16. Tiamat

Chapter 16

Tiamat

I feel a sense of relief wash over me, grateful to once again inhabit my human guise. With practiced ease, I shift back, allowing the weight of my dragon form to dissipate into the cool forest air.

At the edges of the forest, the human forms of the Faire Dragons watch us with keen interest, their eyes alight with curiosity and apprehension. Among them stands Elka, a striking figure with flowing black hair and a regal demeanor. My grandfather steps forward, his presence commanding respect as he introduces me to the enigmatic leader of the Faire Dragons.

"This is Elka," he announces, his voice ringing out with authority. I study her closely, taking in every detail of her appearance. She exudes an aura of power and wisdom, her eyes holding the secrets of centuries past.

"And this is my granddaughter, Tiamat Andrea Kraus Stormbringer," my grandfather continues, his words carrying the weight of my lineage. "Direct descendant of the Blood Queen."

The hushed whispers of the crowd spread like wildfire, their murmurs echoing through the clearing. Some gaze at me with awe, recognizing the significance of my ancestry, while others recoil in fear, daunted by the legacy that I carry.

I can feel the tension in the air, thick and palpable, as the Faire Dragons regard me with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. This meeting could go either way—it all depends on how Elka responds.

With a deep breath, I steel myself for what lies ahead, drawing upon the strength of my bloodline and the unwavering support of my family. Together, we stand united, ready to face whatever challenges await us in this mysterious realm.

Elka's gaze lingers on me for a moment, her expression unreadable as she takes in the sight of our assembled group. I meet her eyes with determination, refusing to back down in the face of uncertainty.

For a long moment, silence hangs heavy in the air, broken only by the rustle of leaves and the soft whispers of the wind. Then, without a word, Elka nods in acknowledgement, her demeanor softening ever so slightly.

"We welcome you, Tiamat Andrea Kraus Stormbringer," she says, her voice carrying the weight of authority. "May your presence here bring about the change that we so desperately seek." Despite the challenges that lie ahead, I am filled with a sense of purpose, knowing that our meeting with the Faire Dragons marks the beginning of a new chapter in our journey. With a renewed sense of determination, I step forward to meet Elka, extending my hand in friendship.

Elka leads our group through the quaint village, the air alive with the chatter of the Faire Dragons going about their daily lives. We follow her in silence, our footsteps echoing softly against the cobblestone streets as we make our way towards the heart of the community.

As we approach a circle of ancient stones in the center of the village, my senses prick with anticipation. Several elders sit in the circle, their faces weathered with age, their eyes keen and observant. They poke at the fire before them with gnarled sticks, their expressions serious and contemplative.

One elder looks up from the flames, her eyes widening in surprise as she takes in the sight of Elka leading our group towards them. There's a palpable tension in the air as she exchanges a meaningful glance with Elka, a silent exchange passing between them.

"What have you done, child?" the elder's voice carries a note of concern as she rises to her feet, her movements cautious and deliberate. She casts a wary gaze in my direction, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.

"We need her to help free us from the Elves," Elka declares boldly, her voice unwavering as she gestures towards me with a pointed finger. I can sense the weight of her words hanging in the air, each syllable heavy with significance.

For a moment, the elder's expression softens, her features relaxing ever so slightly as she considers Elka's words. There's a flicker of recognition in her eyes. It's as if she's piecing together the puzzle of our purpose here.

I hold my breath, waiting anxiously for her response, unsure of how she will react to our presence and our plea for help. The fate of our mission hangs in the balance, resting on the decision of this wise elder and her council.

To my surprise, the tension in the air dissipates. It's replaced by a sense of cautious optimism. The other elders nod in agreement, their expressions reflecting a shared sense of determination.

"We have long awaited the day when one such as yourself would come to our aid," the elder speaks, her voice resonating with authority. "The Elves have oppressed us for far too long, and it is time for us to reclaim our freedom."

Her words send a ripple of excitement through the gathered crowd, their murmurs of agreement echoing through the clearing. It's clear that they are ready to stand alongside us in our fight against the tyranny of the Elves.

The weight of Elka's revelation settles heavily upon me, sending a shiver down my spine as I absorb the gravity of her words. To think that the Faire Dragons have suffered under the yoke of Elven oppression for so long is both infuriating and heartbreaking.

As Elka and I stand face to face, I can sense the urgency in her gaze, the determination burning bright in her eyes. I step closer to her, my voice steady as I voice the concerns weighing heavily on my mind.

"The biggest way that you can help us is to give us something to prevent the Elves from influencing us," I implore, my words echoing with the urgency of our mission. "If they gain control of my dragon, who knows how much destruction I can cause."

I can feel the tension in the air thickening with each passing moment, the weight of our shared burden pressing down upon us like a suffocating blanket. Elka paces around, her movements restless as she considers my words.

Her pacing brings her back to me, and she stops short, her eyes locking with mine in a silent exchange of understanding. "If you have a tenth of the Blood Queen's power, I am concerned about them gaining control of you," she admits, her voice laced with a hint of apprehension.

I nod in agreement, acknowledging the validity of her concerns. The thought of falling under the Elves' influence fills me with a sense of dread. The mere idea of being manipulated against my will sends a chill down my spine.

