Hearing a frantic knocking on her door, April lifted her head from her pillow. A bit confused about what was going on, she had no choice but to call out.

 

“Lady Illumni!” A junior priest pleaded. “Lady Illumni, please wake up!”

“Yes?” April asked. “I’m up.”

“Please! It’s your father!” The priest said. “He’s bringing dragons!”

“!?” Sitting straight up, April looked at the door wide eyed.

 

No living human has ever seen a dragon. Even the dead ones for many generations haven’t. April, being just over 300 hasn’t seen a dragon, but she has heard of them from her grandparents when she was young. It was part of her dark history, which not many knew about. Not even Sophie and Hannah knew. If a dragon was to be brought here and it was one of those that she was familiar with, there would only be one thing that they could do. Jumping out of bed, she rushed to get dressed, hoping that they wouldn’t need to call upon the kingdoms for assistance.

“Master, why were you speaking to that helmet?” Hilda asked.

 

Sitting in it’s usual chair with a cup of tea at the ready, Etrius opened up it’s cloak and stored away the helmet.

 

“I was sending a message to my daughter. Telling her to prepare for our arrival.” Etrius said.

“This is the same daughter that lives on another throne world?” Hilda asked.

“Not a throne world. It isn’t ruled by elves and it doesn't even have them.” It said.

“And we all get to live there for free?” She asked.

“You’ll be working for me or going to school, so not necessarily.” It said.

“Can you find me a rich husband so I can be a trophy wife and laze around all day?” She asked.

“I mean, the church will gladly take care of you. After all, they worship spirits.” It said.

“I’m an atheist.” She said.

“I don’t think they’ll care.” It said.

“If it’s okay with you, I want to stay with them.” She said.

“If that’s what you want, I’ll ask my daughter to give you and anyone else who’s interested a rundown when we get there.” It said. “If you’re still interested, you can stay with them after I pay you for what you’ve already done for me.”

“Thank you.” She bowed.

 

With that done, Etrius took a sip of tea and looked at the maids. It was just afternoon and many of them had finished their training for the day. Some looked at their new Id’s and others still did chores or prepared simple meals for others. Seeing Iris’ kids napping in one of the carriages, it saw her approaching, looking energized.

 

“Um, Lady Washington,” Iris started. “Do you think we can head outside the walls so I can practice some larger spells?”

“I have some business at the guild first, but sure.” Etrius smiled, before turning to Hilda. “Are you up for it?”

“If that’s what master wishes.” Hilda answered.

“Great. Let’s head out.” It said. 

 

Giving a quick warning to the maids, they headed out towards the guild hall. Having become widely known to the town’s occupants, they still gathered many stares, given Iris’ true nature and Hilda’s size. Etrius, with it’s hood up, looked rather ordinary in comparison. Pushing open the door, they were greeted by the familiar gazes of the guild members. As they entered, Iris hesitated and looked at a group playing cards at a distant table.

 

“Um…” Iris looked to Etrius.

“Just don’t worry about it.” It reassured her.

“Okay…” She said, glancing back at the group.

“?” Hilda glanced at Etrius as if asking for an explanation, and it shrugged as if to brush her gaze off.

 

 Looking for one person in particular, Etrius was unable to find him. Resorting to plan “B” it walked to one of the elves who was considered for teaching Iris. Not all of them were here, but one was better than none, so it approached Cleo, the one-eyed elf.

 

“Hey, you can read right?” Etrius asked.

“Um, yeah.” Cleo said, eyeing her beer.

“Great.” Etrius smiled, taking a book out of it’s cloak. “Here’s a spell book, I’m going to need you to open a portal in a week or so.”

“Wait, what?” Cleo asked.

“Study hard, when you’re done, you can keep the book.” It encouraged her.

“Master, question.” Hilda raised her hand.

“Right?” It asked.

“You’re powerful, why don’t you make the portal?” She asked reasonably.

“Because when things go through my portals, bad things happen to them.” Etrius said, pulling out the now familiar severed head.

“It won’t let me die…” It cried. “It won’t let me die…”

“Enough of you.” Etrius said, returning it to it’s cloak.

