Private Tales Read between the lines

[Talus]

Talus drummed his fingers against his outer thigh.

Teeth sank into his lower lip for a brief moment, eyes flickering up towards where the twins now climbed on the Dragon. All anxiety about the creature had fallen away, his thoughts drifting instead to what could happen to their parents.

To him and Zana. He glanced briefly towards his beloved, and knew what she said made sense. That he couldn't deny the logic of her words. After a moment more, he slowly tilted his head in a nod. "We scout."

He said, giving in.

"Only go in if he's not there." Talus knew that it was a long-shot, but it was simply too early for a confrontation.

They needed time still.

 

[Zana]

Zana nodded in agreement. To talk in there otherwise would be suicide, especially if Adelaide really was his accomplice. Her own powers had only just returned and she was not strong enough to deal with Nassau, let alone them both. She needed more training. To exercise that muscle that had been forgotten for the past year as they had watched their children grow to take their first steps.

Steps which had apparently now turned into climbing beasts of myth and legend.

"Lyra, Alec, come down now," she said, giving her husband a brief kiss before turning to the two terrors who had now made it to the joint of the dragons wing. Both blinked down with utter innocence.

"Fly!" Lyra demanded, pointing at the sky with a small pout. "Want, fly!"

 

[Talus]

Talus watched his children in silence for a few minutes, the smallest smile tugging on the edge of his lips. There was no doubt in his mind that they would be just as much of a rebel as he was. A fact which he preferred not to think about. They're gonna crush us

He thought to himself, letting out a long breath.

"Come on!" It was not often that he became firm with them, and he hoped that would be enough this time of day. The dragons were a rare enough occurrence, but now was not exactly the time to fawn over them.

There would be another day to do such things. "It's time to come in."

Talus exclaimed, the rare disciplinarian rearing his head.

 

[Zana]

Lyra and Alec stared back at their father. Usually it was Zana - or Grey - who dolled out the punishments. Talus took the role of the more fun parent though that usually meant when he pulled rank the children really did listen to them. On this occasion it seemed they were debating the merits of testing their father's limits, the temptation of a dragon flight like in their parents stories a little too tantalising.

YOUR HATCHLINGS BEHAVE MORE LIKE DRAGONS THAN TWO-LEGS, Azhrak huffed in amusement and settled down. As careful as the dragon was in laying down the movement was enough to send both twins scrambling for the floor squealing in equal parts terror and glee. Zana huffed a laugh.

"I think they might be worse than dragons."

 

[Talus]

Talus smiled ever so slightly, but beneath the expression hid concern.

His children had the potential to be worse than any Dragon, or at least most. With their magic their could tear through cities, rip apart homes, even flatten mountains. The potential they had unlocked was great, and although his chest swelled at the joy in their childhood...he couldn't help but wonder what would happen if they ever failed to protect them.

The question was a dismal one, and not something he wanted to dwell on for any length of time. Even heading into the embrace of battle once more, thoughts like that only served as a detriment. Even without Talus and Zana, their children were protected.

A whole legion of friends and family saw to that.

"Lets just hope they keep listening." Talus said quietly to his beloved. Already knowing that both of the twins were starting to catch onto just how strong their magic would one day be. What need did you have of a dragon when you could create one from the very earth?

That little trick had been rather surprising for everyone involved.

"Come on!" He beckoned. "Time to come inside."

Talus waved with a hand one final time.

 

[Zana]

Zana watched the twins flee inside still giggling and tried not to let her relief show. The house was warded within an inch of its life. Even a host of Archons would have a hard time breaking through those seals. She turned her gaze back to the dragon who seemed content enough to wait.

"We'll be quick," the dragon hummed his acknowledgement and Zana and Talus stepped back inside their home. Finally, she let out the breath she had been holding and put a hand on the swell of her belly. The child within kicked and a faint smile played across her face. "Hopefully you won't be as much trouble," she murmured to no-one in particular but the press of a hand against hers made her think the babe at least understood.

"Who do we ask to babysit this time?" she glanced up to Talus.

 

[Talus]

”Probably more with the current track record so far.” Talus grumbled in answer as he quickly rubbed at his eyes. Taking a long breath as he began to steel himself for the days to come.

There had never been any doubt that hunting an Archon would be dangerous, but that wasn't what harrowed him so. No, it was the time away from his family, his children. The thing that he had fought so hard to earn. He knew what they were doing was right, that they had to do it, but leaving became harder each and every time.

