Valkyrie's Shadow

Chapter 16

The group filtered out of the Adventurer Guild and into the bustle of the main plaza at midday. Though many distractions assailed her senses, Ilyshn’ish made extra sure to follow Lord Mare closely – she didn’t want to lose him and somehow get into trouble again.

“Guess we’ll be heading back out to the expedition base,” Lady Aura said. “Was there anything in town you needed to pick up, Merry?”

“No, Lady Aura,” the red-haired Elf’s tone took on a deferential quality, distinctly unlike how she had spoken to Ilyshn’ish or Mister Ainzach, “we should return to base camp. The scouts have probably gotten themselves into eight different kinds of trouble by now.”

“Mmh…how did they even manage whatever happened with the Hanging Spider colony last night?” Lady Aura frowned and shook her head, “That forest has nothing but low level things, but they somehow find a way…”

Her voice cut off as she slipped into a nearby tree and vanished. Merry followed suit, and Ilyshn’ish leaned over to look at the other side of the trunk. They had completely disappeared from her senses, but how did slipping into a tree do that? How did they even slip into a tree in the first place?

“A-are you going as well, Mister Ainzach?” Lord Mare asked.

“Nah, I’ve got the reports Merry just delivered to go over,” Mister Ainzach answered. “I have to run all over the city dropping off these samples, too.”

“Oh. Okay. Did they find anything interesting?”

“The expedition area isn’t far from the city,” the guildmaster replied, “so I’d be surprised if they found anything new. There are the things you’d expect, but beyond that…”

He shrugged, as if the movement explained anything else he had to say. Ilyshn’ish frowned as her imagination was cast adrift.

“I see,” Lord Mare said. “Then, we should get going…thank you for your hard work, Mister Ainzach.”

The guildmaster turned back around, but rather than returning to the Adventurer den, he made his way out of the plaza. Lord Mare turned to Ilyshn’ish.

“Would you like to go and speak with Shalltear before we go?”

“M-me?” Ilyshn’ish blinked.

Lord Mare was so strong, and he barely knew her at all – why did it matter what she wanted?

“Un,” he nodded. “I have some things to check on in the Demihuman Quarter, so you can drop by and ask her about the Adventurer Guild before we go to the Training Area.”

“If it’s not a bother,” Ilyshn’ish replied. “Actually, do you have any idea how she will respond, Lord Mare? I’d like to avoid angering her, if possible…”

“Why would she get angry?”

“I don’t know,” Ilyshn’ish said, “and that’s what scares me the most! Every time I open my mouth, I wonder if I’ll get punished or not.”

“Um…it really might not seem like it to people that don’t know her,” Lord Mare said, “but Shalltear has always been pretty considerate of her vassals…well, except for the Vampire Brides, b-but that’s the way they’re supposed to be. If she’s punishing you, then you probably did something that you shouldn’t have, or you were really rude somehow. Maybe you don’t know enough yet and that’s why it feels that way, but I don’t think you’ll get in trouble just for asking about the Adventurer Guild…”

Lord Mare walked off towards the main street, and Ilyshn’ish followed him. They cut through the central district, following the road north until they reached the gatehouse leading into the Demihuman Quarter. Lord Mare stopped along the side of the street, across from the orphanage near the steps up to the Frost Dragon pens.

“Go on ahead,” he told her. “I’ll come to pick you up after I’m done here.”

Ilyshn’ish hesitated, but Lord Mare turned around and walked away without so much as a second glance. Her gaze lingered on him until he disappeared around a street corner. Taking a deep breath, Ilyshn’ish ascended the steps to the Frost Dragon pens. When she reached the top of the wall, Ilyshn’ish saw that the entire front half of the living space had been taken apart, and work on the hoardings was being done. There were no customers lined up at the front desk, but the Vampire Brides were all gathered there. Lady Shalltear stood in their midst, watching the proceedings.

Ilyshn’ish quietly walked up to the counter and cleared her throat.

“Lady Shalltear…”

Lady Shalltear turned at the sound of her voice, looking up at Ilyshn’ish with a suspicious frown.

