NOVEL NEXT Chapter 18: Adventure
Lukas found himself in the giant throne room where the Lady Kaitlyn Drakos sat, her expression neutral while her eyes displayed a storm of emotions that the Lordling could not attempt to comprehend.
They were not alone, instead surrounded only by the Dragonborn that they could trust.
Katrina stood at Lukas' right, struggling to keep her emotions in check. She had her blonde hair tied up into a tight bun, her eyes fierce. While most of the nobles around them wore robes of silk, she donned her armor with her gigantic warhammer remaining strapped to her back.
Katrina had rose to meet the responsibilities of the Warden well and it showed. The young girl seemed more sure of herself, confident in her abilities more than ever. She had grown stronger. Lukas had made the right choice making her the one to succeed Samuel's old post.
Jesse stood at his left, glancing at Lukas from time to time. But the young dragonborn seemed busy scanning the faces in the crowd, his eyes darting around every few seconds; studying the room. Lukas could only imagine what was going on in that young boy's head; he truly was intelligent beyond his years.
Silence filled the court as the seconds went by, awaiting judgement from the dragon who sat on the throne.
Lukas and Jesse had just delivered the news of what information they had gained from the Kraken's interrogation. The Kraken had refused to say more on Lord Rodan's whereabouts until he was guaranteed a pardon. If the Cthulhu had no confirmation that he would live to see another day then he would not speak.
Jesse's father, Samuel Sterling, was situated right next to Lady Kaitlyn. The former Warden had become a very valuable advisor to the consort since stepping down from his position at Kuria Prison and had been doing his part to help the Seas in any way he could.
His mother, Selene of Dawn, had been appointed to the Royal Guard. No one dared to question her appointment especially after her display of strength on the fateful night where the Seas witnessed the Fall of the Kraken. His mother was dressed in red flowing robes and she flashed her son a toothy smile when their eyes met. Now, the retired warlord and former General of the Seas was solely responsible for the safety of the Royal Consort, the Lady Kaitlyn Drakos herself.
"How sure are you of his words, Lukas? We don't have nothing to confirm whether he speaks the truth, no?" The Lady Kaitlyn finally spoke, her tone as calm as ever.
"He swore it on the River Styx." He replied.
Lukas had learnt the power of such an oath.
Jesse and Marshall Sterling had scoffed at the Kraken's initial claim but once he said those words, once he had uttered Her name, their expressions changed immediately. To break an oath sworn on the River Styx would be worse than death itself for the consequences would find you even in the Underworld.
"I…will need some time to think about this." Lady Kaitlyn's response was uncertain, a trait she did not often display.
Katrina finally spoke up.
Katrina had been the first one Lukas had gone to with the information because beyond politics and decision-making, she was Rodan's daughter. This was her father they were talking about and after years of assuming that Rodan was dead, she deserved to hear this more than anyone else.
There were tears in her eyes, her fists clenched tight and scales beginning to creep up her arms; waves of emotions seemed to be causing her Draconic Flow's instability.
"WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO THINK ABOUT, GRANDMOTHER? WE NEED TO FIND HIM NOW! HE COULD BE IN DANGER, HE CO-" Her outburst was unexpected but it was promptly cut off before she could say what she wanted to say.
"You will not act like a child, Katrina. You are a Drakos and you will act accordingly. Keep yourself in check. Or I will order you to be removed from the court. You are not thinking rationally. I understand where you are coming from. But my first priority must always be what is best for our people. You cannot allow emotions to cloud your judgement." Lady Kaitlyn did not raise her voice nor did she need to. The sternness in her voice was more than enough to silence the Warden of Kuria Prison.
"Lady Kaitlyn, I do not understand what else is there to consider." This time, Katrina's voice was measured seething as she reigned in control of her frustration. "This is Lord Rodan we are talking about, our rightful Lord. Without him, the Seas fell to near ruins. If not for Lukas, the Kraken might be sitting on that throne. Is it not in the people's best interest to find and rescue my father? So that he may lead his people once more? Who knows what the Kraken has done to him, who knows how long he has left? This is not a situation where time is on our side, grandmother. I beg of you." Her voice finally cracked, filled with emotion.
Lukas watched without a word but he finally saw Lady Kaitlyn's gaze soften, recognizing how much Katrina had missed her father and recognizing, truthfully, how much the Royal Consort herself had missed her own son.
But yet again, the Lady Kaitlyn would not allow herself to be swayed by fleeting emotions.
"We have to consider the possibility of…betrayal, child. If what the Kraken claims is right then your father still betrayed his people by teaching him the Draconic Flow. He put that power into the hands of our enemies. Your father is not weak, Katrina. He would not have lost to the Kraken. We have to accept that...it is likely that your father turned his back on his people. It is more likely than not that he abandoned his position and worked hand in hand with the Kraken. Why Rodan would do this? I have no idea. But what I do know is that Kraken needs to pay for the sins he has committed against the Seas. My conscience will not allow me to let somebody like him go free."
The nobles murmured in agreement, realizing the truth in the Royal Consort's words.
The Lady Kaitlyn was right.
At the end of the day, if the stories of Rodan were true, the Kraken wouldn't have stood a chance against such a mighty warrior. Lukas had been able to defeat the Kraken fairly easily and he had only just begun to learn how to wield House Drakos' Divinity. Somebody who had mastered that same Divinity centuries ago like Rodan Drakos would have absolutely demolished the Kraken.
