From Ashes To Scales

I stared out across the rolling hills of Ephiria, the wind gently rustling through the leaves of the towering tree castle. From this vantage point, Bloomhaven was peaceful, but my mind was far from it.

I came here to escape the system. The mainland’s laws, its hierarchy, all of it had been suffocating. I had watched for years as the nobility exploited the common people, growing fat on their privileges while others starved or worked themselves to the bone. Corruption ran deep—wealth and status opened doors, closed mouths, and buried justice. I’d always hated it and thought that one day I could make a stand and change the system, but that was impossible.

Arranged marriages, political unions—those were the worst of it. It was one thing to wield power; it was another to force people into marriages for the sake of convenience or alliances. It felt like a mockery of love, of freedom. Yet here I was, standing on the edge of considering the very same thing: marrying Naja for the sake of stability. Would that make me no better than the mainlanders I despised? Could I truly justify this to myself?

But… I had to remind myself, this wasn’t for me. It was a sacrifice I had to make, for the people. The peace and stability of Ephiria hung in the balance, and if marrying Naja could ensure that—could prevent war or rebellion—it was a price worth paying.

The truth is, I’m doing this so that no one else has to. No one else will be forced into an arranged marriage. No one else will have to suffer under a broken system. With this one step, I could get closer to the utopia I’ve been fighting for, where true equality can be achieved.

But I need to know more. I can’t walk blindly into this decision.

I turned away from the window, my mind set. It was time to speak with Lydia.

-----

Lydia was already waiting for me in one of the quieter chambers, her hands folded neatly in her lap, and once again accentuating her massive udder, as she sat by the window. Her sharp eyes met mine as I entered, a knowing smile already forming on her lips.

“You’ve made a decision, haven’t you?” she asked.

I nodded, taking a seat across from her. “In part. But before I do anything… I need to know more about Naja. I won’t force this marriage. Feelings matter, and if she refuses, I won’t pursue it. I will find another way to earn the people's trust, even if it means using force.”

“You’re shaping up into quite a unique leader. A benevolent tyrant perhaps?”

“I suppose from one perspective, that is the direction I am going with, since I am just, but I have to rely on the military for order. That aside, I can’t even think about proposing until I know Naja better.”

Lydia’s smile widened slightly.

“I thought as much. You’ve always been careful about matters of the heart.” She leaned back in her chair, contemplating. “Very well, Magnus. I’ll tell you what I know, though much of it is a story passed down by word of mouth. It might not be entirely accurate.”

I nodded, listening intently.

---

“Naja Scalesong,” Lydia began, “is a cobra lamia. Her mother was a lamia, her father a lizardman. And as I am sure you know, that makes her a halfling, race wise. That made her unique from the very beginning. Born around 55 years ago, she grew up during Volkos’s reign, a time of chaos and cruelty.”

“55 years ago? She's…”

“Old? Fufu. Magnus, although your reactions are cute, please mind your words. Girls are very sensitive when talking about their age. Given the life expectancy Ephiria had during Volkos, you might think she's already a grandma, but I assure you she's still a fertile woman, and she can even live up to 150 to 200 years. This is just an estimate though.”

“I… understand. Sorry if I was rude. It was just a little shocking.” For a second I thought I wasn't dealing with a milf anymore, and had to deal with a gilf. Ugh… thank god this isn't the case.

“Please continue.”

“Her father died when she was still young—killed in a raid led by Volkos’s forces. Naja’s mother did her best to raise her alone, but times were harsh. When you lose someone close, it leaves a mark on you. Naja learned early on that strength was the only way to survive.”

Lydia paused, her gaze distant as she recalled the fragmented history. “Eventually, she married a clan leader. I don’t know much about him—he wasn’t a particularly famous man, but they led together for a time. They never had children. Whether that was by choice or circumstance, I can’t say.”

I leaned forward. “Did she love him?”

Lydia tilted her head, considering the question. “Love is… complicated. I think she cared for him deeply, but whether it was love in the romantic sense, I’m not sure. He was a partner, a pillar of strength, but their relationship was one of survival as much as anything else.”

She let out a sigh. “Volkos took him from her too. He turned him into one of his undead slaves, forced to work in the mana crystal mines. After that, Naja changed.

She didn’t want to lose anyone else. She took on the role of clan leader herself, and through sheer determination, she built a resistance against Volkos. Her strength, her will to protect her people—that’s what earned her the respect she holds now. She didn’t become a leader out of ambition; she became one out of necessity.”

I sat back, digesting the story. So Naja had lost her father, her husband, and still she stood strong. But that strength had been forged in pain and loss. Did I have the right to ask her to join me in another political marriage, after all she had been through?

“Thank you, Lydia. I will carefully consider this tale.”

---

Lydia’s words lingered with me as left the chamber. Naja’s story was one of resilience, of doing what had to be done to survive. In a way, we weren’t so different. We both act for the sake of peace and doing what we believe is right for the people. Ever since my brother betrayed me, I never thought I would trust anyone again, but the girls that gathered around me… I would do anything to make them happy.

But the more I learned, the more I questioned my approach. Could I really ask this of her? Could I ask her to set aside her pain, her autonomy, and marry a man she barely knew for the sake of peace?

No. If I did this, it would have to be with respect for her feelings. And if she refused, I’d have to accept that. But first, I needed to meet her, talk to her, see who she was beyond the stories. Only then could I make my choice.

I need to prepare a carriage and some guards. I get the feeling that if I bring any of my girls with me, they would create a scene. Saphira barely managed to get them on board with the idea. So it's better if I go alone with just some regular guards. The path was set. Now it was time to prepare for my journey to Naja’s clan.