Draconic Testament (55 page)

“And who exactly am I to kill?” Tundra asked.
“Metholi has a new Overlord. Finally.” Tyria said. Tundra was taken aback.
“Congratulations... But surely this Overlord is not the target?” Tundra asked.
“No.” Tyria said. “He’s disappeared. But... I have faith he’ll come back.”
“What makes you so sure?” Tundra asked.
“I’ve seen many in my time, as I'm sure you’re aware. Not many live to my age. I’ve seen strong people, and special people. Ultimali, Adda’Gorath, Draynar, Abaddon, Sancterus. All Elrics are special, and this one... He’s also special to a degree. I highly doubt he’s going to die anytime soon... At least I hope he’s able to live as long as Cazrians.” Tyria said, sadly.
“He’s not Cazrian?” Tundra asked.
“He’s the son of Katrina, and Sancterus. He’s half Cazrian, half human.” Tyria said. Tundra was taken aback. “The people won’t like that.” Tundra said, backing up against the wall.
“You may be surprised. If the Monolith chose him, why wouldn’t the people?” Tyria asked. “Besides, you forget Katrina was an Archmage. She had a lot of magic flowing in her blood, Sancterus’ magic. He still has an incredible amount of potential within him.”
“He looks human, though, right?” Tundra asked.
“Does it matter?” Tyria asked. “Not having an Overlord for 16 years is a huge deal. One is usually chosen not so long after the previous Overlord’s death. By the Void, sometimes they are chosen before anyone is aware of the previous Overlord’s death.”
“I have my doubts. But, I suppose we’ll see in time. Perhaps I’ve spent too much time away from people who didn’t fear my every word.” Tundra said, grudgingly.
“Come now, there’s no need for that. People of the Aquatic Isles and Metholi are suspicious of all Domini, but Cazrians are bound by honour not to judge you without knowing you. Besides, you’re Tundra the Elite Inquisitor. There are many that love you, and use you as an example as a honourable Domini.” Tyria said.
“Alright, alright.” Tundra complained, not taking compliments well. “Why exactly has he disappeared? Where did he go?”
“Earth. The guards by the door confirmed that he went down there. I suspect his Paladin had a hand in it, but It hardly matters.” Tyria explained, then a guilty look came across her face. “As for why he disappeared... that’s what I need you for.”
“Go on.” Tundra said, listening intently.
“He’s going after a Magi who had accompanied him for some time, if I recall. However, this woman is a Warlock, and a Kinslayer.” Tyria said. Tundra raised her eyebrows. “I need her killed.”
“Why?” Tundra asked. “It’s sort of a waste to have the Overlord personally find his love, then kill her. Why do I have to kill her?”
“All Kinslayers must die.” Tyria said. Tundra frowned. Now she knew something was wrong. Usually, Tyria was humble. “The woman is not only a Kinslayer, but a Warlock, and she has been accompanying our Overlord. She may corrupt him, he may fall to her whim. No doubt he’ll want her to be his concubine, or worse, his queen! She has to die, and then you must monitor Zaxxarius.”
“I can’t just kill her out of nowhere.” Tundra said. “As much as I dislike Warlocks, assassinating an Overlord’s lover doesn’t seem all that healthy.”
“I thought I could rely on you.” Tyria said.
“I'm sorry. I'm just... I'm just not in the mood for such Drama.” She complained.
“But...” Tyria began.
“No.” Tundra interrupted. “You shouldn’t just call assassinations on people that you don't even know. If she’s a Kinslayer, and if she’s evil, she won’t last a second with Abaddon as the boy’s advisor. That should be enough for you.” Tyria scowled.
“I thought you’d be pleased with such a task.” Tyria said to her. “Haven’t you always lusted for actions outside of this... Vigil work?”
“Lusted, huh? I can see where it’s headed.” Tundra said. “I have no reason to trust you. Besides, monitor the Overlord? What if he’s also succumbed to the Warlock’s whim?”
“I would expose him.” Tyria said. “He’s young, very young, and he’d have the chance to join the Covenant.” Tundra froze. Her tentacles vibrated violently for a split second.
“I... I’ll need some time to...” Tundra began, then she changed her mind. “No. No, I won’t do it. Thank you, but I rather enjoy Vigil duty. I’ll stay here.” She said, turning and smiling at Tyria, who was taken aback. “That was... sudden. Have I said something to displease you?” Tyria asked.
“No, not at all.” Tundra laughed. “I am just content with the way things are going right now. I enjoy these particular recruits, and I believe without me, the Aquatic isles may suffer a tremendous amount. Thank you for your offer, but no. That’s my final answer.” Tyria scowled.
