"How much further?"
"It certainly feels more daunting to ascend the Rings than it does to descend them," Sekvi assured Betiara, "but trust me, my furred friend, the effort will make accomplishment all the grander." We had ascended through several layers of the city on our walk upward. It felt like we had been walking far longer than we had really been. Sekvi had taken liberty to explain that the city had underground sections, both inside the ramps and below its entire construction, which made for a very efficient use of space. The smaller buildings along the outsides of Nereved's Rings featured roofs that aligned with those that scaled the heights of the inside, which preserved the view and provided an interesting skyline from within the city. I witnessed lifts that some would use to traverse the city's outer structure at the Rings' crests, lifts that we avoided due to the lines of people waiting to use them. The sounds of clacking metal chains as the lifts rose and fell gave the city a certain discordant rhythm while the cuts in the wall of outer buildings afforded a view that only became more awe-inspiring as we climbed in elevation. We slowly rose with the sun, the morning light turning from orange to amber as time passed.
"You know," Lilika began as she gleaned a view through the third lift frame we encountered, "I'm looking forward to getting a bird's eye view of this place. It's so big."
"Take great care in doing so," Sekvi warned. "The windows of the palace are enchanted, and will highlight magical energy; it's a cautionary measure against magical ingress. You could be assumed to have ulterior motives." A displeasured huff was Lilika's response. I didn't blame her for her lukewarm reception of this information. If I had earned the ability to take the form of a bird, I wouldn't want to be limited in my flight, either. Flight... these wide open skies were similar to those in the Karthos Valley. Nearby grassy plains, an entire sea, and distant, rolling hills all provided beautiful backdrops for frolicking through the air. The speed of the wind slowly increased as we continued to climb over this great hill of a settlement. I imagined that with the enormous size of this place required some terraforming to establish; how else would an earthen structure raise this high over the surrounding land? Trees began to appear along the ramp up to the Fourth Ring, which mercifully broke the wind that had begun to buffet this upper level.
People of all sorts bustled around us. Skin, feathers and scales of every color imaginable seemed to adorn the diverse population. I had tapped my beak over a dozen times, and we weren't even halfway up. Dragonborn, as well, acknowledged me in Draconic upon making eye contact. I was sure to reciprocate each greeting as best I could. I still hadn't grown used to the feeling of eyes casually watching me in public, and I gathered that the myriad dragonborn residents of the city found my unusual coloration interesting. My social transition on Earth had garnered me far less attention; I was lucky to have passed well enough to make second glances infrequent, but my colors offered me no such invisibility among the dragonborn of Nereved. I preferred the nature of these much more benevolent looks of interest. This observation reminded me that I would need to send word to Nioto once I'd established a new living space. The possibilities of where we could reside seemed to be plentiful. "Nioto told me I had unusual coloration to my scales. What do you all think?" Sekvi, the most traveled of our group, was the only one to offer a confident answer.
"I suppose it is uncommon to see scales of two tones. For other dragonborn, it would imply that one's egg moved from one distinct environment to another before cracking. In the matter of your unique experience, I could only guess." Would there be anyone that could explain this facet of my existence? I hoped the answer wouldn't incur the cost of the truth of my origin. Anticipation gripped me as I wondered what we would find at the top of the city and our business therein. The towering spires of the buildings high above us stood as an intimidating reminder of how different things felt in comparison with the Northwest. It had taken a long time to arrive in this very different area of the country, which only further separated this monolith from the land I had been accustomed to. All around me, there were signs of overarching order to the environment. Each tree along either side of the road was meticulously pruned and spaced evenly apart from its brethren. The standardized buildings, the equal widths of the road, and the many armed guards that patrolled the area all spoke to an uneasy familiarity with parts of Lancaster.
Lilika suggested a respite as we reached the Fifth Ring of nine. The city was steadily growing quieter as we ascended in altitude and the crowd began to thin accordingly. A set of benches outside of a tenement building gave us a pleasant place to rest while we caught our respective breaths. I imagined that the locals either took the lifts as often as possible or had the strongest legs on this side of the Cradle. Keff and Betiara were very fit, and even they had welcomed a chance to rest. Rags, in his immense size, draped himself over Lilika's and Sekvi's laps simultaneously. Rags was a very good boy. "Who builds a city like this?" Betiara had a strong point. "It's a nightmare to navigate."
"The people of Old Nere, if one were inclined to believe those tales," Sekvi explained in a clearly skeptical tone. Judging by the way Keff rolled his eyes and Betiara shook her head, they were skeptical as well.
"No, that was real," Lilika calmly insisted as she petted the enormous dire dog. "Well, some of it must have been."
"Is that so? I understand little has been found to suggest such a thing."
"I've been deep into the caves under the East Karths with my ex-husband. Some of those caves looked too clean to be natural; there was either magic or chisels at work." Sekvi blinked, considered Lilika's report, and shrugged their shoulders.
"With seismic activity over the centuries, perhaps they were old magma vents."
"Nature doesn't make many right angles," Lilika countered.
"Could it not have been sheared shale?"
"They'd know better than to walk under that, the same as me. I can only tell you all what I saw; you don't have to share my conclusions. I find it pays to keep an open mind when it comes to old magic."
"We have more pressing concerns," Betiara quietly insisted. I wondered what the others were talking about, but she was right to keep us focused on our objective. "What should we expect when we arrive?"
"Stuffy bureaucrats," Keff chuckled to himself.
"Yes, stuffy bureaucrats, if we're welcomed that far into the building. Otherwise, we can expect questions and askance of utmost detail. Oh, Lilika and Madison will have to register as magic users if we're to stay in Nereved for longer than three days."
"Register as magic users?" I was immediately concerned over the potential ramifications.
"Oh, it's nothing untoward, it's typical of many large cities," Sekvi insisted with a calming gesture. "Every potential resident or traveler that stays longer than three days is required to provide basic information about themself. It's to aid the constabulary in keeping their vision of law and order." Those last three words sparked alarm in me. Most of the people on Earth that were concerned with law and order were hypocritical Republicans that licked the boots of those undeserving. I felt such notions didn't bode well for our stay here.
"I don't like that idea," I protested in concern. "Back on Earth, 'law and order' was a buzzword for oppressive politics and shitty people."
