rabidbacon
PapaOso
CitrusArms
Xaltwind
Remram
ColdAtlas
princess
Damycles
KingofSerpents Ineraz Evrenarth
Unlike most of their journey, the past few days of travelling had been quite relaxing. While more than half of their path had been one of constant alertness on the way through the treacherous forest lying north of the capital, the very last stretch of it was spent in the vicinity of the river enveloping the principal city as if in an embrace and therefore comparatively uncomplicated. Ineraz and the eight Drakken accompanying him from fort Terva were sitting near the bank of one such river fork, eating their first meal of the day after taking a luxurious dip in the marvelously cool river water. The numerous hounds they had taken with them – they were both a good deterrent to the other forest beasts and reliable hunting companions – were also either swimming happily, tearing into their own fare or chasing each other playfully. Looking at the beasts, one might not come to the conclusion that they were also ferocious attack creatures, but Ineraz knew better; he had trained several himself.
As the pre-dawn begun shifting into proper morning, the Evrenarth heir stood up from where he had been sitting on the back of one of the wagons – they had three, one that had stored the supplies necessary for their journey, and the other two carrying the wares they intended to sell in the capital, where they would fetch a higher price – and called all the canines to attention with a sharp whistle. Without exception, they came running, the still drenched ones thankfully shaking off at a safe distance. Most stopped a few feet away, awaiting patiently, but the more eager – and younger – ones crowded around his feet, unintentionally doing their best to trip him. Before they managed what would be an impressive feat, but also embarrassing for Ineraz, he snapped his fingers and the pups obediently backed off. With a few hand gestures and short verbal commands, he sent the youngest and oldest ones into one of the wagons and organized the rest in a protective formation around the vehicles. He waved the other Drakken closer to him and reiterated his instructions for the capital.
“As you already know,” he began, coolly “our priority in Železna Kri is business. You know the prices you should aim for as well as I do. We need most of the money for re-supplying and other expenses back home. Feel free to have some fun, but if I find that you have spent too much – and I will find out – it will be your hides on the line,” Ineraz was quite literal about his last line. Although knowing the Drakken under his command, it would serve more as a reminder rather than an actual threat.
Their answer was prompt and to the point, a chorus of “Yes, sir!” Ineraz gave a single nod, after which the Drakken went to the wagons in threes and urged the freshly rested draft animals to get going. When they finally arrived at Železna Kri, it was early afternoon. The guards at the entrance looked in disapproval at the pack of hounds flanking them, but gave no other sign of protest. Even though he carried himself confidently, the way Ineraz appeared may have lead others to believe that he was some sort of an elite guard for what was otherwise obviously a merchant’s entourage – the fact that he was one of the heirs of a noble family would in most cases become apparent only when he chose to reveal his last name.
Upon entering the city, each trio of Drakken took their wagon in a different direction. Ineraz led the one with those hounds that he brought here for sale. The pups mostly went to middle- and high-class individuals who desired a well-bred vicious pet loyal to them. Ineraz felt vaguely sorry for the fine beasts that were to be left in care of masters who would unlikely use them to their full potential, but such was life. The elderly hounds he took to the fighting pits; these beasts were no longer useful for hunting, but Ineraz was certain their fierceness would still prove an interesting match in close quarter combat.
One of the pit overseers gleefully took the animals off his hands. “A lovely addition to the entertainment, sir,” the Drakkan chuckled cheerfully. “I should enjoy having some of the other creatures rumoured to be found in your forest for our collection, but as a fellow connoisseur, I do understand your reluctance to hand over the rarer specimens,” he nodded knowingly.
Ineraz said nothing of the fact that the northern forest did not belong to him, and made no sign of what exactly he thought of the other male’s expertise. Having just stored the payment he had been owed, Ineraz mimicked the other’s haughtiness, nodded curtly and left him a last tip “I suggest at least pairing them up for further entertainment.” Ineraz noted his faint derision went completely above his customer’s head and turning sharply on his heel, left. His two subordinates, who were in charge of the now empty wagon, followed.
Ineraz was but a few paces away from the fighting pits when he heard a familiar voice calling his name. A few quick flicks of his eyes soon revealed to him the source and Ineraz’s grimaced in slight displeasure.
“Little brother! What a happy coincidence,” the dark-grey skinned Drakkan swaggered closer to him, a pleased smirk on his face. He was two inches shorter, but no less intimidating for it. He wore his white hair in a short ponytail, his horns curling horizontally towards the back of his head. His apparel was much more fitting for a noble heir, and although it was not outwardly apparent whether he carried his own weapons, Ineraz knew him to be armed.
“Kasycra,” the younger male greeted him and his brother’s eyes lit up, their sharp yellowness a contrast to Ineraz’s own glacier blue ones. Ineraz knew this meeting was in no way accidental and his skepticism must have shown on his face, for Kasycra’s lips twitched into a grin for a short second, then returned to a smaller, neutral smile.
“Don’t tell me you intended to spend your time here in one of the accommodations provided for the lessers,” Kasycra raised an inquiring eyebrow, but his tone indicated the statement was meant to be something between mild reproof and disappointed accusation rather than a question.
“Is our lord father here, then?” Ineraz asked, trying to sound merely curious but imagined that Kasycra guessed at his underlying apprehension.
“Not yet,” his sibling replied with a slight tilt of his head “but he may come in the following days. He did give me access to the estate, however,” he was obviously proud of that fact and had the right to be so. Na’ir usually preferred to be present himself when hosting any of his children in the capital.
“If you decide to stay with me, I wouldn’t mind giving some space to the rest of your company,” he glanced at the still silent pair of Drakken holding the leashes of the animals connected to the wagon. “Free of charge, of course,” he gave Ineraz a winning smile, as if he were not plotting anything at all.
“Very well,” Ineraz answered sourly, making no attempts to hide the dislike he felt towards his brother’s seemingly natural charm. How he managed such an appeal despite his smugness was beyond Ineraz. Must be from our father. The younger brother turned to his subordinates and said, “Follow us to the estate, leave the wagon there, find the others and tell them where to find me.” Then he turned back to his second oldest brother.
“Shall we?” Kasycra asked rhetorically, already making his way to the Evrenarth estate. With a silent sigh, Ineraz followed, catching up so he walked to the side of his brother rather than behind him. Kasycra smiled knowingly, but kept silent for the rest of the way.
Politics, Ineraz thought in distaste, but was now resigned to it.