No matter how much he trusted those who came to stay in their place.

”I can send word to Brigitte.” Talus suggested. ”I think Nicolas is busy in the north, but she'll be able to take the time.”

After the Revolution the Forge Dreadlord had taken a position within the reserves. Content to continue her labors within the forges and pursuing her craft. Still serving the Republic, but with her own freedoms. There was no doubt she would come if called, and at least a Dreadlord would handle Lyra and Alec’s magic better.

 

[Zana]

Zana's lips curled at Talus' comment; she wasn't sure if he had meant it as a joke but it had amused her all the same. She watched the twinned terrors race into the Grand Hall already plotting their next game no doubt. Grey dutifully padded after them like a worried nanny. She pressed a kiss to Talus' cheek and then started for the stairs.

"Let he know, I'll pack what we'll need," it was just a scouting mission; hopefully they wouldn't be gone more than a couple of days. Though... their plans never seemed to go as they wished. Even now the Republic tugged at them despite their classified 'retired' position. She knew Talus would rather they ignored it but Zana... Zana couldn't fully let go. Not when she felt so responsible for what they had created.

 

[Talus]

Talus smiled, taking the affection of Zana's kiss and watching as she slowly began to slip away from him. His eyes settling on the curve of her rear as she swayed her hips and moved towards their bedroom up the stairs.

After a moment of childish ogling, he let out a sigh, head shaking before he turned half on his heel and made for one of the other doorways in their self-made home. Crossing the threshold he stepped into the tiny office, strewn with toys carved by dwarven hands.

From the desk he pulled one of the drawers, pulling free a piece of parchment thicker than most.

Upon it he quickly scrawled a missive. Writing a simple request to Birgitte before quickly pressing his thumb between his lips. Teeth sank into his skin, drawing just a little bit of blood. Crimson dabbed against the paper, and within the beat of a heart the parchment crumpled in upon itself and then burst into a magnificent green flame.

He watched the fire for a moment, assuring it did not catch anywhere, and then turned once again a giggle echoing in the halls beyond. "Hey!"

Talus shouted playfully.

"I better not see any Unicorns running around again!" The former Dreadlord warned as Lyra screeched in delight.

 

[Zana]

Zana surveyed their bedroom whilst she leant against the solid oak door she had just shut. The bed was still unmade where they had been set upon early that morning by their children and coerced into preparing pancakes as a treat for breakfast. A pile of the twins' clothing that needed repairing sat on one of the armchairs as a reminder. It was such an ordinary room. A different life.

She crossed the room to one of the many cupboards and opened it, then the secret door beyond. She stepped into the concealed room where they stashed most of their weapons so the twins would not get a hold of them. She grabbed a bag off the side and began packing anything and everything she thought might be of use on a scouting mission. Weapons, rope, a first aid kit. Spare clothes. It was like easing in to an old uniform as she checked each item with military precision before packing or discarding it. No more than ten minutes could have passed before Zana returned downstairs, pack slung over one shoulder and simple dress replaced by the uniform of a Dreadlord.

"No running in the house," she chided as the twins barrelled past her, Grey in hot persuit.

 

[Talus]

There hadn't been a unicorn, thankfully. The last time they had summoned one of those things it had taken hours to get it out. Neither he nor Zana had ever figured out how Lyra, or Alec, had managed that one. The beasts were magical in their own right, and summoning one was difficult even with an extended amount of rituals but the damned thing had...just appeared.

In the living room nonetheless!

Thankfully the only trouble their children were causing was through the use of an oversized dog. Not necessarily much better, but it did mean not having to explain to anyone why a mythical beast was parading around. "Birgitte is one her way."

Talus said as he cam following after his two kids.

"She'll take one of her birds here from the Portal Stone." Calling Birgitte's creations 'birds' was a bit of an understatement. Through her magics the forgemaster had managed to craft and then animate beautiful soaring mounts. They worked only with her own infusions, and even then she had only the power to use them for a short time, but it cut a journey that should take days into mere hours.

He only hoped that the twins wouldn't break it.

 

[Zana]

Zana let out a sigh of relief.

