Page 2 of Consort's Dragon
Phelgar stiffened.“I am his highest advisor which means all information comes through me.”
“Not this secret.We will divulge it only to your emperor, should he choose to align with our cause.”
“No,” Phelgar spat.“I’ve heard enough.Leave.”
Titus held up a hand.“Let’s not be hasty.”For the first time in a while, he found himself intrigued.“I wish to hear more.”Phelgar’s eyes shot warning daggers, but Titus ignored him and leaned forward.“What do you mean by align?”
“I’m afraid we cannot divulge more until we are in private.But it is understandable that you are leery, hence why we brought a gift, in addition to our offering of gold, to show our good faith.”
A gift?That piqued his interest, but first… “Why have you been hiding?”
“Because the secrets we guard would cause great ill in the wrong hands.There was a time, long ago, when we had shrines on every continent and served our purpose openly.Now, we are all that is left as time and ill luck have eroded our numbers.But that will soon change as the new age is almost upon us.”
“A new age of what?”
“Prosperity.Rebirth.And you, Emperor Titus, have been selected to lead us to that future.”
At the claim, he cackled.“I’m afraid you’ve chosen poorly.I am an old man on the cusp of passing.”He saw no point in denying the obvious.
“We do not make mistakes,” Klothi replied bluntly.“Should you accept our gift of goodwill, age will no longer be a concern of yours.”
“Planning to kill me?”Titus asked.
“On the contrary.We wish you to live, hence the rare and precious offering we’ve brought exclusively for you.”
The woman to Klothi’s left, whom she’d called Kachezi, took a step forward and as her voluminous sleeves retreated, presented a vial.“Drink this elixir and reclaim your youth.”
Laughter erupted from Phelgar and he glanced at Titus.“Do you hear this ridiculousness?Do you think we are stupid?”he scoffed.“The emperor will not drink whatever poison you present.”
“We understand the hesitance.Would you like to see an example of what this elixir can do?”Klothi waved to the woman on her right.“Karoki, if you would be so kind.”
Karoki raised her hands and clasped her veil, tugging it from her head to reveal an old woman, her visage wrinkled like a prune left in the sun too long, her gray hair shorn almost to the scalp.Without hesitation, Karoki held out a hand, the flesh mottled with age, the veins pulsing dark lines visible through the papery skin.
The female holding the vial handed it to her companion.The cloudy eyes stared right at Titus as Karoki removed the cap and took a sip.
Quickly, Kachezi snatched the amphora, and just in time, as Karoki fell to her knees with a gasp.She didn’t remain kneeling for long.As her body began to convulse, she fell to the floor and writhed.
Phelgar’s eyes widened.“You poisoned her!I knew you planned treachery.”
“Watch,” admonished Klothi.
“I’ve heard and seen enough.Arrest this woman!”Phelgar shouted, but Titus held up a hand and, while not a strong bellow, managed to shout, “Belay that order.”Because something strange appeared to be happening to Karoki.
Under his disbelieving gaze, the one who’d drank from the vial shed decades.Her face smoothed, the wrinkles vanishing as her flesh plumped.The spots on her cheeks faded, leaving them pale and smooth with a hint of blush.Dried thin lips filled and regained their reddish color.
The change took only minutes.When done, Karoki stood and faced him, a hint of a smile curving her mouth.
Klothi held her head high as she stated, “As you can see, this isn’t a poison, but rather an elixir that brings back youth.Our gift to you with the hope you’ll join our cause.”
“Give it.”Titus held out his hands, but Phelgar moved to block him.“What sorcery is this?It is not possible to revert the ravages of time.”
“You would deny the evidence before your eyes?”
“It’s a trick.Given there are witches in my family, I am familiar with magic, and there is no elixir of youth,” Phelgar blustered.
“Dracova Guardians are more than mere witches,” Klothi stated in a sneering tone.“We are the last of those trained in the art of magic since birth, privy to secrets your puny mind could not hope to comprehend.Hence why our offer is to your emperor, and not a sniveling coward like you.”
The rebuke almost had Titus snickering, but Phelgar didn’t appreciate it.
