Haven glanced around, found the bird he was looking for, then using his mouth he plucked the small bird by this cloak to show the kneeling mage. Haven let go, catching the small bird in his tail, waving him in front of the confused humans. "This is the one who was stabbing that dragon in the eye."
Devlin stared at the black clad youth, weapons of all kinds, blinking at them innocently. Blood dripping onto the ground as he tilted his head.
"Cheep?" Tou asked tilting his head, then pointed at the rotting dragon as the stench wafted in through the rift, "Chirp, chirp! Cheep! Cheep cheep cheep!" He complained aggrievedly.
Haven wrinkled his nose as he turned his attention to the offending smell. He gently set the small bird under his wing with the others, "Come along little ones." Haven coaxed as the birds pulled their hoods back, blinking up at him with wide, watery eyes. Even through their masks he could sense their complaints. Both leapt through the rift, hugging his body as they started to chirp inconsolably.
Randal almost fell from the abrupt change of pace. The black clad warriors… pointing at the dragon now eating dirt, as if it had offended them. He jumped when a small black ring of fire appeared by his face.
"Hurry up, come along quick, leave the rest to the world's best snake." Kokono whispered, then went back to accusing the foul smelling dragon.
Randal didn't need a gold gilded invitation. Nodding for the others to follow, he started jogging into the giant ring of feathers.
The mountain man stared aghast… that was a snake? Beast gods above! What snake grew that big?!
The mage sent the mountain man a small zap, "Hurry yer arse, no tellen what'll happen if yer left behind."
The mountain man jumped, rubbed his smarting arse, then grabbed his bull's reigns. The wagon was already approaching the giant ring of feathers.
The ranger shuddered as he… stepped into the clearing… he didn't remember a giant tree of crystal… did trees grow that fast? He decided… he'd just enjoy the cleaner air. That's a good idea, no one would eat him for enjoying air, right?
The mountain man had to drag his bull into the clearing. The moment he stepped past, a gale missed him by a hair's breath. He slowly turned to see… everything on the other side was now… minced. No, minced meant there was still… chunks… there was nothing but red mist… and settling dust.
Kokono wiped away non existent tears as she buried her face in the big snake's feathers. Then she shrank back into a bird before she flew to land on her favored human. Chirping proudly as his body shrank.
Randal glanced around, everyone he didn't want to see. Emperor, Empress, Duke Darnings… was prince Serafin's hair… pink? The cursed pope. Yep, all the people he didn't want to see. At least not while all his memories were intact.
Haven lowered his head to peer at the dragon Kokono was chirping about.
Leonard stepped forward, "Your godship, we saw… without our own eyes… it was Ash- Lord Reece, who battled the dragon."
Haven closed his eyes for patience, then turned to the human questioning him. "I am aware that dragons… are typically hard of head. But, you have seen them weave illusions that can fool even gods. Surely that is enough to reconsider what you think you saw."
As if to prove his point Tou's body shimmered, then he looked identical to Ashton. The only visible difference were Tou's eyes were made of gems. Tilting his head, he pulled his cloak down which suddenly took on the appearance of Ashton's mask… now even the eyes looked identical.
Haven chuckled at the subpar illusion, if one paid attention to detail, there were a few incongruities, but he had no intention of pointing them out. "Is it not interesting, how almost all beings, from grass, to flowers, insects, beasts… humans… have vision of sorts? That vision requires… light. Light is created from heat. Now, the god of the sun is known for many things… yet trickery of the lights is not one."
Devlin stared dumbfounded as the bird removed his hood… to reveal the gem eyes once again. Had… it really been them? Why swap places at all? To… take the credit?
Haven quirked a brow as he lifted his wing to reveal the hiding birds. Beloved was sitting on Nix's head as he lay flush against his body. "Illusions yes, hiding… well, a work in progress."
Beloved adjusted her tail feathers to cover as much of Nix's body as she could, puffing up her chest, "Just because it's what they see, doesn't make it reality. If they were so quick to trust, these necessities would not be a must!"
Kokono nodded emphatically, then started to scratch at the human's hair.
Randal sighed pulling the half made nest from his pouch. Being made a human nest carrier was a fair trade for not having to battle that rotting dragon. Still, a bath wouldn't hurt. He was covered in blood. Glancing at his boots… blood and rotting dragon eye puss.
Sebastian choked on his tea as Duke Hammer, ruthless mercenary leader, still covered in blood from battle… allowed the small bird to use him as a… tree.