"I understand your concern. This is, however, the Cradle; magic makes it very easy for bad people to do bad things. Nothing bad will happen to you, I promise you that." Did Sekvi understand my concern? I felt I could trust that they did, but this was a different ball game than what the rest of us were used to.
"What about being trans?" To answer this question, Sekvi gestured to themself. Right... they held some associative esteem in this city, and they were transgender, too. They would know.
"I've never had a problem, which isn't to say problems are absent. Gender identity or expression, however, will not be the medium through which problems are presented." They paused, leaning against the back of the bench. "The only one of us I worry over is Betiara... are you certain you aren't willing to assume a different form while you're here?"
"I'm sure." My respect for Betiara only grew.
"Then I suppose we will navigate any problems that presents." Sekvi had no interest in challenging Betiara's autonomy. It was clear that she had made up her mind. "In actuality, it could be beneficial for our magic users. Madison, Nereved is the home of Nereva's Arcanist Conclave. There is also an archaeological organization within the city; they frequently comb the plains and the Underground for remnants of history."
"Sweetie, you had me at archaeological. I'm sure I could teach them a thing or two about caving." Lilika chuckled and shook her head. "Let's get through today first." She didn't seem very concerned about the idea of registering as a magic user. I mustered as much courage as I could and leaned in to whisper a burning question.
"Mom?" I had referred to her as such during a few interactions on the boat, but using that form of address still made my heart pound with anxiety. "What do you think of all this? Is it okay?"
"I think so," she whispered in return as she wrapped an arm around me. "Whatever you're used to on Earth, I'm sure it won't be so bad here. We'll make sure nothing bad happens to you, alright?" Above all else, these words were something I had to trust. I took a breath and nodded my head.
"Okay. Thank you."
"Of course, sweetie. We know you'll look out for us, too." I was my intent to do exactly that. Our walk was resumed shortly after this conversation. All the progress I'd made during my two months on this planet wasn't enough to overcome the feeling of dread that was falling through my stomach. I told myself that it was just like getting my driver's license, though perhaps without the issue of getting my gender marker changed. There couldn't be a reason anyone would search for my information and use it against me... unless someone got an inkling that I was from another world and took exception to that fact. The chances of that happening were slim to none. Sekvi wouldn't have any reason to tell anyone, being that they were still taking notes on my experience as we traveled together. They still wanted to keep that discovery their own within academic circles. I couldn't imagine why anyone else would sell me out, or if they did, if anyone would care about a random person that may or may not have come here from another world.
My head felt scrambled by this onset of stress-based fear. Rags, likely sensing how I was feeling, walked between Lilika and I. The gesture was reciprocated with a generous helping of petting, which helped us both feel a little better. "Thanks, Rags, I appreciate you, buddy." A wagging tail was his reciprocated show of gratitude. I think he was as happy to leave the boat as the rest of us were. There were so many more smells in Nereved, and there had been so little space for him to run on the boat. He had done an exemplary job of being so patient. My mind eased further and further as we walked together, cresting the Sixth Ring, then the Seventh, the Eighth before we finally reached the Ninth. We noticed that there were no buildings along the outer side of the city's summit, which allowed a clear view of the gently rolling expanse of its coastal location from outside a nearby ring of planted trees. I had never been so high up in my life, nor had I ever seen so far into the distance. It felt unreal to me. Something about the view felt inspiring as I gazed over so much empty air.
The Tagat River continued to the North to pass through a marshland that faded into the coast of the Nerevan Sea, the former of which stretched for some way before transitioning into a sandy sliver of beach. The grasslands comprised a gentle expanse that rolled into distant forests to the West and South, and endlessly outward to the East. Towns and villages dotted roads, miniscule from this height, branching in roughly cardinal directions. Wind whipped fiercely at this altitude. The sensation would have bothered me while I still had hair, with the way that it always managed to blow into my mouth. Horns and scales were a form of salvation yet again. I couldn't help but close my eyes and bask momentarily in the warm morning sunlight. Spring was in full effect now. Whatever would come of our visit to Nereved, it was worthwhile if only for this view and the emotions that it inspired. The wind healed me as it passed straight through me. I didn't think of the towering buildings behind me or the rest of the city below me as I felt some facet of me become one with this healing wind. "I've never seen anything like this," I breathed, my eyes remaining closed, wondering once more if I should have picked a Primal path of magical study.
"It left quite an impression on me, too," Sekvi gently expressed. "This is why my tower was commissioned with height. It didn't compare, of course, but it was a pleasant reminder."
"It's really something." Keff's voice was equally soft. I knew, even with such a mild statement, that he was enjoying the experience as much as the rest of us were.
"You can't beat the majesty of nature. ...don't tell the king I said that." I should have known that Nereva was a monarchy. It was astonishing to think that Betiara had achieved what she had under a monarchist system. Karthos Bend being small and far out of the way of the capital likely made such endeavors easier, but it was still quite an accomplishment.
"Imagine what it looks like at night," she said, as if on cue. I could picture it clearly: a full moon rising over the bountiful grassland ahead of me, painting its pale reflection over distant specks of fire light. This visual inspired me nearly as much as the one currently unfolding. "Anyway..."
"It's been a long time coming," Keff agreed. "Let's get it over with." We followed Sekvi to the center of the summit. Thick metal braces framed great panes of wood to span the width of the river far below us. In the center of the bridge’s arrangement lay a diamond shape outlined by the metal, spanning to either side as we approached it. Two semicircles of trees stopped at the boundary of this impressive construction. On this side lay a beautiful garden rimmed by fine stone cobbling, and on the other rested an enormous fortification that could nearly house a village within its walls. As we approached, I got a closer look at the enormous rigging for the comparatively narrow drawbridge. An enormous palace, high above these rigs and the walls opposite us, was the subject of these various protections. The palace's outer walls were staffed by heavily armored guards that wore a tapestry across their shoulders, each adorned with a stylized orange sun rising over green grass and brown mountains. Nine black circles radiated from the central sun in stark contrast with the tapestry's white background. Tying it all together were nine yellow stars sparkling though an ombré blue that faded into white. I got the feeling that these individuals were members of a royal guard or other elite force, and that the number nine was of some significance in Nereva.
"Sekvi the Seer," a solemn voice called from inside one of the hefty suits of armor. In contrast to the gray and white armor the other guards wore, this individual's plates were painted entirely black. They stood in dutiful pose and gestured for us to approach. A gleaming black longsword handle protruded from an equally ornate sheath at their waist. Up close, their armor and weapon bore signs of heavy use and age, but were otherwise exquisitely kept. I caught Keff's eyes lingering on the weapon with a look of interest. Rags, meanwhile, whined; something about this figure concerned him. His announcement put me on edge.
