Snow fell on the player army as Exile and the rest of Ragnarok led the way. ‘We’re almost there.’ Exile sighed as they walked a path that ran behind a waterfall. ‘The scouts haven’t returned yet. This means Nar’Kozz hasn’t sent any Stalkers here. We should be in the clear for now.’
“Clay, lead them the rest of the way. I’m going on ahead.” Exile said as he glanced in the direction of Valheim. “Also, set up a lookout point here. Have them keep watch for any movement in the forest and Valheim.”
“Sure thing, boss. ” Clay replied with a shrug. “But maybe let them rest first. You know, to release the tension we’ve all been feeling.”
Exile nodded at Clay’s words as he wondered how Noslin was doing. ‘It’ll be almost impossible to escape Valheim if she dies down there.’ Exile shook his head as he told Clay to do as he saw fit before summoning his levitation rune.
It only took a few minutes for Exile to fly to the peak of the mountain where Himinbj?rg sat. Relief washed over him as he landed within its walls, and he headed directly for the temple. ‘We’re going to need a stockpile of enchanted gear for the players. I’ll have Midas draw up contracts for the other Pantheons to pay us back over time.’
He hated the idea of giving over goods before they were paid for. However, considering their situation, he could not afford to be stingy right now. Exile knew he would be busy with that for a while, so he had to put his plans to create new spells on hold.
‘Looks like I’ve slipped back into a supporting role.’ He chuckled as he took as he headed for the altar. ‘For now, I should check in on my prayers. I’ve been letting it slide for too long.’ Exile sighed as he read through the recent ones. They consisted of people asking for his protection and so on.
In truth, most of the prayers he received were generally tedious things. However, a deep frown appeared on his face as he found several prayers from the same person. As he was reading them, another one came in that caused Exile to reveal a grim expression.
‘What the hell is this?’ Exile wondered as he quickly exited the temple and headed for his room. ‘This is a disaster! I can’t believe something like this is happening now of all times!’ He groaned as he barged into his room and threw himself on the bed.
‘Avatar!’
Dretheir roared as a lightning bolt interrupted him before he could launch his attack. Ciena gaped at the great dragon as several more lightning bolts struck him. A golden figure appeared next to Ciena in the sky as she realised what had happened.
“Explain yourself!” Exile’s voice burst forth with the fury of thunder as he glared at the dragon.
Dretheir eyed Exile warily as he glanced at the sky. Ciena could tell he was calculating his chances of surviving now that Exile had arrived. Dretheir’s eyes narrowed as he glared at the pair above him.
“You came,” Dretheir growled as he wracked his brain. “I’ll speak to you once I get rid of this nuisance. You have no right to interfere with our battle!” 𝐞𝗻𝐨𝘃𝗹.𝐜𝐨𝗺
Dretheir roared again as another lightning bolt struck him. A heavy pressure filled the air around him as he noticed Exile was trembling. Ciena wore a triumphant grin as she transformed into her humanoid form.
Exile stared at her without revealing his emotions on his face as another bolt struck the dragon. Dretheir roared in agony and outrage as he shot a spiteful glare at Ciena. A way out of that situation occurred to Dretheir as he sneered.
“I am but an envoy. Would you risk war by killing me?” Before Dretheir could chuckle after his statement, another bolt struck. “Wait! What are you doing?”
“It seems to me you’ve already declared war. Who is your god?” Lightning danced in Exile’s eyes as he glared at the dragon. “Tell me, now!”
Dretheir cursed as he lowered his head. He was sure the situation would have been easy to handle if Ciena had not tired him out.
“Let me rest first, then we can talk,” Dretheir replied as he glanced toward the ship.
“He’s trying to stall for time. I advise against allowing him to regain his power before you settle matters.” Ciena whispered to Exile. “I’ll support you as much as I can. It’s the least I can do to amend the damage my daughter has caused.”
Exile cocked an eyebrow at that statement. He had already guessed that Ciena was related to Allyce, which was why he had not targeted her as well. ‘Allyce is the cause behind this? How?’ Exile wondered as he moved his gaze to the ship.
