Wyvern's Plague: From the Annals of Dorohin by A. K. Bryce

Author:A. K. Bryce [Bryce, A. K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bryce Novels
Published: 2024-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 23

THE DRAGON EMPEROR

The most highly valued Qet is a spy. They are allowed passage through multiple territories, can interact with any noble court as they please, and even fraternize with lords and ladies. They are highly sought after as excellent mentors for noble offspring, but all the while, they are collecting secrets for their masters. Nobody would dare harm a Qet spy, for fear of retaliation against their own. The exception is the Ryus, who do not tolerate Qets in their territory.

***

It took courage for Iris to fly herself back to the peak of Mount Drakken. She stalled for a few hours, but Vas eventually convinced her that she was not doing herself any favors by putting it off.

Good luck, milady, he thought to her just before she took flight. For once, he sounded genuine.

Thanks. I don’t know if I can face Maia or Zuma again.

Thoughtfulness emanated from Vas’s mind. She had told him about those two, and how she felt about what Zuma had done. She had been expecting some kind of victorious gloating from him about how he had been right all along, how he had tried to warn her. None came, though.

What? she prompted.

I used to believe certain ... unflattering things about you, milady. But I know now that some of those beliefs were unfounded.

Iris was stunned to hear him confess such a thing. These aren’t rumors we’re talking about. Zuma really does—

I know, said Vas. But from what he told you, it seemed like there was more to it than what I was assuming. Discomfort entered his tone. Maybe everyone has parts of themselves they don’t like or respect, or that they wish nobody knew about.

Vas? Iris coaxed.

You should get going now, milady, said Vas swiftly.

Right...

She departed, disparate and complicated thoughts clouding her mind. Iris landed out of the way of the main stairs leading up to the landing platform. Regardless, there was still a Dragon-kin on the spot with a robe for her as soon as she transformed back into a human. She clothed herself, tied off the robe, and went in search of Senbi. She did not want to be caught out in the open again by Maia.

She went to his room first, just across the hallway from her own. She did not expect to find him there, but she wanted to be thorough. Therefore, she was quite surprised to find Zuma sleeping on Senbi’s bed.

“Wha—? Zuma!” she exclaimed.

The man bolted upright, wide-eyed and looking ready for a fistfight. He immediately calmed down when he saw Iris. “Ah, I thought you’d come back here eventually.”

“Why are you sleeping in Lord Father’s bed?” Iris demanded. Then a terrible thought crept into her mind. “Wait, you don’t...?”

Zuma laughed and made a dismissive gesture. “Oh, no, of course not! I never sleep with my employers. Nor do I bring others here for kicks. A Qet spy doesn’t get his own room. We’re expected to, uh, figure out our own arrangements, you see. I was just borrowing Senbi’s bed while he’s away.

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