A Dragon Idol's Reincarnation Tale

Being a princess wasn’t the same as the lovely, fantasy stories would depict it to you. At least, they weren’t similar to the kid cartoons and picture books that showed them. I couldn’t speak about others, since I didn’t have their entire life experience to work with, but as a princess myself with two other older sisters, I had to say that being a dragon princess was a lot of work.

Aside from the annoying administrative work, which I was barely qualified for before Sieg started tutoring me, there were so many events that took away from my actual profession as an idol. Sure, I did enjoy some of them, like working on my pet projects, like streaming. To me, the digital media guild and everything concerning it were the evolution of my entertainer career, and I was putting my all into assuring it succeeded.

However, there was one more thing I had absolutely forgotten. After all, as a whelpling, I hadn’t felt attracted to anybody in a long time… I could find somebody handsome or beautiful, but that was about it. And there was the problem. As a princess, I was expected to marry and unite my clan with another clan.

None of my siblings had a partner yet, but that didn’t mean that they hadn’t received suitors… I believe. Technically, draconic courtship was just beating each other up until you find somebody you liked. Soooo… were the holy dragons trying to make Uriahn beat me up like a school bully?

“Ah, Rhekkraxus! Good to see you again! It’s been a while since we last—”

“Elder scale.” Rhekk charged forward, standing in front of Uriahn, casting a small shadow on him due to their slight height difference. “Considering you and your cousin enjoy spending time with Prince Taimatrak, I had thought you wouldn’t be just as much of a fool as the rest of the holy dragons. The entire empire is currently embroiled in a succession conflict, and you had to choose today of all days to approach our princess?”

… He’s actually using a rational argument? I thought he wanted to punch him.

Uriahn, though, chuckled, shrugging a bit to the chagrin of the two dragonkin. Considering the other signals, those ice dragonkin probably weren’t happy as well with this reaction. “What’s the harm? Talking should be okay. Or, does everybody frown and growl whenever Sacred Nests dispatches their dragons to act as mere clerics and healers for the oh so great race of the true dragonkin? Everybody knows that merely adopting elven alchemists and holy mages isn’t the same as asking a holy dragonkin. We have the mana and intelligence to heal even dragons on the border of death back to life. Am I not allowed to speak with another holy dragon?”

“That ‘holy dragon’ is also a fire dragon,” Kylu snapped, but started taking a step back when Uriahn gazed at him.

“Kyluvanus, go tell your brother. And bring mine here, as well.” Rhekk ordered, prompting the younger dragonkin to rush away. “Shayatierus. Bethlieranha. My clan members spoke a bit about this, but you two had front row seats, right? Is it true this guy mentioned a potential courtship?”

“He did not propose to Princess Hestia,” Beth answered for her hotheaded brother, who was still standing between Uriahn and me. “However, he did admit that his father, Lord Galiladrak, wishes for the marriage to happen.”

Hearing this, Rhekk’s frown intensified. On the other hand, Vifi sighed and shrugged, looking like she was trying to tell everybody, “Why would that matter?” And I had to agree. Well, partially.

I did receive multiple warnings from everybody, including Empress Forminaxtrass and Sieg, to avoid Sacred Nest and not to interact with the holy dragonkin. This wasn’t done purely for the fact that Sacred Nest saw me, due to my holy alignment, as the only legitimate princess to take the throne, consequently making me a potential political enemy to my siblings’ factions, since I would have the support of two dragonkin nests if I were to ever think of vying for the title of heir apparent.

Even the alliance the Dragon Lord of Light wished to make with Frozen Nest could become a headache. Sure, Uncle Alex had no reason to accept the alliance, given the political ramifications that didn’t align with my complete disinterest in fighting in the succession crisis. However, I knew well enough about how the optics could be interpreted.

However, the most important reason why I couldn’t associate myself with Sacred Nest was due to a history. The former Dragon Ruler of Light, the one before Galiladrak, was Lucieliark Yngvaldr, the dragoness who initiated the sundering of the imperial family and the one who started the first draconic civil war. Well, Eltharion’s brother did it, but Taimatrak did say that Lucieliark seduced my Uncle, Inrikk, in an attempt to either take the throne for Sacred Nest or to spite my Father, as he rejected her advances.

