The Emperor's New Foes Chapter 5 (WIP) (Patreon)

“How high up does the mountain go?” Ozy asked. He and Karae were standing at the deck of the airship, just within Cerven’s earshot.

“Well, the imperial palace was last measured as being roughly 3.1 miles above sea level.” Karae said. “As such, it’d probably be for the best if everyone here apply the oxygen-compensation helmets soon.”

Everyone did exactly that as the Scouter passed through a layer of clouds. Cerven adjusted his own helmet as he rested against Kuvilo’s flank. Even Kenshin applied a helmet, though he sighed a bit as his didn’t quite fit his elongated ears. Cerven just chuckled and focused on the view.

“It’s certainly an impressive sight, huh?” Cerven asked.

“Yeah…” Kuvilo’s nostrils wrinkled. “It goes so high up… How did they ever manage to build a palace there?”

“Huh… Good point.” Cerven scratched his chin. He glanced over at Karae, who was rubbing his temples as Ozy kept listing off more questions.”

“How come we have to wear this helmets, but the dragons are fine?” Ozy asked.

“Because dragon biology helps them compensate for radical shifts in oxygen levels.” Karae said irritably.

“Oh… Can they fly up into space?” Ozy’s eyes beamed.

“No, Ozymandias.” Karae sighed. “There’s no oxygen in space.”

“Ah… So high up can a dragon fly?”

“Maybe if you’d read the books given to you, you’d know already!” Karae snapped.

Ozy yelped and stepped back with several quick apologies. Cerven just rolled his eyes and looked away. “Uh… I think I’ll give Sir Terren a bit of space for now, kiddo.”

“I can see why…” Kuvilo quietly scooted away from the angry dwelf. Cerven heard Kenshin muttering under his breath, but said nothing.

As the airship reached the final legs of its ascent, Cerven glanced around at his other allies. Dardarax and Mythra were shivering, with their arms wrapped around themselves. Cole tried to maintain his stoic expression, but that was ruined by the fact that Jabali was cuddling him with his wings. The cold air was present on everyone’s breath, too. Even Karae and Kenshin struggled to deal with it. And yet through it all, neither Cerven nor the dragons showed any sign of discomfort.

Cerven once again found himself thinking back to his first visit to The Sovereign Isle. While everyone else was cold in the snow, Cerven felt just fine. Perhaps it had something to do with his Wyrmblood; the magical bloodline that belonged to the Ferrum Dynasty. The wyrmblood helped Cerven out of a number of tight spots, though he always passed out after using it. And it wasn’t exactly easy to practice using such frightening power.

Soon the airship rose over the final part of the mountainside. All at once Cerven felt a strange layer of heat and humidity wash over him. From the sighs of satisfaction all around him, Cerven could tell everyone suddenly felt much warmer.

“What was that?” Cole asked.

“I’ve told you before that-!” Karae started shouting, but he suddenly stopped himself. The dwelf awkwardly cleared his throat as everyone looked at him incredulously. “Actually… we’ve never discussed this before. My apologies.”

“Right…” Cole motioned with a hand. “So… the heat?”

“That’s a massive enchantment put upon the palace grounds and its surrounding buildings.” Kenshin said. “Most mortals can’t live in extreme cold for extended periods of time, so the palace is enchanted to have the same temperature as the land on the sea level.”

“Right…” Cerven nodded. He turned his eyes back towards the mountains as the airship finally passed over it, and the young emperor could take in the majesty of the Imperial Palace.

Cerven quickly found himself disappointed, because all he saw was a series of bright orange domes of magic atop tall, stone walls. He could vaguely see shapes within the domes that looked like smudged and vibrating buildings. There was some kind of wide, black circle in the middle of the largest dome, but he couldn’t figure out what it was. A series if bridges and tunnels connected from one domed fortress to the next across the mountainside.

“Why are there giant glowing bubbles surrounding everything?” Cerven asked.

“Those are anti-magic barriers.” Kenshin designed.

“So they prevent magic from being used inside the palace?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” The old elf shook his head and snorted. “They merely prevent rudimentary magic attacks from passing in or out.”

“Ah… Okay…” Cerven sighed. It looked like he’d just have to wait until he was inside.

The airship stopped its ascent and shifted towards one of the smaller forts on the further sides of the palace. Despite its small size, said for was still easily three times the length of the airship: Even the Kelvin could have docked there and fit easily.

One of the magical domes disappeared just before the airship came to land. A Scouter airship could be seen anchored down at the very back of the fortress. Many soldiers rushed to formation as the airship came to a brisk landing in the courtyard… or rather, what Cerven thought was a courtyard at first. He got the spook of his life when he peered over the side and discovered there was a massive pit that dropped fifty feet onto a series of spikes.

“WHAT?!” Cerven yelped as he stepped back. “There’s no floor! Why are there spikes but no floor?!”

“Calm down, my liege.” Karae said. He pointed towards the battlements to direct Cerven’s attention. Three sets of bridges extended out from the left and right battlements towards the airship. Once they made contact, each of the bridges extended a series of clamps that swung over and locked onto the deck of the ship. Cerven noticed that similar clams extended out from the fort’s walls to lock it into place.