“Don’t tell me that you ran away…”

“N-no, my lady!” Ilyshn’ish quickly replied, “I went as you instructed. Um…Lord Mare had something to do in the Demihuman Quarter, so he suggested that I come up and speak with you.”

“Oh? What about?”

A clamour filled the air, and Ilyshn’ish raised her head towards its source. The walls of one of the pens further inside had been brought down, and a team of Dwarves wandered around removing the rubble.

“I heard that there were going to be renovations,” Ilyshn’ish said as she watched them work, “but what’s being changed, exactly?”

“We’re fixing up the aerie,” Lady Shalltear told her. “The accommodations for Frost Dragons are being reduced from eighteen to six, and some expansion is being done besides. The post office is being moved down to the ground level – there will be one just below in the Demihuman Quarter, with a larger one facing the main plaza.”

“If I may ask, my lady, is there a reason for this?” Ilyshn’ish asked.

“I have taxes to put to work,” Lady Shalltear answered, “so the development schedule for the aerial transportation network is being pushed forward. These pens were never meant to be permanent anyway: they were just what we could put together on short notice. The new rooms for the Dragons here will be four times larger…did you want to keep your broom closet, perhaps?”

“No, my lady,” Ilyshn’ish shook her head. “I just thought you didn’t care about our living conditions.”

“Probably not in the sense that you’re implying,” Lady Shalltear said, “but I do endeavour to ensure my subordinates have the environment that they require to function properly. It takes time and information to plan out what needs to be done with you newcomers, so appropriate measures take a while to implement.”

Did that mean that there were more changes on the way? Having their cramped accommodations expanded was certainly an improvement…

“But there’s nineteen of us…” Ilyshn’ish noted with a careful voice.

“There will be six Frost Dragons permanently based in E-Rantel for the foreseeable future,” Lady Shalltear explained. “In general, accommodations will be constructed at our busiest cargo hubs. As far as immediate plans are concerned, another two rooms will be built at Feoh Berkana whenever they fix up that surface outpost of theirs. You’ll have to share rooms for a little while, but, as the network expands and we determine the best locations for new hubs, there will be private lodgings available for everyone.”

“I understand, my lady,” Ilyshn’ish said. “There was actually something else…”

“Hm?”

“The Adventurer Guild wants me to join them,” Ilyshn’ish said. “I-I mean, they wanted me to become an Adventurer.”

“Is that so?” Lady Shalltear replied absently as she watched the next wall go down, “You seem terrified of Adventurers for some silly reason, so I assume that you refused?”

“The woman there was so aggressive about it that I’d have run away if Lord Mare wasn’t there! I told them I work for you, and that we were really busy, b-but I said I would ask…”

Lady Shalltear looked back up at Ilyshn’ish, and her lips turned up in a slight smile. Ilyshn’ish had seen this expression before. She braced herself, squeezing her eyes shut – not that it closed off her Blindsight.

“If that is what you would like to do,” the Vampire’s silvery voice chimed up at her, “then you may do so by my leave.”

“Eh?” Ilyshn’ish’s eyes popped back open.

“Just remember that your duties come first and foremost,” Lady Shalltear told her, “and that you are to conduct yourself in a manner befitting one of my subordinates.”

“If that’s the case, my lady,” Ilyshn’ish said, “I’ll barely have any time for the Adventurer Guild, won’t I?”

“You’ll have ample opportunity to participate,” Lady Shalltear replied. “Since Mare is such a perfectionist, I’ve set aside a large block of time for you to assist him. Beyond that, I’ve removed you from the delivery schedule.”

Ilyshn’ish blinked, not quite believing what she had just heard.

“What of the cargo deliveries that are due?” Ilyshn’ish asked. “The Dwarven migration – we’ve been flying all day and night.”

“We’re pretty much done,” Lady Shalltear said. “How long do you think we’ve been moving cargo for? They can only stuff so much in that mountain of theirs. Our flights and sledges between locations in the Dwarf Kingdom have been running at five per cent capacity for the last week using our old schedule, so the majority are being recalled. We’re moving onto the next phase of our work with the aerial transportation network, and a number of your fellows will be taking over your route.”

“Then what of me, my lady? Does that mean I’ll be with the Adventurer Guild from now on?”