Regardless of the actual truth behind the reason, what mattered was that Sacred Nest supported the usurper, Inrikk, who fell in love with the power that came from ruling Kargryx while Eltharion was away to fight in the demon war with Kramps and the rest of the elder scales. Sacred Nest did splinter into two factions when the civil war intensified, with one led by its Dragon Ruler and the other by Galiladrak, Lucieliark’s younger brother. Galiladrak supported Eltharion to safeguard his clan from utter destruction, but people still believe that Clan Yngvaldr was still scheming to put a holy dragon on the throne.

The dragonkin’s fear of Eltharion kept them all in line, and the fear of a repeat of the civil war meant that the escalation of the current succession crisis was slow. Eltharion’s slow death, though, emboldened everybody until he reminded them and showed that he was still a nuclear bomb ready to explode.

With Eltharion sitting with our entire family to watch Neill fight, a holy dragonkin trying to propose to me sounded like a disaster about to come true. I had no idea how Father would actually act, but I knew, at least, Forminaxtrass wouldn’t let this go without interference. Dark dragonkin would have acted if Rhekk and Frozen Nest hadn’t acted before them.

At least, that was my assessment of this political nonsense.

“As the wyvern said, I did not propose anything. I did, however, tell her what my father is planning. His words and intent can be taken as an issue, but the last time I checked, words alone can’t make Sacred Nest an enemy of the throne,” Uriahn said.

Rhekk backed up. Just like Vifi and I, he had to agree that overacting here wasn’t the answer. As Uriahn said, nothing really happened from this moment. People could react to it, and it wouldn’t surely cause trouble, but causing a violent reaction would be more problematic for everybody. Outside of the arena, hostility would only attract Father’s gaze… though, he probably would ignore any minor tavern brawl that would surely happen due to the festive nature.

“Last I heard, your reputation hasn’t gotten any better after you returned from your pilgrimage,” Rhekk said, causing Uriahn to chuckle.

“Why would you care, young scale? Last time I checked, you just started yours when I returned. Besides, I am not like you, who cares so much about my lineage, to the point of acting like a pompous skink,” Uriahn retorted, stinging Rhekk with the truth. “Though, surprisingly, you are acting differently. You are actually holding yourself a bit similar to Lord Siegragxus.”

“I-I am?” Rhekk stuttered, prompting me to tilt my head to the side to stare at him, causing him to clear his throat. “Okay, maybe we overreacted a bit, but you should be aware of how dragonkin see you. You cannot be that oblivious.”

“Too many voices already speak of Clan Yngvaldr’s slow decline. The Dragon Ruler of Light took over 2500 years to produce an heir, to the point that both my parents were called sterile. My cousin was insulted for being a pacifist who enjoyed the arts, unworthy to even be considered the next Dragon Ruler. As such, I am the only ‘saving grace.’ The rest of the empire can think whatever they wish about my nest and me, but those notions are thrown out of the window the moment we are called to save the dragonkin who got themselves into a clan feud,” Uriahn stated, almost like a taunt. “Though I understand your worry. Lord Siegragxus and Lord Fehrkatruk are coming, correct? I’ll await their return! Princess Hestia, shall—”

‘Hestia, give me control,’ Hikari requested.

Hmm? Are you sure? What are you planning on doing?

‘Something that has to be said in our silver dragonkin form, so I need control over our body.’

Well, sure. Go for it.

[Fire Ice Fusion Core] activated, cooling down the heat collected in my core and turning my scales from crimson into silver. At the same time, Hikari’s consciousness switched with mine, sending me backstage as we, once again, successfully transformed into a mineral dragon. There were still no complications or otherwise. The process was fast and almost seamless—a testament to the power of the System or the ice mana dwelling inside me.

“We shall what?” Hikari snapped at Uriahn. “Rhekk’s point still stands, though. You were sent here by your father to pursue a possible marriage proposal, on the grounds that an alliance between our nests might happen. You can’t refute that. Sure, you personally did not intend for our meeting to devolve into that, but we can’t exactly continue this trip as if nothing had happened. We aren’t friends.”

If you weren’t aware of how [Split Soul Autonomy] worked and who Hikari was, most people would default to believing that “Hestia” would always be in control of our body. They wouldn’t know there was an actual distinction between the “crimson dragon, Hestia,” and the “silver dragon, Hikari,” nor how there was a small difference between the two of us and how we spoke and what our priorities were.

