Call of the Ancestors
Chapter 14: A Personal Thanks
The following days after carrying the news of The Infinium to Spyro and Cynder were relatively quiet for both Miarko and Sethelis, no new leads came up in their hunt of this "Host", nor was there any Anointed activity. Everything was quiet for once. A bit too quiet, almost.
At least that is what Sethelis thought to herself, sitting behind her desk, it was a morning about a week later and she was filling out a report regarding something her agents was uncovering. Before she had followed this with great interest, given unraveling criminal empires was one of her favorite kinds of investigations. Right now though?
It was almost like this Congeria ordeal was a good play or book, something she couldn't wait to just pounce back onto. The dragoness sighed to herself before placing the parchment in a scroll case, hanging it over her neck. "Another day, another boring report." She muttered to herself as she left the quiet office and walked out into the corridor which was unusually bustling with people. Having missed why there was such commotion, she turned to some Ice dragon who was peering out one of the windows.
"Excuse me, Sergeant, but what is going on?" she asked.
The Ice dragon turned to face her and simply asked "Haven't you heard? Captain Miarko was summoned by the Guardians half an hour ago to be rewarded for something."
This caused Sethelis to frown. More than usual.
"What? Why wasn't I told about this?" She asked, getting only a shrug in reply from the Ice dragon. "Well, the Guardians were going to make a public address so most civilians that can has made their way to the Temple Pla-"
The Shadow dragoness didn't even wait for the dragon to finish his sentence, but instead bolted down the corridor and then down the staircase spiraling it's way towards ground floor. She didn't even stop properly to speak with Shadow #2, whom met her in the stairwell.
Instead she spoke with a Captain's authority. "I want you and 10 others of your choice at the Temple Plaza within the hour, blend into the crowd, secure rooftops and keep an eye on all VIP's in the area. Count Miarko as one of aforementioned." Before dashing off. She ran across the cobbled square of the DOW tower's floating island and jumped off the edge. It'd not be a long glide with the speed she flew. "Damn, damn, damn!" She cursed to herself.
How could she have missed this?! This was a huge Ancestors be damned security risk! She saw the colorful crowd filling up the street and yard below her as she slowly approached the ground. There was troops from the Military, as well as some DOW guarding the growing crowd. It felt like half the city had come to see what all this was about.
After making it clear with the Guard who she was, given that they blocked her path towards where the Guardians were held. Seth made her way up the cleared Temple staircase, which would later act as a improvised stage. She didn't even bother with opening the door, rather Shadow Stepping under it, reforming out of a cloud of black smoke. There she saw all four Guardians, Ifrit easily spotted amongst the elderly dragons, given her shorter and more feminine stature. As well as Miarko, having seemingly been kitted out with a fancy new set of armor. Which seemed to be far past your average Captain pay grade.
"Miarko, what in all absolute Convexities is this?!"
Miarko was shell-shocked. His maw fell agape at the sudden bursting in of the Shadow Captain. Was she not aware of what was happening today?
"Captain Sethelis, were you not made aware of this recognition?" he asked her, his face showing amix of concern and confusion which only got furthered by even more confusion when his fellow Captain walked up saying bluntly "No. I was not made aware. Is this something I should have been made aware of?"
"I thought that we were both getting honored…" he said, looking over at the Fire Guardianess, seeking an explanation.
"Apparently not." Sethelis added, looking over at the other Guardians. The three older dragons had noticed the commotion and were joining their Fire colleague. Only for Volteer to open his mouth;
"I do believe this must have been a misunderstanding. But do not worry, we can have something arranged for you after the ceremony, Captain." The yellow Guardian spoke, earning a nod from the other two elders. But before anyone had any time to say anything else a Mole came hurrying, shouting "Time's up, people! We've got a crowd waiting!"
"Come on out with us at least Seth," said Miarko, a light smile on his face as he looked at her, offering a paw, "Not like I can stand out there with these political officials all on my own. You know how I feel about politicians."
Sethelis seemed disgruntled at first, but to Miarko's relief it seemed she'd be willing to let it go for now. His smile grew ever so slightly when she took his paw in turn and answered; "Well, someone's gotta make sure you look good in that armor,"
And so the two Captains moved out, followed by the four Guardians, ready to meet the crowds.