"Ah, Starlit Knight, I actually go by Sekvi the Song Weaver these days. It's wonderful to see you again."
"Sekvi the Song Weaver, verify your companions." The Starlit Knight spoke in a notably stiff manner as if each syllable were strained. I felt no antagonism in their speech, suspecting only that using their voice was difficult for them. We were each introduced in turn, collectively identified as survivors of the Karthos Valley earthquake. "Proceed to mayor Darzt, upper mayoral office, after surrendering foci and weapons."
"Thank you, I absolutely will," Sekvi replied. They waved us forward. I expected The Starlit Knight to watch us as we passed, but their posture remained unmoving in an uncanny fashion. We were all silent on our way to the gate, exchanging glances of uncertainty with each other after the odd encounter. Surrendering our weapons felt normal by comparison. Lilika and I parted with our staves only after she was assured it would be returned once we left the castle grounds. The guard peered at me from under his helmet, his hand still outstretched. I reluctantly gave him my Spell Tome, but still he waited.
"My pendant?"
"And the spell scroll, the stone, and the component pouch. All magical items must be forfeit for entry."
"I need the pendant to talk. I can't speak or understand Common without it." I could feel my pulse in my throat as panic began to set in. This sort of setting was not one to occupy without the ability to understand what was happening around me. The guard continued to stare at me for several seconds before finally passing a sigh.
"Let me see it." I handed the requested items to the guard, who proceeded to remove his helmet. The right side of his thin, dark-skinned elven face had been fiercely burned at some time in the past. His long, wavy black hair was pulled into a tight bun, a stark contrast to the gleaming pearl that had replaced one of his eyes. A beautiful brown and white feather was retrieved from under the back of his tapestry and dragged along the jewel of the pendant. Some seconds later, he posed a question with his gaze fixed upon the pendant. Sekvi responded, prompting the man's good eye to flick in my direction.
"I'm sorry, I don't understand what you're..." I began in English, quickly losing my nerve as I realized that he couldn't understand me. This seemed to pacify the guard's scrutinizing gaze. He handed the necklace back to me after completing his investigation, and I quickly put it on.
"I still had to check."
"I understand entirely, Peksum. Are we cleared for entry?"
"Not yet. Miss, please end the spell you've cast on yourself."
"What?" I hadn't cast a spell on myself today, not even Mage Armor or Prestidigitation. "I haven’t casted one."
"Then I need to investigate." Peksum's gauntleted hand gingerly touched my forearm and, sensing no resistance, slowly closed over it more tightly. The other hand dragged the same feather back and forth over my forearm. None of this was good for my anxiety. I tried not to tremble. Each second felt as if it stretched on for hours. When this examination finally concluded, Peksum straightened his posture and turned his attention to the others. "Stand back." Without warning, a bluish-white light filled my vision from below. I flinched, realizing that a spell had just been cast on me, and that it had worked.
"What's going on?!" I pulled my arms in on themselves in a defensive position.
"This is a spell called Zone of Truth. You are unable to lie for the duration, and if you wish to remain in Nereved, you'll tell me the truth."
"It's true, Madison, do as he asks," Sekvi urged me. Keff, Betiara, Lilika and Rags, meanwhile, were staring daggers at Peksum. "Please, let the man work, everyone. Madison, this could be the time we learn why you seem to be a magical anomaly."
"Don't you touch a scale on her head," Betiara growled with surprisingly ferocity. Keff stood next to her, leaning his neck to one side to evoke a series of cracking sounds.
"You are very lucky to be here, Betiara." Peksum snapped his fingers. Dozens of bow strings tightened above us, all pointed at Betiara. "Be still until I'm done."
"I've adopted her, sir," Lilika said in a low tone, eerily calm in this moment of utter terror. It was all happening so quickly. "She and Rags are all I have left in the world. Be careful."
"Why are you here?" Peksum had ignored Lilika entirely. I felt my whole body trembling with fear. Could I really not tell a lie? I decided to test this notion, finding that I couldn't form a single word. This fact terrified me to my core.
"To help my friends tell the mayor about what happened in Karthos Valley. The earthquake. I didn't have anywhere else to go and they were nice to me so I'm just doing what they're doing because I don't know what else to do with my life." The royal guard's expression softened slightly as his gaze bored into mine. This did nothing to lower my guard, but I could glean that he felt how unfortunate my circumstance was.
"I won't do anything to hurt you if you don't require me to hurt you. Do you trust me?"
"No, I just really hope that's true."
"What magical effect are you under?"
"I don't know." Peksum's eyes narrowed as he studied my answer. I had no idea why he would bother.
"Do you have suspicions of what the effect does?"
"No. I don't have any idea. A few people have told me that I've got magic all over me but I don't know why or what that means." I felt fear surging through my entire being, as if electrified fire sizzled my scales from below.
"...alright. What is your magical specialty?"
"Arcane. Transmutation."
"Have you ever changed your physical form before?"
"I'm...? I'm, transgender, does that count?" Peksum grimaced at my answer. I was afraid of what that expression meant for me.
"No, I apologize, Miss. I meant by the use of magic." The fact that he directly affirmed my gender upon hearing that I was transgender eased my nerves, but it was only a drop in an empty bucket. I began to answer... but found that I couldn't. Oh no. No, I didn't want it to happen like this on a king's doorstep.
"Yes."
"I see. And what were you before?"
"Human."
"How did that happen?" His tone was delicate, but I could tell there was genuine curiosity in his question.
"I had a dream. I was floating with the stars, and there were strings all around me, far away, but one was close. I touched it, and... I woke up like this." Raised eyebrows met this answer, quickly furrowing into confusion.
"We all know of this," Sekvi carefully explained in an effort to ease the proceedings. "I myself have investigated the matter and have come up as empty as you have. Please, she's suffered through much, this is distressing her."
"Starlit Knight? What do you make of this?" I felt another gauntleted hand touch me from behind. The fear was too much; I hadn't even heard them approach. My arms closed over me in a hug as tears started to stream down my face. What were they going to do to me?