“Disappointing.” She hissed, then turned to leave.
“Wait!” Tundra blurted. Tyria turned, expectantly. “Guards!” Tundra yelled, taking Tyria aback again. Guards entered the room, and look at Tundra. “Yes, Mother Tundra?” They asked.
“Please take Lady Tyria out of the Vigil, and put her on a transport to the nearest dock.” Tundra said, smiling. The guards almost frowned at the smile. “You don't need to have me supervised.” Tyria said, coldly. “Now now. A lady of your stature should be escorted. You know how crazy people can get these days.” Tundra chuckled, in a condescending tone, as the guards usher Tyria out of the room, and close the door behind them. She leaned against the wall next to the window, and watched as she walked away. “The pendant...” She pondered. She had serious doubts about Tyria. She rummaged through her reports, back to an earlier date, to confirm that the Pendant had been one of a kind, and it had. She picked up the pendant out of the jewellery box and examined it. She had often played with the pendant and prayer hard to the dragons whenever she would brave going to sleep at night. So why had it come up again? Tundra sank in her chair, waving it off with a forced chuckle. “Im thinking too much about this.” Tundra said. “My mind is full of paranoia due to that damned curse. I’ve turned down a perfect job in the name of fear. Pathetic.”
An hour passed, and Tundra realised that the whole time she had been walking around her room, trying to take her mind off of Tyria and her job. She was convinced something did not add up, but she was weary of trying to figure it out. A knock came at her door, snapping her out of her trance. “Who is it?” She asked. “It’s me, uhh... Miss.” Polliver said from the other end.
“Come in.” She said, putting away the reports she had taken out from before. Polliver waddled in, coated with sweat, and shut the door. She could smell the sweat from him, though it didn’t smell as bad as Domini or Cazrian sweat, it was thick and the smell would cling to the air. “You’ve been training hard, I see.” Tundra said, observing him.
“Y-Yes miss.” Polliver said. “My brothers in the order said I had to prove my worth, being weaker and all.”
“You look no worse for wear.” Tundra said. “Sit down, will you?” Polliver obeyed and sat on a nearby couch. Tundra took out two glasses and poured water in them, and handed one to Polliver, who  thanked her. “Did you do what I asked?” Tundra asked.
“Yes, miss.” He said, nodding. He pointed over at the lamp, and Tundra spotted the papers underneath it. Tundra took them, thinking how odd it was to place papers there, and reviewed his work silently. “No.” She sighed.
“Did I do something wrong?” Polliver asked, apologetically.
“No, young one.” Tundra sighed. “Im looking for someone. They aren't here.”
“Who are you looking for?” Polliver asked.
“A lady has her secrets.” She said, putting the papers away.
“You seem, uhh... Bothered, miss.” Polliver said.
“You’re my apprentice.” Tundra said. “That means I share classified secrets with you and take you on all my missions. You are confidential, and fully trustworthy. I trust you know that, aye?”
“Yes, miss.” Polliver said. She wondered what to tell Polliver. She considered telling him everything, about both her suspicions, and the dreaded curse, since she liked Polliver a little, and thought that he was different from all the other apprentices in a unexpected way that she couldn’t tell was good or bad. However, she decided to keep the news about her curse to herself. She told him about Tyria’s offer, and about how she didn’t seem right. “Is it possible that she got another pendant?” Polliver asked.
“She wouldn’t replace such a priceless gem like it was nothing to her. She’s not a vain person.” Tundra said. “But perhaps. Do I seem paranoid to you?”
“No.” Polliver said. “She came to you asking you to betray your organisation. I would be scared, too.”
“I’m not scared.” Tundra huffed. “She just didn’t seem normal.”
“Perhaps she was a shape shifter?” Polliver suggested, scratching his nose casually.
“What?” Tundra asked, squinting.
“It’s possible... right? My mum used to tell me stories... about how shape shifters would sneak into rich children’s bedrooms, steal them, and ransom them...” Polliver said.
“You’re talking about the Blackwatch Cartel.” Tundra said, waiting for him to continue.
“Y-yes. Shape shifters are, uh... rare. And illegal. But the Cartel had good use for them, and set them to work. They would be underground suppliers for wars, and all illegal businesses are usually governed by them.” Polliver explained. “They’d also make sure that some noble houses wouldn’t send their men to fight in wars by stealing loved ones of the houses, or bribing them.”
“Right.” Tundra said. “But, I doubt it’s the Cartel. What reason would they have to harass me?”