“That is… certainly a transformation, Princess Hestia.” As one of the people who weren’t in the know, Uriahn’s surprise was normal. “Have you evolved? As a mere whelpling?”

“I am still rank B,” Hikari replied, acting as me. There was no need to correct people unless we wanted to, and my retainers and friends, like Rhekk, knew not to address me as Hikari unless it was needed. “I’ve just done what every filial daughter should do to make her beloved mother happier. I am a black tyrant scion, yes, but I am also the daughter of the [Diamond-Powder Fimbulvetr Dragon]. I am also a Nordor, just as much as I am a Kargryxmor.”

“I see… though that begs the question why you must assume such a form, now?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Icy mist started to seep from my body, forming some ice sheets on my scales. The barely repressed awe coming from the ice dragonkin spies made me feel self-conscious of Hikari’s decision to show off. “Scion of Clan Yngvaldr, you speak with the princess of Frozen Nest. If you have come here under the orders of your father, no matter how much you wish to make this a casual meeting, it, politically, cannot be considered one. I have a duty to uphold my promise to my citizens and fellow ice flight and wake—to protect them from the succession crisis. I do not seek the throne. I do not seek to fight against my siblings in a damning competition created by ambitious elder scales, and as such, reject the possibility of inciting even more misunderstandings surrounding me.”

Uriahn’s brows slanted as he gave me a pitying look, sighing as he had nothing to say. Therefore, I continued.

“You wouldn’t have gotten much from me, considering I was on edge the moment I realized your identity. If you wish to learn who I am, as you stated, then simply attend my concert tomorrow.”

“… The bard performance?”

“IDOL!” I shouted, prompting Beth to repeat the word to emphasize it. “I am an idol! A singer and dancer who performs songs meant to help my listeners enjoy a moment of respite after a long day of work, or after a particularly dark moment. I want to see people smile, and if my voice can grant them just that, then I am happy… so, come tomorrow, yes? You better.”

“… You are a strange dragon. Though you do resemble my cousin quite a bit,” Uriahn scoffed, but it seemed more like a snicker from the tone of his sentence. “Though I guess you are right. Sacred Nest has fully accepted that the eight dragon princess of Kargryx is the only sovereign we shall support in this succession. Your will is ours as well.”

“Is that an official announcement?”

He nodded. “Father has announced it to his direct retainers and theirs, as well. The source of your true holy mana comes from [Providence’s Will], and as its new owner, you can start accustoming yourself to the Light Elemental Emperor’s mana. You are doing what we holy dragonkin have been yearning for years. I have confirmed it now. You have traces of that mana inside your body, despite [Providence’s Will] not being present around you. It is still but a seed, but the divine mana that clings around your body will surely nurture it.”

Osmosis through my continued usage of [Providence’s Will], and not to mention my time inside the Water and Wind Elemental Emperor, did leave me to interact with the true holy mana stored inside the catalyst. Though unlike Tasianna, who fully absorbed the Ice Elemental King’s, I didn’t. Any traces were just that—traces.

Though getting exposed to it probably did help the potency of the holy mana inside my body, until I got a skill that told me I had it, like Tasianna, the fact that I had true holy mana in my body didn’t mean anything to me. I couldn’t use it, after all. [Mana Eyes] didn’t show much, sadly.

“If you wish to bring in status into our discussion, then I just gave mine. However, I reassure you, I didn’t come here with any of that in mind,” Uriahn finished, and I nodded, though Hikari didn’t feel the same acceptance.

“Sure, and I wish not to be dragged into this whole mess with your father and Sacred Nest. You may acknowledge me however you want, but I am not leading any of you. I already have enough to do in Frozen Nest. I don’t need to take care of and manage the dragonkin of another nest, as well. Could you tell your family that? To leave me alone?”

“I will. Whether they accept it is another matter.”

“What nonsense.” However, instead of Rhekk or my retainers, somebody new interjected into the discussion—Sieg. “Fly back to your clan, Lord Uriahn. You have heard our princess’s wish, so obey her.”

Outside of Fehrkatruk, Lissandrath and Drakunov accompanied them. It felt a bit overkill to bring this many people to confront one holy dragon, but they were all handling our stall, so they were close by before they were called over.

