Jade Ouro and the Wandering Provinces

The cell

The ground was cold. I could feel the cracks spread through the polished stone, like spiders that had progressively lost their minds building their elaborate web. Soft moss bled through the cracks, living solely off the corrosive water that crept through the cracked ceiling. I went to reach out, for anything other than this unknown darkness that engulfed the room. My bruised arms didn't move. Chains rang like bells, echoing off the barren walls. It was at that moment I sprang to panic, as the weight of everything came back to me.

"You're finally awake?" A toneless voice shattered the silence, slamming shut a seemingly invisible door to the prison I woke to. The unknown person spoke in a condescending manner. As if I was nothing, a small bug on the wall. I furiously try to detect any magic within the room or on the person, but it doesn't work. The spell blows up in my bloodied hand; flashing light across the walls. With the brief flash of dying light, I could finally survey the room around me. "It won't work." I could finally make out the man in the room.

He wore the robes of a noble high-elf, the long platinum hair tied up in a braid to go along with the attire. It was the warlock known as Milear Tupeth. The world-famous dragon slayer. "How did you find me?" I had tried with difficulty to keep my voice calm, but the boiling rage could be heard through. He paced back and forth, laughing to himself. "The ship we were sailing on was disguised with magic!"

His smile only grew larger. For him to catch what most believe to be the leader of the dragons, it must have made his day. "You see, you're not the only one with strong magic," his smug face changed to that of furry, "and now you should do as I say, and may just let you live."

It was impossible. Only another dragon could see through that spell. "Who?"

"What?"

"WHO IS WORKING FOR YOU?" That undoubtedly had to be the only way. Someone had to be working against me, against Drogan. Against their own people.

"You see, that's your problem. You trust too easily. Worrying needlessly about every wretched soul who inevitably finds their way at your doorstep. Supplying them a home, calling them family," he stepped closer, his foot steps echoing bitterly across the empty room, a soft flame erupting from his hand. "Think really closely; who did you employ, with all your trust, to travel to Astrien on a diplomatic mission?"

"No," I managed to mutter under my breath. Elros, son of the great bronze dragon Tunc and a high elf woman, who died abruptly after coming to Drogan. I had helped Tunc raise him. Why would he betray his people, betray me?

Milear laughed mockingly, withdrawing a few steps back, facing the cell door. "He came to me after meeting with King (). The scum begged me to spare the woman he called mother, in exchange for vital information that will seamlessly allow me to win this pathetic war."

"We aren't scum," I managed to mutter out, Milear snapping back in my direction.

"You and all the other dragons and half-bred spawn are a destructive disease in this world, and I will get rid of you all," He practically shouted, slamming his staff on the ground.

I couldn't help but laugh knowingly, "We've done no more harm than your own people. The high elves are at a constant war with the orcs; Wood elves are intentionally killing their own; the dwarves pushed everyone out of their lands. My people are no more guilty of being a plague to this chaotic world as you are."

He stiffened at my words. Taking a minute to think before laughing hysterically. "You're right, no one deserves to be in this world. I guess I will just have to forcibly bring about the world ending event that the great Tau wrote about." What have I done? I tugged frantically on my chains in a panic. I need to get out of here. I need to prevent him from finding the six artifacts.