We entered into my plain and unfinished office together not having spoken a word the entire walk. Even so, through the silence I could feel her eyes fixated on me and a hatred that seemed to heat the air. She stood at the entrance while I began to pack things. Having Artymexia there made me feel like some fallen animal being circled over by a carrion bird and so to ease the tension I decided it was best to try conversation,
"Are you able to be ready soon?" I asked in my best attempt to be civil.
"I'm ready whenever you are Colonel." the last word seemed to grind out with unfiltered aggression.
I only nodded, perhaps conversation wasn't exactly the best option. I at last hooked my sword onto my sash and headed out, Artymexia close behind. Thankfully my office was close to our stable of wardja, a race of animal that appeared to simply be a larger breed of wolf, which offered us quick access to transportation and a quicker route out to Raulia. As we left I began to fill in my lieutenant in on the details of our venture: the dragonkin had always been a shifty race so any treaty or would-be treaty they made was reason to be cautious, but with what has recently transpired I believe they are aiming to take out the humans as revenge for the War of Barlund centuries ago where the Dragon's first king was killed and their human captives lost. Revenge was always a powerful motive and it's something that stays with you for generations. In any case our story time was over as we began approaching the trade route and next most likely stoppage point for the caravel.
We came upon the forest trail, it was only wide enough to fit one carriage at a time so fleeing wasn't much of an option for them still though I felt uneasy. A forest can hide any number of traps and I obviously didn't have the resources on hand to scope out the area for any traps, so I was trusting my instincts that these were in fact just traders. As we heard the wagon train coming I sent Artymexia off into hiding for the sake of an ambush if things went south. I stood in the middle of the trail arms crossed over that noisome brestplate I still had to wear. In a few mere moments I could hear the sound of chatter and thankfully the wagons that had halted before me. The dragonkin were an interesting race, a dilution of the former dragons that came before them, a result of interbreeding with their former human captives. They weren't quite dragon and not quite human, they took the size and shape of humans with somewhat dragon features on their faces and a sickly green pallor that made it appear as if they were nauseous their whole lives. Because of their appearance and nature they were distrusted by most and made shadowy deals handing out their men as mercenaries. My father used to tell me stories of the dragonkin mercenaries, a cunning and ruthless fighter who could emanate enough heat from his body to boil a man's blood.
"And what right do you think you have in stopping us elf?" the apparent leader stepped forward gritting his teeth making each word hiss out.
"The Elven have reason to believe that you've been supplying the dwarves against the humans in this war." I stood firmly and felt more comfortable now being able to exercise some of my skills.
"And just what is it to you? The war will not come to Elven shores unless they themselves bring it." he smirked a bit piquing my suspicion now.
"It would be in the best interest of your race to retreat now and cease all aid peaceably or we shall simply pry it from those cold scaly hands." I sneered back.
The dragonkin only laughed in response and before I knew it I was surrounded by the dragonkin who had hid in bushes while I conversed with their leader. The odds certainly weren't in my favor, but I knew I couldn't give up. However, there were worse things hiding in those woods for when I went to draw my blade there was a crippling shot to the back of my knee collapsing me to the ground. I looked up to find the dragonkin encircling me as well as Artymexia in front of them.
"My, my I think you should turn in a handsome bounty." she grew a wicked smile and knelt down in front of me while a sword was put to the back of my neck.
"What the hell is the meaning of this?!" I snarled ready to charge but a vicious stomp on my back flattened me to the floor.
She cackled. "If the Elders dare discredit me for your misguidances then I shall show them who truly deserves that rank. Take him away, you'll have your pay in due time." She waved them off and began a trek back to the city. I thrashed and kicked against my captors, but their combined strength held me back from tearing out her throat. I was tossed in the back of a caravan and knocked out left to await my fate at Forzunder, the dragonkin's citadel.
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