What do you get when two ruthless assassins raise their daughter travelling through the wildest reaches of Caido? Take one look at Theea and you'll get a pretty good idea. Cheerful and tenacious in equal measure, and curious beyond all else, she began her journey on a mission to find those her mother once called family. And find them she did, soon rubbing elbows with demigods, leaders and even ghosts from the past. Her determination is resolute, her thirst for knowledge unmatched. We can't wait to see where her next adventure takes her!
Congratulations, Theea!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
OG Skinning provided by Kaons, with functionality and many custom plugins made by Neowulf!
"So this is the Dragon's Nest," Kaisel said as he led Hadama up the large guard tower, cresting the last steps to reveal the pillared hallway. Stone, like most of the city, stood firm all around them, as tough and unyielding as the soldiers that it raised here. In the more intricate design work, dragons could be seen carved into some of the rock alcoves and pillar heads, each one slightly different from the last, as if honoring dragons that had once been. "We've got an armory, a medical wing, and training grounds contained here. The soldier's one-stop shop." Kaisel gestured to various directions as he spoke. "Uuuuunless you wanted something tasty to eat. Only field rations here..." Kaisel stuck out his tongue. "They're as likely to kill you as keep you alive."
He spun around to face the Tidebreaker, a devious grin finding its way onto his features. "Legends say that when Stormbreak was first founded, it was when the first King climbed his way up a stone tower very much like this one. What he didn't realize was that he was actually on a massive dragon's leg. When he finally reached the top, he found the very angry dragon's head and all its sharp teeth. The king was trapped; it'd be a long and treacherous drop down, and the clever dragon had let him up but would not be so generous again. The dragon had wanted him to climb up you see, to make the meal a delivery instead of a pick up..." Kaisel quieted for a moment as a group of Dragoons passed by. He straightened and offered a salute.
Hadama did not walk fast but his strides were long so that even when he moved with slow deliberation he still kept pace with those in a greater hurry. His hair remained damp from the Eye, but his skin and the residual moisture on his clothes had dried during the walk. He looked at the carved dragons with solemn interest and listened with respect to Kaisel's description of the building's layout, even when the joke about field rations was cracked. "Mmh. That is... unfortunate." He tilted his head at the hyperbole, a flicker of something that might have been amusement in emerald eyes.
Or perhaps it was just a trick of the light.
"I will make a note to ban such dangerous rations in Torchline."
He followed the young Dragoon as Kaisel spun and walked backwards, telling his tale of Kings and dragons with an animated grin. The Tidebreaker listened with his full attention on his guide, though he occasionally glanced around at the imposing architecture. When Kaisel stopped so did Hadama, though he only inclined his head in polite greeting to the passing soldiers. He did, however, wait until they were out of earshot before raising a steely brow and gesturing for the young man to continue both walking and speaking. "What did this King do next?"
After the soldiers had walked off, and at Hadama's prompting, Kaisel turned back to finish his tale, his words and hands equally working to weave the story. "Well, the King was fierce and clever too. The pair fought, the dragon with its teeth and the king with his sword. The dragon's skin was very tough, and the king had to defend a lot, so he got the idea to trick the dragon into biting itself! He rolled out of the way at the last minute, and the dragon clamped onto it's own shoulder. It gave the king an opening and he climbed up onto its great big head and stared at it between the eyes. The dragon knew it would be over for it then, but it laughed instead, pulling its teeth out of its own hide. It told the king he was mightier than any other he had faced, and the dragon respected him for that. The dragon offered the king a deal. 'Don't kill me' the dragon said, and the wise king paused to listen, sword still in hand. And so, the dragon became the first to bond with man, and promised his progeny to bond to any other mighty soldier the king's city produced. The dragon's name was Stormbreak, and together they built the kingdom up in its name, ever reaching for the skies like that first mighty dragon did, the stone the closest we could manage to his thick hide. The soldiers became known as Dragoons, to honor the dragon bond, and we continue to do so to this day, and they have kept their word."
Kaisel gestured to the dragon theming in their areas, a road grin on his face. "Pretty cool, right? I can't wait until I get a dragon!" He had a bit more training to deal with before he'd even consider the idea. Dragons expected strength and greatness and he did not want to be found lacking. "Anyway, anything in particular you want to know?
Kaisel was an enthusiastic and animated storyteller, and Hadama listened with an interest that was more than mere courtesy as the young man spun his tale. There was action, suspense, and glory in Stormbreak's founding, hitherto unsuspected by the Tidebreaker, and the region's preoccupation with dragon companions above and beyond their former obsession with the racial purity of Accepted made a great deal more sense after hearing the creation myth of Caido's oldest city. He followed the Dragoon's gestures to the draconic decor at each punctuated point, admiring the craftsmanship in steel and stone, and he nodded solemnly in agreement.
