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Dragonborn and Vanadis – Chapter 16
After their first engagement with Thenardier's army, the Silver Meteor Army was recovering their strength. Despite facing overwhelming odds and defectors in their ranks, the army still live on to fight another day.
With the soldiers resting for the next battle and the wounded being treated, the camp would have been relatively quiet. However, it was not the case when Fenris returned with Odahviing; the same dragon that the soldiers witnessed prior.
Many were in awe when the dragon spoke the human tongue, which made him uneasy due to the unwanted attention.
Despite the Odahviing being reluctant to stay in the camp, he nevertheless obeyed the Dragonborn's command in staying for the next battle.
As Odahviing continue to receive much attention from the soldiers, Fenris made his way to Tigre. Upon getting a sight the archer, he saw that he was already with Lim and the Vanadises.
The two girls were exhausted from their battle against the dragons, but Ellen was obliviously in a worse state due to the burns on her back and had to be supported by Lim.
"Are you alright Ellen?" Fenris said as he approached them, but his attention was focused on Ellen and her burns. Ellen turned her face to him with a pained smile.
"I'll live, but…"
"I know. Give me some room everyone."
Knowing Fenris's intention, Tigre and Mila stepped back as he went behind Ellen. Lim kept her stable as she shook from pain when Fenris touched her burned back.
It was then he channeled Healing Hands and everyone watched Fenris's hands generate a golden glow which enveloped Ellen's back.
As expected, she felt a refreshing feeling instead of pain as Fenris watches the burns on her back slowly disappear.
In less than a minute, Ellen was now back in fighting condition as her injuries were gone and her stamina fully recovered.
"Thank you Fenris." Ellen said as she did a light stretch to show everyone that she now alright. It was then Mila approached Fenris.
"I'm next."
Fenris merely nodded to Mila in response and put his hand on her shoulder.
He once again used his spell to restore her stamina, which she made a smile as the pleasant feeling flow through her body and relief of her exhaustion.
Ellen can't help but make a light frown at Fenris helping her rival, but knowing that Mila aided her after she was injured and there was still a battle to win, she chose to make an exception.
"You too Tigre."
After Fenris restoring Mila's stamina, he soon did the same to Tigre; the archer have a number of cuts across his body. He did a quick check-up on Lim, who was relatively unharmed and not as winded as everyone else. Nevertheless, Fenris used Healing Hands on her to restore her stamina.
Soon, everyone had a meeting regarding the overview of the previous battle. Having no time to setup a tent, they resorted to using small crates as seats.
'So, they call those dragons that…?' Fenris thought as Ellen explained that while she and Mila were able to slay the three Earth Dragons, the Fire Drake and Double Headed Dragon still remain alive; the brownish-red and the iron-coloured dragons respectively.
Fenris narrowed his eyes when Ellen explained that the Dragon Arts have no effects of the surviving dragons and made the assumption that the chains wrapped around them was the cause.
Speaking about Durandal, which have negated the effects of Dragon Arts, spells and even Fenris's shouts, Ellen surmised that Durandal and the chains were made of the same metal.
It was the first time Fenris had heard of a metal that could negate magic, but he soon notice that Ellen was gazing at him intently.
"Fenris. I noticed that your spells didn't work on the dragons, but your Shouts somehow did. Any thoughts why?"
Everyone in the meeting were surprised of what they heard, but not Mila. She after all witness it and had the same thought like Ellen. Fenris was silent for a few moments before he made a sigh.
"As you should know, my Shouts are actually an ancient form of magic and require something of equal strength to resist them. Durandal was the first to actually stop my Shouts, but it seems those chains didn't carry the same property…"
Fenris spoke as everyone continue to listen.
"I believed that sword is either made from a different metal or has some sort of enchantment that could negate Shouts. I will not know unless I examine the Durandal closely."
While everyone somewhat agreed to his assumption, Ellen and Mila nevertheless remarked that the chains would be a nuisance to them as their Dragon Arts are rendered useless.
"I will handle the dragons alongside Odahviing. You two should focus on support Tigre in the front lines." It was then Fenris made a suggestion to the two, seeing that they are at a disadvantage without their Dragon Arts when facing Thenardier's dragons.