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Not to mention, Rodan was a Dragon Lord, impervious to magic which affected control over the mind through the Legacies he inherited. There was no world in which the Kraken could have forced Rodan to teach him the Draconic Flow.
Not unless Rodan had done so willingly.
Katrina looked around the room desperately, watching as the nobles nodded in approval.
None would dare meet Katrina's eyes. None except Lukas. His brother's daughter sobbed, her eyes speaking more words than she could ever say in that moment.
Lukas had heard enough.
"May I propose a solution, my Lady?" Lukas' voice boomed across the court, forcing all of the attention on him.
The Lady Kaitlyn's eyes narrowed in slight suspicion but granted him the approval to address the court with a curt nod.
"I believe you are right. I do believe that there is a very high likelihood that Lord Rodan betrayed his people. And we know for a fact that he is not in Linemall. Or else we would have found him already. Am I correct to make such a claim?" Lukas asked, knowing full well that he was right.
The Royal Consort nodded again, wondering where he was going with this.
"Allow me to paint you a picture. If you are right about where Rodan's loyalties truly lie then we have a former Dragon Lord who is out in the world of Hiraeth doing who knows what. We have a former Dragon Lord who has power to rival any living creature who no longer has any loyalty to this Kingdom we all call home, a former Dragon Lord...who knows exactly where Linemall is. If we do not do anything about him, is it not also possible he may be willing to lead our enemies right to our doorsteps? What's to say we don't put the entirety of the draconic kind at risk if we choose not to spare the Kraken?"
The nobles gasped and Katrina looked at him, eyes filled with fury.
Katrina had wordlessly asked him to help Rodan's case, not to slander her father's name even further. But then, the true intentions behind Lukas' words began to sink in.
"With this in mind, is it not true that we should do everything in our power to make sure he is brought back to Linemall immediately? Whether or not my brother has betrayed his people, that will be decided once we find him. And if Rodan is guilty, then he will return to Linemall to face his punishment. Until then, all I can say is that we must find him and bring him back to prevent putting the very safety of Linemall at risk. And I, Lukas Drakos, give you my word that I can and I will bring him back."
The nobles were silent now.
Was it really worth the risk to let Lukas travel beyond the borders of this nation to seek out a Dragon Lord who had already turned his back on his people. Why risk losing Lukas just to find Rodan? He was their rising star, someone who they could not risk losing.
At the same time, the last thing these nobles wanted was another Great War on their hands.
Some of them here had lived through and even fought in the war. But many more had fallen.
If another one were to occur, it could bring an end to the dragon race for good.
"Additionally, I would like to take this opportunity to improve the livelihoods of all in Linemall. Though our economy has been growing fast, the Seas can prosper even more rapidly if you allow us to begin to expand the Merchant Guild's influence outside of Linemall. This will undoubtedly improve the quality of life for all in the Seas. This way, sparing the Kraken's life and allowing him to lead us to Rodan is...in the best interest for the people"
That was the final nail in the coffin. These nobles loved money perhaps just as much as Jesse did. At their core, they were nothing but greedy bastards. Dragons were never known for their generosity after all, no, they were known for their treasure troves and mountains full of gold. And Lukas had made use of that trait to his advantage.
The nobles maintained their composure and nodded after taking some moments to "consider". But Lukas knew they'd already made their decision the moment he had brought up the possibility of greater profits.
The Lady Kaitlyn sat there, hesitant as ever but seeing the truth in his words.
Lukas knew the Royal Consort was trying to come up with any reason why she should turn down his proposal but she knew he was right.
Deep down, even if the she would never admit it herself, the Lady Kaitlyn was glad that Lukas had given her a reason to find her son. She didn't want to believe it herself, in fact she could not ever accept the fact that her son would ever betray his own kind.
The Royal Consort had not shot down Katrina because she did not love her son, in fact Lukas knew she cared for him more than anything in the world. Because a mother's love knew no bounds.
But as the one who was responsible for leading and caring for the Seas, she had had to put her duties above her own wants.
Now Lukas had given the Lady Kaitlyn an ideal solution even with the dangers it posed, such that both the needs of her people and what she wanted could be prioritized.
"Very well, Lukas Drakos. But this time, it is not only the Seas but possibly it is now the fate of Linemall that lies in your hands. You will depart by the end of this week. Choose who will accompany you on this journey. Much must be done before then. The next few days are going to be very busy. This meeting is adjourned."
The crowd of nobles cheered and began to take their leave.
Katrina enveloped him in a bear hug as she thanked him profusely. She proceeded to shake Jesse with excitement, shouting at the top of her lungs.
Lukas glanced towards the woman who sat on the throne and she locked eyes with him.
In that split second, the Royal Consort gave him a warm smile before mouthing the words: "Thank you." Lukas simply took a bow, acknowledging her gratitude.
There was much to be done before they left.
Honestly?
Lukas was thrilled. He would have liked to claim that he had done all of that out of the kindness of his heart. But Lukas had simply seen an opportunity and he had taken it. Because for the first time in his second life, he was going to see what lay beyond the Kingdom of Dragons.
Lukas had always wondered what it was like outside of Linemall.
Guess Lukas wasn't so different those novles. He was a little bit of a selfish bastard himself.
Finally, Lukas was going to see what the rest of Hiraeth had to offer!