“Remember what I said – your duties come first and foremost. For the time being, you will continue undergoing preparations for your work in the future. You will also now report to Sebas for two days out of the week to continue the training he is providing to you.”

“B-but what about Tsuare, my lady?” Ilyshn’ish asked, “I’m certain she tried to get rid of me – she might do it again.”

“Tsuare has no authority over my subordinates,” Lady Shalltear scoffed, “and Sebas will not do anything that oversteps his bounds. Furthermore, you will also continue to help Mare and the Adventurer Guild when they require your assistance. During the remainder of your time, you will be learning the customs, languages and mannerisms of the peoples that live in the city and visit from abroad.”

Ilyshn’ish grew curious over Lady Shalltear’s words. They seemed to be going in a much different direction than she had initially expected.

“Is there someone I should report to for this, my lady?”

“No. You will learn by observing the city and interacting with its people. You may visit any place you wish. You may even perform to hone your artistic skills and earn some coin if you desire. However, you are only allowed to do so within the city walls. You will behave yourself, keep your abilities in check, and refrain from spreading any rumours or breaking any laws.”

“I-I don’t understand, my lady,” Ilyshn’ish dared to ask. “After everything that’s happened, why the sudden change in my treatment?”

“No changes to your treatment have occurred,” Lady Shalltear answered. “You have always been where I’ve decided to place you…and I dislike repeating myself.”

“Then…what did you mean by ‘future duties’?”

“They are whatever they will be,” Lady Shalltear said. “In the near term, should you prove yourself capable, you will be exploring new routes for the aerial transportation network. It will be regional, at first, but eventually, you will travel the length and breadth of the world, learning all that it has to offer. That is your dream, is it not?”

“…how did you know that?”

“Hejinmal told me,” Lady Shalltear shrugged. “Your mother, as well.”

“They…they spoke to you on my behalf?”

“No, it was the other way around. A Dragon with job class levels is unheard of, where I come from. Naturally, I went around asking and learned quite a few things about you. They’re both quite chatty – I could barely keep up with my notes.”

Ilyshn’ish hoped that they didn’t tell her anything embarrassing. Actually, it was more likely that they spilt out everything they knew. A sigh escaped her lips: now Lady Shalltear had even more leverage over her.

“Is it not something that you want anymore?” Lady Shalltear asked.

“It is something that I want, my lady,” Ilyshn’ish replied, “but the world is proving to be a rather ridiculous place.”

“That is why you need to prepare,” Lady Shalltear said, “and prepare you, I will. You will be trained and tested with all I have at my disposal; punished, if you provide me with reason to.”

“But why me?”

“Why you? Do you not understand what you are?”

Ilyshn’ish shook her head.

“You are a Dragon,” Lady Shalltear said, “a being that grows not just in power over the ages, but also in intellect and wisdom. Not only that, you are a Frost Dragon with all of the advantages inherent to your kind. Moreover, you are a talented Bard. Have you not considered what it all entails when put together?”

She was simply what she was? Ilyshn’ish couldn’t draw any connections between the things Lady Shalltear had outlined. So what if she was everything described? She had no real ambitions beyond doing what Lady Shalltear had just mentioned; no great imaginings for herself.

“P-please, my lady,” Ilyshn’ish said, “I’m not good at guessing like this. Maybe my mother would be able to give you the answer that you seek, but I’m too young and inexperienced…”

“You sell yourself short,” Lady Shalltear said. “You have already proven how resourceful and cunning you can be; how well you can learn and adapt. You’ve spent one day out of the week in this city – effectively seven days since you came here – yet consider all that you’ve learned. It is no small feat…”

Lady Shalltear reached out, pressing her hand against Ilyshn’ish’s belly. Ilyshn’ish jumped away by reflex, wrapping her arms defensively over where Lady Shalltear had touched her.

“You’ve also done so with quite the handicap,” Lady Shalltear smirked, “so I imagine things will go more smoothly after it has passed. Do you think the others of your enclave would be able to achieve what you have?”

“No, my lady.”

“Not even Hejinmal?”