"Un... clear. I see... a gentle soul." My eyes were wide open, but all they saw was a blur. All I could think about were my brief moments in the Weave. I felt an unknown part of me attuning to this stranger's touch, but it wasn't oppressive, only watchful. Unimaginable cold from this presence mixed with unimaginable heat to create a scorching light within me. It was utterly incomprehensible. The Knight withdrew their hand and stepped back, and the shock of their withdrawal nearly brought me to my knees.
"Madison, do you have any intent to harm anyone within this city, at any time, for any reason?"
"N-... no. I don't want to hurt anyone." Silence weighed on us like all the stone of Nereved. Peksum's free hand gently raised, and all the bowstrings above went slack. The other released me.
"I apologize for the stress this has caused you all. This is the duty I provide for the country’s security. You four are clear to pass. Unfortunately, Madison could be subject to a curse, which is a security threat within palace walls." I felt another release, this time of the Zone of Truth. The whole group surrounded me to embrace me in safety and warmth amid yet another source of trauma in this new world. Why had all this happened? Why had all the questions, all the urgency, the distrust, the magic been necessary? Did someone put a curse on me? My hug slowly broke as my trembling came to a stop. Lilika, however, kept herself firmly pressed to me.
"I'm staying with you."
"Okay mom."
"We'll come back for our things, Mr. Peksum."
"They'll be here for you."
"I'm staying, too," Betiara declared. With this matter decided, Sekvi, who had written the letter and had to be present, made their way into the castle.
"Duty calls, Madison. I'd stay with you otherwise."
"I know."
"Madison? Do you need me?" Keff's presence and affirmation would likely be of big help to Sekvi, as well as shorten the proceedings with his direct answers to questions. I wanted him to stay here.
"I'll be okay with them. Thanks, Keff." My choice was met with reluctant acceptance and a piercing glare being paid toward Peksum. I felt that my body had calmed, but my emotions had passed their redline. The former couple was soon inside the castle, leaving the four of us here together. Lilika and Betiara covered one side each and led me away from the gate so that we could sit peacefully within the garden with Rags. The only audible sound was the breeze passing gently through nearby leaves, which paired nicely with the pleasant scents wafting off of the flowers. I looked over the flowers and saw a pink one with nine wide petals circling its pollen. Its stem had bent slightly as it grew, likely because of the wind. "What's wrong with me?"
"Nothing," Betiara and Lilika simultaneously insisted. The latter continued. "We should probably get you looked at and find out what's going on."
"It's been two months. Do you feel like something is affecting you?"
"No. Maybe I am cursed. Look at the shit that keeps happening around me."
"Sweetie, you didn't cause an earthquake, and that burrowelter was upset because it was displaced by that earthquake." There was no arguing with Lilika's logic. I didn't consider myself a smart person or a wise person, but even I knew when I was being ridiculous. My head fell into my hand as I stared down at the hem of my dress. It was getting a little worn with time. Mending would be able to fix it. I sighed and reached for my component pouch. Ugh. Sekvi and Keff would likely bring my things with them when they returned from the palace.
"What was this all for?"
"To save lives," Betiara whispered.
"To remember those lost," Lilika said in a resolute tone. I hoped these goals, at least, would be met. This all told me that I was focusing too much on myself.
"Are you both okay?"
"Yeah, we're fine."
"Madison, sweetie, don't do that." Plan A had been tossed out the window. I didn't have a Plan B in place. Unfortunately, I felt too numb to consider much aside from my place in this world.
"Sorry." No matter what I did, who I knew, or what my reasons were for doing anything, I would never truly belong here. My place was on Earth. I was likely still human under these scales, regardless of my ability to instinctually read or speak Draconic.
"Oh, Madison," Betiara began. "I wanted to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"Do you remember when you told me that a person can survive on plants alone?"
"I do, yeah."
"I didn't believe you, so I tried it, and... it turns out you were right. Since before we left, I've been trying to learn from you and Lilika." Betiara raised an arm and flexed her bicep for me. She hadn't lost any muscle, by the look of it. I wanted her to hold me with those arms, but I felt I had already put upon everyone so much with this debacle to ask for any favors. "Nuts, lentils, mushrooms, berries... wild wolves scavenge for them during Winter. I actually feel a little better." This gesture eased my reservations of a relationship with Betiara further. Not only had she not needed convincing, she sought the truth on her own. That was something I could respect in anyone, but in her... I moved myself over to her and lay my head on her shoulder. Those strong, soft arms closed around me as she rubbed her neck against my head. I tried to picture what this looked like from an outside perspective, and the visual was hilarious. I couldn't help but laugh. This all helped me feel a little better.
"You're the best. Why do you do the neck thing?"
"Oh. Scent glands," Betiara explained, pointing a clawed digit at the base of her neck. "It makes my pack easy to locate in case we’re separated. It's a survival tactic as well as a mark of family." I had wondered, during our cuddly moments, why her neck scruff had smelled so good. It was very cool to have a werewolf-kind-of-girlfriend.
"I've seen wolves do that in the valley." A playful smile grew across Lilika's face. "When you two get excited, has she ever licked the roof of your mouth?"
"Yeah, what's up with that?"
"That's how she checks on your health."
"Really? She does that all the time."
"I worry about you ever since you got sick in Letvel. We need to be aware as soon as possible so we can alert Lilika." Betiara cared so much for me. It was so touching, the way she would check on me and make me feel safe. I raised my head up and gave her a kiss on her jaw in light of this.
"Haha! That means... oh, that's cute."
"What's so funny?" As soon as I asked that question, an odd feeling seemed to fall over the garden. The air fell still and silent. Foreboding, stillness, and weight began to surround the garden. An unfamiliar voice cleared itself behind us. We all turned around to see the Starlit Knight accompanying someone that could only be the Sun King himself, judging by the middle-aged human's gleaming golden armor, and the crown sitting atop his blazing red hair. None of us knew what to do, so we merely stared at the pair of them.
"My apologies for interrupting this tender moment." The king wore a smile of amusement. I felt his gaze burn into mine... he hadn't looked at the others a single time. Lilika leaned over and whispered to Betiara.
"Are we supposed to bow?"
"It is customary," the king answered with a chuckle.
"Well I'm not doing that. Good morning, sir king."
"Hello, Lilika Faeserbik." We were either about to get thrown in a dungeon or off the Ninth Ring. His eyes still hadn't left mine. Betiara and I didn't move from our positions. "Betiara Ottenber. I'd like to speak to Madison here alone, if you wouldn't mind." The three of us exchanged glances with each other. My pulse was quickening at an alarming rate.