The mountain man shrugged, to the winner goes the spoils… and each bird had claimed more lives than all of them combined. He glanced at the tarp covered wagon… should they… do something about that?
The ranger shook his head, eyeing the mountain man like he was crazy. Hell no, he'd rather face ten rotting dragons than draw that giant snake's attention. Those other guys had been turned to dust. Mist. Ain't nothing more important than what the snake wants to do.
The mage gave a subtle nod of agreement. They did their part, now… well, now they just needed to not get eaten.
The healer rolled his eyes until something knocked him in the face. "Ghyaaa!?" He demanded catching the… small bird in a black cloak. He stiffened as the snake turned to stare at him. He gently, oh so carefully, held the small chirping bird up with both hands.
Futa pointed his wing at the human's face as he chirped indignantly. Then he hopped, stamping his talons to vent his anger.
The ranger stared at the tiny chick wide eyed… "What's he sayen?" He whispered to Randy who looked just as wide eyed.
Randal coughed lightly, "Ah, well, he be sayin… we didn't give him any snacks when he visited… and that our healer tried to shoo him away with bread crumbs…"
Futa nodded, then continued to point at the human's face. Kokono soon started to add her own tirade.
Randal couldn't hold the snort of laughter back, regretting it when he used his gauntlet to cover his face. The gauntlet still covered in blood…
"Oi, Randy, they be lookin at us." The ranger whispered urgently as the female bird started to point at him accusingly.
"She says… your bracer lace smells bad, and that you promised her a snack when we arrived." Randal whispered back as he spit on the ground. Ugh, he couldn't remember the last time he tasted anything so foul.
The ranger looked aghast, "Me bracer lace is meant ta smell like that lil lady. Tis… years of grease, sweat… blood. Tis no supposed ta be in yer nest."
"I say, if she wants it, it be hers. I willna fight her fer it." The mountain man whispered. To his relief, the small female preened as she nodded along.
Satisfied the small birds would get their way with the group, Haven turned his attention back to the dragonkin. "Perhaps Nix, too many have forgotten why they fear you so. Not even all the gods have legends, yet you have so many."
Lucian gritted his teeth, "You're saying he isn't a threat. If that was true, why would Alaina be after him? We've seen what he can do. He burned Our capital gates; he's injured Our men. That is not how a tree acts."
Haven chortled, "Did you not start cutting away at his branches? Why so surprised there is damaged when they fall?" Haven's glanced flickered over the fox, "I believe another was also… taking bites from the side. You were just in the immediate area."
Beloved nodded, pointing her wing at the dragonkin. "You thought he was pride, so you challenged, your comments so snide! Don't you know, even rabbits will bite? Yet here you stand, no harm direct from his hand, don't think he won't though! Some beasts should never be made foe!"
Haven half tilted, half nodded in agreement. "Yes, if there is a list of beasts one should not make an enemy of, Nix would be rather high on it. Perhaps, you can remind them why." Haven snapped his body so the birds were tossed into the air. Haven quickly caught them all in soft gusts of wind.
Beloved changed so she could put her hands on her hips, "Not like this! Now when he looks so amiss! A few minutes to fix, so they see MY Nix." Beloved ordered as she walked along Haven's formidable wing.
Haven smiled, "Anything less… would not do him justice." With that, both birds fell through a rift. If he was not mistaken, they didn't go to Nix's palace… but Ru's.
Jaxon tried to keep a straight face as he approached Duke Hammer. Covered in blood… fighting a half rotted dragon, where more than a hundred men had been butchered. When he should be in the capital.
First signaled for his men to take the injured away for healing. Then he took position behind his liege. First's left thigh had been grazed by an arrow, but the rest of the blood was from his downed foes.
The healer breathed a sigh of relief when the small bird took off after the injured death soldiers. He didn't speak bird… so all the chirping was just… noise.
Jaxon took a deep breath as he flicked a glance over the covered wagon. That was a lot of chains. "Duke Hammer, perhaps we can… talk inside over a cup of tea."
Randal drew himself to his full height, "I think I'll see to my men first, then perhaps a bath." He wasn't usually so aggressive, but his blood was still pumping from the adrenaline. Being in an enclosed space with his majesty was not ideal even on the best of days.
Kokono chirped angrily, hopping in her nest as she pointed at the dragonkin's face.
Jaxon gritted his teeth, "I shall see that our best healers see to your men, and a bath be prepared immediately. Just a moment of your time." Everyone was getting so damn arrogant with these birds around. If only the imperials could gain their favor… asking Duke Hammer might help.
