Dragon Sorcerer 2- Chapter 68 (Patreon)

Chapter 68- What Now?

Liam nodded. “That does seem to make sense. I just don’t know what the history is. Do you have any idea?”

I shrugged. I’d already slipped up talking about my ancestors, I needed to keep that buried. “I don’t know but should probably learn. My problem is how we are to move forward.”

“You mean because of what we did in attacking your home or are you talking about the larger relationship between humans and dragons?”

I paused for a second. “Both, I suppose. First though I’m more concerned about your actions. How can I work with you now? I’ve had some time to think about this all. A part of me just wants to fly away with Cami. If it weren’t for the fact that I believe there is much I can learn here, I would.”

“Well you can take Galbrecht’s apology. He isn’t the only one who regrets what happened. Of course, you can just ignore that. But, it reminds me a bit of something my mother’s father used to say. He was a farmer just for context.”

When I didn’t say anything, Cami asked, “What did he say?”

Liam grinned. Maybe I’d missed a social cue or something. Whatever, all I could think was that he needed to tell the story already.

“He’d say, ‘shit happens, you can either step in it, track it around the house and make a royal mess of everything or you can take what you’re given and make it work for you as fertilizer in the fields. Either way, you’re gonna have to wash your hands, but if you keep in the fields it grows mighty fine vegetable whereas if you track it inside, you’re gonna make the whole house reek.”

I groaned. I’d like to see his mother’s sire try and move around mounds of dragon dung. Cami seemed thoughtful. I could tell she was buying this. “Fine, you have a point. I still demand recompense and even then that doesn’t resolve the trust issue.”

“Oh that’s simple. You can’t.”

“Can’t?” I asked.

“Yeah, you can’t trust us. Not yet at least, even your mentor. I’d say that Cami could trust her mentor a bit more, but well, Modessa is Modessa. Trust has to be earned and we’ve done very little to earn it. Helping you cover up Matilda’s broken collar is one thing, but not enough. So don’t trust us, but if you’re to stay here, what choice do you really have?”

I tossed the empty platter aside as I finished the last roll of meat. “Claws to the throat…”

Modessa walked into the kitchen, “Serius just cast the spell and asked for all of you to come back.”

Liam gave me more look and then a half nod. I suppose that was supposed to mean something. Then he turned and walked out with his arm around Modessa. She seemed hesitant but he said, “Let them have a moment.”

Once the room was clear, Cami looked at me. “What do you think?”

I thought back to her. “I think they’re probably listening to us.”

“Right, sorry. I think Liam makes a good point, but I want you to know that I’ll go with you if you decide to leave. Where you go, there I go. I’m sorry about that other thing. You don’t need to worry about it. I’ll keep myself focused on training and growing stronger.”

I felt relief flood me. It felt surprisingly good to no longer have to worry that she wanted to mate with me. Resolving such matters definitely was a good way to take some of the pressure off. I got a grin on my face as that brought a thought to my mind.

“We stay here for now. Besides, I as good as promised Matilda that I’d do what I could to free her.”

Cami nodded and then thought back to me, “And a dragon always keeps his word.”

We walked back into the room with all the comfortable seating. Serius was the first to speak. “I did as you asked. The results were interesting. My spell gave me different information than ever before. It told me that since I now knew what a real dragon was like that she was a domesticated dragon, a Tier 3 monster.

“That got me thinking. You don’t identify as a monster whether you’re in dragon form or human form. I understand having cloaking magic in human form, but why would you hide that in dragon form? It didn’t make any sense to be and then I realized why. Humans, elves, dwarves, and even orcs, none of them have monster tiers. They have levels instead. They are considered civilized races rather than monsters. The same must be the case with dragons.”

“Yes, long before humans were considered as such.”

The wizard ignore the jab and said, “Since Galbrecht has issues his apology and pledged his support to you, I need to say something. I don’t believe we did anything wrong. We were acting on the information we had at the time and following an order given by our emperor and supported by their goddess. Now, that we know your true nature, we will not treat you as a monster to be tamed.”

“Innocence through ignorance?” I asked.

“If you will, although I find innocence to be an overrated concept. True innocence is the realm of nursing babes. The rest of us all have our own guilts. Rather, I’d say a lack of legal culpability because we lacked the intent to enslave a sapient race.”

“Humans and your idea of laws. Dragons only know one law, but it’s judgment has been deferred. I’m willing to work with you to find out the history of dragons and how this has come to pass. If I gain any specific information I will let you know, but I can’t always share my source. Suffice it to say that I have reason to believe that the bond between dragons and riders was created by a great blue dragon in the past or perhaps it was created by the gods but with the help of that dragon.

“That was so long ago that the great southern desert was a forest. As I learn more I’ll tell you, but my sources are not always consistent. Oh, and besides sharing information, there must also be recompense.”

