some dragonlore experts, but none will be better than the Ancient Mother. We allow you to visit the Ancient Mother, or the Red Queen. First, however, let us hear your full report on your expedition to the ruins. Then we need to resolve the issue with the Count and his minions,” Matilde said.
“Of course, my Queen,” I said.
So we recounted our tale and turned over what we collected in the ruins. Then we returned to the Count's estate with a sizable force of arms, and cleared out the estate and the caverns. The entire operation taking a long tedious month. Not in small part due to the enormous cavern system. We sealed the caverns as much as we knew, and added some security alarms, just to be safe. Then we reported back to Queen Matilde.
“So, it is done. How many more such traitors are there among my nobles? You must help us find them and root them out. But, I suppose this business with the legendary Sceptre of the White Empress must be resolved. Go seek out the Ancient Mother. Come back to us, safely. Since the Dragons no longer send ambassadors to the realms beyond the Dragonhome, you must seek an audience with her on your own, my Red and White Knight. Before you leave, show me again. Show me the Sceptre of Hakuryuu no Jotei,” Matilde said.
Again, I pulled out the sceptre, and laid it on the table between us. Matilde reached out to it, and it reacted the same way it reacted to the others in the ruins. Its shield changed from a soft greenish white light to an angry red light, and static electricity flowed all over the surface of the shield. Once she got too close a spark of electricity flew out, and hit her fingers. Matilde yanked her hand away as if stung.
“Absolutely amazing. What a glorious sceptre. You have shown me such wonders ever since you first gained my attention, young Deirdre. What will you do if the Ancient Mother or the Red Queen ask for the sceptre?” Matilde said.
“It is not my place to give or to yield the sceptre. If the sceptre chooses to allow another dragon to possess it, it is strictly the choice of the sceptre. If it has chosen me, I will accept the responsibility. It was never my chosen path to seek power, but I will not shie away from what the Fates cast at me,” I said.
“So refreshing, your young, foolish, wisdom. Do be careful, and come home safely. I want to see more of what you will accomplish, my brave and mighty dragon princess, who would be queen. Still we should keep this a state secret. It would be wise not to reveal a White Dragon to the world just yet. Even though stories of the ghost of the White Empress have reached us already. The legend of the ruins grows,” Matilde said and then laughed.
So we were off. Just me and my four dragonkin guards. On the dangerous flight to see the Ancient Mother. Across the Far Sea we flew. We had just seen the first islands of the Dragonhome when a pair of large Red Dragons spotted us and dove down from above.
We are not welcome, my queen, Hestia said.
Let us land, and request an audience, I said.
Yes, our queen, my guards responded as one.
We landed and bowed before the approaching dragons.
Salutations, ancient, honorable, and magnificent dragons. I am Deirdre Ní Qin, dragon friend. I seek an urgent audience with the Ancient Mother, I said.
Yes, you have been named dragon friend. But do not insolently think that it grants you the right to enter our home unbidden. Go back to your people halfling. Should the Ancient Mother deem to look upon your countenance, she will summon you, said the larger of the Red Dragons.
I come upon a matter most urgent. I have come into possession of the Sceptre of Hakuryuu no Jotei, and don't know what to do with it, I said, as I pulled out the sceptre and my body turned fully white before them. Their shock and fear flashed briefly across their faces, but they recovered quickly.
The larger one huffed at me.
If it is your wish to die so young, it is not our place to deny your folly. You will follow us. Your guards will remain here for you, or your corpse, the leader said with particular venom at the word guards.
So, off we flew towards the Ancient Mother with the sceptre in my right hand. All of dragonkind saw my approach, and many followed behind of every race of dragon. The Red, the Black, the Blue, the Lightning, and the Green Water Dragons. Even a few of the Brown Earth Dragons were following. We eventually reached the great volcanic mountain that was her home.
Arrogant child! You bring the White Sceptre before the Ancient Mother? Said one of the guards at the Ancient Mother's Hall entrance.
I have urgent need of the Wisdom and guidance of the Ancient Mother. I come with the utmost respect for her grandeur. Please forgive me if I have not shown proper respect. My education is yet unfinished, I said.
Both guards huffed at me.
Enter, and maybe the Ancient Mother will offer you a new lesson in courtesy, the guard on my left said.
I entered and bowed to the ground at the Ancient Mother.
Ancient Mother, I come seeking your instruction, your guidance, and your wisdom, I said.
The Ancient Mother opened one eye a mere slit, not bothering to lift her head.
Bold child, to come to us unbidden. Even bolder, you rudely bring the White Sceptre to my home. I should kill you now, child of Qin the Mighty. We shall be merciful. Give us the sceptre, and you may leave with your life, the Ancient Mother said.
The sceptre is not mine to give, or to take. It came to me when I stretched out my hand. As you can see it has turned me to White. So far it has rejected all others. I have not chosen it, but if it truly has chosen me, it is not my place to throw away a gift once given, I said, as I set the sceptre before the Ancient Mother.
The Ancient Mother chuckled, and some fire shot out of her nostrils.
A Bold, rude, ill-mannered child, but cunning, the Ancient Mother said.
She lifted her head, and stretched out her hand to take the sceptre, but it rejected her, as it had Queen Matilde.
It would seem the sceptre does not choose me. Escort! The Ancient Mother spoke.
The two escorting dragons entered.
Take this rude child to the Red Queen. Daughter of Qin,ask what questions you have for me of her, the Ancient Mother said.
As we left the Ancient Mother blasted a great breath of fire after us. Then, I was brought before the Red Queen, where the same scene played out, with one notable exception. After having tried and failed to claim the White Sceptre, the Red Queen said,
Leave us, rude child, who has become the White Queen. Your domain is not in the Dragonhome. When you have restored your domain, contact us, and we will send an embassy and a mate fit for a Dragon Queen.
So it was, even when the Dragons answer they don't answer. I wasn't even allowed to seek advice, or ask my question. But I had my answer. I am the White Queen, and I must rebuild the Queendom of the White Dragon. Also, I was to take a mate from the Red Dragons or risk War with Dragonkind. We flew back and reported to Queen Matilde.
“Well met, my Little Queen. What news do you bring from the Realm of Dragons,” Matilde said.
“Well met, my Queen. I have been recognized by the Red Queen as the White Queen. I was allowed to ask nothing, but offered a treaty with the Red Dragon Clan by means of marriage with a suitable mate for a Dragon Queen, once I have re-established the White Dragon Queendom,” I said.
“Ah, yes negotiations with Dragons is always, interestingly, one-sided,” Matilde said, and chuckled.
“That's putting it mildly, your majesty,” I said.
“Well, it appears I'll be losing my Red and White Knight,” Matilde said.
“Not yet, your majesty. I am still bound by several contracts with you and this Queendom,” I said.
“Truly, given all that has happened, you intend to honor your contracts with us? That's not very Dragon-like,” Matilde said.
“I have always walked to the beat of a different drum. Have you forgotten so easily?” I asked. Matilde laughed.
“Well, then I will use you fully, since you are so honorable. I hope you are prepared to serve us for years to come. Let us do some wonderful things together, Red Knight!” Matilde said.
“I look forward to the plots you're planning,” I said.