A dark cloud gathered over it as many sparks of lights lit it up. Dretheir swallowed his pride when he realised Exile was willing to destroy the ship if he did not start talking.
“I am Dretheir! I am here on business for my Goddess. She requests that you turn over the traitorous warbeast that sought shelter in Skardia. If you do not turn the warbeast over, then she will have no choice but to view you as an enemy. Since you shelter a traitor.”
Exile let the cloud dissipate as he studied the dragon. ‘Allyce is a warbeast traitor? From what I heard from Skovi and herself, that shouldn’t be the case.’ Exile frowned as he pondered what to do. He “This snake threatened to destroy a city full of your followers,” Ciena said. “I hope you can forgive me for interfering.”
could not afford another war in the mortal realms while still dealing with the threat of Nar’Kozz.
“My daughter is not a traitor!” Ciena hissed as she shot a malicious look at Dretheir. “Your goddess is forcing the different tribes to serve her purposes! She orders the death of cubs and younglings if anyone refuses! My daughters have done nothing except protect innocent warbeasts. Whether it’s from the dark elves or your goddess’ people!”
Exile’s eyebrows shot up as he studied the dragon. Dretheir released a low growl as he turned his attention to the Eagle Queen.
“Would you not call that being a traitor? My goddess is the rightful ruler of all warbeasts! Anyone who acts against her wishes is a traitor!” Dretheir snarled as he rose back into the air. “Your daughter needs to answer for her crimes!”
“My daughter doesn’t recognise the authority of your goddess! None of them does! Your goddess is hungry for power. She wants to enslave my race and make use of them in her wars!” Ciena scowled as she tried to calm herself down. “I will never allow even one of my children to fall under her control!”
Exile could only curse at the situation he found himself in. He could not hand over Allyce without losing an Oracle. Nor did he want to get on the bad side of Allyce’s mother. At the same time, another war would exact a heavy toll on the Skardians who looked to him for protection.
‘Wait. Ciena mentioned the dark elves and other wars. How can this goddess afford to launch another war? Surely she’ll be overcommitting herself.’ Exile frowned as he mulled things over in his mind. ‘Unless this a gamble to make us feel threatened. Is she hoping I’ll cave knowing we can’t afford another war yet?’
‘If it’s Allyce she wants, then from Ciena’s words, I can assume she wants to force Allyce to become her Oracle.’ Exile’s gaze went from Ciena to Dretheir. ‘There are obviously others of their kind. However, from the sounds of it, none of them will serve this goddess. Why doesn’t she just launch a war on their people if she wants to capture them?’
‘Unless she’s too scared to. Or doesn’t have the necessary forces. That further suggests she can’t afford to launch a war with me. She’s hoping I’ll give up a single rogue Eagle she thinks is far away from her mother’s protection.’ Exile’s eyes narrowed as he glared at Dretheir.
“What price is your goddess willing to pay for my Oracle?” Exile asked with a solemn expression. However, he was studying Dretheir’s reaction carefully. ‘He trembled just now when I said Oracle.’
“Oracle?” Dretheir mumbled as he glanced at Ciena. “You have taken the traitor as an Oracle?”
“That’s what I said.” Exile nodded. “I’ll have you know that I feel obligated to protect her family, despite her being in my service only a short time.”
Dretheir flinched at those words as Ciena started to piece everything together. A sly smile appeared on her face as she fixed Dretheir with a hateful glare.
“And I shall give the order to protect Skardia if your goddess launches a war on these people. It’s only right, seeing as my daughter serves a Skardian god as well as being the cause behind it.” Ciena stated matter-of-factly.
Exile could see the gears turning in Dretheir’s mind as he considered his options. It was clear the dragon was looking for a way to win in that situation. However, if he backed down now, it would only prove his goddess could not afford a war with both of them either. But if he pushed on, and they did not have the forces, the result would be the same, an unwinnable war.
‘He’s hesitating. That’s good. It seems like I was right.’ Exile nodded to himself as he kept his attention on the dragon.
“I require a moment to contact my goddess. This decision is hers to make.” Dretheir grumbled as Exile nodded.