“I still don’t understand the point of all this.” Cerven said.

“These are just some of the very many security procedures put in place here.” Karae said. He turned towards one of the left bridges as soldiers across the way stood at the ready. “Everyone, follow me inside. The dragons are to refrain from flying.”

“Why?” Kuvilo asked. Cerven repeated the question, and Kenshin sighed.

“The Imperial Palace is a no-fly zone for both mortals and dragons, with exceptions only granted during dire emergencies of by imperial mandate.” The old elf said. “Even Gyza is Erdabound.”

“Is that so…” Cerven said.

“Please don’t go over my head on this, my liege.” Karae sighed. “You all still need to get used to the protocol.”

“Very well, Sir Terren. Lead the way.” Cerven pointed his hand outwards.

Cerven walked just behind Karae and Kenshin as everyone followed them across the bridges. Kuvilo followed uneasily at Cerven’s heels as the waiting soldiers reached into pouches on their belts.

“Uh, what are they-?” Cerven was caught off-guard as the soldiers pulled out small vials, removed their corks, and threw them at him, Karae and Kenshin. Cerven gasped and reflexively reached to draw his sword. Kenshin cried out and shielded himself with his cloak.

“Hey!” Cerven shouted. “What gives?!”

The vials bounced on the bridges, their rainbow-colored contents spilling everywhere. The soldiers sighed in satisfaction before saluting and stepping out of the way. Kenshin snarled at the vials and glared at the soldiers.

“Apologies, Lord Regent.” One of the soldiers said. “We’ve been implementing a new security protocol, thanks to a recommendation by the wizard Philaris Moorn.”

“A new protocol?” Kenshin exclaimed. He glared at Karae. “Why wasn’t I informed of this?”

“I wanted it to be as surprise.” Karae snorted. The dwelf saluted the soldiers and continued on his way. Kenshin swore in elfish and followed behind. Cerven glanced back uneasily at his friends as they lined up to have the vials tossed at them. He then took a look at all the intimidating walls. So many guards were lined up with bows and arrows. It was like walking through a prison.

“This seems like a bit much, don’t you think?” Dardarax asked.

“Relax, Dardarax.” Cole grunted as he wiped off his armor. “Ultimately this is to protect us all.”

Karae and Kenshin led the way along the battlements and came to a stop between two guards to approach an iron portcullis blocking what looked like a stone wall. The portcullis was tall and wide enough for the largest of dragons to walk through, but Cerven couldn’t understand why it blocked a wall. A soldier on the floor signaled to two more soldiers standing on the higher section of the battlements, who in turn flipped some kind of switch that created a loud and grating noise. Cerven was shocked to see that the stone wall was really a massive block, which slowly rose upwards to reveal a dark cavern.

“What in the…?” Cerven began to say. But then a drawbridge dropped down on the other side of the cavern, revealing a second portcullis. The drawbridge slammed to a stop as the gates rose up, finally clearing the way.

“Come along, but don’t dawdle.” Kenshin said to the group. “We have to be quick to get across the bridge.”

“I have so many questions right now.” Cerven said as he followed behind them. He grimaced at the large stone block hanging just overhead. Kuvilo shared his feelings with a whine.

“It’s good that you want to learn about these defenses, my liege,” Karae said back to him, “But this isn’t the place to discuss them. Oh, and tell the dragons at the back to mind their heads. We wouldn’t want them hitting the deathblock.”

“Deathblock?!” Cerven exclaimed.

“I’ll explain later.”

The trip across the draw bridge marked merely the beginning of the intimidating “safety features” present on the group’s trip into the palace grounds. Cerven and company found themselves crossing onto a narrow stone bridge that left them exposed to the elements: there was barely even a guardrail to hold onto to keep from falling into the abyss below. And that little bridge ended with a trip across a second drawbridge, in a reverse direction, which led into a gatehouse.

The guards there saluted with eager smiles: at least they knew before hand that everyone there was who they said they were. Though Cerven groaned as a series of blessings came his way as the guards said hello. There came yet another pair of portcullises surrounding another deathblock. Once Cerven was sure he was out of earshot, he sighed and shook his head.

“I’m not sure I like the way they greet me.” Cerven muttered. “So many empty pleasantries…”

“They’re just trying to show how happy they are to see their emperor.” Mythra said behind him.

“But it’s getting to sound a bit rehearsed.” Cerven crossed his arms. “I can only say ‘thank you’ in so many ways.”

“All you really have to do is smile back for now.” Karae said. “Though maintain some air of dignity as we move on into the main bailey.”

After leaving the gatehouse, everyone made a left turn into a large, narrow corridor with more soldiers glaring down at them. After that was a sharp right turn into yet another gatehouse. The dragons gave frightened growls as they squeezed their way through the corridor, with the sole exception being Mojota.

“Hatchlings.” The red dragoness snorted.

“In case you’re wondering, this is called a death trench.” Karae said to Cerven. “In ancient times, they were used to force enemy forces into vulnerable spots.”

