Who The Fire Favours (ONC2023) gxg

Chapter 7: Ixis

Ixis longed to rest. 

She had been released from the infirmary almost two weeks ago and yet the perfect bill of health betrayed the ache in her legs. Her breath steadily deteriorated with each step she took, heavy armour weighing down on her already aching chest. It was protocol for what was to come but damn did she curse it with every move she made.

“Ixy? You okay?”

The Regent of Opalis forced a smile on her face for her Throneholder, preparing for the inevitable grilling from more than just her Fire Trait. She glanced around at the familiar abandoned buildings and dust covered ruins and took a breath to steady herself. There was a strange comfort in the interchanging bleakness of the city under the world. After all, she had grown up in the Undercity.

“Just peachy.”

Ixis felt the emptiness of the lack of Hydra at her side. 

In an attempt to placate the crowds and look less intimidating, Lady Aria had suggested to dismount far from the main entrance and arrive on foot. Hydra was not amused, but after a growl of intimidation from Ethros they had agreed, and Ixis had to trek through this cesspool of grit and mud with only a certain Light Traited for company.

“Throneholder! Throneholder Aria!”

Ixis flinched at the reminder of why they were really here. 

She tried to copy Lady Aria’s far superior expression with chin held high, but every time she tried, she caught sight of a young Traited begging for scraps on the side of the riots.The clusters of protestors had seemed far smaller from the reports, but here they were with Traits abound and a desperation for answers. Just like Opalis. Except far less angry dragons. Very little Traited in the Undercity had the luxury of a dragon.

“Tell us about what happened, Regent!”

Ixis forced herself to look ahead and ignore them. She had no right to comfort them. She had no right to associate herself with their pain.

Opalis had been plagued with riots ever since the disaster in Scholar’s Keep. 

Now the Excelliars had retreated to the Undercity they had abandoned for the prestige of the Land Above. The home Ixis herself had abandoned. For a better life. For a chance to study her Trait. The very Trait that was now responsible for the deaths of two hundred and fifty seven people.

“Lady Aria! Lady Ixis!”

A sharp salute broke Ixis out of her stupor, the familiar pristine armour of her comrades flashing brightly in the Excelliar colours of white and gold. She grimaced at how much mud she would have to clean from her boots to look presentable, completely aware of her bright beacon of ginger hair clashing with her clans colours.

“Skyla. How’re things looking?”

Ixis' head jerked to the right, the sound of the Throneholder addressing someone so casually almost giving her whiplash. Despite the muck and endless grit digging into her feet, Aria was the picture of pristine with not a speck of dirt on her. But Ixis couldn’t help but feel jealous of them with their perfectly kept blonde hair and delicate features despite being waist deep in the Undercity’s signature mud and gravel.

“Ma’am. I was sent ahead by the others to set up the tent and suitable stage for your address about Scholar’s Keep. They’ve been blockaded within the Labyrinth streets nearest the Bolthole in an attempt to stop your arrival. I’ve secured new lodgings in the Peddler’s Inn not too far from here, but it’s not your usual establishment. It’s the best I could do considering…”

“You did good, soldier. Can you escort us both once all of these formalities are over?”

Skyla’s confident nod hid the anxious look in her eyes. Ixis noted how her eyes darted around at the restless group of people, warily shifting from foot to foot in an attempt to keep herself busy.