Chapter 219 - House Of Dragons (1/2)
Nix finished his shower and laid out some clothes to wear. He decided to forego armor and go in high-stealth mode. High stealth mode was a set of clothing that Nix made using enhanced camouflage, he combined that with an overlay on a pair of comfortable boots Dalton had made for him. It was untested, but Nix was interested in seeing the results. The smell of bacon brought him out of his room, the sizzling sound of it being cooked reminded him of Hyai and her Inn. However, it was his sister Bev that was doing the cooking.
”Morning Froglegs.” He smiled and sat down at the kitchen island. ”You heading to Loki today? I hear there's a big house with your name on it.”
”Really? Trying to get rid of me?” Bev served him up some bacon and then pointed to the eggs that were already made. ”Help yourself.”
”Sure... it's only my food and my house, you're very generous Bev.”
His older sister nodded in agreement. ”If Dad and I didn't stay here, the house would be filled with women.”
”Smarta.s.s. Fajii is gone for a few weeks, Hyai is on a quest and Shae is helping out a friend.”
Bev rolled her eyes and took the chair across from him. ”Yet somehow all the spare bedrooms are taken.”
Nix frowned when she reminded him of Nansu and Mina. ”What a s.h.i.tty deal for her and Chael. I have to figure something out.”
”Don't interfere Stixx. They'll work it out, or they won't.”
Nix didn't comment, it was something he already believed but that didn't mean he had to like it. ”Take over the governorship of Loki today, you have complete control.”
She stared at her younger brother, a slow smile crossing her face. ”I'll work out the bugs and introduce a viable political/free trade system.”
[Direct Communication: Nix]
Breach Commander Mtui's life-size holo popped up in the middle of the kitchen. ”Are you ready to go Nix?”
Nix smiled apologetically at the dishes. ”Bev this is Breach Commander Mtui. Unfortunately, I have to eat and run.”
”It's fine Nicky, nice to meet you Commander Mtui.” Bev offered him a smile, ”try to bring my brother back in one piece.”
Nix stepped through the breach that Commander Mtui opened up. He found himself standing in front of an iron black gate. A quick look around told him that no one else was present. ”Seriously? I got things to do...”
After turning on his hud's anonymous setting, he stealthed up and cleared the gate without really trying. His eyes turned deep orange while the landscape fluctuated with his thermal vision. ”Time to test the Ice Ring.” He activated the artifact and then walked down the only path available.
A peculiar scent hung in the air, it was pleasant to the nose like the barest hint of something sweet. The hard brick path turned to dirt and then to a slightly moss-looking plant that was spongy beneath his boots
A flash of green caused him to look up, two people wrapped in thin veils ran down the path, Nix carefully stepped to one side and let them pa.s.s. Both of them had horns protruding from there head. He suspected they might be twins, even though they were male and female.
As he guessed from the increasing amount of moisture in the air, the path led to a large pond, several ancient willow trees stood guard on the banks, their lower branches dipping into the water. Nix had thought that they might be swimming, but instead, the sat beneath the trees and a.s.sumed a position of meditation.
The center of the pond bubbled suddenly, steam pushed off the surface and the edges lapped at the sh.o.r.e. Neither of the meditators seemed to notice.
A perfect woman with skin as white as ivory rose out of the water. Her long raven hair hung wetly to her n.a.k.e.d form. She also had horns, but not the short stubby ones of dragonsp.a.w.n. These were long and wickedly curved. A feeling of extreme danger caused Nix to hold his breath while she walked toward the sh.o.r.e.
Nix watched her carefully, she made no extra movements, yet her skin and hair dried the moment her barefoot stepped onto the lush green gra.s.s. The second step she made saw her dressed completely in a sleek black dress that looked better suited to a seductress than a serenely beautiful woman.
”The two of you were late again, perhaps you had an important matter to tend to?” The woman's voice oozed power, Nix understood right away, this was Commander Mtui's mom. Slowly he backstepped, not daring to breathe until he was back on the path.
A few minutes later he cleared the fence easily and was only waiting a few seconds before an official-looking man showed up. He wore an elegant suit and his hair was slicked back on his head. The Majordomo jumped slightly when Nix dropped stealth.
”Are you Commander Nix?” The well-dressed man pretended that he wasn't surprised and spoke in a polite tone.
Nix nodded. ”I am Nix, pleased to meet you.”
The man's eyes seemed old, even though his appearance was youthful. ”Come with me please.”
”No.” Nix slipped his armor on and opened his hud.
”Sir? You are here for a meeting with the Mistress of the House of Dragons?”