“That also includes the ones who aren’t involved in this. Return to your masters, dragonewts,” Fehrkatruk said as he turned his head around, prompting a few nearby dragonewts to start moving away. Aside from a few red-scaled ones, I also saw dark and wind dragonewts, not to mention a couple of levianewts. “Kyluvanus noted their scent, but a few of them belong to clans on Maustoovaka’s side. Great. My mother will have a headache once I report this.”

“Tell it to them later. Allow the few who came to Coral Beard a chance to enjoy Princess Fargryneill’s and Prince Ryranakus’s battle,” Lissa recommended.

Drakunov nodded. “Those spies will cause more of a ruckus. Hopefully, Empress Forminaxtrass won’t do anything.”

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on NovelFire. Report any occurrences.

“It really depends on you, Lord Uriahn,” Sieg added. “I would recommend you simply walk away, even fly. This has caught enough attention, don’t you think?”

“Right.” Uriahn shrugged with a smile before turning back to me. “If you ever wish to train with some holy dragons, do come to Sacred Nest. Or, if you ever need some help with healing or the purification of a certain item. Sanzaphon will probably enjoy meeting you again, as a fellow artist. Goodbye, Hestia.”

‘Uuuurgh, this is gonna get worse and worse. It feels like a mistake that we spoke with them,’ Hikari thought, keeping those words to ourselves.

Hey, we did it for Grandma’s crown, and it did help Vifi in the end, so stop worrying about it.

After Uriahn left, Sieg and the other elder scales sighed as they approached me, prompting Rhekk and me to recount what had happened.

“Less aggression next time, but it was the most appropriate decision. You as well, Kyluvanus,” Sieg praised them, causing Rhekk to go silent for a moment, probably out of embarrassment.

As for me, they didn’t say much, just mentioning that my response was correct, but that I might have garnered too much attention with my form change. Hey, what could I do when Hikari wanted to take over?

In any case, outside of that little encounter, Sieg mentioned that he had planned to update me on the success of the food stall. Considering I did watch the stall operate, what he would say next wouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

“For the first day, it was an absolute success.” His stoic expression didn’t even change. “That ‘jingle,’ as you call it, has turned into an infectious melody. Our market researchers noted how the people who went to and bought something from us kept humming to the same rhythm as your singing. Some bards even started throat singing their version of it, Lady Hikari.”

“The spread of music through other artists’ interpretation of it is the core of spreading pop music. ‘Pop’ for popular,” Hikari replied. “It’s also free advertisement. Even those who never heard about our stall would eventually hear the jingle from random humming or people copying my performance. This would lead to curiosity, and that makes them wish to find the source of this ‘earworm.’ Ha, I bet the stream is running wild with it, right?”

“It is exactly as you have said, my lady!” Lissa cheered, grinning from ear to ear. “Storing your jingle on the ‘stream’ database of Iceskale allows every citizen to ‘replay,’ as you call it, the song at their convenience. These viewers have shown to listen to your jingle as they move to the main broadcast of day two of the festival. The chat is a complete mess, though. Our scalekin keep repeating your lyrics, boasting how they can listen to your song all the time because the song is only saved in our city.”

“Honestly, I had to remove some of them for their rather distasteful behavior… The veil of anonymity is frightening,” Drakunov groaned.

Peolynca was starting to enjoy and lament the beginnings of the internet. Well, I was as well, since I wasn’t born during that era.

Lissa continued, “Despite their rudeness, our sales hadn’t been affected. Customers are enjoying the new twists on our ingredients. Our fish product always sells whenever we do these stalls, but now even our cheese, pork, and whale blubber are in demand! How exciting it is to see how experimenting with dishes can do so much.”

“Whale bacon on a ‘pizza’ is something none of us would have ever figured ourselves, but then again, we never had the idea of cooking whale meat like pork. The salty fattiness goes well with the tanginess of matatoes. Pork-whale kebab, though, was something we already had, but to put it in a sandwich with so many greens that you can’t taste the fishiness would be beyond our imagination,” Drakunov ranted with excitement.

“… That is because you ice dragonkin somehow enjoy that fishiness. You would have never thought of hiding the taste, purely due to pride,” Vifi commented, prompting Fehrkatruk and Kylu to agree.

“My father hated the idea, yes…” Drakunov sighed. “Though it doesn’t matter. The dishes and food are doing well, and that is all that matters. With the addition of the subspace, we can deliver freshly baked bread and pastries directly from your bakery, so we have to thank you for that, as well. Producing grain food on-site has always been a major challenge with the demand for it.”