"She's done nothing wrong," Betiara said sternly.
"Leave us, please."
"We'll be right over there, sweetie." Lilika stood and took Betiara's arm, all but dragging her off to the other side of the garden. They watched us closely as the king cocked his head to the side. He was still watching me, even as he began to walk a circle around me. There was something odd about his presence. It all gave me the impression of a cat playing with an injured mouse before finally killing it. I stayed completely still, glancing between him and the motionless knight.
"Madison Cantrell... a name of uncertain provenance," the king mused aloud as he stopped in front of me. "Starlit Knight, tell her what you told Peksum."
"She came from the stars."
"H-, how did you know that?!"
"They have quite an interesting set of skills, don't they?" The Sun King inclined his head as he stroked his beard, looking down his pale nose as he sized me up. "Let's cut to the chase, shall we? You came all the way here... in a river boat, to present yourself willingly. I would know why."
"I told Peksum, w-with the Zone of Truth. I mostly just did it because my friends were. They gave me work, taught me magic, gave me love... gave me family." So many awful thoughts cropped up in my mind. Where was this going? Why was the king himself talking to me?! I felt absolutely certain that I was going to die on this hill today.
"What need have you for such things?" He sounded confused. Oh, no... what kind of person was I dealing with?
"Every living being needs those things." The king's confusion now spread to his expression, inspiring a laugh.
"She is unusual." I was growing tired of hearing that word.
"Yes."
"Are you going to kill me?"
"Kill you? Hah, I should certainly hope not. No, quite the contrary, unless you give me a reason, of course." What in the sweet, flying fuck was going on here?!
"The contrary... being... what? Um, your majesty?"
"Ah, majesty, now we are getting somewhere." The king lowered his head and stared me intently in the eyes once more. "You have my attention. Should you abide, do no harm, cause no trouble... I could only see you as a helpful presence in my city. Perhaps even as an underling, if you play your cards right." Why did I not like that idea in the slightest?
"I... thank you, for your... favor? What does attention entail?"
"Close observation. I daresay there are a number of parties here that will be very interested in you, Madison Cantrell."
"Why is that? Just because I have a connection to the stars? I'm not even... that good of a wizard."
"A wizard? ...wizards study magic. Why would..." A look of surprise came over the king's face before fading into a grin. "She doesn't know."
"What don't I know?" I watched as the king held my Spell Tome out to me. A cold, sinking feeling made me feel as if my stomach had frozen and fallen out of me.
"Knight, restore her memory." I took my spell tome and held it protectively to my chest, taking a step backward.
"Don't hurt me. Please. I didn't do anything and I'm scared." The knight paused. I could feel the cold burn of their eyes radiate from within their helmet.
"It will not hurt," the king assured me. It took me a moment to realize he was now speaking to me in Draconic.
"Just... please don't hurt me." The knight removed their plated gauntlet and gently placed their cold, too white hand atop my shoulder. A few words, ones that I recognize to be healing words, were a prelude to shining green light and a feeling of warmth. The memory of my dream returned to me unbidden, featuring a human me floating through the darkness with stars and strings all around me. I blinked my eyes as I returned to the present. The spell’s light made me feel surprisingly refreshed, but nothing else was different. I couldn't suddenly remember anything that I'd forgotten, and I had no sense of having remembered anything. "I don't... remember anything new. Am I supposed to?"
"Is... is that truly so? Yes. Did the spell function as planned, knight?"
"Perfectly." The king was at a loss. He took a breath as if to speak again, then thought better of it. I had no idea what to make of the situation.
"You are unusual indeed, dragon from the stars."
"The other dragonborn have said the same thing, usually about my coloration. I don't understand it, either."
"I did not say dragonborn." I squinted my eyes as I tried to follow the king's hint. The realization knocked the wind out of me.
"No, I, you're joking. I wish!"
"No, there are jesters for such things. There is no need to wish, 'Madison Cantrell.'" The king nodded his head while looking over my shoulder. "How did you feel while you enjoyed the view from my garden? What did you think?"
"All that empty space... I imagined a dragon flying over everything I could see."
"A dragon with impostor syndrome. Quaint." The king turned his head toward my friends, stretched his arm in their direction, and Betiara suddenly flew over to us. She was held aloft with ease, seemingly unable to move as she grimaced in fear. I felt a distinct rage well within me that I had never felt before. A bellow, loud and deep enough to shiver the stones beneath us, erupted from my throat in Draconic.
"Cause her harm and I will make toothpicks of your bonesw." This threat set off a strange effect. A bead of green energy flew forth from my mouth and burst in the same light as the Knight's spell had. The king laughed and slowly, gently set Betiara down. She stared at me, wide-eyed. I suddenly realized myself; I had threatened the king. Yes, today was the day I was going to be executed for affronting the flimsy facade of monarchism. What had just happened?
"Greater Restoration," The Starlit Knight observed. "Outside of her skill level, innately cast through wild magic."
"And I must say, my heartburn has indeed subsided. Betiara, I apologize for the sudden shock, but I had to coax the metaphorical sleeping dragon forth."
"Of... course." Betiara was shaking as she stepped between us as if to protect me.
"What just happened?!" It once again seemed that I wasn't actually going to be executed, but now I had a new fear.
"Ah, I could tell you, but herein lay an opportunity in wait," the king began, thoroughly amused by these developments. I didn't like where this was going. "You don't have the power to return to your true form yet. I'm feeling quite generous today. I will guarantee you entry into the Nereva Arcanist Conclave, headquartered here in my illustrious city, and in turn I will call upon you if the interest takes me." The Arcanist Conclave? He made this sound like a generous offer. I shuddered at what cost he could exact for this favor, though. ...was I really a dragon? What the hell was wild magic? How was I not being executed for threatening the king, and what in the ever-loving fuck was the deal with The Starlit Knight?
"What kind of interest would that be?" The king inspected his fingernails for a moment as he thought. I did not like the idea of being within his 'interest.'
"Whatever interest I have. It's nothing untoward, mind you. I have servants, and a husband, if that's what you were thinking of me."
"It was..."
