The Dragon's Consortium 2

52 - Search For The Culprit

Soterios Dragvern - POV;

"That's highly implausible!" Durnehviir burst out, "the chance that a Dragvern is birthed is extremely rare and the few that were born were often disposed of. Your father was a rare exception Soterios. There was no other Dragvern to have lived."

"But my father is still at large is he not? If he were still in Uradora then I would think that he would have been found. He must have fled to another continent," I argued. Durnehviir was quiet for some time as he obviously was trying to let the possibility resonate with him.

"Aye. As you say your father has still not been discovered. However, he could not have entered Qostros without alarming the Eastern Dragons whom raised the barrier."

"That's a fair point Durnehviir," I admitted.

"No one ever said that the hybrid had to be a Dragvern," Alduin abruptly added.

"What are you insinuating juvenile?" Durnehviir was immediately interested.

"Well Soterios, your ability to manipulate your soul as well as others' comes from your Dragvern inheritance right?" Alduin posed me the question.

"Yes, that's right," I nodded.

"However, if the traits are inherited then that means the parent must have had the ability. Here's the thing, a wyvern cannot use soul power in the way you do, as is common for most of the draconic races except for a few including the Dragons. This means that your soul abilities come solely from your Dragon genes. In theory then, wouldn't the child of a human and a dragon have similar powers to your own?" Alduin explained.

"You're quite right boy. A Dragonborn could very well exhibit traits close to Soterios'. There are many factors which come into play when determining what the hybrid would turn out to be but the chance that you both were born with comparable abilities is quite plausible, especially when contrasted against the chance of a second dragvern-born."

"It makes sense too if what you said before was true Durnehviir," Csilla joined in, "If relationships between the Eastern Dragons and people truly end in the death of the couple, this could be a case of an orphaned hybrid child seeking revenge."

"Well we've solved our riddle," I stated as I rose from my seated position. "How do I go about finding a Dragonborn?"

"There is a way but it runs risk and reward. By using your enhanced dragvern vision, you will be able to see the immense soul power flowing through his body as long as you get him in your vision. The bad part in this whole deal is that should either of you use your Draconic abilities, the spread of soul power will be very noticable and you will be vulnerable to surprise attacks from him since you are practically giving away your position. This is assuming that he has ill intent. If you both were to come into physical contact, there may also be some type of reaction although I'm not sure about that," Durnehviir rattled out what he knew.

"Good. Now we should stop wasting time and get on this case. Csilla, you go search the area of the crime and see if you can pick up any clues or information from possible witnesses. Alduin, can you see soul energy as well?" I ordered

"Sorry Soterios. I haven't developed my eyes to that level as yet," Alduin dropped his head.

"It's fine. Go scout with Csilla. Dark Matter, you're coming with me," I demanded.

"Of course, Master," he cackled.

"Let's hunt down this miscreant!" I exclaimed as I dove out the open window.

I ran along the rooftops in the relatively large area of Qseria, the district town in Qaezia where we lived. I scoured the area below for any signs of a Dragon hybrid with no luck. I checked each nook and cranny, going so far as to peek into personal rooms in the many buildings which constituted this prosperous town.

"This is dangerous Soterios, you are giving away your position on a high place. You are undoubtedly shining like a beacon to our opponent," Durnehviir warned.

"If he comes to me, that will also be a viable course of events. It doesn't matter if I find him or vice versa. The main thing is that we face each other," I replied.

"And what will you do after that? Fight him?" Durnehviir questioned.

"I am sure we can come to some common understanding through a short conversation."

"And if he does not desire to speak to you?"

"Then I will have no choice but to kill him."

"Fool! I do not know what your problem is but you are acting too rashly. If we are truly going up against a Dragonborn then we have no guarantee that you can overpower him. What would you do when your foe turns out to be more powerful than yourself and you give him the additional advantage of launching a surprise attack? You could be killed! What good will you do for the world when you're dead?!" Durnehviir exploded in anger.

I stopped dead in my tracks as the Dragon's outburst caught me completely off guard. "Where is all of this coming from Durnehviir?"

"I know not whether you care about yourself or if it bothers you that you may very well die, but there are others out there who care about what happens to you. If you won't be safe for yourself, then do it for them."

I remained silent and still as the Dragon continued. "Ha ha. Are you worried about me?" I asked laughing.

"Of course I am concerned, although I am merely one among many others who share the feeling," Durnehviir immediately shot back without hesitation.

I was stunned by the Dragon's response. I stooped down and thought to myself for some time. "You're right. I should be making plans with more thought put into it. I am sorry for my recklessness Durnehviir," I humbly stated.

I returned to ground level to carry out the remainder of my investigations. I made numerous excuses to touch various people on the streets, only occasionally utilising my enhanced dragvern vision to examine huge crowds.

By this time, I had spent an excess of four hours with no success on the hunt. Night had fallen but I continued knowing very well that by tomorrow the trail would have grown cold and the killer would be much harder to track down.

"Yo Bud!" Klein's familiar voice called out.

"Klein? Fancy meeting you out here this late," I said walking towards him.

"I'm taking a night stroll to get away for a bit," he explained, "You?"

"I'm actually looking for someone," I admitted.

"Huh. Hey, how does taking a trip with me to the local pub when you're done sound?" he inquired placing a hand on my shoulder.

"I think I just may come over there now. Things aren't working out and I am a bit frustrated. I could really use a break. Let me just tell my girlfriend and I'll be there," I told him.

We headed off in separate directions; I to my home and Klein presumably to The Princess Cherry Tavern. I hirried up the staircase and as expected, Csilla had already returned.

Csilla looked at me and immediately said, "I didn't have any luck. Did you fare any better?"

"Yeah, I just did. I came back to tell you that I'm going drinking with the suspect."