Chapter 280
[WHAT DO YOU THINK SOFFRINAX WANTS TO DISCUSS WITH YOU?]
C.H.A.D.D.’s question was a mix of genuine curiosity and annoyance, as the drone clearly wanted to spend their next few days practicing with the C.H.A.D.D.lings.
“I’m honestly not sure,” Kyle replied, looking down at his slightly wrinkled shirt. He hadn’t planned on attending any sort of formal event while on Filmir, and only brought the basics when it came to clothing.
[YOU HAVE NOT HAD ANY INTERACTIONS WITH THE ARCHDRAKE SUPREMACY SINCE YOUR PRACTICUM, HAVE YOU?]
“Nothing noteworthy. I picked up some general Courier work while you were with Marcus, but that was only basic deliveries at the Hub. Honestly I think they hired the Guild to avoid the indignity of making members of the hierarchy do menial tasks.”
[THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THEIR DOSSIER. IT ALSO DOES NOT EXPLAIN WHAT THE DRAGON WANTS WITH YOU.]
“I’m serious, C.H.A.D.D., I have no idea.”
[IF I ASK SUIERRILLAX, WILL SHE ALSO HAVE NO IDEA?]
Kyle nearly smacked himself at his own near-mistake. In his haste to get ready, he hadn’t even let Suierrillax know that he’d been summoned to meet the overseer of Filmir; information she would definitely want to know. Even though he was on vacation, the implications of meeting with a high-ranking member of a potential employer was important for her to be involved in. Or at least to be aware of, and able to warn Kyle of any problems that she saw brewing.
He sent her a hasty message through his nav bracelet, just as a carriage arrived. It was ornate; black with gold trim, and being pulled by a large reptile of some sort giving off a clear D Grade aura. Eileera stepped out, dressed in formal robes, and smiled at him.
“Mr. Mayhew, we appreciate your punctuality, and apologize for any inconvenience presented by the short notice. Please, come with me.”
“It is no inconvenience at all,” Kyle said, feeling C.H.A.D.D.’s consternation through Pack Leader’s Instinct. “Although I’m surprised we aren’t taking the teleporter.”
“The overseer prefers to keep a degree of separation from teleporters, only using them in cases of emergency. For an audience, it is customary that you are brought to his court and formally announced,” Eileera replied, her voice smooth.
“I’m afraid the Overseer has me at a disadvantage, is there anything in particular he is inviting me to discuss? I didn’t bring anything by way of tribute.” Kyle’s words were carefully chosen; formal, while also emphasizing that he was the recipient of an unanticipated invitation. Even if Eileera suggested that Soffrinax was interested in him after his arrival, he couldn’t have been expected to prepare for a meeting like this.
“His eminence recognizes that this is not a diplomatic visit, nor does he expect anything from you other than your time and a conversation. As an invited guest, and member of a Collective Guild, he naturally also guarantees your safety and passage home. Even if he does not find your conversation particularly interesting.”
Now that was something altogether unexpected. Kyle felt C.H.A.D.D.’s surprise through their bond as well, the direct and clear language doing wonders to ease their concerns. Guest protections were important, especially to the Archdrake Supremacy. With much of their culture tied to the nobility of dragonkind, violating oaths and guest rights were punished harshly. This, in addition to the express guarantee of safety, was as surefire as things got.
And, of course, Kyle was curious. While it was true that he’d done the Archdrake Supremacy a favor in his handling of Ger’Sinh, drawing out the bandit’s backer, his jobs for them had been otherwise unremarkable. No other individual he worked with even acknowledged Ger’Sinh, or had mentioned his Practicum in quite a while. From where he sat, it felt as though the ripples from that time had calmed quite a bit.
“I appreciate his gracious offer of hospitality,” Kyle said, giving a slight bow.
“And I am glad we have reached an understanding. Please, step inside. The journey will not be long, but it is better to leave sooner than later.” With that, Eileera stepped to the side, making way for Kyle to enter the carriage.
