426 Petitioners Challenge (1/2)
Pon nodded beside him. The two had first watched Semmi and Wind take on Sindi, then Jun Li abruptly challenged the white lion. ”Jun Li is clever, she sets her attacks up several moves in advance.”
”She isn't going all out.” Nix knew what his Gemini Champion could do when she exerted herself, she was obviously using this as a training match. ”Besides... she likes cats.”
Pon's old face nodded sagely. ”Semmi told me. Have you given any more thought to Icaraphet?”
”Yes. I'm going to put it in the air above Loki and let Ishna move in with her people.”
Pon stared at him for several seconds, his old face creased in a smile. ”Thank you, Nix. How are you going to secure it?”
”You will bring Ishna to Parliament, where she will be able to register as a Clan.” Nix had been considering the Aquarion issue since Pon first brought it up. ”Then I'll add that Clan to the 12 Pillar Alliance and grant limited access to Icaraphet.”
”Going to change the name?”
Nix nodded. ”Yeah. Suggestions?”
Pon scratched his head while considering the question. ”Avalon.”
”I don't hate it.” Nix gave the old man a sideways glance. ”Final resting place of Arthur, right?”
Pon nodded. ”Semmi mentioned it the other day, I like the sound of it.”
”Me too.” Nix waved when he spotted Rhy exiting the Great House. Since being named Speaker, she had moved into her room on the 1st floor.
The Air Nemesis smiled when she saw Nix waving. Her black wings flapped once and she covered the distance in a few heartbeats. ”Watching the spars? Or taking part?”
Pon shook his head. ”Watching today. Wind has been really hitting it hard since Semmi became an Archon. We've been taking turns helping him.”
”He's fine, when we start the Mid-Spire quests he'll probably advance.” Nix stood up and faced the Air Elemental. ”Take a knee, Rhylia Thundercloud.” He waited patiently while she bent one knee, and then he placed his hand on her finely feathered head.
Rhy has received the Blessing of Black Ice.
The Air Elemental stood slowly, placing one hand on Nix's shoulder. ”Thank you, Champion, for this gift and the position you've given me.”
Nix gave her a sly smile. ”Don't think you're off the hook for yesterday... because you aren't.”
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”Unknown at this time.” Beta stood in front of Breach Commander Mtui's desk. The normal occupant of the desk was missing.
Deidra shook her head in frustration. ”How does he disappear without anyone seeing or hearing anything?”
The albino rogue shrugged slightly. ”He's a Breach Commander, if he wanted to go somewhere secretly, he could do it.”
”On an unrelated subject, Nix is about to face Jargon Kane's Champion in their Greater House training yard.” Beta learned the information from Wind, she also knew the reason behind it.
Deidra leaned back in her son's chair. ”Why would he do that?” Her first thought was that Jargon may have somehow found out about the Falcon Titan from the Dragon City parade.
”He's claimed mating rights for Tai'Qui's Krelandur.” Beta paused for a moment, letting her words sink in. ”Since Nihlus was slain, she hasn't chosen another Champion, Nix is representing her interests.”
Deidra stood up quickly and opened a Breach. ”No time to lose then. Follow me.”
A moment later, Deidra stepped through a breach into the Greater House of Inferno training yard. She spotted Nix right away, he was sitting off to one side with Pon and an Air Elemental.
”Good Afternoon, Nix.” Deidra made sure her tone was respectful, Nix's temperament from one day to the next seemed dependent on random things. ”I wonder if I could speak with you.”
Nix waved to Beta, the pink-eyed rogue smiled at the gesture before promptly running off in search of Wind.
”Dragon Blood.” Nix followed Deidra off to one side and spoke before she could say anything.
Deidra stared at him for a moment, her beautiful face puzzled. ”Dragon Blood?”
Nix nodded. ”That's the price for me representing you against Jargon Kane's Champion.”
Deidra sighed heavily. ”What do you know?”
”Only that your son disappeared and now Jargon is requesting mating rights. An odd coincidence considering that he also requested the same from Tai'Qui, whose Champion is also indisposed.”