Valkyrie's Shadow

Empire in Chains: Act 1, Chapter 3

Empire in Chains: Act 1, Chapter 3

Chapter 3

“Ahem, excuse me.”

High in the mountains above Warden’s Vale, Ilyshn’ish alighted before a pair of felid Beastmen near the border of her territory. They turned their spotted heads up at her voice.

“We have not encroached upon your territory, Seeker,” the larger of the two – a female – said.

“Ah, I didn’t come about that,” Ilyshn’ish replied. “Or maybe I have? I am seeking tenants for my territory: if you agree upon a most reasonable contract, you may partake of its bounty.”

“We dwell in the land that the Warden has granted us,” the Krkonoše Ranger replied. “It is more than sufficient for our needs. Perhaps those without may be interested?”

‘Those without’ referred to the Krkonoše Rangers who dwelled outside of Baroness Zahradnik’s territory. As far as Beastmen went, they were quite large, with the adult females measuring around four metres in length. The northeastern spur of the border ranges in Zahradnik Barony could only support around sixty carnivores of their size. It did not mean that the total population of their species was that small, however – it was only the ‘attendant’ population to the Krkonoše Druids that made up the other ‘half’ of the Krkonoše people.

Since their arrival, Baroness Zahradnik had expanded her territory and extended an invitation to the Krkonoše Rangers that ranged beyond. In recent times, the original population of 50 Krkonoše Rangers had grown to 250. The future would likely see that number swell to 1000 as more of their total population came to live under the Warden’s protection.

Ever since her return from the Katze Plains, Baroness Zahradnik had become decisive over the matter of the unclaimed wilderness that lay to her south. Even now, she was overseeing its transition to her administration. What use the tribes there would have for the Sorcerous Kingdom’s administration Ilyshn’ish did not know, but it wasn’t as if they had much of a choice. They could become her subjects, fight, or move out. Fighting was pointless and the only places that they could move out to were the Slane Theocracy or the Abelion Wilderness to the west.

Ilyshn’ish’s territory, which she had dubbed ‘Mount Verilyn’, was the only place where no tribes existed. They had prudently vacated the area when a Dragon started to patrol the skies. In the end, she was left by herself with 2,400 square kilometres of mountain. Or about 100 million trees. Or approximately 30,000 deer’s worth of grazing. Ilyshn’ish considered the latter two a more tangible metric.

Her task now was to figure out how to turn the natural abundance of her territory into platinum coins that she could sleep on. Now that she had a far better grasp on Human economies and how things translated to her existing knowledge, Baroness Zahradnik’s initial suggestion to employ Rangers to help manage the territory made much more sense. Unfortunately for Ilyshn’ish, the Rangers on hand were not Human Rangers and thus not accustomed to Human-style governance.

Deer could double their numbers in a single year, and Ilyshn’ish would only eat about two adults per week if she was active in the area. She certainly wasn’t about to fly around hunting 30,000 deer per year. This problem only compounded as deer did not respect territorial boundaries. Either they would strip the place bare or wander off into the waiting jaws of the surrounding Krkonoše Rangers. For free.

With a sigh, Ilyshn’ish took wing, leaving the two Krkonoše Rangers behind. It was more than likely that she would have to wait until Baroness Zahradnik stopped expanding her demesne and the demand for uncontested hunting ranges went back up again. Rangers somehow knew what the land could support, so migration would cease eventually and she could fly out and make her offers for tenancy then. Living in a Warden’s territory was infinitely preferable to living outside of it after all – even if it was the part of the Warden’s territory that was controlled by the Warden’s Knight.

For the time being, however, the trees would continue to grow, the deer would multiply, and Ilyshn’ish would lament over potential revenue lost.

She absentmindedly patrolled her territory until midday, at which point she decided to pay Baroness Zahradnik a visit. Along the way, she snatched up one of her endlessly-multiplying deer before gliding down to the construction camp in the middle of the upper reaches.

A new fort would be raised on an island in a ten-kilometre long lake, both of which had been created by Lord Mare at Lady Zahradnik’s request. The lake lay below the confluence of two rivers and was the furthest navigable stretch of the Katze River for her ship. The old road that ran through the wilderness to the Slane Theocracy was now below water at this point, and materials for new bridges were being transported overland. Once construction was complete, the island would contain a small, fortified city with two bridges that connected the new road running through the area. A third bridge would span to the lake’s eastern shore.

This city would only exist as a village for the near future, and the construction camp was currently situated on the northern shore of the lake. Though technically a village, it was mostly tents surrounded by ever-growing stockpiles of building materials. Several Humans were busy building some sort of communal dwelling to winter in while others worked along the shore. Another group was slowly clearing a wide strip on either side of the road leading to Warden’s Vale.

Spotting Lady Zahradnik from high above, Ilyshn’ish entered into a lazy downward spiral. She landed beside the Baroness, who looked up at her, then down at the deer.

“What are you, a cat?”