Unsurprisingly though, the Vanadises refused.
"Don't take us lightly Fenris." Mila said with a light frown on her face.
"Indeed. We can still fight even without our Dragon Arts." Ellen spoke with a smile instead.
While they both understand Fenris's concern for their safety, they were warriors and far from powerless. The Dragonborn made a sigh before he lightly smiled; knowing they would likely respond like this.
"Very well. You have no complaints for the arrangement commander."
Fenris spoke to Tigre for not only for a response, he also wanted to remind him of his status of the commander of the entire Silver Meteor Army. In the end, Tigre agreed and everyone begun to make preparations for the next battle with Thenardier's army.
In a few hours, both armies engaged each other once again at Vincennes.
"Are you ready Odahviing?"
"More than ready Dovahkiin."
Fenris and Odahviing were at the back of the Silver Meteor Army as everyone was getting into formation. He could from a distance that Thenardier had his dragons at back of his army as well.
'This is a bold move that Tigre is doing…' Fenris thought as he saw the men in the center of the army were ill-equipped. They were all wearing leather armor while the spearmen lack swords while the swordsmen lack shields.
From what he heard, Tigre seek to motivate the enemy to charge at the center and cause an all-out melee. The result is that the soldiers would be so close to each other that Thenardier would not likely to deploy his dragons without risking the lives of his own soldiers.
However, he had a feeling that Thenardier may have something else planned. Fenris felt that the dragons may be decoys to lure Ellen, Mila and himself into attack; knowing they were the only ones that could take on a dragon.
Seeing that the Duke already observed them in battle, it was likely he intends to surround them with his soldiers when they reach the dragons.
'Despite the danger, it is a risk we have to take…' Fenris thought as he continues to look ahead to the opposing army. Both sides were waiting for the other to make the first move.
Back in Thenardier's lines, the Duke and his advisor Steid were making plans after seeing the poor state of the opposing army's central unit.
Steid made the accurate assumption that the enemy seeks to prevent the deployment of the dragons, which Thenardier agreed upon. Soon, they switched their discussion to the dragons.
"What is the status of the Double Headed Dragon?" Thenardier asked.
"My apologies, but we did all we could. We couldn't find a way to treat it." Steid replied.
Apparently during the first engagement, the two men witnessed Fenris unleash his shout upon the Double Headed Dragon. When the two sides withdrawn from battle, the Duke ordered a quick check-up on the dragon.
To their shock, they noticed something that looked like a slash mark on its neck. While it was barely noticeable, it was a shock to Thenardier since he heard of how tough the Double Headed Dragon's scales are.
He also noticed the behaviour of the dragon to be different as well. It was hard to tell, but he swore that the Double Headed Dragon was showing signs of fatigue. Despite resting for the last few hours, there wasn't any signs of improvement.
"That man… Who is he…?"
"I am not sure, but we know for sure he is a much greater threat than the Vanadises."
Despite the danger that the Vanadises pose, Thenardier and Steid were in agreement that taking down Fenris takes priority. Seeing his magical abilities isn't hampered by the chains and rides a dragon of his own made them realized he was a greater threat than they realized.
However, they have trouble trying to develop a countermeasure since they never fought someone like Fenris before.
Nevertheless, the Duke give the order to attack and thus, the second Battle of Vincennes begun.
"Looks like he caught on…" Fenris muttered as he witnessed Thenardier's army begun to move forward. However, the enemy's central unit moved to the sides and made enough room for the dragons to move through.
"It's time for us to move Odahviing."
"Very well."
Tigre was ordering his soldiers to retreat, but it was a mess for the men threw down their weapons and fled in an disorganized fashion. Thenardier's army could only watch in shock of the sight of seeing their enemy broke formation and ran for their lives.
Those who were unable to get away from the dragons either were burned alive by the Fire Drake or were ripped to shreds by the Double Headed Dragon. The horrific sight of torn bodies and the vast amount of blood spilled further motived the soldiers to flee away from the rampaging dragons.
However, the dragons suddenly stopped in their tracks as they made a shudder. Thenardier's soldiers noticed this and then heard a roar coming from the back of the Silver Meteor Army.