“There are certainly a lot of things with DEATH in the name lately.” Cerven grimaced. After passing through two more portcullises, the group finally found themselves facing the main bailey of the palace.

Cerven took a few breaths as he looked out across the wide bailey. The most immediate thing he noticed was the massive, gaping crater that ran far down into the mountain in the center. A chest-high gate surrounded this crater, and a ring of small-to-medium sized buildings surrounded it. Countless thick wires ran from rooftop to rooftop, and even all the way across the bailey and over the crater.

“How far down does it go?!” Mythra exclaimed.

“All the way to Gyza’s Cradle.” Kenshin declared. “There’s no greater chamber in the whole of the entire mountain that requires greater protection from outside forces.”

“What are the wires for?” Ozy asked.

“They’re electrified.” Karae said. “To serve as a warning to any wayward dragon who thinks they can fly off without authorization.”

Kuvilo gulped nervously upon seeing them. He and Cerven glanced at the other young dragons, who quietly scooted along the ground as low as they can.

“Don’t you think all of this is going a bit too far?” Cerven asked.

“Twice already tragedy struck the Imperial Palace because of faulty security.” Kenshin said, his expression grave. He balled his hands into fists and inhaled deeply. “Cerven, I’ve already failed the empire twice. I will NOT fail them again.”

“Uh… if you say so.” Cerven scratched his neck and looked away. Everyone around the perimeter of the crater and approached the glistening structure at the very back. Karae came to a stop, looked back at Cerven, and smiled.

“Cerven Ferrum, welcome to your ancestral home.” The dwelf said as he raised a hand towards the structure. “The Imperial Palace.”

The palace was constructed of glistening stone and stretched so wide that the battlements connected to it via stone watchtowers. The main building had numerous domes and towers that almost pierced the magical barrier. Over two dozen balconies surrounded the east and west wings. A massive, cathedral-like rooftop loomed at the front of the palace, complete with stained glass windows.

“This… this is where the Ferrum Dynasty lived?” Cerven asked.

“Of course, my liege.” Karae replied.

“And here you had me thinking that everything around us is the imperial palace.”

“Do you really think this place could have any other name?” Kenshin asked.

“Well then…” Cerven glanced back at everyone. “Let’s head inside, shall we?”

Cerven and Kuvilo walked up the pristine stoop, and the others followed them. They arrived at one of three sets of double-doors, which a pair of guards immediately opened for them.

Everyone stepped into a main foyer, whose interior shined just as brilliantly as the exterior. It had many dragon-sized doors and hallways extending out from it, along with two wide staircases leading towards the east and west wings. Many soldiers were standing at attention, and they all saluted as Cerven and Kuvilo walked by.

More staring… Cerven sighed.

They walked a short distance before several soldiers and about half a dozen servants approached from the side of the foyer. They all bowed their head, and a rather stout soldier approached to give a salute.

“Welcome, Your Excellency.” He said. “My name is Sir Fratley.”

“H-Hello.” Cerven replied.

“Greetings, Sir Fratley.” Kenshin said as he stepped beside Cerven.

“It’s good that you’re here, sirs.” Sir Fratley said. “There’ve been some troubling developments lately.”

“Would it have anything to do with the foreign ships docked at port?” Karae asked.

“Exactly, Sir Terren.” The soldier said. “Evidently a foreign ambassador arrived here, and he brought…” The soldier leaned in to whisper. “Giants.”

Kenshin sighed, while Karae crossed his arms. “Of course they’d be giants.”

“We didn’t see them ourselves, but they’re staying in the guest quarters at the moment.” Sir Fratley continued. “They’ve been put under heavy surveillance until the ambassador is ready to meet with the High Quorum.”

“Do they know about this ambassador’s guests?” Kenshin asked.

“We don’t know, sir.”

“I see…” The old elf scratched his neck. “Well, thank you for informing us.”

“So what do we do now?” Cerven asked.

“We head for the throne room and meet with the High Quorum.” Kenshin said. “But before we do…” He turned towards the servants and waved them over. “Take the luggage from these dragons and bring them to the guest quarters reserved for these riders. And be sure to bring His Excellency’s to his own room.”

“As you command, Lord Regent.” The servants bowed. They quickly moved about to strip the suitcases from the dragons’ sides.

“Ahh…” Kuvilo sighed as his own suitcase was removed from his flank. He stretched out his back and flapped his wings. “That feels so good…”

“Watch it, Kuvilo.” Cerven held his hands over his head. “We’re walking here.”

“Sorry.” The dragon frowned. Once the servants had taken the luggage up the stairs, Kenshin pointed Cerven in the direction of a long hallway. Cerven and Kuvilo led the way until they arrived at a pair of golden-framed, double-doors.

Four warriors stood guard: An elf and a halfling stood on the left, and a dwarf and an orc stood on the right. All of them wore glistening armor as they stood at attention. Cerven eyes the doors cautiously, and then glanced back at Kenshin and Karae.

“Go on, my liege.” Karae nodded his head.

“Step on through.” Kenshin motioned with his hand. “The High Quorum won’t wait all day.”

Well, here goes… Cerven exhaled and strode forwards with as much confidence as he could muster.