But Elka's next words bring a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that threatens to consume us. "I believe we can help you," she declares, her voice unwavering as she looks to the elders for confirmation.

Their collective nod fills me with a sense of cautious optimism, a flicker of hope igniting within me as I realize we may finally be on the right track. With the support of the Faire Dragons, we may have a fighting chance against the Elves and their insidious influence.

As the council of elders discusses their plan of action, I can't help but feel a surge of gratitude towards Elka and her people. They have offered us their aid in our time of need, and I am determined to repay their kindness with unwavering loyalty and commitment. With renewed determination, I stand tall amidst the gathering, my resolve strengthened by the knowledge that we are not alone in this fight.

The air around us crackles with anticipation as the elders gather herbs and mystical items. Their movements are purposeful and determined. I watch as they work tirelessly, their faces set in grim determination as they prepare for the task ahead.

My father stands nearby, holding my mother close under the shade of the closest tree. His expression is stoic, but I can see the worry etched into the lines of his face. I know he is struggling with the weight of our mission, just as we all are.

Meanwhile, my grandfather paces back and forth between the elders and the nearby pond, his movements restless as he wrestles with his own thoughts and emotions. I can sense the burden he carries, the weight of our family's legacy pressing down upon him like a leaden cloak.

I move to intercept him, stepping into his path with a playful smile on my lips. "Penny for your thoughts?" I tease, tilting my head as I look up at him expectantly.

My grandfather laughs, a warm sound that fills the surrounding air, and pulls me into a tight embrace. He presses a kiss to the crown of my head, his affectionate gesture soothing the restless ache in my heart.

"I am so very proud of you, hatchling," he murmurs, his voice filled with love and pride. He kisses my temple tenderly, his touch grounding me during the swirling chaos that surrounds us.

I lean into his embrace, drawing strength from his presence as we stand together overlooking the tranquil pond before us. "I'm just trying to help our people," I reply softly, my voice tinged with determination. "No one should be enslaved or made to suffer. Oberon and his people have caused us immeasurable pain and suffering, and they deserve to be held accountable for their actions."

My grandfather nods in understanding, his gaze meeting mine with a mixture of pride and sadness. "You speak the truth, my dear," he murmurs, his voice heavy with emotion. "But remember, even in the darkest of times, there is still hope. We must never lose sight of that."

I nod in agreement, my resolve strengthened by his words. Together, we will face whatever challenges lie ahead. We are united in our determination to bring justice to our people and free them from the tyranny of their oppressors.

As the elders continue their preparations. I feel a sense of determination settle over me like a comforting cloak. With my family by my side, I know we will overcome whatever obstacles stand in our way and emerge victorious in our quest for freedom and justice.

As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the land. The sense of urgency in the air is palpable. The elders work tirelessly, their movements precise and purposeful as they prepare for the ritual that will hopefully shield us from the influence of the Fae.

My grandfather stands beside me, his presence a reassuring anchor during the chaos that surrounds us. I know he shares my determination to confront Oberon and the other Fae Kings. To hold them accountable for the suffering they have caused.

My mother, with a fierce determination in her eyes, offers to accompany us on our journey. But I know that her place is here, watching over my children and supporting my mates as they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.

"Are you ready?" Elka's voice breaks through my thoughts, her gaze shifting between my grandfather and me. I nod, steeling myself for what is to come. "Yes, let's get started."

My grandfather and I move together towards the circle where the other elders await us. They motion for us to lie down side by side on a slab at the center of the circle, and we comply without hesitation.

"We are going to tattoo a protective rune on you," the oldest elder explains, her voice grave yet determined. "It will shield you from the influence of the Fae."

I watch as she approaches us, a glowing inscribed obsidian shard held aloft in her weathered hands. The rune glows with an otherworldly light, pulsing with ancient power as it awaits its purpose.

As the elder etches the rune into our skin, I feel a surge of energy coursing through me, mingling with the anticipation that thrums in the air. The sensation is both exhilarating and unnerving, like being caught during a storm.

I grit my teeth against the pain, focusing on the task at hand as the elder's skilled hands work their magic. Each stroke of the shard sends sparks of light dancing across my skin, leaving behind a trail of shimmering runes that seem to pulse with life.

My grandfather lies beside me, his face set in a mask of determination as he bears the pain of the ritual. I draw strength from his presence, knowing that together, we will overcome whatever challenges lie ahead.

Finally, the ritual is complete, and I sit up, feeling the weight of the protective rune etched into my skin. It tingles with power, a tangible reminder of the task that lies before us.

As we stand, the elders gather around us, their expressions grave yet hopeful. "You are now protected from the influence of the Fae," the oldest elder declares, her voice ringing out with authority. "May this rune guide and protect you on your journey."

I nod, a sense of determination settling over me like a comforting cloak. With the rune to shield us from the Fae's influence, I know we are one step closer to achieving our goal of freeing our people from their tyranny.

Together, my grandfather and I leave the circle, our hearts filled with hope and determination. The time to confront Oberon and the other Fae Kings, to demand justice for our people and put an end to their reign of terror once and for all.