The dragons moved their heads upwards while the soldiers did the same and they witnessed the arrival of the red-scaled dragon and its fearsome rider.
"It is that dragon from before! That would mean…?!"
"By the gods! He's back!"
The soldiers in Thenardier's army begun to panic of the thought of facing the onslaught of Fenris and Odahviing once again.
"You caught their attention Dovahkiin." Odahviing said to Fenris when he's once more face-to-face with the last of Thenardier's dragons.
"If these men have the right mind, they would flee. These dragons however…" His response was interrupted by the dragons roaring at him and attempted to attack him.
"…would fight to the death." Fenris held on to his ally as he took evasive action against the Fire Drake's flames and the Double Headed Dragon's bites.
While the dragons were focused on Fenris, the two Vanadises arrived to his position on horseback. Thanks to his Restoration spell, they were back in full fighting condition and ready to take on the dragons once more.
"Alright, Fenris got their full attention. Let's discipline them properly."
"Indeed. We start with the Fire Drake first."
Ellen and Mila got off their horses and made their charge towards the dragons, who were focused on Fenris and Odahviing.
Seeing that the Fire Drake was preoccupied in attacking the Dragonborn, Ellen made the first move by using Arifar to enhanced her jump and slashed at the chains that were wrapped around the dragon.
However, the chains were more resilient than she thought for it left barely a scratch, let alone cut through.
Both the Vanadises were shocked of the chain's strength and realized that they would have to it the hard way; cut through the dragons' scales to kill them with their Dragon Arts.
During the time, Fenris managed to deliver a number of slashes to the dragons whenever Odahviing flew closely to the dragons while unleashing his Fire Breath as well.
While the Fire Drake was bleeding from its wounds, the Double Headed Dragon remained relatively unharmed. However, Fenris noticed that its scales were weakened due to using Marked for Death from the first battle; seeing flakes of its scales breaking off with each slash.
"FO KRAH DIIN!"
Fenris then used Frost Breath once more as the Fire Drake attempted to attack him and Odahviing with its flame breath. As he expected, the icy blast stuck its eyes; temporary blinding it while disrupting its attack at the same time.
"You have your opening! Make it count!" Fenris shouted to Ellen and Mila; the two noticed the Fire Drake disorientated for the moment and seized on the opportunity.
Using Arifar, Ellen channeled wind beneath Mila's feet, which allowed her to dash quickly towards the Fire Drake. With her Dragon Tool Lavias, she struck at its chest and after roaring in pain, the dragon soon collapsed on the ground dead.
While Fenris was pleased that the Fire Drake was finally killed, they still have to deal with the Double Headed Dragon. He was surprised that the dragon in question begun to allocate its attention between himself and the Vanadises.
One of its heads tried to reach Fenris and Odahviing, but they got out of the way of its bite in time. The other head moved a move towards Ellen, but she also got out of harms way as well.
The dragon's head got stuck on the ground, which Mila took advantage of by slashing the head with her Dragon Tool.
Fenris noticed with his keen eyes that flakes of its scales came off from the strike, but it remained too resilient to leave a mortal wound.
"Just how hard is its scales is?!" Mila complained upon seeing that Double Headed Dragon remained relatively unharmed.
"We could your assistance Fenris!" Ellen shouted loud enough for Fenris to hear her from the ground.
It was then Fenris gestured Odahviing to position himself above the Vanadises, which the red-scaled dragon realized his rider's intentions.
"Dovahkiin, are you going to…?"
"Yes, I am using it again!"
Just as the Double Headed Dragon was preparing to attack once more, Fenris unleashed one of his most dangerous Shouts in his disposal; the same one from the previous battle.
"KRII UN AUS!"
Ellen and Mila soon saw Fenris unleash a purple aura from his Shout and realized it was the same one they witnessed before.
When the aura stuck the dragon, it roared as the effects of the Shout begun to spread across its body. The Double Headed Dragon tried to attack Fenris, Ellen and Mila, but its movement was more sluggish then before.
The Vanadises noticed the impact of the Shout when they dodged the lunge of the dragon's two heads. They were shocked the dragon was showing signs of fatigue as it recovers from its failed attack.