It was comfortable, dark leather covering the seats, and a tray with assorted refreshments rested along the back wall. Eileera followed him in, and the moment the door closed Kyle felt a subtle shift in the mana around him. He activated Identify on instinct, recognizing the concepts at play almost immediately.
Eileera was looking at him, a knowing smile on her face. “You felt the shift, I take it. Spatial mana, designed to give the interior of the carriage stability as we travel. It wouldn’t do for an honored guest to be jostling throughout the journey, after all.”
Kyle felt C.H.A.D.D.’s strong agreement through their bond, though he was focused on Eileera. Identify revealed that she was using a sensory skill of some sort, but there was something about her presence that was otherwise obscured. That was unusual. Of all the identification skills Kyle read about, his was one of the more potent. The ability to perceive concepts, mana affinities, and attributes was unique. And yet, staring at Eileera, he saw surprisingly little beyond the flowing mana of active skills.
C.H.A.D.D., latching on to Kyle’s suspicion, got to work. The drone’s sensory skills had seen incredible upgrades after integrating the new components, and D Grade stealth skills at this level simply weren’t powerful enough in comparison.
“That was an astute observation, Eileera. If you’ll indulge me, is your identification skill an upgrade from E Grade, or an independent D Grade offering?” The question was blunt, but given that they both knew the other was using a skill, Kyle didn’t think it too inappropriate. Besides, he hoped to keep her distracted enough for C.H.A.D.D. to pass its message along undetected, the pressure of a thin vine already present against his back.
She smiled at him, not deactivating the skill. “My, how direct. And I must say, I’m impressed that you picked up a D Grade aura. Very few people have been able to discern that, particularly around our level.”
Our level, Kyle thought. So she’s in high-tier D Grade as well. That, or she’d woefully misread Kyle’s own level. Given his lack of stealth skills, he found that unlikely. C.H.A.D.D. confirmed his suspicions a moment later, a small vine quickly writing on his back.
High D Grade, likely a Ranger. Only two currently active skills, one for stealth, one for identification. No weapons.
“Call it a lucky guess,” Kyle said dryly. Despite her subterfuge, he didn’t feel in any danger. They were all under the protection of Soffrinax, and it made sense that the Overseer would use a D Grade with capabilities like hers to serve as a liaison.
“Something tells me that you do not often rely on luck, Mr. Mayhew. But, enough about me. Tell me, how have you found your time on Filmir?”
“I’ve really enjoyed it. The razorpine forest has been an excellent training ground, and the natural beauty of the environment can’t be understated.”
Eileera laughed softly. “Not many people who have experienced the razorpines still find them to be beautiful. For what it is worth, I tend to agree.”
The tension eased as the two discussed the razorpines, chatting about the different types of visitors that arrive. To Kyle’s surprise, the majority of the people requesting to visit the forests did so to paint them. That was part of why the lodges were spread out, so that an artist could look out in most direction without risking capturing another lodge in the background.
Soon, the carriage slowed, indicating they’d arrived at their destination. Eileera led the way as they exited the carriage, which opened up to reveal a craggy mountain peak. A large estate was present on the stony outcropping, with a cave mouth opening into the heart of the mountain itself. Looking back the way they’d come, Kyle saw the endless sea of orange, gold, and crimson, before spotting a tunnel that opened up behind them, large enough for the carriage to come through. Smart, he thought. Why risk going overland when every razorpine would bombard the road, when a tunnel network could help cross the distance?
Eileera gave him a moment to take in the scenery. Kyle could appreciate why Soffrinax would want to establish his domain on the mountaintop. In addition to the tactical advantages offered by living separately from the masses, the natural beauty of Filmir was even more magnificent than the view he had from the lodge. I suppose good views come with the privilege of overseeing an entire planet.
“Are you ready to proceed inside?” Eileera asked after a moment.