The crowd of dragons, Moles, Cheetahs and others all quieted down when the group stepped out. Ifrit clearing her throat and letting out a flame as to gather all the attention, speaking up.
"Warfang! We have gathered the ones of you who felt like coming today to issue a sign of gratitude to these two dragons." She started, gesturing to Miarko and Sethelis with a wing, her voice filled with confidence as she continued her speech to the masses.
"These two dragons, no… These two soldiers belonging to the organisation we all know as the Defenders of Warfang! For exactly one week ago, an attempt at the life of two of our beloved Guardians failed due to their involvement!" Surprised gasps and murmurs was heard. Miarko knew word had been spreading all around town, but probably been shrugged off as a rumor.
"Yes, but this is a sign." She paced, not letting the mass out of sight once, her voice ever clear and loud as it echoed over the sea of heads before her.
"That we know our fair City is in good claws, that we will not let anyone harm our people, our faith nor our resolve! And it is with honor that I, Ifrit, With my first public act as the Guardian of Fire, decree a official thank you to Miarko, Captain of the 17th and to Sethelis, Captain of the 18th! Thank you, both!" And with that she quieted down. Only for the crowd to start a applause, cheering. Even some DOW privates chanting "D-O-W!" repeatedly from the crowd.
Miarko couldn't help but feel pride in the moment, a light smile creeping onto his face as he looked over at Sethelis, smiling at her lightly. He had almost expected her to keep that stiff and disciplined look she'd usually have at public appearances, but no. He was met with a equally bright grin.
It was slightly shocking to see her so bright at an event like this one, but seeing her enjoying herself was enough to make the Fire Captain smile back at her before looking back out over the crowd and engaging in the chanting himself.
After a few moments and another smile from both the Fire Guardian and Sethelis, Ifrit stepped back up to the podium and moved her paw up and down, gesturing for the audience to calm down and lower their volume. After waiting for a few moments, she began speaking again.
"Thank you to everyone who helped make this moment possible. But we were far from being finished with this fight. I implore each and every one of you to continue working towards establishing a lasting peace within our City by continuing to pursue your tasks with as much effort and motivation as you can muster. Ancestors bless the Guardians, Ancestors bless the Dragon City!"
A loud roar echoed through the plaza as Ifrit put her paw up in there, receiving the same gesture from many of the individuals in the audience. Miarko couldn't help but feel a slight bit of pride as the cheers echoed through the plaza.
The entire group bowed their heads and left the stage, coming back down off from the stage and back inside the building behind them.
Once they were all inside the large building and the door was shut, Miarko felt as if all the air in his lungs just left him, and he simply turned to his fellow Captain, about to say something with a big smile on his lips.
"Well, I haven't seen you sm-"
Only to be interrupted by a cheetah approaching them with a clipboard: "You're Captain Sethelis of the D.O.W?" he asked, holding a pen.
Sethelis in turn turned herself 180 degrees just to see the cat, and answered with a curt nod. Miarko took a few steps back, but kept on listening. It seemed someone had talked to the same smith they had make him his new set of armor, and the Cheetah, a apprentice, needed the female dragon's measurements. Miarko did in turn stop listening, and rather turned to the other dragoness instead, facing a confident looking Ifrit.
"You two did excellent, even if it was a little improvisation." She started, doing a little gesture towards Miarko as a 'walk with me'.
"Of course, my lady," Miarko responded to the nonverbal cue, following her away from the group. The two walked along a rounded hall, seemingly only there for decorative purposes, as large paintings of historical events and prominent members of Warfangian society lined the marble walls. Their voices reverberating from the walls, having a slight echo. Miarko did note they were alone, just before Ifrit spoke.
"Say, I have not heard too much about the details in your investigation. Despite my… Authority and my kind requests, Sethelis' people have shown to be rather unwilling to tell me anything. And I simply haven't been able to reach neither Spyro or Cynder. So I turn to you. I do want to help after all, so I see no reason to keep me in the dark." She continued, glancing across the room. Eyeing each one of the paintings,
"Besides, your little adventures interest me. Even if I do admit some of them sounds a little too much like a fairy-tale."
She looked back at the Captain, her eyes basically telling him that he held information she really sought for.
"You want to hear about my tales of battle?" he asked, blinking, "I must admit, I thought you'd have tales of your own, my Lady. I suppose I could engage in some storytelling, though. What do you want to hear?"
