Chapter 2 #2
Nikki didn’t clamp onto Gunter like a child would a safety blanket, but it was a near thing.
This was seriously nerve-wracking. Especially once they entered and Nikki realized it wasn’t just the king of the fire dragons, oh no.
Another dragon king also sat there with him, looking impressively massive and able to crunch boulders with his thighs.
Nikki would’ve assumed all dragons were strong, muscly types if they hadn’t met Ravi first. Ravi put that theory to rest.
King Alric greeted them with a smile and beckoned them in. “Welcome, Nikki. Please, come sit with us. We have many questions, and I fear far too few answers. We hope to speak with you and change that. How are you doing so far in the castle?”
Bless Gunter, he put a silent hand on Nikki’s back and guided them to the two-seater couch, sitting with Nikki as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Nikki felt far more comfortable because of it.
Comfortable enough they were able to answer, if a little shyly. “I’m fine. Your clan has been very nice and welcoming.”
“They generally are, but I thought I should check. You’ve met King Chalo?”
“Uh, no?” Nikki ducked their head awkwardly toward Chalo.
“We haven’t met,” Chalo rumbled, although he looked Nikki over with a smile. “You’re the one who blew the gates open and let us in, aren’t you?”
“That was me,” Nikki confirmed, unfurling a little when Chalo grinned at them like a coconspirator.
“Damn impressive, that. My mages were saying later that what you used shouldn’t have worked as it did, so they were impressed. We’re glad you opened the wards up. Not sure how we would have gotten in otherwise. So thank you for that.”
Okay, Nikki now liked Chalo.
“Right now, we need information more than anything.” Alric sat forward, smile kind. “Whatever you can tell us will help. We know very little about the Jaeggi’s defenses or movements.”
“I tried tracking them after the battle but couldn’t pick up a trace of them,” Chalo threw in. “But the other mages we rescued weren’t able to explain why. Do you know?”
“Anti-tracing spells.” Nikki knew this answer, at least, and was glad to give them something.
Saying I don’t know was very uncomfortable in this setting.
“The Jaeggi are paranoid about you finding them. They put anti-tracing spells on everything. I do mean everything. You won’t be able to use seeking spells on them. ”
“Huh. That does make sense, considering my experience.” Chalo cocked his head, looking at Nikki with interest. “Can I ask how you know?”
Nikki pondered how to answer that for a second, then decided to be honest. Might as well. “I have issues with authority and am terrible about sitting obediently still?”
Chalo slapped his leg, laughing outright. “I like you already.”
It was a relief to see all three dragons taking this well, smiling and chuckling. That line would have gotten Nikki in a padded cell for a week back with the Jaeggi.
Attention bouncing between the kings, Nikki explained, “The others didn’t really come from magical backgrounds.
Their families had forgotten they were ever mages, so they didn’t grow up learning anything.
I did. My parents taught me little spells, at least. I know something of magic.
Enough that I could recognize what the Jaeggi were doing and figure out parts of it.
Some of it I couldn’t figure out because the Jaeggi created their own spells. ”
“I see. Well, makes sense. Of course they would if they lost as much knowledge as we did.” Alric rubbed his chin with a thoughtful finger. “So, they’ve developed spells specifically so we can’t seek them out or trace them. That makes our job harder. Where are they located?”
“They move every few months,” Nikki said. “They have no central location. I can create a list of where they’ve been, though. From what I remember. I think if I put my head together with everyone, we can get you a pretty comprehensive list.”
“That’ll certainly help. We might be able to figure out a pattern or, at the very least, know where not to look.”
Nikki made a mental note to start that directly after the meeting. “They stay in Europe and try not to repeat going back to the same place twice. Small towns or mostly-abandoned places, that’s where they like to go. Somewhere with few witnesses.”
“Good to know.”
Nikki wasn’t sure how far they’d gone into the last place, trying to track the Jaeggi, but they felt it prudent to add, “You need to be cautious going through any place the Jaeggi have had to leave quickly. It means they probably didn’t dismantle any of their security spells.
They’re hyper paranoid about not only you finding them, but of us escaping.
They liked to lock down places with nasty wards. ”
Chalo and Alric exchanged perturbed looks.
“Not something we were aware of. Thank you for that warning, Nikki.” Alric looked at Chalo again, this time clearly scheming. “I can’t leave here readily, too much is going on. With this information, do you want to try again?”
“It leaves a bad taste in my mouth to know we’re only one step behind them.
I want to latch onto a trail, if I can. But I don’t think me going over there again will change anything.
” Chalo raised his brows a little in question.
“Nikki, will you go over there? It might not be me who goes, but someone will go in and try to pick the trail back up. That person would benefit greatly if you helped guide and safeguard them.”
Nikki didn’t even need to think about this. If there was any chance of getting revenge on the Jaeggi, they’d take it. “Of course. I’ll go anytime you wish.”
“I love that attitude, thank you. I’ll organize a party, and we’ll leave soon.”
The door opened, and Consort Cameron swept through. His eyes landed on Alric, and he growled in vexation.
“You,” he told his spouse tartly, “are supposed to be resting right now.”
Alric pointed to himself innocently. “I’m just sitting here, talking!”
“You are working, don’t give me that shit.” Cameron stalked to him, latching onto a hand and pulling Alric out of the chair. “You have major surgery this afternoon and you are on strict orders to rest.”
“I can rest after the surgery!” Alric protested, rolling his eyes expressively.
“Why are you such a workaholic? I am here to handle what you cannot, remember? And right now, you’re not supposed to be working.” Cameron addressed the room in general. “Sorry for this, carry on. I was sent by his doctors for operation prep, so you can’t have him for the next few days.”
“It’s not that time already.”
Cameron pulled out his phone and displayed the clock in front of his husband’s face in challenge.
Alric visibly deflated. “Oh. I guess it is.”
“Time flies when you’re having fun,” Cameron deadpanned. “Off to the operation theater for you. Everyone, as you were.”
As abruptly as he entered, Cameron left, taking Alric with him.
Nikki watched them go, blinking. Well. That was one way to end a meeting.