“Yes,” Kyle replied, refocusing on the task at hand. “Lead the way.” Despite what Kyle knew to be a C Grade dragon nearby, he didn’t feel any presences from either the manor or the cave. That meant that either concealment formations were at play, or that the dragon had stealth skills competitive with Jarberry’s.
“Right this way,” Eileera said, walking toward the cave mouth. As soon as they passed the threshold of the cave, Kyle felt the unmistakable power of the dragon. Auric Perception warned him of potent stone affinity energy permeating the air, and he instantly knew that Soffrinax was the cause. If the dragon chose to fight within its lair, the stone itself would come alive to crush its enemies.
Thankful for the guarantee of safe passage, they wove through the caverns. Beautiful shining crystals illuminated their passage, embedded into the walls in regular intervals. Finally, they came to a central chamber. The cavern was massive, hundreds of meters across and nearly as high. A pillar of verdant green crystal gave off intense energy from the center of the chamber, though Kyle’s eyes were drawn to the obsidian serpent that was coiled around it.
Soffrinax was easily thirty meters long, with four pairs of short, stumpy legs across its length. Black scales that looked to be made of stone glimmered in the light of the cavern, while the membrane of its wings remained as black as the night itself. Twin ram’s horns curled about on either side of the dragon’s head, as fiery orange eyes regarded Kyle.
“So,” the dragon’s voice rumbled through the chamber. “You are the Courier who fought off Ger’Sinh. An impressive feat, by all accounts. Particularly given your lacking aptitude for combat.”
“Overseer Soffrinax, I am honored by your words,” Kyle replied, giving a slight bow. He chose to ignore the insult, given the circumstances.
Soffrinax snorted, the sound echoing throughout the chamber. “Your kind are so polite, so eager to avoid offense. Eileera, has the Courier been so formal the whole time?”
“Yes, your eminence,” the woman offered, bowing deeply as she stepped forward. “This humble one believes that the Courier’s intention is to maintain a positive relationship, regardless of personal offense.”
“A hallmark of the weak,” Soffrinax rumbled. “Yet, I can feel it on you, human. You have felled a C Grade, have you not? I have it on good authority that you have faced at least one other. Tell me, why would somebody so competent be so concerned with appearances? Are you not proud of your accomplishments?”
That’s a trap if ever there was one, Kyle thought, C.H.A.D.D.’s impressions much the same. Surprisingly, however, he also felt a stirring from his Core of the Parasitic Devourer. It had been largely dormant since unlocking his Heart of Creation, but now a faint sense of hunger rolled through Pack Leader’s Instinct. With horror, Kyle realized why. It was hungry, and it wanted the dragon.
Suppressing the instinct as quickly as he could, Kyle turned his attention back to Soffrinax. “I merely did what was necessary in order to survive. Should I take pride in something so basic?”
The chamber rumbled as Soffrinax began to chuckle. The sound was like a slow, rumbling avalanche, growing in intensity by the moment as it threatened to overwhelm him. “You are an interesting one, Courier. Alas, I did not call you here just to needle you. I will, however, apologize for the subterfuge. While I asked for the meeting, I am merely here as an observer and neutral arbiter, paying back a favor for another.”
At the dragon’s words, Kyle felt another presence enter the caverns. Turning to keep an eye on both the dragon, Eileera, and the exit, Kyle watched as a familiar pale figure emerged from the tunnel. The velgian had long, silver hair, and wore ornate armor that glistened in the light of the cavern. A thin blade rested on his hip, and he looked at Kyle with eyes that were ice-cold. What drew Kyle’s attention the most, however, was the familiarity in his aura. The man before him had also slain a C Grade.
Taking Kyle’s measure for a moment, he finally spoke, his voice was clear as the crystals in the cavern walls. “I believe this is our first formal introduction. I am Arhades. I am also the reason your Practicum turned into such a disaster.” He paused for a moment, meeting Kyle’s eyes.
“While I had no part in it, I felt obligated to offer to make things right. Now, tell me Mayhew, how would you like to join me in hunting some C Grades?”