>>5688181The uncomfortable silence threatens to swallow up the room, broken only by the Novice’s particular and mostly-unintelligible mutterings—schemes and curses alike, you think you can just make out. You decide it wise to move swiftly on to other business.
“Our reccent war ahsss been a ssstunning sssucccesss,” you remind everyone, hoping to eiven proceedings. “We have crushed our enemiesss, driven them before usss, and heard the almentationsss of their weak and weary!”
It works, leading to a chorus of cheers and fist-pumps. To one side, though, you notice Ekaterine’s expression only darken further. The other two Queens of Bloodrise seem happy enough with this, though: the Novice coolly confident, Glowie humming happily and clapping her four hands as she wiggles almost imperceptibly.
“Thiss isss not the end,” you caution them. “we facce challengesss of integration, of autonomy. We have obligationsss to our alliess to keep, and new mouthsss to feed. We are ssurrounded by enemiesss, new and old, ssome who we onccce counted asss—if not friendsss—masstersss and alliess.”
The tone turns serious and contemplative as all assembled consider the istuation, and awaiting your proposed solution. That can wait, though.
“Firssst, though,” you say, “let usss apprecciate what we have accomplished. The Pit-guard already hass hisss boon—he will be made privy to the ssecret meditationsss which aroussse the DRAGON SSPIRIT, and thusss made veer more great!”
The others all look toward him, as the old Steeltalon kneels and bows his head in appreciative supplication.
“Bassstard!”
The title stirs everyone present (and you note Ekaterine’s special confusion, lacking familiarity with certain culturual particulars). It most especially alarms its target, who stands bolt upright and salutes.
“Your performancccce, exxxceptional and sskillful and vital to the war, hass not gone unnoticed, either,” you assure him.
He bows low, murmuring thanks.
“You may have your boon of me,” you tell him. What will it be?”
“I… Dare not assk anything of you, Sssuperi—Dragon King,” he explains. “You have given thiss Inferior One more than I ever expected. It isss enough to sserve, and to lead.”
“Well I have considered mine.”