"Fenris, what did you do…?"
"Now is not the time Ellen!"
Fenris made his move as Odahviing flew towards the Double Headed Dragon. After Odahviing unleashed its Fire Breath to distract it, Fenris delivered a number of slashes upon the dragon's neck.
Ellen and Mila stared in awe as they begun to notice the dragon's scales begun to come off in flakes from each slash from Fenris's katanas.
They both have question on what Fenris's shout did to the dragon, but could wait since they would have all the time needed when the Double Headed Dragon is dead and the battle is over.
It was then Ellen thought of an idea that could kill the Double Headed Dragon in one blow.
"Ludmila, I need your help."
"Please explain."
Ellen whispered in Mila's ear as Fenris tried to keep the full attention of the Double Headed Dragon, but one of its heads were watching the Vanadises.
While Mila was reluctant to think that the plan could work, but Ellen calmly asked if her fellow Vanadis have a plan of her own. Mila shook her head and thus quietly agreed to the plan.
"Arifar!"
Ellen shouted as the wind around the blade begun to wrap around her body. Seeing that the Double Headed Dragon is fully focused on Fenris, she and Mila charged towards the dragon.
Fenris saw them as they made their move, which the Double Headed Dragon tried to swipe at the two before then, but they easily dodged the attack by jumping into the air.
He gazes at Ellen, who moved further towards the sky due to Arifar just as Mila pointed Lavias towards the Double Headed Dragon after getting above it.
"Freeze the Sky (Shero Zam Kafa)!"
Mila unleashed a volley of ice spikes upon the Double Headed Dragon. While its chains made the Dragon Art useless, its heads were focused on her and Fenris.
It was the last mistake it would ever make for Ellen dive straight downwards from the sky and struck at the dragon's back.
With the momentum she gained from the dive and Fenris's Shout weakening its scales, she pierced through despite using up much of her stamina and straining her body in the process.
"If it doesn't work outside, then it would work inside…" She muttered as he then unleashed her Dragon Art.
"Cleave the Wind (Ley Admos)!"
The wind that was channeled into the blade prior to the dive was then released into the dragon's body. While the Double Headed Dragon's scales were tough, its bones and internal organs didn't share the same resilience.
The force of the wind that was unleashed into its body crushed its bones and torn its organs apart. Vast amounts of blood spilled from the dragon's two mouths and soon, the Double Headed Dragon collapsed into the ground. After a few shudders, the dragon ultimately died from its internal injuries.
Ellen was thrown off by the movement of the dragon after using her Dragon Art, but Arifar coated her with wind and gently lowered her to the ground. However, she was exhausted from the ordeal and fell to her knees.
"Finally… Its over…" She muttered in a tired tone.
She watched as Odahviing landed on the ground and saw Fenris got off the dragon, but was surprised to see Mila coming off as well. She was as exhausted as her fellow Vanadis as well.
"Such Suleyk. Power. These Vanadises could no doubt stand up to your own power."
Odahviing didn't show much interest in the Vanadises since his arrival in this world, but seeing Mila's Dragon Art during the previous battle caught his attention.
Upon seeing their skill and prowess when they were engaged against the dragons now, it peaked Odahviing's interest in the Vanadises.
"They may be powerful, but they are still human in the end. Just like me."
Despite maintain his balance on Odahviing's neck and supporting Ellen and Mila at the same time, Fenris wasn't as exhausted as the two.
"How did you…" Ellen as to Mila as she approached with her Dragon Tool on her shoulder.
"Fernis caught me while I was in the air…" She replied as Ellen move her gaze to Fenris.
"It is not what you think."
Apparently, he made Odahviing fly beneath Mila after she unleashed her Dragon Art and she managed to land on the dragon's neck; right behind Fenris. Yet, Mila can't help but make a light blush when Fenris insist that she didn't land into his arms.
"Now is not the time to get into another argument. We still have a battle to win." Fenris said as he helps Ellen back on her feet and used Healing Touch to restore both her stamina and Mila's own.
"I can't argue with that. Tigre and the others are going to need us." Ellen said as she lightly stretched her arms, feeling rejuvenated from Fenris's spell.