“I’m just happy to help! Though, do consider opening a business so we can sell some of those delicacies in Coral Beard. That way, you won’t have to rely on my subspace for any future festivals.”

“That would be difficult. Frozen Nest isn’t used to outside investment, since we centralize all our industries within Coral Beard and the surrounding villages,” he replied.

“Oh, in that case, we can probably work something out. Did Hestia ever mention how our party still earns monthly revenue from a partnership we made with the Artorias Kingdom? My friend, Ellaine’s, family operates the business with the Greenveil Duchy, and the young lady of the latter handles the logistics of everything. Could I interest you in making a connection with her?”

“Trade with the Kingdom of Artorias?” Sieg frowned. “Hmph. I guess it can be argued that the business is yours, and you are simply having somebody else manage it for you. Very well, this way, we probably won’t face as much rejection from Empress Yuilengreill.”

Technically, we sold the yeast recipe to them, so it’s not really my business. However, they can handle that on their own!

“Speaking of which, you must allow me to meet with the designer of all those plans, okay?” Lissa asked, probably talking about all the clothing merchandise we were selling. “They aren’t selling as much, but interest alone is fine in the world of fashion. Clan Guiellxar, though, has bought out our entire stock related to Princess Fargryneill! Haha, the dragonewts are truly enjoying themselves.”

Operations were going as well as I thought, so I didn’t have much else to say when they finished their reports. A portion of the revenue would go to the digital media guild, so I could leave everything to them. Nothing would flow into my pockets, though, since I was investing any funds I could raise into my project. Saori could complain about it to me later, but this was the correct decision.

“Hear that?” Kylu stole my attention with a wide smile, pointing it at the arena as the dragonkin started roaring. “Your sister must have finished her little—”

“Hazing,” Rhekk answered before Kylu could finish, stealing the giddiness away from the young fledgling. “And you shouldn’t feel so excited. You’ll have to face it yourself once you return from your pilgrimage, and not amongst fire dragons, it will be against your new nest.”

Fehrkatruk bellowed in laughter as his younger brother started pouting, prompting the former to pat him on the back. “Don’t worry. It’ll still take a while for you to be ready, so you have plenty of time to get to the ice. All of this might help you when you evolve, so don’t worry too much, Klyuvanus. In any case, Princess Fargryneill should be done soon, so the main match will begin. Hurry up, Princess Hikari.”

“Right, thank you! Then—”

Sieg raised his hand. “Ah, I apologize, but I think I will need your retainers with me. Considering the information we received today, I believe we should increase your security for tomorrow in case Maustoovaka’s faction or the levianewts try anything. It is better to be safe, and I need Shayatierus to lead your other wyvern retainers.”

“My exact thought, Lord Siegragxus. I do not trust that Inferno Nest will do nothing after everything that happened there. Even if Her Highness probably won’t experience harm, sabotage is another subject,” Shay replied. “Sister, we should go. Vifi, you should probably coordinate with the dragoons.”

“Since when is that my job? Bah, sure. See ya, Donut.” Vifi tapped my shoulder before everybody left me, leaving Hikari and me to feel slightly dejected.

Well, might as well go and watch Neill and Ryra—

… H-however, before I could go over to the arena, Kramps finally spoke to me after he complained about everything yesterday. I thought I would have a fun day without more of his ranting, but it seemed like this was the perfect time for him to speak up… while I was standing in some random alley.

Scheming? I finished his sentence.

‘Kramps, one of your concubines, was an elven woman. You took her in yourself, I heard.’

Kramps turned silent, sighing a bit as he agreed to stop his overreaction, apologizing even.

If you want to keep praising people from Frozen Nest to flatter me, it won’t work, Kramps. And, yes, I know you can’t. You’ve already made your point on how you see the current generations as slackers.

‘We are trying to bring the family back together. What’s your problem?’ Hikari stated, irritated.

Then what is your problem? I mean, sure, the empire isn’t to your liking, but this is also a new era, Kramps. I’m not gonna give you the ‘you’re too old to understand this’ because that would be patronizing. I can hear that you are trying to find an answer.

… Probably not.

Kramps went silent, causing Hikari and me to freeze as we could imagine him brooding over that answer. When he finally spoke again, we let out a small sigh of relief.

You hate lying.

Are you… possibly regretting making me your blessed?

