Fearless

dai 20 shō

Einkapf couldn’t help but notice how the king’s eyes kept drifting back to Rue, uncertainty and wonder in his eyes. “Hey, I believe we may be wrong, look.” Einkapf said, nudging Parly. “Indeed, and Iris thought it best to change out the usual ceremonial clothing of Rue this time.” Parly added. “I’m sitting right here nyou know.” Rue muttered, biting into a piece of roasted duck. “An? Perhap the king is just attract to Rue because of her beauty.” Claremont added, more than a little smitteness in their voice. “Rue would eat you alive.” Iris added. “Once moar, I am right hare.” Rue said, still chewing, and earning a smack from Einkapf. “I’m surprised that you managed to hide your tail and ears so easily without cloaking magic. Speaking of magic, you don’t seem to understand it much.” Parly added, looking over towards Rue, who’s face flushed at the comment. “Someone I knew nya while ago used magic, it didn’t save her in the end, blade nyand steel claimed her life.” Rue replied, growing somber and returning to eating. A dark cloud descended upon the group, worry and perhaps even guilt hanging like stale air around them. “Yes, come in.” The dragon kin king’s voice rang out from behind the door, obviously tired from the night’s festivities. Iris opened the door and ushered the group into the room. “Einkapf, why how have you grown, your almost as big and burly as your father.” The dragon kin king said, holding his arms out to hug them. Einkapf flushed red and returned the favor. “Parly, hope you’ve been keeping up with your learning.” He continued. “I have, your majesty.” Parly replied with a slight curtsy. “Always so formal, I don’t recall knowing you before.” The dragon kin king said, noting Claremont. “Your majesty, I am Claremont, the turncoat draugher.” Claremont stated simply, crouching into a deep bow. “How interesting, and you, the one hesitating at the door, please step forward.” The dragon kin king said, beckoning to the figure. Everyone in the room held their breath as the figure walked into the room. Where Rue had stood emerged a stunningly beautiful woman, although cautious, walked in with grace. On the woman’s clothing were elaborate swirls of blue and purple, galactic patterns sewn into the purple. “Is that really you?” Claremont asked, looking at the woman in awe. “I nyink I went a little overboard in my preparations.” The woman said, flushing at the thought and hiding her face in her sleeves. “You think? But I must admit, I like the look.” Iris said, looking the woman up and down, earning a blush from them. “You okay Hearthgon?” Einkapf asked, noticing that the dragon kin king hadn’t said anything since the woman had entered. “*Ahem* Yes, I’m okay, tell me milady,  who might you be?” Hearthgon stammered. “Okay now this is getting weird, Father, Meet Rue, Rue, meet my father.” Iris said finally. “This beauty is Rue?! My have you grown.” “It is not growth in a nyatural way, I apologize.” Rue replied, gradually shifting back to female Rue. “How have nyou been milord?” She asked, curtsying. “Well. I apologize also for not understanding who you were. Anyways.” Hearthgon continued, obviously trying to hide embarrassment from minutes before. “We all know the gods and goddesses are fighting, in order to accern what we are fighting, we’re going to need a reconnaissance group to infiltrate the main headquarters of the enemy.” “Sir, with all due respect, this would be a suicide mission. If there is indeed a deity at the center of this conflict, any information gathered would be rendered useless seeing as it would never make it out of that place.” Parly stated.