"Maybe tell her to park it out of the twins' view," she winced, seeming to have read her husbands mind and voice his own concerns out loud. She glanced down the corridor where the twins had run and then began to follow whilst speaking. "I've packed our bags so we can leave as soon as we get here. Maybe I should bake her some of the orange loaf she likes as a thank you..." she frowned to herself. If she had had more time she would have ensured the cold-box was fully stocked and the pantry too. And cleaned, she thought to herself with a grimace as they stepped into the grand hall and saw the strewn toys all over the floor.

"Are we doing the right thing, Talus?" she murmured in a moment of weakness.

 

[Talus]

Talus hesitated only for a brief moment. There was no lying to Zana of course, little mistruths could fly here and there, but bigger things could always be seen through. It was a fact of their bond, the magic that kept them within one anothers minds. They had long ago figured out that trying to be anything but truthful was simply a recipe for suspicion.

”I think we're making the only choice we can.” He answered finally, hiding his own doubts while telling a version of the truth.

If he'd been completely honest, he would have answered no. A greater part of him still did not believe in this mission. Still believed that Vel Anir should handle it's own problems. There were plenty of Dreadlords left, plenty of loyal soldiers. To Talus’ mind, the Archon’s were something they shouldn't have to deal with. At least not anymore. It was a responsibility he didn't want, but one that he knew was theirs all the same.

As much as he wanted to deny it, he could not beg it off any more than Zana could. The weight of their decisions, their choices, still sat upon their shoulders. As much as he wanted to, Talus knew that there was no avoiding it.

Slowly he stopped over to Zana, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. His lips pressing gingerly against her forehead.

”If I thought differently.” He contended soothingly. ”I wouldn't be going.”

He may not have liked it, but he knew it was right.

 

[Zana]

Zana sighed into his shoulder and the tension left her body. It was a comfort to hear him echo her own thoughts in a roundabout way, and a bigger comfort to be held in his arms. As much as she loved the house he had built for them, it was Talus that was her home. His arms where she could truly relax and be vulnerable. Where she wasn't mum or Archon or The Butcher. Just Zana.

"You're right. Of course you're right, sorry," she shook her head and pulled back an inch to give him a small smile. "Probably just the hormones," and the ever present concern since their birth, that she might not come home to them. Zana pressed a kiss to his cheek then stepped back, her eyes sliding to the twins she would move the fabric of the world for. Whilst they waited she would make the most of the time she had with them.

"Who wants to play hungry wolf?" she called and the twins cheered.

 

[Talus]

The rest of the night was spent following the whims of the twins. Unfortunately for both Zana and Talus, the two children were intelligent, they knew their parents would be leaving, and they knew with that fact came guilt. A feeling they could then very easily take advantage of in order to both stay up, and get whatever treats they desired.

A bargain that for them, was gold.

By the time Brigitte showed up, the sun was well and truly beneath the horizon. Both Lyra and Alec had entirely worn themselves out, and their parents were not much better for the wear. The two former Dreadlords sat quietly on the porch, illuminated by lamplight, as they heard the sound of boots moving up the dirt path to their house.

A familiar face quickly appeared in the dark. Wearing none of her armor, but still carrying her heavy smith hammer, Brigitte looked happily at the couple as she approached. A wave shook her hand, though it was likely she already suspected the twins being asleep since no greeting left her mouth. Instead she continued to trek up to the House, only speaking when Zana and Talus were close enough to whisper to. “Sorry I couldn't come earlier.”

She said with a smile, Talus immediately standing up to wave her off and give the woman a warm embrace.

”No need to apologize, we're glad you could make it at all.” They were lucky it didn't take a month for anyone to get out here. ”The twins are already asleep, the extra bedroom is made up.”

Talus said, going down a quick list. ”We should only be a few days.”

Hopefully, at least.

 

[Zana]

Once Talus had finished Zana stepped forward to give the other Dreadlord her own tight hug. Into the embrace she whispered her quiet plea as she always did:

"Look after my babies for me," she only let go when she felt Brigitte nod and offered her a weak smile. From experience she knew if she lingered too long she would start to cry and then she would refuse to leave. "A few days, that's it," she confirmed with a nod and then, with one last look towards the house, she set off from the dragon.

For the most of the day the large serpent had seemed content to be left alone to slumber out in the sun. Zana hadn't felt him touch her mind to ask for anything and had left him be. Now though he was awake and from the way his tail slashed across the lawn, she sensed he was anxious to be going. Begrudgingly he lowered himself to the ground to make it easier for the pair to clamber on.

NOW, WE HUNT.

