Dyues leads the diplomats into his pace. An extravagant building made out of wood while nowhere near as glorious as stone castles of the high king. it is definitely a building worthy of a great leader. The halls were vished with items framed with a material of the the most beautiful blues. The chief and his granddaughter both wear bits and pieces of this material leaving the astrans quite curious about what this material might be as they so vishly decorate their homes and themselves with it.It shined like painted ceramics but had a grain more akin to scales.
He led them to a part of the castle where the door seems to sink into the ground as the floor in front of it slopes downwards. lead into a rge circur room where there were ft yed out animal hide that seemed to surround a open area to speak. Gora and dyues sit down in the center of the back wall on top of a ft ptform that seems built into the wall.them at the center of the room.
They did not sit on thrones but a raised a ptform that was covered with lush fur bnkets. rexan and cofus sit on the floor in front of them. the courtier with the wrapped present sitting directly behind them. Rexan ushers the courier to give the gift”before we begin any form of diplomatic negotiations may i present to you a gift from the head of the cofeneva cn.” the courtier speaks with a humble voice before bowing and presenting the item.
dyues looks at it curiously and unwraps it as the courtier is holding it. He says nothing as they see what it is. He simply takes it in his hand and looks at it. A spear made entirely out of the same blue material that covered their domesicle and was adorned on their clothing. Rexan looks at the spear and disbelief.
What could possibly have the king of the east be thinking to give him such a gift would surely be an insult, But before anyone else can react the courtier starts speaking’’ this spear as im sure you can see is entirely made out of the remains of the st known sokaran dragon killed over 80 years ago. By some raiders we were told. Our lord had found the weapon 5 years ago in some market. knowing the sacredness of the dragons to your people he bought the weapon with intent to be given back in a show of goodwill. we regret to return these materials to you in the form of a weapon but it appears it had been forged into a weapon for some impudent bandit chief from the east. when his terror met an end the weapon was recovered we hope that you appreciate our masters thoughtfulness.”
the room remains silent after the courtier finishes speaking. Rex could not believe his ears in front of him lied a weapon made entirely from parts of a dragon something only the high king of astra could afford and here cofus’s father is giving one away. Cofus looks a little amazed himself thinking how lucky he didn’t pawn it after all for drinking money as he had no idea of its true worth and would of most likely sold it for much less its value.
Gora’s eyes light up upon seeing the weapon her eyes glued to it as her mouth is gaped open as she keeps a look of bewilderment and yet Dyues makes no reaction to it he holds it in his hand for a moment then tosses it to the ground as if the priceless item was worthless. A collective sound of shock roars into the roam as he drops it to the ground. Though no one dares say a word as they just look at him waiting for an expnation”what an insulting gift.”he says before looking up from the discarded item and meeting eye level with the 3 foreigners eyes
”The “sokaran dragons” as you’d like to put it were great war mounts for the sokaran chief of old. My grandfather Harus kalo rode the st sokaiadoan. A beautiful beast that hed let me ride as a child. 80 years ago a raid was set into motion with the explicit desire to kill the beast in hopes to sell its parts. they murdered my grandfather and his mount while they slept. The monsters den was turned into my throne room and became the center of my nds. The beasts former ir being this very room. I hunted every st one of those raiders myself for many years in the nds of the east but it took too long and I could only bring back half of my grandfather’s beloved companion. That spear which is made from the remains of my grandfather’s friend was stolen and forged into a weapon only due to my failures and has been tainted with most likely the blood of the innocent what a shameful gift it is nothing but a reminder of a bitter memory and a part of my life that I’d wish to forget”
gora looks at her grandfather with absolute disbelief. quickly running to grab the spear”wait hold on grandfather this is made from drakkite a material that is our birthright we can’t simply give it back to them if you don’t want it at least let me keep it for our ancestors sake.’’ His eyes dart at gora like furious arrows; they stop and pin her right in pce as she looks at her grandfather’s face. Without having to say anything else she hands it over to the courtier and sits back down without saying anything.then acting like nothing happened Dyues coughs and resumes speaking.
”well now that the pleasantries are out of the way, what do you astrou want with us?”
rex straightens his back before beginning to speak his body feeling tense at the events that had just transpired ”im sorry the gift wasn’t my idea it was just a formality from my kinsmen I’ll have it loaded up onto my horse and taken back to them,’’
dyues nods saying nothing allowing rex to continue”the luutons are moving into the pins and the king of astra are seeking an alliance to find off these raiders. The astrans are inexperienced with these flying war mounts and are requesting assistance or in the very least training in how to handle them.”rex still sits up straight waiting for the response of dyues.
Though for a moment no response comes he just sits there stroking his long gray beard. Looking like hes deep in thought. then he stands up and looks down on the astrans though not in an aggressive way thankfully. He sighs and shakes his head ”I’m sorry young man but you have traveled all this way for nothing. I can not lend you my aid as no other cns would possibly agree to this and there is nothing I a sokaran could teach you an astran. for our method is to use our geia. Winged beast are easily hit by our lightning as they flock together. causing their beast to panic at the lightning that surrounds them. You astrans and your fmes are dangerously beautiful but you ck serious range and will be no match for the luuton archers.”
Rex and cofus look troubled at hearing this. not sure how to react rex stands up to appease the situation”but Honorable one i have personally helped your territories on our most northern border from raiders of west. how can you so openly refuse our plead for help with these luuton raiders?”
Dyues looks at the man with a protruding frown.”i think you have made a grave mistake my friend while i do appreciate your help with those raiders on our most vulnerable territories the favor you are asking are not of the same caliber. mindless marauders who plunder indiscriminately are nothing compared to the hordes of the north that flood down from their mountains”
Rex and cofus look at each other a little worried now wondering what he could possibly be talking about. Rex gets abit closer and tries to meet Dyues eyes”what are you talking about sir they’re simply savages on winged beast its a clever trick but nothing else.”
Dyues frowns at the man’s ignorance and shakes his head” i guess you have only heard stories about their actions from merchants and travelers it amazes me your kingdom has avoided their influence for so long. The Luutons are a force of unrelenting violence they are impartial to the greater things in this world and only care for one thing and that is power.they spend their whole lives training to ride those beast along with learning how to use a bow on top of them. Their chiefs all swear allegiance to great chiefs like myself and their great chiefs swear to the almighty Fon. they are not raiders but invaders; they do not seek to extract your riches from your nd to theirs. they want to crush your armies, command your kings into submission ,or to execute them publicly and install their own. Do you think 80 years ago it was mindless marauders who created such a detailed pn to kill my grandfather and his beast no it was those warriors of the mountains the world beyond our region is filled with many powerful peoples you astrans are so ignorant of your pce in the world and will soon be enlightened”
Dyues sits back down and looks at the men. Rex is shaken; he has no idea what to believe but he understands that their is no help here. He bows his head and stands back up”if that is how you see it then we will have to return back home and inform our lords the negotiations were fruitless. Were sorry for wasting your time great one”
He then stands back up and looks at cofus with a passing gnce. Cofus nods and stands up bow and follows his superior.
