Our dragon train soared away from Requbar, probably keenly observed from inside the palace.
Vikchutni was the biggest of the four but the other three werent much smaller. It must have looked quite an impressive sight. With a few more dragons, you could probably take over the whole planet. If you were into that sort of thing.
We werent aiming for world domination, we were headed for the crack in the earth that would take us up back to the tunnels beneath the city. Flossie rode up front and the rest of us sat on Vikchutnis back. No one wanted to ride on one of the other dragons without Flossie to control it, even though she insisted it would be fine.
It was a bit crowded, but we all squeezed together and nobody really minded. Things got a bit less comfortable when we started to descend. On the way out of the tunnels, with a near vertical ascent, it had been a very scary ride as we clung to the blades on the dragons back, trying not to fall off.
On the way down, it was much faster, which ant it didnt take as long, but still sohow managed to pack in just as much terror. And with so many more people, the screaming was much louder. Id say, overall both trips were well worth shitting your pants for.
The dragon folded its wings and we plumted through the crack, into darkness. The cascade of lava that had been there last ti I was here had gone, leaving behind cold, hard rock.
I created a ball of light to see more clearly but Vikchutni seed to know where he was going. His wings snapped open and we landed on a ledge. He let out a long, deep moo which I assud was the equivalent of, Honey, Im ho.
There was an equally loud, possibly more annoyed return call that had a, Where the fuck have you been? quality to it.
Vikchutni started turning around, but there were three dragons right behind him blocking the way. On purpose, if you ask .
Why are we here? asked Claire. To hatch more dragons.
Flossie had told them about our escapades under the crust, so they knew about the dragon eggs down here, but that had nothing to do with why I had returned.
Vikchutni reluctantly ambled off, followed by his bros. Im not an expert on dragon social habits, but I could have sworn they were sniggering.
I turned to the others. Nyx, you lead the way.
? His infatuation with had faded away and he was nervous and jumpy every ti I said sothing to him. Now, he stayed close to Claire and gave her the full puppy dog treatnt.
Yes, you. Were going to see your dad, so you know the way best. Youre going ho.
If youre going up against a Rat Queen, get so help from the Rat King. Seed like a solid plan to . Admittedly, our last eting hadnt exactly been cordial, and there was the matter of wanting to sacrifice for the sake of a new Mouse King. But these were just minor details. I had a bunch of trolls with and the Kings own son, even if he was from the less well regarded seventh litter.
I I dont think thats a very good idea, said Nyx. He looked worried.
Consider your objection noted. Now, lets go.
Claire and the others (but mostly Claire) still werent very happy with my treatnt of the young rat prince, but they werent in charge. I was.
He really doesnt know anything, said Claire as we set off down the tunnels. His mother was already queen when he was born. He doesnt know how she got there, or how her magic works. Hes just as scared of her as everyone else.
Okay. I didnt find what she was saying to be very hard to believe. None of that makes him a good person, though.
None of it makes him a bad person, answered Claire.
No, but pretending to be on our side while actually working for her, thats a bit suspect, isnt it?
I already told you, hes scared of her. What was he supposed to do? Refuse?
It doesnt matter. Hes going to do what I tell him, and then hes free to go. Im not going to do anything to him, Claire. Im not the evil one here.
She gave a look like she wasnt so sure, but this was no ti for quibbling. I was just getting the job done.
And dont lead us the wrong way. If I think youre wasting ti, Im going to throw you in the first lake of lava we co to.
And maybe I liked freaking out the little shit.
Every ti we ca to a junction or multiple exits, I could see him hesitate, deciding whether or not to lead us astray. From Claires face, I could tell she was watching him, too. She might have wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, but its hard not to be cynical when you can see the bad thoughts flashing across a persons mind.
This is very sloppy tunnel-work, said Raviva as we navigated our way through the tunnels.
Do you know the Rat King? I asked him.
We have t, although not as myself. I once scared him half to death when he was a boy. He chortled to himself. Thought I was one of his ancestors, co to take him to the darkness beyond the veil. The other trolls joined in the laughter.
Nyxs ears twitched as he listened in.
It took over an hour, but we eventually found ourselves back at Ratopolis. There were so rock falls blocking the way, but nothing a bunch of troll couldnt handle. We erged into the large cavern that housed the citys tall buildings. Rats scurried across the walkways and rode around on lizards. Ard rats were positioned at each entry point, which they hadnt been before, and there was so building work going on. It looked like the earthquakes had destroyed a number of buildings.
We were spotted imdiately and soldiers ca running to challenge us. They werent very keen, though. They recognised the trolls as a superior enemy and didnt want to engage, so kept back with spears lowered but remained in our way.
What is your business here? asked a better armoured rat, probably an officer of so kind.
They wish to see my father, said Nyx, taking the initiative.
The rats recognised him but continued to block the way forward. Prince Huranyx, you have brought outsiders to Ratopolis.
Yes, and my father will wish to see them. Please inform him of our presence.
It was amazing how quickly Nyx could go from nervous to regal and all points in between. A good actor.
Rats were dispatched to pass the ssage on and we waited. No point trying to rush things along and start an incident when things were moving in the right direction, if a little slowly.