The Guardianess looked at him, expectantly at first ,but then in a more mild interested manner. "Well, I have witnessed your combat prowess firsthand. I was more thinking about that thing you and your partner are working on. The investigation? Or is that confidential?" She said, smirking trickily. "But I wouldn't mind a tale or two."
"It's classified to the general public, but considering the DOW originally got our commission from the Guardians, I don't believe we would be at any odds if I discussed the tales of the Crisis so far...perhaps over dinner?" he finished, with an extremely light wink at the Fire Guardianess.
Ifrit looked interested once more. Even more so than before. Miarko smirked to himself as she opened her maw to speak, "A dinner? It would be impolite of me to decline. At my estate, or somewhere else? I would have to warn you though, going around publicly tends to draw crowds…" She replied, smirking right back at him.
Miarko felt slightly relieved he had tucked his amulet under his armor. Probably wouldn't look so good if he had been wearing that right in front of her.
"I'd love to join you for some...private time at your estate, my Lady," he responded, smiling with evident confidence.
The she-dragon giggled slightly, "My-my, you sure do have your way with words. And here I was thinking you DOW lot were going to be as stiff as the military brass. But I appear to be wrong."
Miarko chuckled before replying, still keeping the ever-so-confident smile up. "That is a common misconception. Whilst we do have discipline, we always try to give our soldiers and command freedom to do what they want when enjoying some R&R, be it at a Guardian's table or in their own home." The charming captain spoke, circulating the Guardian with a smirk.
Ifrit trailed him with her eyes,nodding. "Very well. I will see you at my estate in the City Center later tonight, then?" Miarko gave her a affirmative smile, before saying his farewells and turning to walk back to Sethelis and the other Guardians.
Upon arriving into the big hall once more he saw how the only ones remaining in the hall was Sethelis, who currently had to show off her wingspan as the apprentice Cheetah took her measurements. The dragoness craned her neck slightly to look over at the Captain. "So, what was it you and Ifrit spoke of?"
Miarko thought quickly, should he..? Then he mentally shook himself, knowing that the truth is always best. At least...half truths.
"She's curious about the ongoings of our investigations," he replied, his maw remaining serious and business-like, "And with the hall shutting its doors here for the day shortly, she wanted to go over everything I had back at her dwelling," he finished.
Sethelis nodded. "Good, good. I suppose I should come over, too? If not, I guess I got some dusty old files to go through and an entire archive to read over. Terrador said we had full access to whatever The Guardians have on the Ancestors, so I'd hope to find something on Congeria there." The blue-black dragoness spoke, flinching as the Cheetah pricked her membrane with a claw; "Ow! Watch it, will you?"
Miarko waved a paw, indicating the lack of need for her presence, "I'll take care of it. Feel free to take the rest of the evening off anyways, we've certainly earned it over the last few days…"
"You are right, those social calls and formal dinners were never my type of thing anyhow." The Shadow explained in reply, giving him a little smile. "I'll probably just creep back into my little corner with a good book or two. Or three. Enjoy your meal… Whenever it will be? This evening?"
"I assume that's the direction she's going to take it," Miarko said with a feigned shrug, "Then again, what do I know?" he finished with a light chuckle and a wink at Seth, as if mentioning their...previous escapades.
"We both know you can be clever with that maw of yours. Now are you just going to sit there like a goof, or get off of your red behind and be productive? I can't leave before…" She turned her head as she spoke, looking upon the Cheetah, who now was studying her left hind leg, using a measuring tape. "... Slowpoke here is done."
Miarko nodded with a slightly bewildered look at her companion's behavior, then nodded again as if to clear his mind and spoke, "That's...yep. I'm going to get on my way now, I think. You two have...fun tonight."
"Well, if he doesn't hurry up I might just be here all night." Seth called over, giving a dismissive yet friendly wave with a paw his way.
The Fire Captain in turn left the building, humming the….yes, the Warfangian Anthem to himself. Unbeknownst to the Fire Dragon there was a pair of eyes tracking him from a nearby rooftop. As the dragon walked down the street and away from the plaza this watchful shadow crept along the rooftops, making sure to keep him visible at all times.
Knock, knock
No answer.
Knock, knock, knock
Still nothing.
Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock...knock, knock!
There was finally shuffling on the other side of the door. After a few moments, the large doors opened and revealed…
"Lady Ifrit?"