He barely gave them the chance to get settled before he launched them into the air.

 

[Talus]

Talus followed along quickly, saying his goodbyes to Brigitte and offering her a small word of warning.

He knew that she was up to the task, he would not have left her here if he did not, but he still didn't enjoy leaving. As Lyra and Alec grew, their magic would only get stronger. A fact which was exacerbated by the children's own trials and testing, most of which seemed to happen when their parents weren't around. Though only toddlers, both the twins were already well aware of what they couldn't and could get away with.

Offering one last look towards their home, Talus took a deep breath and climbed onto the dragon.

He tensed as they took off, never liking the sensation of being off his own two feet. Being in the air was even worse than being on a horse.

Nevertheless, the Dreadlords knew better than to complain. The pride of dragons was easily wounded, and telling one that flight wasn't the best method of travel was always going to be an argument that you couldn't win. Even if you could beat the damned thing in a race. Not that he would ever suggest such a thing.

Though he'd been tempted once or twice.

Eventually, Talus settled in for their journey. The cold night air brushing over the heavy leather the two of them had donned to keep away the frost. As the dawn came, warmth graced them, but it was difficult to notice so high up in the air. Drawing his wife closer, the two huddled together as they traveled, until finally; they reached their destination.

 

[Zana]

If Azhrak was hindered by the weight of two people on his back he did not show it. The dragon flew swift and true over the mountain range the pair called home and took the warmer Southern currents towards the East. Amongst the cloud cover the dragon seemed to favour it was hard to map their position so the pair had to only hope the dragon was not taking them further than they thought. As day broke across the land he finally dipped below revealing the unmistakable collection of islands that made up the Iuk-'u Delta. Zana's brows creased in confusion.

"What on Arethil brought them here?" Dreadlords were known for not liking anything other than humans, and those like the Archon's they hunted more so than others. To come to a place where humans were scarce... it seemed against their nature. Though, Zana supposed, it in turn made for an ideal hiding place.

 

[Talus]

The Delta.

Talus had never visited the place, though like every other Initiate had read more than enough. The Naga were one of the larger boogeymen the Proctors had used when eliciting the hatred of other species. He could still recall much of the reading about their raids on Alliria and other provinces that were nearby.

None of his missions had ever taken him to this side of the spine, and their mountain home was distant, and cold enough, that the snake-folk were hardly ever a concern. Not that they hadn’t planned for it. ”Well.”

Talus called out above the din of the wind.

”It’s a good place to hide!” He shouted so Zana could hear him. The Great Dragon banking to the left and swooping towards one of the larger isles within the great marsh. ”I mean, if you don’t want anyone to come looking for you, go to where they won’t look.”

The former Dreadlord reasoned as they began to set down.

Three more great wing-beats pushing against the wind as Azhrak shifted and eventually came in for a landing upon a white stone pebble beach. A few dozen meters just short of the thick jungle which covered the island.

 

[Zana]

Zana's lips twitched as Talus shouted her own thoughts back at her. It was a common occurrence with the soul-bond he had forged between them making it hard to decipher when a thought was wholly theirs of shared subconsciously. To know someone so completely... there was something comforting in it.

OUR KIN IS NOT FAR FROM HERE, I CAN SMELL HER SCENT NORTH, the way the dragons lips curled back over his teeth as Zana and Talus dismounted made her think the scent was not good. She thought back to what had happened to the last dragon they had found twisted by the Archon, and the grotesque eggs it had borne.

"We'll go scout it out, if you fly they'll spot you," Zana tightened the straps on her backpack so it put less pressure on her shoulders. "We'll see what we can find out then come back."

 

[Talus]

Talus rolled his shoulders as he once again stood on the sweet earth beneath his feet.

For a second he simply reveled in the feeling, but tried not to make it too obvious. The Great Dragon was already lamenting the possible fate of it's kin, and he would not rub his momentary joy into it's face. "Yes."

The Dreadlord said, agreeing with his wife.

"Let us go on ahead, you've done your part." At least for now.

There was a reason that the Dragons had come to them. They were here to commit to a task the great beasts could not. He quickly checked his pack, ensuring they had food, water, and everything else they would need just in case. Then gently motioned for Zana to get behind him as they began their trekk off the beach and into the jungle.

His sword flickered free from it's scabbard, the broken edge still sharp as he brandished the weapon and began to cut through the thick edges of the jungle. Their way quickly set as they headed north. "Cloaking spell?"

