Page 47 of Consort's Dragon
“You do realize extracting Avera will be hard, if not impossible.”
“We can’t leave her to that fucking emperor,” Kreed swore.
“Agreed, but not sure how we’re supposed to steal her.If he still intends to marry her, then she’s likely to be heavily guarded.”
“She’s wily.If we can get word to her that we’re nearby, she’ll find a way.”
“I don’t know if the crew will want us to do something so foolhardy.”
“You’d be surprised.Why not ask them?”
So Griff did.Standing on his poop deck, he addressed them.“I’m sure you’ve already heard about Verlora’s problems.”
“It’s true there’s giant bugs and a dragon?”shouted Kelly from the back.
“Yes.While the volcano has calmed, things on the continent remain deadly.”
“You survived,” another crew member pointed out.
“Barely,” was his dry reply.“That said, knowing of the danger, it might be possible for a well-prepared team to begin clearing out the issues plaguing Verlora.At the same time, it should be known what once stood tall has crumbled.The city is a ruin.Beyond the broken buildings, the emperor has had his people looting it, meaning there is not much left that is of use.”
“We started over once before on Saarpira,” reminded Garth, a man old enough to remember living in Verlora.
“We did, and I think with hard work we could make Verlora great again, but before that begins, I have a favor to ask.As you probably already know, Queen Avera has been abducted.”
“By that old fucker in Merisu,” someone shouted.
Griff tucked his hands behind his back.“Yes, the emperor has taken her and plans to make her his consort against her will.”
“We can’t let that happen, Cap.The queen deserves better,” Monty replied, leading to some nodding of heads.She’d won over his crew during their last voyage and time on Saarpira.
“Agreed but rescuing her will be perilous.The emperor will not be kind to those caught trying to flout his will.”
“The emperor can kiss my balls.She’s one of us,” Monty shouted.
“She is, but is she worth risking everyone’s life?”Griff posed the question.While he had no doubt in his mind, others might not feel the same.
“We have to save the tiara queen.She’s the one who will set Verlora free,” Kelly yelled.
In response to his claim, the crew began to sing the “Ballad of Rebirth”, a song that many took to be prophecy.A poem that strangely enough started to make sense.
The small yet mighty tiara
expelled from her home,
will travel to the land of mist.
No weapon but her courage,
and the strength of her fists.
Facing the mighty foe,
staring death in its face,
a sacrifice to make.
Blood to bind,