“I’m a Dragon, my lady,” Ilyshn’ish replied. “The construction camp pays well for fresh kills.”

An adolescent Human male jogged over with a Death Knight. He placed a gold coin into Ilyshn’ish’s open claw before they hauled her kill away. The Baroness watched Ilyshn’ish thoughtfully as she tossed her earnings into an Infinite Haversack.

“I suppose you are as opportunistic as ever,” the Undead-that-looked-like-a-Human said. “In that case, there is something I would like for you to do while you are in the Empire.”

“Did you know that you are the fourth party that has asked me to do something in the Empire?”

“The fourth?”

“Yes,” Ilyshn’ish nodded. “First, Lady Shalltear wanted me to investigate all sorts of things, then Lady Wagner said I should bring Zu Chiru with me. Now, the Adventurer Guild wants me to ‘advertise’.”

She still couldn’t figure out the ‘advertising’ part. It sounded more like they wanted her to earn as many coins for herself as possible, which she was more than happy to do. Lady Wagner said that she was a ‘natural’ at marketing, however, so Ilyshn’ish figured whatever she did would work out.

“I see…does that mean you have earned your Adamantite tag?”

“You knew about it?”

“No, but it stands to reason that they would want to make you appear as impressive as possible before you leave. It is not as if you are not as strong as an individual in the Realm of Heroes…”

The Baroness stuck a hand into the Infinite Haversack on her right hip, withdrawing a familiar-looking gold coin.

“Since you are doing what you are doing,” she said, “I thought you would be able to ask about this.”

Ilyshn’ish lowered her head to examine the proffered coin.

“Ah, one of those coins from that old Human nation.”

“You have seen them before?”

“There were quite a few mixed in with the other coins in my father’s hoard.”

“In that case…no, take it with you. There must be people somewhere that recognize these coins and the history of the nation that they are from. If you can find written records, it would be even better.”

Lady Zahradnik walked over, reaching up to place the coin into Ilyshn’ish’s Infinite Haversack.

“I thought you didn’t like inconvenient facts.”

“…what had you come to that conclusion?”

“You didn’t react very well to my mention of it,” Ilyshn’ish told the Baroness. “It was as if someone had insulted something precious to you.”

The noblewoman frowned at her recollection, then sighed.

“You are right,” she said. “I was not exactly insulted, but I certainly did not like the idea that the long-established and accepted history of the region was being challenged. It is something that our entire civilization is built upon. If what we thought we knew is wrong, however, it is wrong. The sooner it is corrected, the better.”

“So you’d rather be ‘correct’ than comfortable.”

“I have already experienced what it is like to have a cornerstone of my existence built on a lie,” the Baroness told her. “Perhaps you are correct that many people can continue living their lives under false premises, but I am not one of those people. Even if the truth hurts at first, it is better than having an entire civilization built on false foundations.”

Ilyshn’ish wasn’t so sure if things were as bad as Lady Zahradnik made it sound. There were many inconvenient truths and false perceptions held in the world, and Ilyshn’ish felt that most tended to simply forget or ignore past errors and perceptions once they were no longer applicable. What they built with those errors and perceptions remained, despite their ‘foundations’ never existing in the first place.

“Tracking every little falsehood that precipitates events and achievements is ridiculous,” Ilyshn’ish replied. “At some point, you’ll just have to accept that you can’t set everything straight. There are some things no one can do anything about, and you may find that the layers of lies that you so despise do not matter as much as the results that they produce.”

“So you would lie to achieve your ends if it suited you?”

Rather than answer the Baroness, Ilyshn’ish leaned to one side.

“Get on,” she said. “We’re going.”

“Where?”

“To the Empire,” Ilyshn’ish told the Baroness. “Lady Wagner convinced Lady Shalltear that I would best investigate the nation as Zu Chiru’s assistant, but I’m uncomfortable visiting some place on the ground without flying over it first. We can speak of your question during the flight.”

“How long will this take?” Lady Zahradnik asked.

“About a day,” Ilyshn’ish answered. “Did you have some prior commitment?”

“I will be in my demesne for the next week or so,” the Baroness told her. “I know how important it is for you to familiarise yourself with a place, so I will set a day aside for you.”

Lady Zahradnik did not immediately climb on, instead heading over to speak with the Elder Lich overseeing the operations of the camp. Upon her return, they left to fly north up the valley, rising slowly on lazy beats of Ilyshn’ish’s wings.

“Did you need to stop in Warden’s Vale?”

“I have already contacted both Nonna and my household,” Lady Zahradnik replied. “Unless you think we need to pick something up before leaving, we are free to head out.”

They steadily rose, cutting over the northern peaks of the Krkonoše territories. The mountains gave way to the vista beyond, presenting a clear view all the way to Arwintar.

“It never ceases to amaze me how small the world looks from up here,” the Baroness murmured. “It feels like we can be anywhere in mere hours.”

“Frost Dragons are fast, but we’re not that fast,” Ilyshn’ish told her. “A hundred kilometres in an hour during level flight is about normal for the average Adult.”