Talus said to Zana as they walked, swiping his blade through the vines.

"Make it so he won't see it this time." He continued, reminded of their last meeting with the Archon.

 

[Zana]

Zana rolled her eyes in playful humour as he pushed her behind him.

"Your father is a tad over protective," she murmured to the swell of her belly, but with a huff of a laugh she set off after him without further protest. If it soothed his worry just a little, she would walk in his shadow. Her brave and selfless love.

As they walked Zana moved whatever bits of vines resisted the blade with touches of her telekinesis, warming up the muscles of her power in preparation to fight if the need arose. At Talus' question however she shifted her attention to the spell. There was a shimmer in the air around them then it settled over their skin. It would hide the signatures of their magic that would mark them for what they were at a passing sweep, but no cloaking spell was impenetrable.

"We should keep an eye out for signs Adelaide has partnered with Nassau," it was still merely a theory, and if they could get proof... well perhaps the Republic would give them more resources to deal with it.

 

[Talus]

Talus gave a weary nod as they continued to trek through the jungle. His mind half set on Zana's words, and half on searching through the thicket of vines and tropical trees. The humidity was already causing a thin sheen of sweat to draw across his skin, and he could practically feel the air getting thicker as they went further and further in.

"Doubtlessly, they won't have been subtle out here." He contended quietly.
The Delta was about as far away from Vel Anir as one could get. The fact that they had chosen this place above all else was still...strange, even with it's location. No one would think to look here, true, but there was something off about it that Talus couldn't quite place. "Th-"

His lips suddenly clamped shut, cutting himself off as the sound of axes striking wood rang out in the distance.

Instantly the Dreadlord glanced back towards his beloved, his head turning quizzically as they stopped.
Within the span of a breath, both Dreadlords lowered themselves to a crouch and moved forward. They cut quietly through the underbrush, and not long after the trees began to break. Presenting what appeared to be a lumber camp built around the ruins of a Pyramid of some sort.

Dozens upon dozens of men...no, not men, they were strange. Orcish, by their looks but different somehow. Talus frowned, offering Zana a quizzical look in silent conversation.

 

[Zana]

Sweat plastered wayward whisps of hair to her face and neck as they came to a stop within the underbrush just out of sight of the busy workers. Zana sent a tiny spark of her magic out to zap a mosquito that had landed on her hoping for an easy meal, her lips turning down in disgust. Trying to put the desire of a bath firmly out of her mind she focused on the orcs in front of them. None of them had the odd jerky movements of the dragon-born creations they had faced before. A group of them were even joking with one another like tradesmen back home would, if the strange bursts of laughter every now and then were any sort of a judge.

Maybe they're natives?

Speaking into Talus' mind was as easy as thinking now, some days she struggled more with keeping her thoughts to herself than sharing.

A pyramid in worship to her is very Adelaide, Zana gave a quiet snort of disgust.

 

[Talus]

A frown pulled at Talus’ lips as he observed the others. His head shaking slightly as Zana offered her thoughts on the strange orc like creatures. Maybe Orcs, changed somehow.

The Delta was not too far from the Blightlands. The Wylds blocked the way of course, but he had heard tell of blue orcs moving down the spine in order to assault Dwarven fortresses. It was not out of the question that some would make it down here. Isolated and alone, a few Orcs would not be difficult for the Archon's to pick up. Plus, they were easier to control than the local naga.

Either way, whether natives or stolen from somewhere else, the strangers were a complication neither of them had expected.

Amusement flickered over Talus' features as Zana taunted the missing Archon. His gaze sweeping over the pyramid, it's ruins clearly in the midst of being restored. From this distance he spotted two entrances, one at the top and the other near the bottom. The latter of which was being currently swarmed by workers, while the former would take a climb of about two hundred meters.

With a gentle tug, Talus pulled Zana back into the jungles underbrush.

”If we want to avoid killing anyone I think we'll have to move around the encampment and climb the pyramid from the back.” The former Dreadlord said as he and his beloved reached a position far away from the lumber camp. ”That or we wait until nightfall, maybe grab one of the…people and ask some questions.”

He certainly had many of them.

Taking someone hostage was always a risky thing to do, but with next to no information having someone to talk might be just what they needed. Nassau and Adelaide has the advantage of knowledge, but for now at least Zana and Talus has surprise. It was a careful balancing act.

One they had to maintain.