"Our horses ran away when I fought against the dragons however. Then again…" Mila said as she gazes on Odahviing. Soon, Fenris and Ellen caught on Mila's idea.
"It is already difficult enough for me alone to fight while riding Odahviing sadly."
"Don't worry. You can just drop us off and we can handle the rest on the ground."
In a few moments, Fenris agreed with Ellen and soon, the three got on Odahviing's neck. While the dragon groaned on the fact he had to carry three people, but nevertheless agreed with Fenris to take them to the enemy lines.
As the dragon once more return back to the sky, Mila can't help but be in awe of getting a bird-eye view of the battlefield again. Both the view and the feeling of being in the air was an experience that the Vanadis wouldn't forget for a long time.
As for Ellen, she was happy to experience riding Odahviing once more and chose to lightly brag that it isn't her first time being on top of the dragon.
Despite hearing the two behind him bicker a bit, Fenris could tell that Ellen and Mila could get along after seeing them work together against the dragons. It may take time, but they could become friends in the end.
For now, they have a battle to win and it was without doubt assessed they would be the victors.
Tigre and the rest were gaining the upper hand through unorthodox tactics and flanking maneuvers. His archery skills proved invaluable in taking out commanders and being able to take them down in one shot in the chaos of the battle helped boosted his men's morale.
The fighting was fierce, but it soon turned to the favour of the Silver Meteor Army. Thenardier's soldiers heard the news of the deaths of the remaining dragons, demoralizing them as they have lost their greatest military asset for the entire battle.
They were further demoralized upon hearing of Fenris and Odahviing flying towards them and riding alongside him were the Vanadises.
Many of the enemy soldiers flee for their lives when Odahviing landed on the ground and unleashed his Fire Breath alongside Fenris's own.
"YOL TOOR SHUL!"
Their flames burn many soldiers alive and cause more to drop their weapons and flee for their lives. Just before Odahviing flew back up, Ellen and Mila got off his neck to join the fray.
The sight of seeing the most dangerous foes before them motivated more and more soldiers to break ranks for the sake of survival.
To them, there was little hope for victory.
In a matter of time, Thenardier's army collapsed and became a rout as the Silver Meteor Army charged in for the kill. Much blood was spilled in the final phase of the Battle of Vincennes, but victory was theirs.
The casualties on both sides were unequal and it was Thenardier suffered greater losses than Tigre. Not only the Duke lost his dragons, but 4,500 of his soldiers were either dead or fled the battlefield. Tigre's own Silver Meteor Army suffered less then 1,000 men.
Despite the victory, the fighting between the two sides were far from over.
Fenris and the rest were taking a well-earned rest after of Vincennes. Odahviing once again took to the unknowns, awaiting the next time the Dragonborn to call for him again.
It was now nighttime; hours after the battle with Thenardier and the Silver Meteor Army chose to camp some distance away from a river.
Fenris was mediating in his tent while Tigre was sleeping in his own. The girls were not in the camp since they chose to wash themselves at the river. Ellen teased him by asking if he is interested in bathing with them as a reward for aiding them, much to utter shock of the rest of the girls.
His response was a light hand chop on her head and reminded her not tease him like that. She left with a pout on her face and the rest of the girls were relieved.
In his meditation, he recalled the moment when Ellen and Mila ask him after the enemy was routed. The matter was the Shout he unleashed on the Double Headed Dragon, which they noticed dragon being weakened in the process.
He sighed as he explained the nature of the Shout, Marked for Death. He explained that any living being struck by the Shout have their lifeforce weakened overtime, affecting their physical aspects such as strength and endurance.
Fenris spoke that repeated usage of the Shout on a living being would cause them to be so weakened that they could barely move and a punch could shatter bones regardless of size.
It was then he finally explained to the Vanadises the reason why he barely uses this powerful Shout, especially on a human. Ellen and Mila were in shock when they learned that the effects of Marked for Death were permanent; a never-ending curse. Even if the one affected by the Shout successfully kill the user, they are forever cursed with by the effects and they are no methods to remove them.