“Hejinmal does have an interest in learning and exploration,” Ilyshn’ish replied, “but we do not share the same outlook on life, my lady. His path is not the same as my own.”

“It’s always interesting to see how different you Frost Dragons are from other people,” Lady Shalltear mused.

“My lady?”

Lady Shalltear came forward, wrapping an arm around Ilyshn’ish’s waist. She drew her away from the sight of the pens being torn down, leading her to the edge of the wall to look over the Demihuman Quarter.

“Ilyshn’ish,” Lady Shalltear said. “I consider you to be the most promising out of all of the Frost Dragons who have come into the service of His Majesty. But potential is only potential until it is realized; talent is worthless without opportunity. Tell me – what are your feelings on how the people here view your kind?”

“I…I don’t like it, my lady,” Ilyshn’ish said. “It’s as if we’re considered animals, or savage monsters.”

“They would not be wrong to see you that way,” Lady Shalltear told her, “if I were to be perfectly blunt. You are a Frost Dragon: impulsive, selfish and willful; an arrogant, capricious and ruthless predator. If circumstances remained unchanged from your earlier existence, I’m sure that any of these people would have been a snack at best if they had the misfortune of encountering one of your kind in the Azerlisia Mountains.”

Ilyshn’ish couldn’t say that it wouldn’t be the case: it was actually highly likely – nearly a guarantee.

“These people currently see you in the trappings of what amounts to superiority in this world,” Lady Shalltear continued, “the threat that you represent to them. Very few understand that the gifts that adorn you in these trappings are also a curse – chains that bind you to a stagnant existence where your nature may easily supersede your will…but I do. Amongst your kin, you have shown the greatest resilience against this nature, so I have decided to take you under my wing.”

“But we are already your servants, my lady,” Ilyshn’ish said. “Vassals who carry out your bidding.”

“There are vassals,” Lady Shalltear said, “and there are vassals. What I require from you is not simply strength or talent. You must shed your selfishness and shallow pride if you are to don the mantle of honoured service. The nature that constantly rises to rule you must be broken down and reforged into an instrument to be employed at your discretion. Only by taking steps to achieve this will you also make yourself ready to take steps towards the future I envision for you.”

“If it’s not too much to ask, my lady,” Ilyshn'ish said, “what is it that you have in mind for my future?”

“You still haven’t figured it out yet?” Lady Shalltear gave her a sidelong look, “Well, I suppose it may serve as motivation of sorts.”

Ilyshn’ish was released, Lady Shalltear’s cool hand slipping off of her hip and lightly tracing its way back across her waist. Turning to stand and face her, Lady Shalltear cast what Ilyshn’ish could only consider to be a regal gaze upon her. Even in Ilyshn’ish’s Human appearance, Lady Shalltear did not even crest her shoulder, yet she felt as if the powerful woman was looking down at her from some height beyond her reach. Ilyshn’ish swallowed, fighting the urge to shrink in on herself.

“You will become an icon of the realm,” Lady Shalltear spoke in a voice meant for their ears alone, “an exemplar of Dragonkind – both within and beyond the borders of His Majesty’s realm. More importantly, you will be an incorruptible repository of the history, lore and knowledge of the Sorcerous Kingdom: a font of culture and wisdom that spans all of the ages between now and eternity. I have great expectations for you, but the proper foundations must first be laid before you can build towards this future.”

Ilyshn’ish tried to wrap her head around what Lady Shalltear described, but everything she could imagine merely amounted to what she had witnessed in her brief existence. She was also aware of something else – as lofty as Lady Shalltear’s words sounded, they also carried an undercurrent that added a shadowy weight to her voice.

“There’s something else, isn’t there?” She couldn’t help but ask, “I…I can sense it behind your words.”

“Indeed, there is,” Lady Shalltear’s crimson eyes gleamed, taking on a hard edge. “You remind me of someone from the past, and I cannot stomach the thought of her.”

Lady Shalltear stepped closer, her intense gaze filling Ilyshn’ish with a sense of unease.

“I will hammer you until the chains that bind you to your nature are broken, Ilyshn’ish=Verilyn,” a chilling smile formed over Lady Shalltear’s features, “so try not to break first.”

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