She was...adorned, to put it mildly. She was already attractive for her age in the Fire Captain's eyes, but this was...unexpected. What greeted him in the doorway was a display of beauty unlike any the Captain had seen in recent times.
The Fire Guardianess had clearly taken time to improve her appearance after the events of the last thirty-six hours. She had polished and shined her scales thoroughly, and Miarko swore he could almost see his reflection in the bright crimson that shone at him. She had adorned herself in light silks all around her body, which was common formal wear for...romantic occasions. Miarko was lucky that he was still wearing the formal armor he had been gifted earlier in the day...Either way, it was rather evident she had wanted to leave an impression, and it sure was a fine one.
"Ah, Captain Miarko. I was expecting you to arrive any minute now, and here you are. Timely." She started, giving him a kind smile, offering for the Fire Dragon to enter, shutting the door to the lavish hallway behind him.
Miarko cleared his throat, trying to clear the slight nervousness that had taken over him after seeing the Guardianess, and then spoke, "I'm always making sure that I'm on time for elegant women like yourself, my Lady," he finished, the confidence returning to his tone as he spoke.
"Well, well, well. It appears you have manners to match your good looks. The food is already prepared, so we do not need to wait." The Guardianess informed him, once more smiling that dazzling smile.
Miarko followed his hostess into a relatively modestly decorated dining room, a open balcony watching out over the lower city. In the middle of the room there was a round table with cushions surrounding it for seats, and the food upon it was… Well. Anything less than divine would have been unfair to say. It appeared that a Guardian's salary sure gave Ifrit no need to worry about costs. The scents of the room filled Miarko's head as he sat down, Ifrit doing the same opposite of him.
"This was slightly unexpected, my Lady," spoke the Captain, glancing about the room and then focusing his gaze on the lovely sight in front of him, "But very, very welcome." to which Ifrit nodded appreciatively.
"I thought that since we'd be discussing some interesting matters, why not make the food equally interesting?" She said, and Miarko could have sworn she winked. Must've been a trick of the light.
"I can't deny the validity of that argument, your grace," he responded with a light chuckle, "Did you prepare all of this?"
Ifrit chuckled lightly over the statement, shaking her head gently. "No, I did not make all of this by my own. I may be able to summon a fiery inferno within a matter of minutes, but cooking is not my forté. I had a servant of mine help me with this. I sent them all home for the evening though, no need for servants when I will focus entirely on just my guest, no?"
"In that case, I appreciate the genuine hospitality that you are treating me to, your grace," he responded, bowing his head genuinely, "The effort that you have went to is...most impressive."
"Thank you, Captain Miarko. But now, please, I insist that you try the food and tell me of this… Investigation you are working on." The Fire Guardianess said, seemingly eager to learn of Miarko's adventures so far, "Nothing beats a good dinner with a story to the side."
Miarko nodded at the statement and took a moment to take a bite to gather his thoughts, "Well, this all started with a knock on my apartment door…"
Some time later, most of the few plates at the table were empty. Whatever light had been left in the sky outside the great windows in the dining room had faded away, only leaving the flickering of candlelight and torchlight dancing around the room. However, Miarko had hardly noticed.
His attention had fully and only been focused on the sight of the lady in front of him. There had been laughs, serious moments and slight shock from the Guardianess as he had described the events of his escapades since his Lieutenant had barged into his room that one morning.
"...and that lead up to where we are now. In this lovely company that I find myself in at the moment," he said, his forepaw leaning on the table as he continued to stare...longingly at the Fire Guardianess.
She looked right back at him, eyes deep. Almost as if he'd drown in them if he could. "Well, you have been through quite the adventure and I would love to hear more." She started, before getting up from her haunches. "But maybe not here, I would love another room, which would be perfect for occasions like these. Call it a personal little thanks." She said, the tip of her tail brushing against his snout as she walked past him. The Captain followed her up a flight of stairs, before she opened a door leading into a bedchamber.
This night was a success.
A/N:
A personal thanks indeed!
Once again we take our time, but that is mainly to make sure that we 'publish' the best chapters we can!
Mike and I thank you for sticking with us for all this time and hope that you enjoyed this chapter. Make sure to stay tuned for the next one!
As always, we appreciate any and all feedback! Reviews are always read and responded to when we can get to them.
See you next time!
-Mike & Hawk