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The BloodVaine EpicChapter 8: Unlikely Companions
Lord Void, obscured by the think undergrowth, mopped sweat from his brow. He had heard the whole of Gib’s story to Marus, and had not liked it one bit.
BloodVaine’s army was expanding, he had already acquired the Eroth Gamus, and now he had this Gart person and Coal-Blood!
Lord Void had heard of Coal-Blood, but never had he thought that the mighty god-dragon had existed. Lord Void decided to throw caution to the winds and reveal himself to the strangers. Besides, he was hopelessly lost in the Neverwood, and the Gib fellow might be able to help.
Lord Void stepped out into clearing nosily to not startle them. Both Marus and Gib leapt up, but Lord Void help up his hands.
“Forgive me for intruding, but I am lost, and I know not the way…”
Marus recognized his master on sight, and fell to his knees. “Lord Void, forgive me, I did mean to come back to you, I haven’t deserted!”
Lord Void ignored Marus. He turned to Gib and launched into his speech,
“I overheard your tale, and if what you say is true, then, as the phrase goes, we are all in the same boat. Marus hates dragons for giving him his scar, you hate BloodVaine who stole your friends, and I...fear BloodVaine, for he might gain power that could rival The Master. He might...choose to eliminate me, and I fear that if I do not act soon he could easily do as he wishes.”
“What exactly are you saying, Lord Void?” Gib spat. He greatly disliked the Dragon Master wizard, and did not trust him.
“I wish to form an alliance, for the time being that is, for the sole reason to cripple or destroy BloodVaine and his dragons. You provide wisdom, I provide equipment, and Marus provides...ah...manpower.”
“I do not trust Dragon Masters.” stated Gib.
“You trusted Marus enough to tell him your tale.” pointed out Lord Void, “I can provide windships, sea vessels, even an airship!”
Gib was not convinced.
“Why do you need me to cripple BloodVaine and his minions, no doubt you have contacts that can provide you will all the information you could possibly need?”
Lord Void nodded, his monocle glinting.
“Ah yes, very true. My spies within Wolfpack have told me many things, such as the destruction of an entire Crusader town, the sinking of a dozen Royals ships, and of an event involving Radjar Kath, victor of the Fell War, Searil Chordate, the legendary vampire hunter, and an assembly of Forestmen Druids. Events are happening in Dametreos, and I know of it. However, you possess something I do not. The personal touch. You knew this person Gart, was his best friend. If you could convince him to desert BloodVaine, that would cripple BloodVaine greatly.”
“Gart is dead to me.”
“Perhaps, but are you dead to him?”
Gib paused. Lord Void continued, pressing his advantage. “Combined, the three of us have the power to fulfill our separate goals, while aiding one another. After the task is done, we will part and you need not ever hear of me again.”
“I don’t know.” said Gib. “It’s already dark and we can talk more when we reach my home.”
“And where is that?” asked Marus.
“Well, if you’ll just look over that next hill I think you’ll find out.”
The two Dragon Masters walked to the top of the hill and looked. In the moonlight they saw the half towers and scattered ruins of Gib’s home.
“I hope Jackal brought home a little extra from that hunt. Trust me, we weren’t expecting visitors. Least of all Dragon Masters.”
The animals were surprised at the appearance of the strangers and would have attacked if Gib had not stayed them. Marus was obviously nervous, not able to forget the hawk’s attack earlier. Lord Void on the other hand was considerably less concerned. When you can control dragons, bears and wolves aren’t much of a threat. Gib started a fire with some coals that he always kept smoldering in some damp hay in his satchel. Once the fire was lit Gib handed out food (smoked venison and dried berries and nuts) and they got down to business. Gib didn’t know where to begin. He was still having doubts about this deal.
You’re making a deal with the devil Gib. That’s what you’ll be doing if you agree to this.
Yeah, but what are you but a bitter old man?
Bitter, yes. And you hate everything these men are and stand for.
But if you really hate them how come you even let them live?
Gib argued back and forth until his curiosity won out and he started asking questions. In another five minutes Gib had gained a large amount of new information.
“So.” Gib began after all was said, “Let me see if I have this strait. The last time I saw Gart was almost thirty-five years ago. According to you that was right before he stole half of your dragons with the help of Coal-Blood. This all happened around the same time that BloodVaine turned traitorous but what we don't know is where the two of them went after they left. They didn’t stay on the main land, we know that. Lord Void, You said something about a volcano island?"
“Yes.” said Lord Void. “I believe that’s where they are stationed now, though I don’t think that they have been sitting there for thirty-five years. I believe they went there separate ways after they left and I’ll tell you why. Several days ago I caught a faint teleharm trail heading over my lands. I tried to tune in on it but I couldn’t make out much. What I did make out didn't seem that important when I heard it but now…”
Dacker, I have a request for you. I am about to embark on conquest against the Mast---I now call you to my aid in payment for the debt you owe me. Our first objective will be to dispose of---You can come to the---we can talk in person there.
“Obviously that was BloodVaine calling in your friend Gart from another place.”
“Ah, and that’s how you know that they’re working together.”
“Yes.”
Gib went back into thought. Well that explained pretty much every thing. Everything that is, except for the dragon. It seemed more then coincidence that the same dragon who was responsible for the fall of his friend would suddenly reappear at the same time as Gart. That Bargon person, he knew more about it.
“What have you done with the knight Bargon?” Gib asked Lord Void suddenly.
Lord Void looked confused. “I had him executed. Why? What does he have to do with this?”
“Maybe nothing.” said Gib. “But he was the one who brought that cursed dragon here. And he had a reason for it that none of us knows.”
Gib let out a long sigh.
“I agree.” he said. “Though I do not doubt that I will regret it later. Get some rest gentlemen. Tomorrow we’re going dragon hunting.”
Lord Void slept with on eye open, a trick he had learned from The Master himself. No doubt BloodVaine slept the same way.
In the morning, they ate a silent breakfast until Lord Void said,
“My fellow dragon-hunters, though you two may be accustomed to wondering about on foot in the wild, I am afraid I have been spoiled, and lack the...ah...physical energy to walk continually for days on end with...ah...limited nourishment. I propose we return to the Fire Breathing Fortress and gather supplies there. Then we can start our quest in one of my transports. Windships seem to be out of the question, do to your dislike of dragons. However, as I mentioned before, I have...ah...acquired a rare and valuable airship that flies without the aid of man power nor dragon. It relies solely on the energy expelled by Aryllyum Crystals. It needs no crew save one to operate the controls, and I happen to have the skills of an airship pilot.”
Gib considered. He hated dragons and anything to do with them, but this airship might give him the boost to get revenge on the dragon that had ruined his life. Finally he nodded.
“Let us go, then, to the Fire Breathing Fortress.”
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