Even with his time serving Hermaeus Mora, Fenris never found a way that could remove the effects of the Shout and is unsure if the Shout's effect could pass on to the descendants of those cursed by the Shout. The Shout also effect anything that it struck; friend and foe alike.
Ellen and Mila didn't say anything else except thanking him for his time. The Dragonborn hope that the discussion didn't affect their relationship, especially since he didn't show the true extent of his power.
Just as he was thinking further of the matter, Fenris however was taken out of both his thoughts and mediation when he heard the flaps of his tent opening up.
In instinct, he put his hands on one of his katanas and prepared to draw it in a moment notice. He soon saw it was the girls, who returned from the river after washing up.
While Ellen and Lim were surprisingly calm, Mila was started of Fenris's action while Titta and Regin and scared for it looked like to them that he was going to attack.
"I'm sorry! I ended up following my reflexes again…!"
Fenris said he quickly got his hands of his katana and quickly apologize for his action.
"Don't worry Fenris. Lim already told me about it."
"About what?"
Mila ask Ellen while gazing upon Fenris, wanting to what reflex causes him to enter a fighting stance directed at his allies. However, Lim answered her question.
"Fenris told me he was marked for assassination by his enemies in his world and was occasionally attacked while travelling. It reached to the point that the assassins tried to kill him in his sleep."
The girls except for Ellen and Lim gasped of hearing Fenris being targeted. Mila remembered back when the last of the Seven Chains was going to kill her and Ellen, which Fenris ruthlessly took down. She could tell that he has a deep hatred for assassins and how it came to fruition was now revealed.
"Today is not the time to talk about assassins. We still have an important matter to deal with." Fenris spoke to ease the unpleasant environment that he made.
"Indeed, but we need get Tigre first."
Ellen replied and soon, Fenris accompanied the girls as they made their way to Tigre's tent.
"What are your thought on me after our little discussion." Fenris said to Ellen and Mila as they continue to walk.
"Nothing changed between you and me Fenris. While I am shocked that you have such a power, I can see that you don't abuse your gifts."
"I feel the same, but I am concern of what else you are hiding from us."
Ellen and Mila replied, which Fenris made a light smile.
"I appreciate your thoughts, but please understand that my Shouts is something I don't use lightly. If you two have any questions regarding my Shouts, feel free to ask."
"I'll keep that in mind, but I am interested in seeing what else you can do."
When Fenris and the girls arrived at the tent, they saw that Tigre was still asleep.
"Tigre may deserve a good rest after all he been through, but time is a luxury that we don't have."
Fenris spoke first as he gazes upon the archer as he snored in his sleep.
"True. We may have defeated the enemy, but they are not crushed." Lim agreed with the Dragonborn's words.
"Well then. How should we wake him up?"
Ellen turned to the group behind her for an idea. Fenris could only shake his head when Titta spoke of pulling the blanket with Tigre with it back then while Mila spoke of blocking both his mouth and nose.
While Lim said that they shouldn't be too rough with Tigre, Ellen remarked that she was the one who woke him up before with a sword in his mouth. Lim ended up flinching when she notices Fenris gazes at her with displeasure upon hearing what she done before.
"I got this." Fenris said as he turned his gaze towards Tigre again.
The girls were wondering what he had planned as they watch him crouch closely to the sleeping archer.
Fenris took a deep breath before made an expression as he looked at Tigre's face.
No one could see his expression at the moment, but it was one of silent fury and bloodlust. Everyone around Fenris could feel the cold aura that he was generating.
Ellen initially intended to do the same thing to Tigre to wake him up and was surprised that Fenris did it first. However, surprise soon drifted into shock as the suffocating feeling they were feeling got stronger.
It is without doubt the killer intent of one forged in the fires of hundreds of battles and witnessed horrors that would break lesser man.
Lim and Mila felt the cold feeling like Ellen, but Titta and Regin couldn't move an inch out of intense fear. However, they all swore that they saw a silhouette of a dragon emitting from Fenris's body.
As for Tigre, he immediately felt the killer intent from Fenris and jumped up from his bedroll.
Seeing that the archer was attempting to grapple him and then draw a dagger on his waist, Fenris quickly grabbed both of Tigre's hands.
