Edge of Sidewinder (2020)

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The story of Lara's growing up remained lost in the flow of time, as no reliable records survived. From what was known about the young dragoness, she was raised with the other Lantharian kids, receiving the same amount of knowledge on the way. The family chronicler noticed Lara was the brightest hatchling in years to come. And her parents were justified to be proud of her.

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At the age of two, she was patron-linked to Amaya. Lara's parents thought it was the best idea, as the tigress and the young dragoness were really close friends.

There's also a small note saying Lara, being a tomboy in a way, was trained in the one-handed blade-wielding. The training itself was cancelled by the counsellor of the Lantharian High Court for reasons unknown.

However, the last entry opens up a new story. When was Lara supposed to turn 15, her mother didn't want to stay silent anymore. She would address her daughter's royal heritage and confront the Emperor himself. That's when everything collapsed.

Lara wasn't around at the time. She was on a field trip with her patron, Amaya. And the return home wouldn't be so heartwarming.

But, we are getting ahead of ourselves.

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It was like history would be repeating itself. Kimiko was hired as a captain to a cargo vessel and needed the approval of the Emperor to set sail. She was ready to face him like never before.

There was one more issue. As talented as Kimiko's daughter was, she wouldn't get anywhere in the field the Lantharians were training her. The High Court didn't want to harness Lara's magical potential, saying it was too unstable and violent. Truth to be told, the young dragoness' strongest suit was magic, so not pursuing that talent seemed like a step back.

So, Kimiko decided to take the matter into her own hands.

She'd make Lara a sailor, just like herself. But, she would need to persuade the Emperor first. Lara needed to get formal military training. Without it, she wasn't eligible for getting the Empire's sailing license. She could handle a sword like no one her age, Lara would pass the trials in no time.

There was that one little "What if" though.

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<Present>

Alsius wiped his claws again, from a force of habit than from them sweating most likely. "Uh, Lanika? Have you been at the palace before your confrontation with Siccius?" He gave the blue dragoness a long stare.

Lara shifted in her seat, breaking the eye contact to stare at the ceiling, exhaling. "I've been to the White Star Palace a few times, but..." She swallowed the sentence and reformulated it. "I can't recall the old Emperor before the last moments of his." And she shivered slightly from the memory of hers.

"Hm, maybe it's for the best." Alsius closed his eyes. In his case, that meant making his glowing serpent pupils disappear. With empty eye sockets, he looked even more demonic than usual.

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<Past>

Siccius Devil, the immortal Emperor of the White Star Empire, sat back on his throne, bored out of his mind. With one eye closed, and the other one focused on the tiny little insect crawling on the paned windows on his left, he completely missed the incoming servant.

"My Lord, oh the immortal and wise..." the royal servant started.

"Uh-hm, I can see you, mortal," Siccius altered in the seat, his scales rattling with metallic clicking. "What does your pitiful existence needs?"