"That is not an interest I have, as pretty as you are. No, I merely think a dragon's company would be an asset. In either case, Madison," he said, his demeanor and all the weight of his presence suddenly turned directly toward me. "You have my interest. Should you raise challenge to me, you'll have only moments to rue a sun turned dark." I decided then and there that I would have nothing to do with this king or his interests.
"Then it's a good thing I won't be a problem for you."
"That is a very good thing indeed. Ah, the rest of your troupe arrives. I shall take my leave. Ladies," he offered, parting with a smile as he turned on his heel and returned to the castle with his knight in tow. It was over. I stood, staring at the back of his cape of orange and gold. My body was surging with adrenaline. It all made sense, as reluctant as I was to believe it. My mild claustrophobia inside the caves, the various feelings of wonder and wanderlust I felt many a time in this world, and even my interest in Transmutation magic informed this. My wish had come true... but it had also become vastly more complicated.
"Madison...?" Betiara, who had been standing to my left with her arm protecting my chest, turned around. "Did you know?"
"I had no idea," I breathed, as the others approached me. Lilika crashed into my right side with a hug of her own while Sekvi and Keff looked over us in concern.
"We're all here, sweetie. Breathe now."
"Madison, I do believe these are yours. Betiara, Lilika, here you are," Sekvi illustrated as they returned our items to us. "It went well in there, and it seems you've all had an audience with the king! How exciting!"
"You three okay? You look like you saw a goat shit another goat." I couldn't help but laugh at Keff's joke. I really, really needed to experience his presence after the terror I'd endured.
"Madison is... apparently... a dragon," Betiara said, clearly still rattled by her own experience. It felt so wrong to see her like this. I brought her into a big hug that she quickly reciprocated.
"Hah! That's... she is?" Keff looked over me while he furrowed his brow. "That would explain a few things."
"Madison. Okay? Madison," Sekvi began. They appeared to be beside themself with excitement. "It seemed so unlikely to me, though I had considered it a slim possibility at first... wait. Wait! Does that mean...?"
"I... think I made a Wish after all. That's what I was feeling when I touched the string."
"MAGNIFICENT!!" They immediately procured a notebook, a pen and an inkwell from their pockets and began writing. Lilika, who had been looking more and more displeased, decided to speak up as she saw me flinch at Sekvi's suddenly heightened volume.
"This isn't a party," the druid insisted as she pulled me away from everyone. "Look at her. She's terrified. We need to find some place to stay so she can rest! ...now!" Lilika was fiery when she was properly stoked, and her fire had certainly been raised during our stressful encounters upon the Ninth Ring. Sekvi's guilt was immediately apparent, and they stowed their writing supplies without a word. Betiara, Keff and Rags followed us as we all decided to head elsewhere. The others spoke of what kind of temporary residence they would enjoy while my thoughts collapsed in on themselves. I was a dragon. I wasn't human anymore. The instinctual drives I had felt, as nebulous as they were, had come from a defined source. The sheer scope of this discovery was unknown to me and entirely incomprehensible. Why couldn't I transform myself into a dragon? Had I simply not tried? Solitude could be sought outside of the city while I made attempts to fully realize my Wish. I wondered why, if my wish had indeed come true, I had appeared as a dragonborn instead of the large, flighted creature I had always dreamt of being.
I felt overwhelmed by this shattering realization and everything else I had experienced today. Upon realizing we hadn't had breakfast, we decided to take the lifts down to the lower Rings of the city. The eastern half of Nereved was reserved for residential areas, green spaces and small businesses. The western half, meanwhile, was an industrial and mercantile center. Higher Rings often indicated exclusivity and higher standards of residence and work, while the lower Rings offered more ready business and cheaper cost of living at the cost of some amount of opportunistic crime. There were, as well, underground sections of the city that further reflected their surface counterparts. The underground residences of the city came with lower prices, but also came with inevitable lifestyle adjustments. I listened in to the conversation as best I could while people swirled around me. The apparent plan was to begin our search for lodgings on the Third Ring and adjust our expectations and budget depending on what we found. I simply went along with their suggestions as I slipped into a dissociative haze.
It was nearly noon by the time we found information on a residence we found suitable. There were apartments with functional heating and plumbing systems available on the Third Ring, which took me entirely by surprise. Apparently, as part of a large-scale public works project that was completed a decade ago, these systems could deliver heated air in the cooler months and at night, outside air during warmer months for circulation, and a rudimentary water purification system had been introduced. The quality varied depending on one's location in the city, but we were thoroughly grateful that we wouldn't have to endure freezing conditions or mold within the stone interiors of any residence we may find. We found that the price of food in the city was cheap, given how many local villages would carry their offerings into the city for broader reach and the city's massive imports. Wages were unfortunately lesser than they had been in Karthos Bend, which worried me in particular. The search for housing was bolstered, however, by full stomachs and Sekvi's silver tongue. We managed to find a five room apartment on the inside of the Third Ring, but it came at a cost of 30 gold per month or eight gold per week. Contributions would need to be made by us all in order to make the payment, but the unit was clean, the amenities worked well, and the balcony would allow us to take advantage of a pleasant view to the Northeast. Pooling our funds was critical in securing the unit.
The building featured an internal wooden lift system that functioned similarly to the larger ones outside, but were much smaller and quieter, utilizing thick ropes instead of chains. A set of ropes labeled 1-9 could be pulled to set the lift in very slow motion. It wasn't the safest contraption in the world; while the vertical shaft featured cross-members that were carved out of the stone, the lift didn't stop until it reached its destination. I imagined that it was better than climbing four flights of stairs to reach our home for the next month. People would step on and off the lift, and I imagined that its slow pace sometimes discouraged people from using it, as did the danger of stepping on or off. We reached our destination safely some minutes later. Sectioned panes of glass lit the hallway alongside evenly-spaced magical candles that sported small green flames. Relief swept over us as we came upon our unit, number 402. It lay at the end of the hallway on our right side. We stepped inside, eager to see what our 30 gold had gotten us.