As Fenris's bloodlust dissipated, the girls were wide-eyed of what happen despite still reeling from the experience.
Tigre soon became aware of his surroundings as he saw Fenris's face very close to his own. Instead of his expression of bloodlust, Fenris now have an amused smile.
"Morning Tigre. Your reflexes to bloodlust is not bad."
"Of all the people, you would do such a thing."
After being woken from his sleep, Ellen explained what happened to him. Tigre was surprised that Fenris would unleash his bloodlust to wake him up.
"At least I now know that you defend yourself if someone tries to attack you in your sleep."
"Fenris…"
Tigre was not amused of being woken up in such a manner.
After the tension that was created by Fenris's bloodlust eased, everyone was discussing their next plan of action while having their meals at the same time.
Ellen asked if they should focus on crushing Thenardier since he has lost a substantial amount of his soldiers along with his dragons. Tigre shook his head in disagreement, saying they have to focus on helping Regin prove her legitimacy as a member of Brune's royal family.
While Fenris remark that Thenardier may have lost his dragons, he believes that the Duke can still mobilize his army and should proceed with caution, reaching Artishem still remains as one of Tigre's primary objectives.
Tigre then asked Regin on information regarding the passage she seeks. Known as Saint-Groel, it was created before the founding of the Kingdom of Brune. Fenris felt that
When she provided three possible entrances to the passage, Mila chose the closest due to her piror knowledge of Artishem, which was a temple to a goddess in Brune, Mosha.
Tigre also made a risky decision to bring only ten people to the passage. He chose to bring himself, Regin and Rurick to Saint-Groel, so there about seven openings available for the trip.
Fenris made a smile as he watched Bertrand request his master to accompany him to Saint-Groel. Despite knowing he was not a warrior and in his fifties, Fenris knew Bertrand is very loyal to Tigre and would stay his side to the end.
As Tigre agreed to let Bertrand accompany him, Ellen stated she would accompany him as well. Lim and Mila were against the idea due to the possibility of traps and dangerous creatures that could be in Saint-Groel.
"Tigre, I would also like to join as well." Fenris interrupted, which everyone then turned their attention to him.
"I am no stranger to dangers and traps. If there are any dangers that could be found in Saint-Groel, then I would like to take point and clear a path if needed."
Fenris then directed his attention towards Lim and Mila.
"After all I have been through, traps and creatures don't faze me. Lim, I will ensure Ellen's safety along with everyone else when at Saint-Groel. Mila, remember I defeated foes that no ordinary man would dare face."
Lim and Mila couldn't say a word in response. Fenris was viewed as one who not only could stand up to a Vanadis, but could surpass her as well due to his abilities.
Nevertheless, Ellen knows better to go against him despite her being the best fighter in Leitmeritz. The two were felt assured that Fenris will keep her in check from doing anything reckless and ultimately agreed to both his and Ellen's decision.
Despite Fenris insistence, Tigre also stated he would prioritize Regin's and Ellen's safety and they must escape if anything happens.
In a few hours, the group was assembled and made their way to Saint-Groel. Throughout their trip, they face no opposition and it looked like it was going their way.
Halfway through the trip, Fenris felt a strange presence. He couldn't see it nor his Life Detect didn't pick up anything beyond the group, but it keeps his guard up nevertheless.
Little did he know that a cloaked figure was observing the group in secret. He made a dark smile as he gazes intently on Fenris.
"I see where you are going Fenris. Saint-Groel… Should the perfect ground for our reunion..."
Author's Note:
My apologizes for the long wait, but college took up much of my time for the past few months. I was hoping to upload this chapter on Christmas, but my family planned a trip I wasn't expecting. I ended up celebrating holidays and New Years away from the house, so I wasn't able to finish this chapter until now.
To those who are familiar with the light novel, an important event is about occur which can be greatly altered by Fenris's presence. I already have everything planned, but you are free to guess what will happen next.
Harem: Ellen, Lim, Mila, Sofy, Liza, Valentina, Olga, Sasha, Fine(?)
(?) For now, I will place in Fine in the harem. However, I may make changes based on what I could learn about her.