“I have read that some militaries use messenger birds to deliver information when Message spells are not available. You are about as fast as one of those.”

“I-I can go faster than that.”

Ilyshn’ish picked up her pace, then frowned at the lack of a certain sensation.

“You’re not producing any drag…why is that?”

“I was bestowed a new set of equipment by His Majesty and Lady Shalltear,” Lady Zahradnik said. “According to His Majesty, magical equipment not only fits itself to the wearer, but certain physical effects can be negated as well. Since I am immune to cold damage and have some damage reduction, the wind doesn’t push me back if I wear a full set of magical equipment. Speaking of which…”

Lady Zahradnik’s form altered slightly in her Blindsight, becoming a bit more substantial. A gleaming blade appeared in the corner of her vision.

“GYAAAH!”

Ilyshn’ish reflexively twisted and dumped the Baroness off of her back. Strangely enough, she didn’t fall, instead gliding forward along the same trajectory beside her.

“Well, this is odd…”

She tried to make sense of what was going on, but the Baroness’ equipment was made up of multiple articles far more valuable than the enchanted equipment of Themis and Alessia. Just a year ago, she would have been stunned by the sheer amount of wealth arrayed before her, but compared to the stupendous panoplies of the Sorcerer King’s closest servants, it was a mere pittance.

“I’m not even going to try guessing which item is conferring flight magic upon you.”

“The hairpin,” the Baroness replied. “I found out that, while flight magic has a set maximum acceleration and velocity when relying on its own motive force, one can ‘glide’ on their existing momentum. The magic does gradually slow the user down to its top speed, but one can keep pushing themselves along to move at greater speeds than usual.”

Lady Zahradnik manoeuvred to reseat herself on Ilyshn’ish’s shoulders. Ilyshn’ish eyed the blade of the glaive sticking out beside her head. It glowed with a nearly imperceptible holy light, but the sight reminded her of another glaive that had grievously injured her in the past.

“Why are you holding this weapon like that?” Ilyshn’ish asked.

“I was wondering how it would feel,” Lady Zahradnik answered.

“Feel?”

“I am sure you have heard the tales,” the Baroness said. “Of legendary figures from the past, who rode Dragons. Like the Mystic Knight or the Goblin King who married a Human princess.”

The ridges of Ilyshn’ish’s brows drew down as she recalled what she knew of the mentioned individuals. They were both cases where a powerful individual had supposedly bent a Dragon to their will and used them as a personal mount. Baroness Zahradnik was nowhere near Ilyshn’ish’s strength, so that sort of scenario was out of the question. The only time Ilyshn’ish flew her around was for her own purposes.

“No matter what those tales say,” Ilyshn’ish said, “the only thing you’re going to stab up here with that thing is my eye.”

The glaive vanished. In its place, Lady Zahradnik pulled out a bow. Her legs shifted as she tested out the weapon.

Ilyshn’ish sighed. Admittedly, it was a better choice, but she still wasn’t going to hit anything from ten kilometres in the air.

“You came back from that trip with quite the haul,” Ilyshn’ish said.

“It’s not a ‘haul’,” Lady Zahradnik replied. “This equipment is a symbol of trust bestowed upon me by His Majesty and Lady Shalltear. It is a mark of my station as a member of the Sorcerous Kingdom’s martial nobility.”

Her voice pressed down on Ilyshn’ish. Lady Zahradnik took exception to some rather harmless statements. Ilyshn’ish shook the feeling away.

“You seem to have a full set,” she said. “How come you still have a mundane bow?”

“I think it was because His Majesty wanted to observe my close combat abilities as a captain,” the Baroness replied. “For the same reason, I returned the old glaive Lady Shalltear bestowed upon me shortly before your arrival.”

“What old glaive?”

“Hmm…I never brought it out unless I needed to practice or defend my territory, so I suppose you have ever seen it. The glaive was identical in appearance to the one I have now, except far more powerful. The blade was suffused in an aura of negative energy.”

She has the right idea, I suppose. All of you misbehaving reptiles should simply have their tongues pinned to the ground. How fitting that I have the weapon I’ve chosen for her on hand.

Ilyshn’ish started to shudder at the memory of being stabbed in the tongue by the malevolent weapon. Lady Zahradnik was the ‘excellent vassal’ that Lady Shalltear was referring to that night?

The Baroness’ worried voice drifted in from behind her horns.

“Is something the matter, Ilyshn’ish?”

“You…you had that glaive since before we were introduced?”

“Yes, why?”

Ilyshn’ish swallowed.

“…thank you,” she said.

“What am I being thanked for?”

“We often don’t see eye to eye,” Ilyshn’ish said. “Early in our time together, I did not understand a great many things and spoke out of ignorance a great deal. Lady Shalltear and her Vampire Brides would not hesitate to strike if they thought I was doing or saying something wrong. So thank you, my lady, for your patience.”

Lady Zahradnik’s only reply was a gentle caress over the scales of Ilyshn’ish’s neck.