General Maraxus: Wonder if this one is going to get killed or get out alive.
Gnarl: Unless they have something to offer and are very careful in how they address her…
Maraxus: Well let's find out shall we?
An Overlady's Audiences Part 5
The next visitor came down with a loud metallic clang, with bent knees and one of his huge, steel-clad fists on the black marble floor. Jinx could swear a slight pattern of cracks remained, like a subtle crater. She frowned.
The newcomer straightened out, but didn't gain much height. A thick, bushy beard came to sight, and a second compact fist took a giant hammer off its owner's back. The Overlady curiously tilted her head; this was the very first dwarf she ever laid eyes on, and she wondered what he was doing here; the dwarves hadn't left their own domain in years, and she didn't even know how many of their cities were still inhabited.
"What is your…" she started, but the dwarf already interrupted her, with a deep, rumbling voice full of barely concealed threat.
"Bragon," it resounded, almost resonating through the throne room. "I'm an envoy of the dwarven army of the Golden Mountain Range." He lifted his gaze to her and stared straight at her, with dark, fiery eyes beneath wild eyebrows. "More than twenty years ago your mangy beardless predecessor slew our king and stole our invaluable beer kettle, so my people could no longer reach the beerserker rage, and these hairless rats could." The dwarf gestured around to the Minions, without the smallest trace of fear as he insulted them. Jinx' fingers tensed around the basalt arm rests of her throne.
"I've traced the kettle, all the way here. You thought you could hide it, you thought the power of the ale belonged to you, but you were wrong. This is a first and last warning, beardless Overlady. The dwarven people want the kettle back." The dwarf narrowed his eyes and rested his hammer's head on the floor. "What's your answer?"
"No," Jinx replied without batting an eye.
Bragon clenched his fists around his hammer's handle. "Then it'll come to a clash between the Mountain Range and the Netherworld, perhaps here and now."
"I don't have it, Bragon. You're mistaken."
"That's what a cowardly liar would say." The hammer was lifted, slowly but very surely. A buzz rose from the Minions around the great hall. Jinx looked around, and smiled slightly.
"Are you calling me a liar? Well, I haven't always been honest during my life, my good dwarf, but I had resolved to give my first group of visitors exactly what they deserved. So far I'd say I succeeded just fine, and I think I also know what you deserve."
The hammerhead swung around, and Bragon stormed for the throne with a mighty roar.
Above it Kniff widened his eyes.
With a single fluid motion Jinx rose and outstretched her hand to the dwarf. A heartbeat later a wave of all-consuming fire flowed from her fingertips, completely engulfing the dwarf and almost immediately setting him alight. His metal armour lit up, his hair and beard sparked and crackled, and his war cry very quickly changed tone. Still, he managed to form words.
"The Range will swallow you whole, Overbitch!" he shrieked, as his vocal cords shrivelled and his steel helmet melted over his face. And still the flames roared from Jinx' hand. She only stopped as Bragon fell over and his last convulsions, caused by his overheated muscles, died away. Her fingers still smoked, and the skin of her hand was still healing as she waved it around and walked back to the throne – she wasn't impervious to her own fire.
The Overlady sat down, but then rose again, as if stung. She paced to the dwarf's body and violently kicked it onto the trap door, which she opened with a swift movement. With a metallic scrape the late Bragon tumbled into the depths.
"Enjoy your meal, Lord," Jinx muttered to herself.
Gnarl shuffled next to her. "What's the matter, Milady? Threats must be as familiar to you as warm supper."
"I don't know," she spoke. "I think I helped too many people today – clearing the ooze, rebuilding cities… I want to wreck something."
"The Mountain Range is a dangerous first target, Milady." Gnarl paused. "But in fact… it's strange he came alone. He obviously was sincere about the kettle, but surely they've replaced the old one by now… I think there's more at stake here. He might be sent by someone who wants to get to know you, and they just did." Gnarl narrowed his eyes. He'd just thought out loud, something he didn't usually do near his Masters.
"Then I'm going to need practice, aren't I?" she smiled, looking down at him. "They're not going to get here before I'm more than ready. Gnarl, I've had enough for now. Let the others wait a little longer, I'm going out."
Above the throne Kniff jumped up, and Zephyros perked his ears. Jinx looked back at them.
"Yes, guys – Everlight."
And the fire crashed down.
Maraxus: It appears our glorious leader is taking a break form dealing with her visitors.
Gnarl: Better she work off stress than just kill everyone who arrives. That's not always the best policy to run an Evil domain.
Maraxus: True, though I do wonder about the dwarves preparing for war. Seems they're a very determined race.
Gnarl: Indeed. Well since the Mistress is away on a break let's have one ourselves shall we?
Maraxus: Fine with me, please review and all credit goes to Sunjinjo (Iris) for her wonderful story.