“Seriously, why are you carrying that around?” Iris asked.

“Don’t worry, he was a bad guy. Just trust me.” Etrius said.

“How bad?” Hilda asked.

“Attempted kidnapping of my kids.” It said.

“Just to make sure, would you do anything if someone tried kidnapping me?” Iris asked.

“…” Etrius looked at her curiously. “You want me to say…?”

“Please don’t do anything terrible to people.” She said.

“A bit late for that.” It said.

“Please don’t do anything else terrible.” She sighed.

“To be completely honest with you, I won’t promise that.” It apologize.

“I’m fine with you hurting people as long as it benefits me.” Hilda said.

“Thank you, but you need to learn from Iris and have a moral compass.” It said.

“Is that an order?” She asked.

“It’s a suggestion.” It said. “At least pretend to have one when others are around.”

“Should you really talk about this in public?” Iris asked.

“I’m sorry to butt in, but why do you need me to make this portal?” Cleo asked.

“Because I can’t do it without killing whoever passes through it.” It said.

“Why either of them?” Cleo asked, pointing at Iris and Hilda.

“Because if they mess up, it’ll kill them, but it won’t kill you.” It said.

“!?” Iris and Hilda looked at Etrius alarmed.

“Wait wait wait!” Cleo said, dropping the spell book. “It’ll kill me! I don’t want to do that!”

“No. I said that it won’t kill you.” It said.

“That’s a lie! It has to be!” She said.

“I’m not lying.” It said. “If you mess it up, it’ll give you a killer headache, if they mess up, it’ll kill them.”

“Wait, why will it kill us and not her?” Iris couldn’t help but ask.

“You two are too young and magic is more likely to harm you if done wrong.” It explained.

“Wait, how old are you?” Cleo asked.

“I’m forever sixteen!” Hilda struck a pose.

“So, can you make the portal or no?” It asked, not even bothering to acknowledge Hilda’s antics.

“Um…” Cleo tore her eyes away from Hilda. “How can you be sure it won’t kill me?”

“Alright, well if you don’t want to learn magic I could find someone else.” It said, reaching for the book.

“Wait, I’ll do it!” She said, frantically snatching the book from the table.

“Great. You got a bit over a week.” It said.

“I’ll do it in three days!” She said confidently.

“Glad to hear it.” Etrius said. “I’ll come find you when I need you.”

“I’ll be here!” She said enthusiastically.

“Oh, and since you probably aren’t going to be working for the next few days, here's something to keep you afloat.” Etrius said, handing her a small bag of coins. “Don’t overwork yourself and don’t forget to eat and sleep. When practicing magic, You would much rather be safe than sorry.”

“What are you, my mom?” She asked.

“I don’t remember giving birth to you.” It said. “Just try and take it easy and if there's anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask me.”

“Yes, I will.” She nodded. “But, about this book…”

“Oh, that’s right!” It said.

 

Before Cleo could react, Etrius put a hand on her shoulder and a hand on the book. There was a blue flash on the book, and text appeared on the cover of it. Concerned, Cleo looked at it for answers.

 

“Congratulations.” Etrius said. “You are the proud owner of a grimoire.”

“Eh?” Cleo was confused. “What does that mean? What’s different from before?”

“Basically this book is soul bound to you. That means only you can read it, and if someone steals it from you, you can summon it just by thinking about it.” It explained. “It’s got a bunch of spells and lessons on making spells.”

“It kind of sounds like some sort of text book.” She said.

“It is.” It nodded. “When my son was in school, they gave this to him at the start of the year.”

“So, this is for kids?” She asked.

“Yes.” It confirmed.

“…” She looked at the book reluctantly, but decided that magic for kids was better than no magic at all. With that in mind, she once more turned to Etrius. “Can this regrow my eye?”

“It’s for kids, so no.” It said. “But if you want, I can regrow it for you.”

“Please do-” She hesitated. “Wait, is it painful?”

“Specifically if I do it, yes.” It said.

“Oh…” Her shoulders fell.

