Runt of the Litter - Tales from Alirast

Trillia sat in the room she was sharing with Amelia, staring at a blank stone wall.

Something didn't sit right with her.

Why had she been so vehement in her defense of Lotan? Most especially against Alliyah and Rubious of all people.

Had the hydra altered her mind? Taking a deep breath and pushing the worrying thoughts out of her mind, she kneeled next to her bed and crossed her hands.

The usual rounds of what she considered mandatory prayers were given, first to Arlyss, then to Ora'sys. Asking both for guidance on this particular worry.

Then she prayed to the Professor and the others, asking how they were, telling them of her worries. Anytime she prayed to them, she felt just a little bit better and wished that they could speak back to her.

A few hours later, Amelia stepped into the room. "Feeling better?"

Trillia looked over to her lifelong friend as she shook her head. "No. It feels...odd that I reacted so strongly? I don't agree with eternal imprisonment, but it was still uncharacteristic of me. Did the rest of the enchantments go well?"

"They did. Lord Hammerstone also pointed us in the direction of a couple of lower-level dungeons that we could clear. They cap out in the low two hundreds. I know that you have a meeting with Lord Hammerstone and Lord Arlyss in the morning, but would you like to join Malor, Frederick, and I for a dungeon run after?"

A smile raced across her face in an instant. "I'd love to. Assuming I'm still allowed in the dwarven realms after the meeting. It's been so long since we've been in a dungeon together. I can't wait to see how much you've all grown!"

Amelia walked over and plopped down on the bed next to Trillia. "Wanna talk about why you reacted the way you did? Or why you might think you did?"

"I don't know...when I entered its mind, it was unlike anything I've experienced. I saw six different minds...but even a brief glimpse deeper told me that there had to be dozens, if not hundreds, of minds all linked up together. It could understand the effects my title was having on it and actively resisted those effects. The only other creatures I know that can do that are gods or the dragons."

The two sat in silence for a few minutes pondering before Amelia spoke up. "Maybe that's because you were only affecting one mind?"

Trillia looked over with a bit of confusion on her face. "Well, think about it, you said there were multiple minds, right? But you weren't speaking to all of them at once?"

"No. In fact, it had to limit my exposure to even the one or two I was speaking to. The amount of information was painful to bear."

"So then it probably saw the mind that you were interacting with act differently than the rest of its minds. As for why you reacted the way you did...I don't know. Maybe it did manipulate you? If it's truly devoured so many artifacts, I have no doubt a few of them would have had mind-altering abilities."

"I know it's a lot to ask. But would you be willing to be present tomorrow?"

"Of course. Assuming that Lord Hammerstone and Lord Arlyss are ok with that."

"I'll make sure that they are. I think I'm going to get some sleep. Thanks for talking with me tonight." Trillia reached over and hugged her friend before lying down to sleep.

-=====-

Amelia sat awake in her bed, looking over at her friend, who was snoring quietly. The little orc had been acting bizarrely ever since their run-in with that terrifying immortal. Worse is that Trillia actually harmed it!

Their friend group had spoke many times about how to keep up with Trillia while the dragons had her. Seeing the young woman that was returned to them, she wasn't sure if it was wise to try.

What sort of mortal confidently says that she will make sure that two gods are ok with something? What was happening to her friend?

-=====-

The next day, Trillia woke early. A surly dwarf was knocking loudly on the door and told her that she was expected.

Amelia did her best to get ready and hurry out after the two.

They were led back to the room with Lotan in it, Trillia was happy to see that the guards were not only stationed further away from the hydra, but they were wearing far more simple gear.

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Lotan actually seemed at peace.

Arlyss stood not far from the great beast, bright red robes embroidered in gold hung from broad shoulders. She had just seen her patron a few months ago.

But somehow, he seemed...fuller. Like he had grown several years in that short time. A gnarled wooden staff with a sickly green orb at the top floated quietly at his side. "Oh good, she's here."

Trillia took a deep breath and stepped into the room, Amelia at her side. Their surly guide bowed to Rubious before leaving, and the guards followed shortly after.

Now, the large circular room held Trillia, Amelia, Rubious, Arlyss, and of course, Lotan.

"I'd appreciate if this was kept to only people who need to know." Rubious said, looking pointedly at Amelia.

"I agree, which is why she is here." Trillia responded without a moment of hesitation before standing at her god's side. "She is my oldest and dearest friend. Anything we discuss, I would tell her anyway. Unless you plan to make use of a geas."

Rubious stroked his beard in silent contemplation as he watched Trillia. Arlyss briefly looked at the old dwarven god before looking back to Lotan.