Serius nodded. “I suppose that will have to do for now. We can talk about recompense later.”

“Not too much later, I hope.”

Cami groaned, “Oh, Nico.”

Lisella said, “Before you continue Serius, I do have some news which might put Nico in a better mood. I’ve obtained the two thousand gold and will have it ready for you by the end of the week.”

None of the others seemed shocked about it other than Cami. It would do me good to remember that they were a team which had worked together for years and I wasn’t privy to all of their conversations.

Cami however asked, “What’d you do to get two thousand gold.”

I shrugged. “I just paid her a visit here last night and helped her work out some kinks in her plans.”

Cami’s eyes got wide. Modessa snorted and then elbowed Lisella. “Didn’t tell us that part.”

Lisella waved her hand. “I don’t tell you everything. You certainly don’t share all your escapades with us.”

Modessa glared at the priestess then and looked ready to bite her face off. I realized then how much fun it might be if they fought each other. Galbrecht however didn’t seem to share my enthusiasm because he reached out and put his hand on Modessa’s shoulder. She shuddered and he quickly pulled his hand back.

“I’m sorry, Lady Lonerat, I simply meant to encourage you all to work together amicably.”

She blushed but Modessa nodded her head.

I interrupted what was happening between them and said, “I’m glad to hear about my gold. We need to find ways for me to get more. Then soon, I’ll have to build a lair, but for now I have a question, mentor.”

Lisella’s face lit up. “Of course, that’s what I’m here for. What can I help you with Nico?”

“I’m just a bit confused by our discussion we had last night concerning human mating rituals.”

A slight bit of red rose into Lisella’s cheeks. “Uh, confused how?””

“I don’t understand why Modessa is hiding her desire to mate with Galbrecht from him. Certainly they are both old enough for humans. They are both strong for your kind. I am a poor judge of attractiveness, because you all look flat-faced and squishy to me but is there some other reason for her reactions.”

I grinned as I saw Modessa’s hand start to twitch. I would have sworn that she was about to pull her dagger out, but I was ready for her this time and I doubted the others would allow her to do anything in this setting.

She turned her back to Galbrecht like he wasn’t there and started staring at her boots. Oh well, maybe she wasn’t going to try and bare her little claw at me. I could have used some action. Being a human could be awfully tame much of the time and I supposed that I had experienced more adventure than most of their kind after only a few months.

Cami just shook her head and then punched my arm. “Why would you do that, Nico?”

I shrugged. “I really wasn’t certain but I realized earlier that she was hiding this and so after all the kindness she has shown me, it seemed like I could repay the favor. Surely she didn’t think that getting caught in a little dragon rain made us even.”

Liam burst out laughing but Modessa clenched both her hands. Her tiny frame was shuddering with what I could only imagine was suppressed rage. She walked over to me, but her body language didn’t betray any actual intent to harm. “It took weeks to get the smell out of my hair. That was putrid.”

I just stood there impassively watching her vent her anger. This was a good a show as I could get and it didn’t bother me at all. Eventually though Serius ruined it. Modessa, why don’t you take Cami and introduce her as we discussed.”

The rogue at first acted as though she hadn’t heard him. “Modessa.” He spoke more forcefully the second time.

She seemed to shake it off and a smile returned to her face. “Fine, good idea. Cami come with me and let the others talk about this.”

I telepathically urged Cami to show caution and let me know if Modessa did anything out of line. In turn she asked me to tell her about whatever happened in the meeting. Within a few seconds though the two were gone.

As soon as the door shut behind them, Galbrecht stood up. “Nico, it appears you can learn some of human cruelty too. Nonetheless, I meant what I said earlier. I regret my part in this and will work to help you in anyway that doesn’t go against the will of my goddess. I do ask that you find a way to… no, never mind. I don’t have right to ask anything of you now. Perhaps I will earn that right at some point.”

Then he too started to walk for the door.

Lisella asked, “Where are you going, Galbrecht?”

He looked back over his shoulder. “The four of you can sort this out. You already know where I stand and I find the need to go to the temple… again.”

None of the others moved to watch him leave. Once he was gone, Lisella asked, “Did you have to do that, Nico? It wasn’t helpful.”

“But it was funny. Did you see Modessa’s expression?”

Serius shook his head. “Can we move talk about something important? I may not agree with how Nico did it, but I for one was getting tired of years of posturing. They just need to do something, get it out of their system.”

Liam said, “Old friend, you are sometimes just as out of touch with humanity as Nico is. Most people don’t just get it out of their system. Whatever happens, it’s a surefire bet that Nico has changed the dynamics of our group forever. Whether for the better or not is still to be determined.”

I considered what Liam had said. Perhaps he was right. Perhaps, at least for humans, words could be weapons just as powerful as claws.