“If you do well learning this, I’ll give you the spell to regrow limbs, but be warned it uses a lot of magic, so you’ll be out of action for a few days.” It said.

“What if I use it and I don’t have enough magic and I use it?” She asked.

“It’ll use what magic you do have, it won’t work, and it’ll hurt.” It warned.

“Okay, I’ll wait.” She said.

“Good girl.” It patted her head.

“Master.” Hilda said, barely masking the jealousy in her voice. “The magic practice.”

“Right right.” Etrius said. “Let’s head out.”

“Right…” Iris glanced back at the table playing poker.

 

Hilda, as if trying to distract herself, also looked at the table, but found nothing wrong with it. A bit confused, she followed Etrius nonetheless. Leaving the town on foot, the three entered the cover of the nearby forest. Given that the walls were still fairly close, Iris looked at them with worry.

 

“Do you think we should head out further?” Iris asked.

“How far?” Hilda asked stretching, as if to hide her somewhat heavy breathing.

“If you want to go further, we can use magic to teleport away from the walls.” Etrius suggested.

“Will that give us any sort of negative consequences?” Iris asked.

“Not for short distances.” It said.

“If you could do that, why did we have to walk in the first place?” Hilda couldn’t help but ask.

“I just thought it would be nice to take a walk with you girls.” It shrugged.

“I appreciate the thought, but if it is for Lady Iris’ training, surely it would be better to do so quickly.” She said.

“I suppose you’re right.” It nodded. “And it’ll help you get used to the sensation of moving through portals.”

“Does it feel strange?” Iris asked.

“As a robot, I don’t feel anything.” It said.

“Please don’t make me feel sad.” Iris said.

“Alright, just hold onto me and try not to fall over if we land on rough terrain.” It said.

 

Taking this warning, just a bit too seriously, the two grab onto Etrius none too lightly. Putting it’s arms around them, Etrius teleported them the maximum range it safely could. 47.49 miles away, The town they were in was hidden by the trees. Instantly teleporting once more, they arrived at the foot of a mountain with not so much of a trace of life. Well, almost any life, but this was Etrius’ goal.

 

“Alright, we’re here.” Etrius said, keeping it’s arms around them.

“Ah, it is rocky here.” Hilda said, kicking some pebbles.

“Where are we?” Iris asked, looking at her surroundings.

“At some mountain away from the town. I’m not sure what they call it though.” Etrius said.

“Will it get cold at night?” Hilda asked.

“I don’t think we’ll stay here for that long.” It said.

“Well, in that case, I should get started.” Iris reasoned.

“Yep.” It said. “Let’s see what you've learned.

“Right!” Iris said, eager to show off her magic.

 

As Iris took a few steps forwards, Etrius created a stone sofa with room for three. Placing down a cushion, it sat down and signaled for Hilda to do the same. With careful steps, she did so. Getting comfortable, she let out her ears and tail. As they watched Iris, Etrius let off a portion of itself, in the form of black sand, further into the mountains.

Traveling through rock and stone, Etrius came across it’s true goal. Hidden deep in a cave were nests made of branches and leaves and bloodied furs. Scales and broken teeth littered the floor, but that was not it’s aim. Passing one nest, there were broken eggs inside. Each one would be difficult to carry with one hand alone.

Few of the eggs showed evidence of hatching, however the majority seemed to be covered in a pale tar. Many collapsed under the weight and some were covered in an amount that made hatching impossible. One egg had a withered head of scales broken out. The tar buried the rest of it. Around these nests were lesser dragons. Their bodies showed scars filled with the tar and many of their wings were torn or had holes in them. Moving further in the nest, Etrius came across a nest with tar creeping towards it. In it were thirteen eggs. Out of those eggs, one was clearly larger than the others. As if to protect it, rock hard scales covered it, and between the scales, molten stone kept it and the eggs surrounding it warm.

As the dragons lay in the dark, the black sand surrounded and engulfed them. Slowly, the sand filtered through the nest and harmlessly became one with the floor. As for the eggs, they were gone. For the moment, they went unnoticed. But dragons, even lesser sickly ones, would eventually take notice. And they would stop at nothing to get them back.