Chapter 329: Trouble in the Coiled Empire
Technically Kai had been in the Coiled Empire before, but that had just been a stop on the way into the Commonwealth. This time they were landing on the end of the peninsula, in the largest city in the Empire. The large population potentially meant trouble, but it would also have an embassy for the Elven Wilds. The best plan they'd agreed upon was to catch up on Rosemount, contact old allies, and plan from there.
The most obvious difference in the capital was that there were lamias everywhere, but that didn't particularly surprise Kai anymore. It seemed like they wanted to put massive fancy domes on all their buildings, but otherwise it wasn't so different from other major cities in Rosemount. Once his group got away from the docks they blended in with the chaotic mix of races.
Zae Zin Nim wanted to use the diamond star to float above the crowds, but Omilaena insisted otherwise. Instead she took them to a street filled with rickshaws and picked one pulled by an unusually large lamia. As soon as they sat in back, she vigorously took them into the city.
"Well, you're a cute group!" The lamia looked back at them occasionally despite the speed at which she was slithering, smiling all the while. "You folks enjoying the city? Anything you're looking to see?"
After she spoke Zae Zin Nim's eyes widened and she whispered an incredulous "Why is she talking to us?" to Omilaena, who shushed her.
"This is why we're here." Omilaena then raised her voice to an audible volume and cheerfully addressed the lamia. "We're just visiting! But is it true what they say?"
"Oh, I'm afraid so! Demons lurking all the way at the tail end of the Coiled Empire! I thought it was just rumors but my cousin works as a guard and he said they lost a whole company. But all that talk about the Empress being injured? Nonsense! People act like she was out here in public every day before, but obviously she's got better things to do than rub scales with us."
"That's scary stuff," Omilaena said with exaggerated concern. "There aren't actually demons around here in the city itself, are there?"
"Gods, I hope not. Listen, if you want to be safe, it's actually better to stay out of the government district. Lots of trouble there these days."