It was not overly spacious inside. Two bedrooms were on our immediate right with a lavatory between them. Flushing toilets with U-bends in this world... I was truly impressed and deeply thankful. Using an outhouse in Letvel had been a nightmare. The left side of the hallway featured a shallow inset where one could hang cloaks and place their shoes next to a sink and mirror. A kitchen with a sink sat before a bay window with paned sections that we could open, as well as a curtain we could draw. I saw a metallic shaft that sat along the top of the window, following the upstairs rooms before branching off into all four rooms. On the right side was a door that led immediately to the balcony, opposite a small, narrow set of stairs that led to two upper rooms and a small loft area over the entryway. Along all the floor space were woven plant fiber mats that were comfortable enough to navigate with socks or bare feet. All in all, it seemed like it was a bit cozy for five people and a dire dog, but it would do. Lilika volunteered to take the room closest to the door to better allow Rags to protect the dwelling. Betiara and I began debating whether we wanted to share a room or not, only for Sekvi and Keff to settle into the rooms upstairs. The second downstairs room was thus to be ours, and we filed in to see what waited in our den.
I didn't know what I expected. The walls and ceiling were solid gray stone with brown striations, the same as the rest of the building. I enjoyed seeing the raw stone and its natural texture and patterns in lieu of wood paneling or badly painted wallpaper. A bed, clearly not large enough for the both of us, lay across the back wall with a wooden nightstand beside it. I looked upward to discern the nature of the metallic duct that I had seen by the window; this end of the structure featured a wooden sliding mechanism that functioned as a lid of sorts. I slid it open to find reflected sunlight pouring into the room. "Hah! Check this out, we have a light."
"Mm. There are smokeless candles for nighttime, too." Betiara paused her investigation, wagging her tail as she looked over at me. "It's really nice, isn't it?"
"I'm surprised how modern it is. I mean, on Earth, we had electric lights, water heaters, air conditioning, but there are some amazing comforts here that I never would have expected." Combined with the cinder block that we could place in a central area, this space would easily be comfortable enough for us to manage. I fiddled with the light shaft a little longer before I turned to face Betiara again. Her gaze met mine with intent. She wanted to talk to me about the whole dragon matter, but I had only just dug myself out of my dissociative hole.
"I can smell your distress," she said in a gentle tone. "I won't press you to talk about it, but, are you okay?"
"I don't know." It was the most honest answer I could give. The next was to press the top of my head against her chest. Betiara held me and gently swayed me from side to side; she had seen Lilika do the same. The gentle, repetitive motion calmed me down. "It's like it's happening all over again." I had been through one transformation that shook my very concept of self. It had taken me this long to begin to find some kind of solid identity within this new context, and now I was back at square one. Even worse, I was back at square one without anything to show for it. Maybe one day I'd find a way to transform myself into the creature I had always dreamed of.
"We'll figure it out. All of us, together." Betiara gently raised my head and bumped her wet nose against my beak. I couldn't help but giggle at how gentle she was with me. It was something I deeply appreciated. Dragon, dragonborn or human, I was a soft person, and I was okay with it. "Right?"
"Right." Try as I might, I couldn't keep myself off of her. We shared an electrifying kiss that quickly tapered off as we resumed our embrace. "You smell so good."
"Thank you." I could feel the force of her wagging tail throughout her torso. "I've actually noticed that my scent has changed. It's lighter now. Did that happen to you, too?"
"It did. I stopped smelling iodine in my sweat when I cut red meat out. It was wild."
"Do you still sweat? I don't, at least, not when I'm like this."
"I don't think so. It's nice, I couldn’t stand it before." A light chuckle was shared between the two of us as I stood back to look up at Betiara. Her smile was as adorable as it was heartening. "What are we, Betiara?"
"I think we're... casual, slow. And that's okay."
"It's okay to be gay."
"What's gay?" I couldn't help but burst out laughing. The lupine expression of confusion that met my eyes when I was able to look back up only furthered my laughter. As intimidating as Betiara could, she never ceased to be precious when it counted most.
"Okay, what do you call a same-gender relationship here?"
"...I don't think a word exists for it. It's just a relationship."
"Really? That's... I think that's good. That means we won't be seen as strange by others for being together."
"Not for being women, no, but a dragonborn and a werewolf... anyone and a werewolf, maybe." Betiara sat down on the bed and stretched her legs out, happy to sit down after doing so much walking this morning. "Is that something you'll be okay with? Stares, maybe... more." Stares and maybe more were things I had to face while I was transitioning. I took a breath and sat down next to her. My tail wrapped around my maybe-girlfriend, which she found to be very much welcome. Her paw gently stroked its length.
"We can handle ourselves. No smart person would look at us and try to pick a fight."
"Not everyone is smart, though."
"Mm, that just means we can easily outwit them. ...I think things are going well with us. What do you think?"
"I think so, too." Betiara paused, a sly smile crossing her face. I felt her paw start to drift a little close to the base of my tail. "Do you think the others would be upset if we...?"
"I'm sure they're expecting it." We emerged from our room a few hours later to find the others playing a game with Betiara's card set. She assured me that there was no obvious evidence of our activities before we climbed the stairs to join the rest of the group.
"Better than the cargo hold, huh?"
"It looks like you're losing, Keff" Betiara ribbed back as we sat down to complete the circle the others had formed.
"My luck will turn around." Sekvi, who was winning handily, seemed to find the thought amusing.
"Not if I have anything to say about it," Lilika announced as she slapped her final card down atop the pile. "So, how are the sleeping arrangements?"
"They're fine. I'll sleep shifted so Madison can use the bed. Maybe I can buy a cot or a bedroll at some point." I felt bad about my girlfriend having to sleep on the floor. She assured me, however, that she didn't mind, and it would give her some 'wild time' within the city. This reasoning was been accepted.
"It does a heart good to live simply, doesn't it sweetie?"
"It really does."
"On the topic of living," Sekvi began, setting their cards down in defeat, "whether or not we stay in Nereved after the month is out, we should have a plan to pay for another month. It is merely responsible to keep our pockets full should we stay, or leave."
"It's not the worst place for metalwork. The military needs gear, all those pipes need maintenance, cart wheels, utensils, tools... you name it, people will buy it." Keff sniffled as he provided his report. "It's a big market, too. I shouldn't have any trouble."
"Medicine and water are helpful to anyone. I could always try to weasel my way into some dig sites." We all found amusement in Lilika's pun.
"I shall resume my role as a socialite and dazzle the streets with my song weavery!" Betiara and I glanced at each other. We had no idea what we were going to do.
"Nobody would hear me here without your help, Sekvi."
"Consider receptive ears bent, fair Betiara."
"Thank you. In the meantime... I could get work as a bouncer, a bodyguard, or even a mercenary." She didn't sound terribly enthused about any of these options. I made a note to check on her emotional state tomorrow. “Maybe I could be an investigator.”