"It is very 'cool,' indeed." A rousing affirmation from the Tidebreaker if ever there was one. He continued to walk beside Kaisel through the stern but elegant halls, turning his head in subdued curiosity, his expression serene but his eyes bright.
"I would like to see the training grounds, please." A rumbled request as he gave the young Dragoon a look that was almost sly before the solemnity returned, somehow even more grave, all humor gone from his eyes. "And I admit to some... curiosity. On if the current... mh, leadership... has made any changes to the running of the Dragoons?"
Kaisel had never led a tour before, but he knew showmanship was an absolute must for the role. That's why he'd made up the story about the start of the Dragoons. There was definitely some truth mixed in, but Kaisel had never scored particularly well on his history tests, too dull, and well, his version just made sense.
"Sure thing, right this way, sir." Kaisel motioned with his hand and began to lead them towards a much more open area of the Nest. Where stone walkways had slightly echoed their steps, the training area had dirt, sand, and mats. Different sections for different purposes. In various nooks and crannies, there were wood and straw dummies, and armor and weapon racks full of wood and steel tools alike, as well as many bandages. "You looking to get in a training sesh?" Kaisel had halted to let the man take in the training section, tilting his head a bit.
Not forgetting the other thing Hadama had asked, Kaisel straightened up a bit more, and when they stood close together, he answered cautiously. "The city mostly functions the same," Kaisel admitted, but wasn't done. "Everyone is on edge, you never know what corner you take, and there they'll be. You already know they listen, but it feels more so here. But... overall, I don't see them much." It was a weird feeling. Like he was always being watched, but whenever he looked, he couldn't see anyone. "A lot of the Dragoons have been choosing distant missions.".
Whether truth or lies, the story had been entertaining. Hadama could appreciate that, and if it was a tale that was more myth than reality, the myth did not hurt him. It helped to pass the time, if nothing else, as their feet took them through the halls and levels of the Dragon's Nest. The building was as impressive as the men and women who moved through it in sharp uniforms, many with scaled companions.
"Mmh. Not this late." Which had never stopped a demigod of Safrin before, but his braid was still damp from the Eye of the Storm, and some of the relaxation of its waters lingered in his muscles even now. Training with the dragoons, while undoubtedly educational for all involved, could wait for another day.
Some of the tension returned subtly to the Tidebreaker's frame as he asked his other question, however, and he nodded slowly as he looked out over the training grounds, studying the equipment and the various ground types for practicing on. Kaisel's words washed through him like a whisper of a chill breeze over his heart; not the icy fingers of winter, but an unpleasant sensation nonetheless. "Thank you, Kaisel Ashborn. I appreciate the time you have given me tonight. Perhaps you will take a mission to Torchline soon?" If he did, Hadama would be pleased to return the hospitality if his own duties permitted him the time.
Kaisel nodded in understanding as Hadama refused the offer of a training session. He himself still had to finish getting ready for his shift later tonight, though he was a bit curious what it might be like to face off against the kind. "Perhaps some other time you and I could train then, sir. If you've the time and need." Unlike Kaisel, Hadama had years of experience and practice, he likely wouldn't get much benefit from a match with him other than some cardio, which was still something. He also probably had some specific royal guards he could use for the purpose, but well, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, right?
As their conversation died out and the tour neared its end, Kaisel dipped his head in gratitude to the Tidebreaker's appreciation. "It's no trouble, sir." He smiled a bit at the lingering question. "Admittedly I am not a high enough rank to have much say over my orders at this time, but I do hope I can get a station near Torchline soon. I need to try the sea grapes, after all." Kaisel mused for a moment before amending. "Although I could always see what strings Koa could pull..."
The suggestion brought a gleam of approval to the king's emerald gaze as he turned to look at Kaisel fully, and there was a slight crinkle at the corners of his eyes. "Indeed. I would like that very much." He inclined his head briefly in gratitude. "I have learned a great deal from Koa. I look forward to what you will teach me." His voice was solemn and he spoke with every evidence of sincerity to the novice dragoon, no less than he would have responded to Ronin or Deimos.
As they began to head towards the exit, Hadama glanced over at his guide once more. Again there was that slight hint of something at the corners of his eyes at the mention of the sea grapes and he nodded in agreement. At the notion of Koa and strings, however, he had to turn his attention forward again - though a slight note of approval lingered in his voice. "Mmh. Use what you have to your advantage. The more quickly one gains power, the sooner they may use that power to help others in the future."
As they came to the exit of the Dragon's Nest Hadama turned and gave Kaisel a small bow. "Thank you for your time today, Kaisel. It has been a pleasure." And with that, the King headed back into the night to find his lodgings.