"Have I done something to offend you, Lady Fairtrade?"

"You are keeping a living, sentient creature alive and in chains. Have you had many talks with dragons, Lord Hammerstone?"

The dwarf continued to stare at her oddly but shook his head. "Only a few dozen times. Why do you ask?"

"The dragons and leviathans see all other mortals as lesser. Insects ready to be swept aside at their earliest convenience. I know this because I was in debt to Lord Quetzalcoatl, and he told me as much. How would you feel if Lord Quetzalcoatl had one of your clerics imprisoned? How would you feel if the great leader of the Storm Clan looked you in your eyes and said why are you feeling such thoughts for such a lowly beast? Knowing full well that not only does he mean those words, but to him, your people and followers are lowly beasts?"

Rubious stopped stroking his beard.

The dwarven god looked her over for a moment before turning to look at Lotan. "I don't suppose I'd enjoy it very much. But I would be powerless to stop him. As a god, I could just strike him down with minimal effort, but I'd be breaking so many rules that my followers would be wiped out because of my ego and hubris."

The room went silent.

"But this bea-" Rubious stopped himself. Turning to look at Trillia.

"Lotan is not of your people, is he?"

As Trillia went to speak, Arlyss spoke up. "He is, actually."

Everyone else in the room looked at him in confusion.

"I took this time to look through my avatar's memories. There is a very good reason that she reacted the way she did, and to be frank, Rubious, you disappoint me."

The dwarven god was on the back foot now. Arlyss' tone had none of the normal, friendly demeanor to it. "What is going on here? I will remind the two of you that you are guests in my kingdom."

Arlyss looked over at the dwarf almost lazily. "Lord Rubious. It is only because of my immense respect for you and your people that I am not here in a hostile fashion."

Amelia fell to her knees as the full weight of Rubious' power slammed into the room, into this particular body.

Trillia found herself barely feeling it.

"Careful now, Lord Arlyss. I am no so old and weak as to be disposed of."

Arlyss sighed and brought a hand up to rub the bridge of his nose.

"Have you ever had the pleasure of speaking with my brother?"

Rubious' power didn't wane.

Trillia saw thin strands of golden mana reach out to various points in the citadel.

"I've met young Riten, he is a good and hono-"

"My other brother. Rather, my half-brother."

Six dwarven clerics were standing around Arlyss with weapons in hand. Amelia had been cast out of the room by the same divine power that had brought the clerics forth.

Why wasn't she in a panic?

Why wasn't her heart racing?

Instead, Trillia found her hand on her blade.

But not on the [Sliver Of Fate] that her mother had given her. Instead, Leaf sat comfortably in her hand.

Her newfound brawn made it easy to wield the large weapon in a single hand.

Arlyss looked around at the clerics. "So you have. Tell me, Rubious. What do you think of him?"

"Easy lad...dangerous grounds you're treading."

"His mana is trying to create a sphere around us, Lord Arlyss." Trillia said it so off-handedly as if she wasn't about to attack a god.

"Let's have a civil conversation, Rubious."

And for the first time since she had become his Avatar, Trillia realized why, even as a child, her patron and his siblings were feared.

The full might of Arlyss' deific power sank into the form next to her. Stone creaked and groaned with pressure it had never felt before.

Lotan's eyes shot open with a hunger and power lingering in them that should have terrified Trillia.

Instead, she felt at peace.

The Clerics did their best to remain standing, but they couldn't.

One by one, they were driven to their knees.

The door to the prison opened as Alliyah tried to storm in. No doubt being summoned or warned by Rubious.

And even she was checked in place.

"By all that is sacred...what have you done, boy?" Rubious flexed the power he had available to get his people out of the prison before they were crushed.

"It's quite simple. We have fifty years of time that we cannot ascend. Do you really think my siblings and I have been passive? Do you truly think we've been so lazy in acquiring power?" Arlyss spoke as if he had been deeply offended.

The younger god took a step forward, and the room shook. "I am a Darktone. My father is not here or capable of defending my brother right now. That duty falls to the rest of us. For it is the duty of every Darktone to defend our family and the mortals above all others."

Arlyss reached a hand out and grabbed Rubious by the shoulder, the dwarven god's power shrank back into him. "Please, Rubious. Do not make an enemy out of me. I wish to have a discussion, but you need to understand that this discussion is happening at my whim and mercy, not yours."

Trillia watched as a god started to bleed. The dwarf was driven to his knees with a simple nod. Arlyss' power vanished from the room as quickly as it had come.

"By all that is...what have you done to us." Rubious looked over at Alliyah as he spoke, terror dancing on the edge of his voice.