Ch 26: The Long Trail
Imported from SF2 with no description.
As we step onwards from the bridge and towards the farmers fields I'm given the opportunity to reflect on the events within the village. I can feel a swell of pride and it's not until I hear Inferno's voice that I realize it's not just my own pride that I'm feeling. “I'm so glad you reconsidered and chose to help the kobolds, my Tyrant.” Not that I really had much choice in the matter...
“So am I! My Dominion.” Calamity chirped up from behind me “Of course I get to watch your rear end a fair amount while we journey but watching the way you swung it around, dispatching our foes one after another with your tail blades...” I didn't need to see him shiver at the recollection of my actions as I felt it through our bond “If I didn't feel your pressing desire to get on with the extraction, I might have tried goading you into breeding me right on that village square.” Calamity finished. Of course you only had THAT on your mind at the time you green oaf...
“I did what was needed.” The words had left my lips before I could consider them, but a seconds pause allowed me to consider what followed them “You were right Inferno, we couldn't just leave the kobolds to the mercy of the Aventari. By the looks of the ritualistic actions being taken, they were more than likely going to be wasted to praising the Aventari's potentially resurrected god.” I said “And we showed them what happens when the Kobolds own gods are angered, I'm not sure if I desire one of those feather brains escaping to warn their tribe of our wrath.” An almost dark chuckle welled up from my chest at the thought of one of the tribes members squawking incoherently to more of their own trying to warn them of the fate that awaited them. A pang of neglect hit me as Calamity felt ignored in the moment.
“Perhaps after we've dealt with the rest of the Aventari, we'll get a chance for you to show me just how much you appreciate my moves.” I say back to Calamity, even giving my backside a slight extra wiggle as we walked on, immediately I'm almost overwhelmed by a surge of his eagerness and desire. “But until then!” I mentally and verbally nipped his excitement “Please don't get too distracted by my rear end in battle, I'm getting tired of having to rescue you, much more and I'll have to start calling you my damsel.”
Inferno giggled at the thought and before Calamity could respond, Inferno suddenly halts our progress. Cresting over a small hill ahead of us she had spotted a single Aventari dashing along the path. A scout or a messenger on their way to give information or instructions to the Aventari left in Orion Village no doubt. Either way the flightless bird shall be dealt with. Unfortunately we had no real place to hide our massive bodies. The bird bipedal spotted us as it's focus shifted from simply running to a destination to taking notice of the looming figures ahead. Fear consumed the creature as it struggled to stop itself in its tracks and before he could turn to run, Calamity rushed forward to eliminate the Aventari swiftly. The scout gave little chase before being slain, the creature's attire was simple; a cloth ragged dress and a pouch hanging from its side. Inside was a parchment with Aztec runes none of us could read. My hunch about bringing instruction was a very high possibility at this point but the truth would never be learned.
With a scout being sent down, the chances of an escaped Aventari from the village were less than likely as they'd surely crossed paths before we'd encountered the scout ourselves, however if one of the Aventari had been sent ahead, there may be more on their way down from the mountain, or perhaps setting up a small camp at the Great Gate themselves, we'd have to be vigilant. The rest of the short journey across the farm lands went without any further hindrance until the three of us entered the stone valley to find a squad of Aventari marching in our direction. They halted on seeing our scaly hides followed by a familiar returning constant irritating squawking noises.
“Eradicate them!” I commanded, I had lost my patience hearing their futile racket. Inferno launched forward, taking to the skies and immediately rained down fire over the Aventari group, almost killing them all. A couple of them survived the attack by blind luck of initiative and rolling behind boulders to take cover. Calamity dispatched one with his talons while I swiped the last remaining Aventari with my own claws. They stood no chance against our might. Despite my thoughts on the fight being over, tumbling boulders began to slither down the stone cliffs and I realised the danger we were suddenly in.
“Landslide, Move!” I growl frantically pushing Calamity rear end forward with my snout to catch up with Inferno, who was already at the other end of the valley. Rushing forward Calamity tumbles over a rock, falling head first into the floor. I stop, jump back, hook my neck around his green neck and drag him across the ground by sheer force alone. After a few boulders fell and the rumbling vibrations subsided, looking back, a couple of Aventari had seemingly scrambled up the sides of the cliffs, or had taken a high path to begin with and tried to kill us with some loose boulders.
Growling at their insolence I glanced to Inferno who was also growling in shared anger, no commands were needed as she leapt forth once more and took to the skies to charge and deal with the stragglers as I checked over Calamity. It didn't take Inferno long to deal with the few remaining members of the troupe, rejoining us as Calamity got back to his feet and thanked me with a kiss on the cheek. Nuzzling his snout back I smirked and couldn't help myself but say “Come on my Damsel, we're almost there.” Inferno chuckled once more at the comment while Calamity grumbled in disdain.
“Please, my Dominion, do not think of me as such” Calamity said in discomfit. I felt his emotions of displeasure towards the comment and decided not to use the term as a new nickname for him. After all, green oaf works well enough.
Inferno had kept hold of a couple of the fresh Aventari kills from the small valley and as we got to the great gate, we paused to rest and replenish ourselves on their meat before beginning the climb up the mountain trail. Half way up the trail, the dirt path soon turned into white marble steps. The spectacular view of the flora and bright lit clear green skies was breath taking. The storm clouds had long dissipated. I was reminded of the amount of death that waited in these vast dense jungles. I'm so glad I have wings to carry me back on our return journey, once Calamity has healed fully of course.
As we continued our journey upwards half a dozen Aventari that had seemingly been posted on the mountains path spotted us and seemingly decided it a wise idea to charge and try to take us head on by surprise, while they had seen us first and began the engagement, their incessant squawks alerted us to them and Inferno instantly lunged forward once more breathing her fire upon them. A couple of the Aventari had the sense to leap off the path to avoid the flames, as those who were too slow to do so were roasted alive, I saw over the edge that those who had leapt were feverishly flapping their almost useless arm wings. Much to my surprise they were in fact descending at a slower pace, they'd likely land and be fine as their efforts carried them down the cliff face, perhaps there would be some Aventari left to speak of the newer 'dragon gods' and their wrath after all. The more actions these Aventari's take, the more I question how they were capable of overthrowing the kobolds at Orion Village. There stupidity is outstanding. Then again, facing a young adult black dragon is mush different from a standard kobold. _I sigh at such thoughts and continue our climb to the top of the short mountain. _