Rise of Fire: Dragons Reborn [COMPLETED]

Chapter 45

Talia awoke with a start only to realize that Midnight was no longer in bed with her. She wasn't sure if she was relieved or worried, so she settled with indifferent. Reezara lay at the foot of the bed licking her talons, she had already found herself a few fat rats to dine upon.

'You better not have eaten them in this room, I swear to the gods if I catch you ripping a rat apart at my feet I'll give you the soapiest bath you've ever had. You'll stink of flowers for weeks.' Reezara shot Talia a dour look before peeling her lips back and licking at her snout.

'Don't worry, I ate them outside. I don't know what your problem is with rats, you literally bathe in strangers blood regularly. I've seen your worse sins. Rats pale in comparison.' Talia wasn't sure she was enjoying Reezara's 'teenage-phase'. She wasn't actually certain that Reezara was a teenaged dragon yet but she knew she certainly had the attitude to befit one. Or at least, she hoped that was the worst her attitude would get.

'I just don't like rats. Lets not dig into it.' She shuddered as she crawled out of bed. She noticed that the feeling in her legs had returned slightly, though she was still exhausted from overextending her mana the night before. She grabbed her chair and promptly wheeled over to her hidden project. Reezara followed slowly, her claws clacking on the stone with each step.

'Do you think the healers will deliver your breakfast this morning?' Reezara's doubt crept through her mental voice. Talia shrugged, they hadn't missed meals yet though their attendance had become spottier as of late. Not that she was complaining, it gave her time to prepare.

'If not they'll have Lotus do it, and I have plans for that little snake. Either way I'm getting things done.' Talia dipped her fingers in one of her carefully crafted potions, this one would ignite the flesh of the dead without her having to expend her own mana. It would be perfect for the healers, finally releasing them from the grip of their slaver.

Once she was finished readying herself she wheeled over to her dresser to peer into her mirror. Her hair was a mess, but she could always tie it back into a tight braid if the situation required it. As it was she had never worn it down for so long, it was starting to grow on her. The beads still hung proudly holding her hair out of her eyes. She fingered one of them absentmindedly as she put together a quick plan of attack. First she needed to put the healers down to effectively blind the King.

From there she would cripple his military force, without men to retaliate he would be much easier to dethrone. She was going to take everything from him and she wanted him to see it coming. It wasn't fun if she caught him unawares. With a smile she gathered up her ready poisons. She had just started to put them in the satchel hanging on the right side of her chair when a brisk knock came from the door. She didn't even have time to answer before the lead healer pushed his way through with Lotus following quickly behind.

"I am sorry my Lady, he was too quick for me...." Lotus started but the healer shoved her back out the door and into the hall. He quickly closed and locked the door leaving Lotus outside. Talia's stomach churned as unease trickled down her spine. He had never banished her handmaiden before, and Lotus obviously hadn't expected it.

"I'd like my handmaiden back if you don't mind. I'd like to get dressed." She said it as curtly as possible in an attempt to mask her unease. The healer's face as always was obstructed so she couldn't see his expression. He moved towards her and pulled a thick vial of dark liquid from his sleeve.

"You will drink this, willing or no." He hissed as he continued to move towards her. Talia noted that she had instinctively started moving her chair back. Reezara rose to her feet and slid herself between her rider and the healer, her lips curled to showcase her ever intimidating fangs.