Just Saying

“THIS IS INSANE,” said Amelia, as we wrapped up the meeting in the strategy room upstairs. After I floated my proposal earlier, Cerys’ brain went into overdrive, shooting ideas on how to make it work.

“I don’t care,” Xana replied. “It’s my only chance at getting magic. Even if it has to be done using an experimental spell, I’ll risk it.”

“The risk is low, too,” Cerys added. “The plan involves asking Lady Aesarith, the Goddess of Contracts, to intercede on our behalf. She’s a fair and impartial actor, and has a history of denying impossible contracts without backlash.”

“Let me get this straight,” I asked. “Lady Aesarith is the one who presides over contract magic in Krysterios, and acts both as a witness and enforcer. She has the final say on whether or not a contract is valid, so if we propose something she disapproves of, she’ll refuse giving her blessing and the spell won’t activate.”

“Exactly,” Cerys confirmed. “Lady Aesarith is the deity who interacts the most with Krysterios, but she only manifests when called, and doesn’t meddle with anything outside the bounds of her domain.”

“Unless you anger her,” Amelia noted.

“Which we won’t do,” Cerys replied. “We’ll ask her to preside over a contract, and it will be up to her to decide whether or not the terms are acceptable.”

“In other words, we’ll go to the cellar and say, ‘Hey, Lady Aesarith! We’d like to sign a familiar pact with John, who is a dragon. You cool with this?’ Is that it?” I asked.

“That’s a painful oversimplification, but yes,” Cerys replied.

“But what if she refuses?” Amelia asked. “Familiar contracts between people are taboo, even for her. Wouldn’t we risk her ire if we proposed a contract like that?”

“I don’t know,” Cerys conceded. “It will come down to whether or not Lady Aesarith recognizes John as a dragon. If she does, then there’s no problem. But if she doesn’t… she may penalize us at her discretion.”

“And that’s a risk I’m willing to take,” Xana insisted. “Amelia, you know I won’t get any stronger with just training. I hit my limit about a year ago, and it was only because of you and Cerys that I was promoted to A-Rank. But without magic, I’ll stay in this rank for the rest of my life, just at the time when we’re in the most danger.”

Right. Training can only get you so far, and we still have the Cult on our tail.

Heck, even when the girls were ambushed the other day, the main reason why they couldn’t break out of the assault was because Xana couldn’t defend herself. Cerys was forced to cover for her, locking down the entire team.

“You can stay out of it if you want,” Cerys said, “but I’m with Xana on this one. The power John has offered is too great for me to pass on. If we could harness the strength of the Dread Dragon… can you imagine what we could do? Even the Dead Tree would be within our grasp.”

That’s a low blow. Cerys just dangled an irresistible morsel in front of Amelia. The power to save the King is within her grasp, if only she dared to reach out for it.

“You’re unfair,” Amelia said, clenching her fists.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to,” I stepped in. “I made the offer to help, not to torment you like this. Even if you don’t take it, I’ll be there for you myself. We’ll get the root, no matter if we have a contract or not. We’re friends, Amelia.”

“I know that,” she replied. “But you’re taking this too lightly. The wrath of the Gods is more dangerous than you can imagine. If you cross Lady Aesarith, it could turn into a disaster.”

“Perhaps,” I replied, “but life is full of uncertainties, no matter what we do. Maybe Lady Aesarith will smite us today, or maybe the Cult will do it tomorrow. Things could go wrong either way, and I think Lady Aesarith is the more reasonable party. If we do piss her off, she may give us the chance to make amends… and that’s a luxury the Cult won’t give us. So I’d rather take my chances now, over regretting it later.”

If something happened to the girls because I failed to protect them, I’d never forgive myself. Thinking about that, trying to negotiate with a Goddess isn’t so bad.

“Lady Faydan protect us,” Amelia muttered, resolving herself. “Very well, John. I’ll forge a contract with you as well.”

* * *

“BY THE GODS...” said Cerys, staring wide-eyed at me next to Amelia, who was just as shocked. Only Xana was gawking in excitement.

“Don’t look at me so hard,” I said in playful protest. “I’m naked.”

Xana burst out laughing at my remark.

“I never thought our first time would be like this,” she eked out, struggling to talk.

“What are you talking about?” I asked. “You’ve seen me naked before.”

“Yeah, as a raven,” Xana replied. “But now, it feels like I’m seeing the real you.”

“I hope I haven’t scared you,” I said.

“Not at all,” Xana replied, without a shred of fear in her. “You’re lovely.”

That’s one hell of a thing to say when I’m in my dragon form. I’m so massive I can barely fit in here in the cellar, even with the dimensional space cranked up to the limit.

“You truly are the Dread Dragon,” Amelia said, aghast as she looked at me. I don’t blame her. My black and red scales are as tough as a tank’s armor, and my fangs and claws could easily run through stone. If anything, her reaction is the normal one.

“I told you from the start,” I replied.

“Seeing it for ourselves is completely different,” Cerys admitted. Her eyes are glowing with magic, staring at the torrent of mana gushing from me. Were it not for the barrier around the Briar Hall, I’d be shining like a beacon for all of Sylphadim to see.

“And he’s my boyfriend!” Xana said, cheerfully jumping onto my front paw.

“I hope you’re fond of lizards,” I said in jest.

“I don’t like lizards, but I love you,” Xana replied, threatening to melt my heart.

“I love you too, little one,” I said, carefully poking her with the tip of my tongue.

“Waaah!” Xana cried in surprise. “You’re so mean! I’m drenched!”

“Hehehe…” I had to laugh for a moment.

To be honest, I’m surprised Xana isn’t terrified of me. I can smell the adrenaline in Amelia and Cerys, but Xana is completely off-guard. That takes balls, to gleefully jump on a gargantuan dragon. I’m what, fifty meters long from head to tail?

I swear, Xana really is made of something else.

“Shall we start, Cerys?” I asked, worried about time constraints. The girls mentioned it before; we only have about an hour before the dimensional spell runs out.

“Yes,” she snapped back to her senses. “Let us begin.”

With that, she, Amelia and Xana moved into prearranged positions, with the latter still wiping her face with her shirt. I probably licked her more than I intended.

Sorry about that.

Anyway, Cerys planted the butt of her staff on the floor, and a vast amount of mana poured from it. She skillfully shaped the raw magic into glowing circles across the training ground, meticulously inscribing each of them with runes.

Watching her work was mesmerizing. How many years of practice did it take her to be able to paint with magic, the world as her canvas? Each of her strokes comes from the hand of a master.

Half an hour later, the magic circle was complete.

Cerys is dripping with sweat, the toll on her body evident. She not only has to draw the runes, but also keep them in place throughout the entire ritual. I can’t imagine the amount of control she has over her magic.

“I’m ready,” she finally said, looking at me for the green light. She’s exhausted, but resolute. There’s no turning back now.

“Let’s do it,” I replied, steeling myself for anything that may come.

Whatever the whims of fate… we’re about to cross the Rubicon.