"What about that Arcanist Conclave? Apparently I can just, get in, if the king was telling the truth."
"Ah, yes. Unless the Sun King's words change your circumstances, expect a price of admission and regular dues. You won't make money by simply being a member... there are projects that come along on occasion, however, and you will be networked into the needs of the city. Your supplies will be paid for, so in the long run, you'll likely save money." Sekvi shrugged their shoulders. "You're too unknown within wizarding circles to count on the Conclave for steady work. If anyone gives you trouble, simply mention my name. They will clam up." That was certainly a mixed prospect. If nothing else, I could try to wyrm my way into diplomatic spaces.
"I'll keep my eye out, then."
"You really got him good, sweetie. You didn’t surprise me that much, but the king being a dragon? That surprised me.”
"What?" The entire group simultaneously voiced this question. Lilika glanced around as if surprised.
"You didn't notice? You didn't feel that man standing over you? And how else would he know Madison's a dragon if he wasn't one, too?" I couldn't believe the thought hadn't crossed my mind. The shock had likely eclipsed me to the point where questions were beyond me.
"He spoke to me in Draconic at one point," I observed. "I was so freaked out that I didn't even think about it. Jesus."
"Yes, well, we would be unwise to spread that information," Sekvi cautioned. "It's a secret the nobles keep very close to their chest."
"I am not getting my nose dirty in this town," Keff asserted with a motion of washing his hands of the matter.
"I won't, either, sweetie, don't worry. That would only make things harder for us."
"After what he did... I'll never tell a soul." I took Betiara's paw into my hand and held it. I felt a squeeze in return. What she went through was terrifying.
"Soon you’ll tell me Rags is secretly a dragon." My joke went over well with the others. This moment of merriment faded into an awkward silence. The others turned to look at me one by one. Was this really so important? Would I not get time and space to process this on my own terms? It wasn't respectful to assume ill motivation from the others; I took a breath to help me rein my worries in. "This doesn't change anything, right? I'm still me... I think."
"Dragons get attention," Keff asserted in an unusually careful tone, "from people, and from other dragons. You saw that today." I hadn't thought of that. I drew my knees close to my chest and hugged my arms around them. Attention wasn't something I liked; having attention usually meant that I had failed in some way or that failure was expected in the near future, and now I had the king's attention. Citizens of a town might drive me out or kill me if they knew, and other dragons could see me as a threat if I wasn't careful. I remembered Nioto's advice and realized that I needed to send him, Vaun and Rica letters.
"So if it was any other dragon that had showed up today, how would the king have taken it? What would have happened?"
"Contesting territory, or a challenge," Lilika suggested while she pet Rags. "We should try to stay in his good graces. When you find out how to change your shape, though... I'd be very careful of where you do it." I wouldn't even be free to enjoy myself as I had always wanted to be. The very thought was an insult. If I were a dragon, did anyone have a right to prevent me from exploring that facet of my existence? I began to understand why some dragons would choose to live a different life among a settlement.
"This sucks. I can't even be a dragon and everything's already hemming me in. I wanted wings so I could fly, not... be caged like I was on Earth."
"You'll have your chances to fly," Sekvi urged. "Consider the upside: the example you set with Betiara would be heard by a great many."
"I mean, I want the world to be a better place, sure. But I don't know if I want to get involved with that, at least not right away. I think I just want to be." Sympathetic expressions filled the room.
"We'll figure it out," Betiara gently expressed. Her touch against my shoulder felt reassuring.
"Count on it."
"This is what we grow roots for."
"As intimidating as this city can be, we shall overcome it!"
"Roof!"
"I just want to give something back, and I want to contribute. You all give me a lot of support and that shouldn't be a one way street."
"You're the glue that holds us together," Lilika insisted. I didn't have the heart to argue otherwise. Betiara and I joined the card game, which quickly passed the hours. The candles in the entry hallway were lit with Prestidigitation as the others went to bed. Green light flickered away, identical to the candles in the outside corridor. The stone construction of the unit kept noise from other units surprisingly muted; aside from our own movements that easily echoed through the kitchen, this quiet was a welcome contrast to the apartment I had inhabited in Lancaster. The cinder block was less useful than we had assumed in heating the space, so we opened the heat vents as humid night air settled over the city. Warm and dry without being too much of either, it was comfortable. I needed a different environment, though, and decided to spend some time on the balcony. Few stars were visible from within the city, but the night air was cool and the wind felt inspiring. I stood against the railing and closed my eyes as I inclined my head, letting the wind take me in imitation of times I hoped would come.
I felt free this way. The art of being washed calmly over me. I had felt something akin to this before when I had reached the blending stages of my gender presentation, but even that wasn't as complete a feeling as this. A deep, painful yearning began to grow in my stomach, quickly culminating in tears. It hurt so much. I felt like I was so close to being who and what I had always wanted to be, but the goalposts were forever moving forward. Would I ever catch up? My wavering emotional constitution required me to sit on the balcony. I slid my legs through the bars to feel another fleeting sense of flight. Pain... it was all pain. Every fiber of my being ached in want of something more true than what it currently was. I didn't resent my current shape by any means; my scales were beautiful and comfortable, and I very much enjoyed my horns, my tail and my beak, but I needed wings. The freedom of flight and the infinite motion it carried was what I needed above all else in order to truly feel at peace with myself. I had to settle with the hope that it would happen one day.
The emotional onslaught eventually slowed to a baseline. I took a moment to appreciate the lights of the city. It was easier to appreciate the massive size of Nereved when it wasn't constantly covered in people. Few were out at this time of night, though there were rather healthy patrols being carried out by the guard. Royal guards even mixed with their number, which I hadn't witnessed all day. One in particular stood behind the light of a lamp post, occasionally glancing in my direction. That had to be a manifestation of the king's attention. I tried to ignore him, but the moment was ruined. I went back inside as quietly as I could and made my way to my room, seeking solace in Betiara now that other environments had been compromised. She had shifted into a wolf, spread along the length of the bed. I imagined she was keeping it warm for me. Her eyes opened as I pet her, and she lazily stepped down to the floor as I assumed the comfort of our bed. A massive paw gently dropped upon the back of my hand, and I couldn't help but smile. "Thank you. I'll see you in the morning." With that, Betiara lay herself at the base of the wall and fell asleep nearly as quickly as I did.