The King didnt co to et us. Instead, a ssenger was sent to bring us to him. The soldiers parted to let us through and we marched through Ratopolis, watched by rats on the streets and rats hanging out of windows.
It was a strange city, built out of living rock to strangely appear artificial and natural at the sa ti. Tall stacks like termite mounds towered over us, like Tokyo after a being breathed on by Godzilla. There were shops, barbers, public baths. Food was being sold by street vendors and children were playing gas.
Of course, everything stopped when they saw us, a gaggle of alien visitors marching into their city, their army apprehensively tiptoeing behind us.
The Rat King was in the central building, the largest by far. We were led inside, the trolls having to duck a bit, to a big room with the obligatory throne. The Rat King was decked out in robes and crown. There were more soldiers beside him, and Nicopez, the shaman salamander, stood at his right hand.
Why have you co here? bellowed the King.
Father began Nyx, ready to make his move as important person in this scene, but he was quickly shut down.
Quiet, Nyx. This is not the ti. Have you co to declare war? His question was aid at Raviva, naturally.
Yes, I said. No one had been looking at , so they were a bit surprised when I started talking.
Kingkiller! shouted the shaman, suddenly rembering .
Alright, take it easy. The Queen of Requbar, your wife, Im going to remove her from the throne. The one up there. Do you have any objections?
The room was suddenly awash with confusion. It took maybe ten minutes for things to settle down. I waited patiently. The shaman was dispensing wisdom into the Kings ear the whole ti.
It is not a thing easily done, said the King. She is more powerful than you imagine.
No, I imagine her fully off her rocker. Dont worry, I dont expect you to fight her, I can see how much she scares you. Little kick in the nuts, let him know whos boss. By the way, Im looking for soone to replace her once we prise her out of her seat. Interested?
I didnt know if he was a good monarch, but soone had to take over, at least in the short term.
You are confident, said Nicopez, hunched over and leaning on his staff, but her magic is of the highest order.
Yes, but it doesnt work that well on Visitors, does it?
The shaman nodded.
What I need from you is information. What can you tell about this? I took out the gem she had given .
Everyone on the Kings side of the room moved back. Even the King leaned away in his throne.
Where did you get that? hissed Nicopez, his staff raised to ward off the bad juju or sothing.
She gave it to . You know what it is?
It is the magic of the ancestors, said the shaman. An Elfs Stone.
Your ancestors were elves? I asked him, quite interested in their history for once.
No, they were elfs.
He was confusing . Plural of elf?
Yes.
Wait, said Maurice, stepping in front of . The plural of elf is elves. Elf, elves, elven.
Elfen, said the shaman.
No, insisted Maurice, Hey! he shouted at the roof. Whoevers in charge of the translating device, you got it wrong.
Is this really that important? I asked him. The look he gave suggested it was.
The sa thing happened with dwarf. Tolkien said the plural was dwarves and everyone believed him. Now we have dwarfs for people who suffer from dwarfism, and dwarves for characters in fantasy books. Not again!
What wrong with that? I asked him. People were waiting, but for so reason I couldnt stop this conversation.
Nothing, but there are real dwarfs and fantasy dwarves, so it makes so sense, I suppose. Elves arent real. We dont need two words for the sa thing.
Theyre real here, I pointed out, although did that an if we t a dwarf here, we would have to call them dwarfs?
Nobody knows what you two nerds are talking about, said Claire.
Okay, I said, realising I was quickly losing any authority I had. This Elf Stone
Elfs Stone, corrected Nicopez.
Whatever. What can it do?
My wife is the only one who was able to understand the workings of such ancient relics, said the King, and it drove her mad. She beca obsessed with wiping out all who stood in her way and forming her own governnt.
Dont you an guffernnt? asked Maurice petulantly. Claire eased him away from the crowd.
Fortunately, her ambition grew larger than our tiny kingdom, and she left to pursue greater glory. The King seed quite distraught.
But she cos back from ti to ti, doesnt she? I said. To give birth and get pregnant.
The King seed hesitant to confirm or deny. It is our nature.
Its bloody disgusting. Youre enabling every terrible thing she does, all because you cant show a little self-control. I looked at Jenny. I was being sowhat hypocritical. Whatever Jenny wanted with regards to children, I could always stop by just not having sex with her. But that was never going to happen.
It is not your place to criticise the King, said Nicopez, angrily. It would be best if you rid yourself of that before its curse drives you mad, also. Leave it here and I will see it is returned to the tomb she took it from.
Theres more in this tomb?
Yes, much more, said Nicopez.
Can I have a look?
The King and shaman exchanged looks.
What? I asked.
The tomb is currently occupied, said the King. By humans.
They are led by an insane man who refuses to leave, added the shaman. He is desecrating and defiling the ancestors with his evil ways.
Does he have yellow hair, by any chance? The reaction from the King confird who it wasSonny. No problem, then. I know him and will gladly do a deal with you. Help with getting the Queen off the Requbar throne, and Ill help you get rid of Sonny.
Two nutters with one stone. Now theres value for you.
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