A giant tail swept Randal and his away from the dragon kin. Randal was clinging to the tail when he was… deposited near a visiting delegation.
The bull blinked at the giant elk… then sat down in front of him.
Sven blinked, then decided to roll with it. "Aye, pick em up now! Come, we got healers. Frigg, prepare water."
Eir stepped forward with a precast enchantment for healing, "Ye may no trust us, we ken, ye mage can test these. They be for healing." Eir nodded more to the small bird making a nest in the man's hair than to the man.
Kokono chirped in delight as she jumped onto the carved mana crystal. Before anyone could stop her, she swallowed in a single gulp. She fell back in her favored human's cupped hands.
Randal's lips quirked, "She be a glutton," Then he changed to more formal speech. "I can replace the gem."
Eir blinked shaking his head, "Nae, donna bother, twas ah gift ye…"
"Randal Hammer, Duke of the East. Lord Eir, majesty Sven, thank you for your… consideration." Randal added as the bird struggled to flip over. The crystal had been bigger than her entire body.
Eir blinked as all of the duke's men were suddenly engulfed in silver fire… a moment later they were all standing. Judging from their expressions, it had been a surprise for them too.
Randal let his breath out, he was… clean. Glancing around, so were the rest of his men. First's injury was also healed. "Well. Perhaps… a place to sit."
Frigg burst out laughing at the dukes startled expression, not to mention, his hair was now a literal birds nest. Aye, he'd have tales to tell when they returned.
Ashton closed his eyes as he was bathed in Beloved's fire. As the fires died Nix sat up.
Beloved's heart clench, this was her Nix. Hair like red silk that reached just past his shoulders, silver iris surrounded by red sclera. Beloved quickly added a bit of red eye liner, then started to dress him up.
Nix smiled as she compared accessories, picking a gold hair net with blood red beast cores no larger than tear drops. Earrings with dangling tear drop beast cores, red gold arm bangles, several gold rings imbued with beast cores, a red gold choker necklace that had dozens red silk strings making up one of his more… provocative outfits.
The silk strings draped to entice rather than provide modesty. Wrapping around his lower back while leaving the rest exposed. The gauzy blood red harem pants had been a gift to mock his place at Ru's side. The insult turned taunt as the pants had been bathed in the fool's blood. The pants had silver stitches that caught the light with every movement.
Gold belts threaded with more beast cores swayed loosely as he spun for Beloved's inspection.
Beloved circled Nix twice, "You are so pretty, most beautiful by far, now remind them how deadly, why they fear more than your thrall."
Nix brought Beloved's fingers to his lips as he brushed them with a featherlight kiss. "All that you wish, all I can give, you need only ask, for you any risk."
Haven grew until he surrounded the entire clearing. This was going to be a… reminder. Not to mention, since he now had a bird as a mate, it would not do if anyone had… unsavory designs on her.
Haven very lightly layered his domain over Nix's. While he considered Beloved his, until they soul bonded, she was in a grey area of his protection. Nix as a monarch was not subject to the treaty of gods, that didn't mean subjects of other gods couldn't muddy the waters.
By layering his domain over Nix's, any who entered the area were now at his explicit mercy. Haven… was not known for his mercy. Few gods were. Anything that happened on this small piece of land, was now under his jurisdiction. Haven slowly eyed the humans who'd sworn allegiance to the sea. Perhaps… sashimi was on the immediate menu.
Frigg was staring at the mountain man's broad smile. "Aye, donna think aye be understandin ye. Ye name be… Mountain man?"
"What else would I be named? Scrawny twig?" The mountain man asked laughing as he downed the mead. "This be good, do ya sell it?"
Frigg decided to let the matter go as he refilled the man's mug. "Aye, by the barrel. Tis no cheap."
"Course no, Randy! I be needen yer purse!" The mountain man laughed raising the mug high then chugging the sweet drink down.
Randal nodded to First who bowed in acknowledgement.
Frigg watched as the masked man pulled out a small pouch, then… they started negotiating for regular deliveries. Who gave these people names?
Eir's lips twitched as… Second, Third, and even a Fourth showed up. Well, if they no be saying somethin, he wouldna.
Sven stilled as both snakes hissed, then slithered up his bracers. Before he could even look around everything went dark. Silent. Even the air had become stagnant. He reached for the closest man from memory. Sven felt the man's shoulder but… even as he opened his mouth to order them to round up not even a whisper escaped.
Haven settled in as he felt Beloved step onto his head. Apparently, this was a one bird show.