The Ether-Knight's Lessons

16

.^^ Chimera Fox ^^

— Idun —

"Interesting configuration... Yes, they certainly qualify as an Individual, Unique Armament. I'll apply it to the Codex, to make sure no one else has them... though I think it's entirely original." Syral nodded, impressing the jokers into a pad of ink, and then a scroll, which glowed slowly, then turned into solid silver.

"Uhm... is that a bad thing?" I asked.

"Nothing to worry about, it simply means they're yours, and no one can ever dispute that, now. Now your question was about... more Mithril? What happened to what I acquired for you?" It raised an eyebrow.

"I used it." I gestured to the cards.

It picked one up, and then raised both eyebrows in shock as it's eyes glowed, showing it the secrets hidden in the card. "Oh... I see... yes, well, I'm in need of another favor, as it is. Actually, to be honest, I always have work to do, and I usually like to foist it off on Glass, but you... You're surprisingly efficient." It chuckled softly, leaning back.

"I'll ignore the 'surprisingly', and say thank you." I said dryly.

"Mm... Yes, well, my job. I've been unsuccessful in my efforts at contacting the beasts in the North-Eastern end of The Black Forest... they seem agitated, and have been destroying caravans of Etheric Hearts. Any theories?"

"Maybe... a Chimera-Type just gave birth, an extremely rare occurrence, and Etheric Disruption is sometimes dangerous for Baby Beasts." I shrugged a random, wild idea, sarcastically.

It blinked, widening its eyes, and nodded, apparently taking that as the actual situation. "That... hadn't occurred to me... I thought that one was wounded, and lashing out... Alright, well, find out, and I'll see how much Mithril I can whip up for you... or maybe just Dragon Leather. That might do better." It nodded again, making a decision.

I shrugged, deciding to just go with it. "Alright. Do your worst!" I hugged myself, and it snapped it's fingers.

I crashed to the ground, and groaned loudly in pain and annoyance. "I was joking, Syral!"

A soft yip and snarl halted my pity-party, and I slowly turned, staring at the electric-blue fox two inches from my face. Black rams horns spread back from its skull, which was, oddly, shaped not unlike a wolf's. It's paws, on the end of sheep's legs, held talons, instead of claws, and they seemed to be made from obsidian, Dragon-Glass.

"Well... I'm a genius. Who knew?" I murmured.

It snarled again, and sniffed me carefully, then reared back. "A Human... you smell oddly, of Elf and Creature, of Dragon and Men, of Magic and Mithril. A creature of Contradictions, not unlike we Chimera... leave now, little beast, and I will forgive your intrusion."

I grinned, standing up. "My intrusion? Darling, this is the Black Forest. It's no one's property, except the Elder Spirit who spans the entirety."

It reared back swiftly, and bared a set of dragon's teeth. "And you speak my tongue... So Be It..." It leapt at me.

I caught it's scruff, not unlike Bergen and his siblings, and avoided the talons with the ease of long practice avoiding snakes and large lizards.

After a minute of struggling, it drooped, panting, and I smiled. "There, now was that so difficult? Calm yourself, I mean no harm to you or your kits."