“Whoever it is, they tried to make you take the fall... didn’t they?” Polliver asked.
“Im sure of it.” Tundra agreed, looking at the reports again. She had called the Metholian office to confirm that Tyria was there, but they had said that she had taken a trip to Northern Metholi. Tundra was north of there, on the Aquatic isles, so it could have been a cover, but they would likely realise that Tyria was headed elsewhere. Then, something came to her. Tyria has said that the Overlord could join the Covenant if he was found guilty of being a Warlock. “Could it be that the Covenant is trying to gain power by putting the Overlord of Metholi in their Covenant for rehabilitation?” Tundra asked.
“Maybe.” Polliver said. “But, uhh... They are already powerful enough.”
“It could be for another underlying reason.” Tundra said. “That Overseer of theirs rubs me the wrong way.”
“Miss... With all due respect...” Polliver stuttered, reluctantly.
“What is it?” Tundra asked. “Come on, speak up. You can talk to me.”
“I don’t think we’re going to come to a conclusion.” Polliver said. “It could have been Tyria, it may not have. It could have been genuine, or it could not have. If it wasn’t, then we don’t know the reason, and we’re likely not going to come to one.”
“Right.” Tundra said. “Right, you’re right.”
“Are you okay, miss?” Polliver asked, but Tundra’s mood was turning sour fast.
“I’m fine. I’d like to be alone.” She said, slumping in the chair. “Leave.” Polliver realised he wasn’t wanted, and bowed. “I’ll be in the courtyard.” He said, then he rushed outside the room. Tundra closed her eyes, and forcefully blocked all thoughts of what had happened outside of her head. She was going to stay at the Vigil, and do her job. It was warmer than she had thought it would be here, and the place had a nice aesthetic. Perhaps it wouldn’t be too bad. It certainly was not complicated, like the rest of Cazria. Polliver should also enjoy hunting the rogues that break off from the Legion. She relaxed her body, and let all the thoughts in her head empty slowly, like she was slowly tipping water out of a bottle. She slowly realised that her consciousness was also slipping, as she was falling into a sleep. She welcomed it, and relaxed, as the bad dreams never got too severe after a scenario with the curse. She began to drift, but them nearly jumped out of her seat as her door flew open, as someone barged through it. She scrambled out of her chair, Arcana in hand, facing the door, to see Polliver. “What in the Void is GOING  ON!?” She roared at him.
“S-S-Sorry miss! But... But, uhh... Bodies! The men found bodies!” Polliver gasped.
“Of who? Civilians?” She asked.
“N-No! Of the Vigil!” Polliver gulped. Tundra rushed out of the door to find the bodies of the men in the main hall, in body bags. A hunched Inquisitor was examining the bodies. “We’re currently identifying the men, Mother Tundra.” The Inquisitor said. “You needn’t worry; we’ll find who did it.”
“You do that.” She said. “Know how they died?”
“It seems they were killed with Magic. There are multiple broken bones, and one was at the bottom of a hill. I think the killer used Air magic on them, Mother Tundra.” The Inquisitor said, then realised that Tundra wasn’t listening, but staring at the bodies. “Do you know these men?”
“N... No... Not well.” She said, but then she turned away and dragged Polliver to a corner to talk with him. “I know those two.” Tundra whispered to Polliver.
“Who are they, Miss?” He asked.
“They were guards I sent with Tyria.” Tundra said. “I told them to escort her to the Airbase. Now, why would they be dead, I wonder?” Polliver froze.
“Was she kidnapped?” Polliver asked.
“Don’t be stupid.” Tundra said. “Tyria may be an old hag, but she’s as strong as she is stubborn. If she was kidnapped, there would have definitely been witnesses or a lead from the fight that had taken place..”
“S...So...” Polliver stuttered.
“I think it was her.” Tundra said.
“It couldn’t be! Maybe-“ Polliver began.
“Shh!” Tundra said. “Back to my room. Let me think.”
The two enter Tundra’s room again. Tundra paced the room, back and forward, stroking one of her long tentacles as she thought about what just happened. Then, she came to a conclusion. “What I think happened.” Tundra said, stopping and getting a chair, sitting right in front of Polliver. “Is that the person who was with me before was not Tyria, and she killed the guards rather than being escorted back to the airbase that I ordered them to take her to. I don’t know what she was trying to prove by getting me to go to Metholi... but there’s something I do know.” Polliver remained silent. “My life is in grave danger. The shape shifter is coming back, and it could be as anyone. Not to act like a damsel, but I’m in extreme danger.”