The Land Of Rohan

Chapter 6: Draconian Scourge

Chapter VI of the chronicles of the land of Rohan

- Temple of Flox, Ignis -

Rache immersed herself in Flox once more, the wildfire of knowledge bathing her in ecstatic agony instantly.

“You have been doing well, my favorite student.” Flox saved no pleasantry, as his forked tongue weaved the tapestry Rache wanted to see the most. “I always though you’d turn out fine, given the proper, ahem, motivation.” With that word the God unleashed a baneful spout of flame upon Rache’s psyche. He then gave her a respite to enjoy the lingering effects of the feeling. The warlock could not help but buckle under the combined strain and pleasure she took from the experience.

“Yes, Teacher! I wish to serve more. More, sire!”

“Come now, Flamechild. You know full well we’re not done yet.” Renewing his mental assault, he relayed his orders wrapped in singe and sear. “Where is Raserei?”

“Resting in the inner halls, sir. My guess is she still can’t fathom why a fellow Dragon would try to harm her. Her feelings are wide agape, ripe for the seeds of doubt and dissonance.”

“Perfect. You will speak to her later. Perhaps she can be persuaded to feed that steadily growing hate. She’s been quite lonely, don’t you think, with just you and me for company since she’s been awakened? And lo, a villain named Krieger presents himself, eager to ruin our happy family. She must’ve been so aghast that he looked like her, and yet she was still accosted by the madman. Oh, so pitiful.”

Flox’s fire lilted across Rache’s mind, and he continued.

“She must want to wreak vengeance upon those who seek to disrupt her coming of bliss. If she doesn’t yet, she will be swayed by her much beloved Sister, isn’t it?”

Rache complied immediately, with nary a hesitant thought. “Of course! She’d bend not just her ears to my lacquered words.”

“Just be careful you don’t push her too far. I am in the crossroads of my quest for the rebirth of this world, and no falter must prove my demise. Raserei is our weapon, but bathe her too much in the blood of her kin, and she might lose her sharpness.”

“Agreed, sir. You can trust… Aggh!” Rache was cut off by a sudden welling of anguish. Flox made sure to drive his point well.

“From this moment on, Rache, I want no mistakes. Now prepare for the next step.”

The blinding fire in her mind, gone in an instant, left spots in her vision, the bare remnants of her contact with her beloved God. She breathed a sigh of mixed relief and longing, disappointed that she could not communicate more with her secret love, in the way that she could only dream of. She wanted to be forever bound by that flame she bore wounds for.

“Nevertheless,” she thought to herself. “Once Raserei is reduced to a mere husk, useless and disgusting, the Teacher’s attention will be mine again, and mine alone.”

- o -

“Sister? Oh, sister? Where are you?”

Rache walked delicately down the serene halls of the rarely visited Temple to Flox. Since most of its lower areas were overrun by monsters, rarely anybody braves the upper chambers, where Rache and, recently, Raserei, have made their refuge.

“I’m here,” answered the naïve Dragon, eyes transfixed on a large stained-glass icon that gleamed as light went through it. The subject of the piece was Flox focused on an archaic tome, with etheric energies flowing from it to himself. “He must be really wise and sagacious.”

“That he is, my dear. How are you feeling?” The warlock reached up and held her shoulder. Rache’s lilac garb, as smooth as the amethyst grass, draped across Raserei’s chest.

Raserei turned down to look at Rache, of smaller and more slender figure than she. “The confusion in my mind never disperses. As if a cloud of dark crimson made residence in my thoughts. I can’t believe that I am breeding so much hatred. I feel obligated to act against those who assailed us in the Palace. They go against the Teacher, and I feel like I need to defend his honor.”

“But, I also do not understand the need for all this bloodshed. That man we met, he looked like me. He had blue skin like the Dekans, but I know there’s something about him that bears close resemblance to me. Had he not been too hasty, I would’ve wanted to have a word with him. Sister, what am I to do?”

Rache pulled her close and looked straight into Rache’s eyes. “You need only do what Teacher bids you. He gave me life, as he did you. And in him we will find our salvation.”

“Those were malicious people in the Palace. They wanted to take you away. Don’t you see that? They hurt me, and they tried to hurt the Teacher.” Rache sustained her ploy as the Dragon remained silent on the verge of crying.

“He is a false Dragon; one that sold his soul to devils to obtain his power. He seeks to deceive the populace; deceive you, and he tries to undermine the Gods, who so gently guide us towards our future.”

“We need to stop him, and all those who offer him aid. They are an affront to the world of Rohan. Won’t you try and defend that which you hold so dear? I would do that for you; won’t you, for me?”

Raserei held back her tears and answered, “Yes, sister. I need you too, always, by my side. Please don’t leave me again in these times. I will protect you as you have protected me.”

“By the grace of Flox, all will be made well. Now is not the time for despair, but for action. We must strike out first before our enemy catches us complacent at their defeat.”

The Dragon Princess’ thoughts were all but clear, but one thought had been planted in her mind by the evil font in Rache’s tongue: violence.

“They will pay, dear Sister. I will decimate all who stand between me and my kindred. A scourge among those who seek to sow discord against the Five.”

- Kai’non Guard Headquarters, Morrisen -

Zhonat Rotus, Captain of the Kai’non Guard, stood amidst the recently returned group of scouts he had sent out in the regular morning patrol. Like usual, they returned before midday. Unlike usual, they returned lifeless and still.

“Cynthia, make sure they get the proper respects. They were young; I believe they were just trainees under the Firr. Alice, please stay here with me, I need counsel.” Zhonat’s twin personal retainers just nodded assent, and proceeded to carry out the order.

“One of these kids survived for a time when they got here, before succumbing to his wounds. The last he thing said was alarming.”

Alice straightened up, brushing her light armor with her two hands. “And what would alarm you sir? We haven’t had a really serious summons in ages, except that fiasco from Einhoren.”

“He said that a Dragon was coming.”

- o -

Flox and Marea transposed themselves to an uncharted realm of the Firmament. Unbeknownst to their siblings, they had arranged for a secretive rendezvous in this untouched locale. Marea flowed pristinely in her gentle garment, her brother behind her.

She asked him a palpable question: “Are you sure she’s here, brother?”

“Of course, my dear. You do trust me, or don’t you?” Flox teased his sister every time he could.

“That never works, Flox. Then I will wait, until our friend appears before us to talk.” She flashed her smile across to her doting brother, and he returned it.

“Peace, Marea. Wait patiently, and we will not be unsatisfied.”

“After all,” he smirked. “It’s not every day a Mother gets to talk to her children.”