Kramps sent me an image of him shaking his head, but the slight delay in his response told me that he somewhat agreed to my question.

‘Not gonna argue with that. Hey, Kramps, you should know that we aren’t preachers or actual priestesses. We haven’t been religious on Earth, so approaching your church is hard. Trying to convert true dragonkin is even more difficult, but we’re at least building a platform to raise my prestige. If my reputation goes up, elder scales will be more willing to talk to me. I mean, just look what happened when the stream blew up on Frozen Nest.’

‘Aren’t you being a bit impatient? We are dragons. Hestia and I have plenty of years to live.’

… If that is the case, then may I ask you something? Have you spoken with Father yet?

Cool, that means Father’s soul did get better. At least enough for you to speak again. As such, I shall bring the topic back to my original anger at you when we last met—I dislike how you treat my siblings. I dislike you even more for demeaning Neill. You treat her differently from me purely because she’s a kirin, and I will change my opinion about you just as fast as you changed yours on Wendriosa. We are family, Kramps! You had over 2500 years to mend this broken family, and you needed me prodding you to do something. I apologize for raising my voice here, but I, too, have some frustrations with our family.

‘Similar to humans and dwarves, dragons care a lot about their clan’s prestige, and that respect is also shared with the clan’s founder. However, ours do not show you that same reverence,’ Hikari stated. ‘With Neill’s return and Renee’s visit, it did remind me how Yeostar’s family and its branch family spread the name of Yeostar far and wide through their country, meaning he has an entire country worshipping him as their patron god. Knights do the same. From what I learned about ‘faith,’ it is mana that carries the heightened emotions of people. If you had managed to keep our family from hating you, you wouldn’t even need me in the first place! This is a family effort.’

A god shouldn’t be as impatient as you, especially not when the god is a dragon. However, if that impatience had started just a bit earlier, you might have been able to prevent Eltharion from despising you. If you hadn’t been so prideful after your ascension, you could have stopped the civil war. You could have stopped Eltharion’s trauma and his hatred for you. If he didn’t feel so hostile, my own relationship with him wouldn’t have started at rock bottom.

That’s true. So what’s the plan?

Then there is even more reason for me to give everybody the greatest first idol concert on Kargryx! Look out for it, Kramps!

‘Hehehe, you just want to spoil us. Don’t worry, the fact that you help me get this body is good enough for me. Even if Hestia and I are parts of one whole soul, it still feels better to be able to differentiate each other.’

You’re just saying that now ‘cause of our [Battle Frenzy] training. Still surprised your sloth is actually different?

‘Can it with the taunt.’

Kramps didn’t sound like he was satisfied with our talk, but at least we managed to start planning things concerning his divine Quest. I wanted to speak with Father again, anyway. I did hope that he would attend my concert since he demanded me to perform it. Even if I disliked him for how he had treated me, that didn’t mean that I didn’t wish that my songs would, hopefully, bring a smile to his face. Just a small wrinkle would be enough.

Sadly, while I was planning all of this, I accidentally missed Neill’s spar with Ryra. When I returned to the arena, the battle had already concluded in Ryra’s victory. The commentator was finishing the commentary when I noticed that Ryra’s entire golden shell had broken down, while Neill’s dragon veins had started spreading in the air and through his body.

Both used [Battle Frenzy], it seemed, but aside from the fact that those two had really destroyed the arena, I didn’t learn much more about their battle. Duuuude… Kramps really could have told me his issues later, after I watched this battle.

Kramps, you owe me for this…

“Lord Wrath, we are about to reach Frozen Nest. I have instructed the boatsmen to steer closer to the shore.”

“… The voyage has been long and cold. To think that we finally managed to break through the southern ice typhoon. Aelozonia… to think the levianewt’s map was so accurate. To think that jungle continent was so close to Numerous. To think that we can sail so far and not die from all those days on the sea, but I will not presume it will be easy to sail here with an army.”

“It is fortunate that the leviathans needed our help. Lord Sloth’s dragon-killer manatech has reached its testing phase, so we will also be able to start using them once we reach Lucullius.”

“The reports say Vifi settled down in Frozen Nest with her new ‘mistress’?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Fine. Her run ends here. A deserter from my army shall not be permitted to live. Hunt her down and do not forget our agreement with Caedhul.”

“Your orders, Lord Wrath!”

Vacation time has concluded for the young dragoness. The world turns even as she basks in the sun.