Risha Chapter 45

Risha woke up bundled in unfamiliar furs.

Her spiderlings moved in the furs, calming any worry she had before it came. 

Risha stood up and looked over to where Klaz’zks rested against her webs. The spider seemed to be lost in her own thoughts, so Risha made her way towards the exit on her own, stumbling slightly from weak legs.

Kliks left her clothes and grew so that Risha could climb up onto her back. Risha was grateful for the assistance and rode her through the unfamiliar spider webs.  Once they arrived at the entrance, Risha felt well enough to walk on her own, so she dismounted from the spiderling. Kliks climbed back up to Risha’s shoulder, and watched as Risha walked out of the webs the same way she came in.

The spiders had situated themselves on a hill looking over orctown. From her vantage point, Risha could watch her people expanding their homes to include the countryside. Goblin Farmers and Grub Herders had been given their own portions of land so that they could work to feed the larger monster community. Risha felt happy with her choice of Elder Oltak to be in charge of farming, and from what she could see, he was doing a good job.

A little down the slope, Sun-Chaser stood up, several other kobolds rising with her. Risha spotted a familiar vine-child with them, hopping in place out of excitement. 

Risha couldn’t help the small smile that spread across her face at the sight of Aliya. She’d opened up a lot since they first found her, particularly connecting with the kobold packs.

Sun-Chaser made her way over to Risha, and bowed her head slightly, “Did it go well?” 

Risha nodded, looking over the fox-like kobold, her reddish orange fur fluffy and well taken care of.

Sun-Chaser was her fourth choice for spirit evolution, but Risha could tell that she’d have to wait a bit before she’d be ready to grant the power again. Risha didn’t know who the fifth one would be yet, but she felt pressured to choose soon. They were on a clock before the more dangerous creatures in the realm arrived, and Risha wanted to be more prepared when that happened. 

“Risha!” The vine-child ran up, and Risha kneeled down to pick her up. “I found this.” 

Risha’s smile returned as the vine-child showed her a flower she’d found while they were waiting for her. It was a purple flower that was very close to the color of Risha’s skin. She placed it above Risha’s ear and smiled. Risha shifted the girl to one arm, then felt her large bat-like ear for the small flower, touching it gently. With the flower touching her, she could sense some kind of energy in it that she suspected it didn’t have naturally. The same energy that the vine-child had used when she healed Risha.

“I’ll treasure it,” Risha placed her forehead against the child’s, then looked up to the others who watched with sweet smiles.

Sun-Chaser waited patiently nearby, while Leaf-Watcher, the large White Lupus Kobold, stood a few feet away, keeping one eye on their surroundings, ever vigilant for those who might choose to target the young girl. 

The feeling of two thin arms squeezing her made her look down to the little girl, who’d buried her head in Risha’s chest. 

Risha shook her head, but continued to hold the child as the kobold pack escorted her down the hill. 

Goblins and orcs called out to her as they walked towards the road, bowing their heads in greeting. The sun shone down on them, and for the rare moment in Risha’s life, things felt peaceful. She didn’t realize how much she’d missed the feeling. 

Even though her scars had been healed by the child, Risha still felt them. Swords that had stabbed and cut her, the bruises left by the overseer, and the death that followed her were all things she could never forget. 

Still, holding the small child, surrounded by monsters at peace, Risha was reminded why she’d gone as far as she had. She fought tooth and nail for this peace, and it would not last, not yet.

“What brings you here, Sun-Chaser?” 

The red fox kobold looked at Risha, then turned her gaze to the path they followed, “You’ve heard, haven’t you? The lizards in the swamplands are getting more aggressive, moving past their borders to attack hunters.”

Risha had heard some of the reports. Ever since they’d returned the slaves that they’d freed from the humans, the lizard-people in the swamplands had become more aggressive. “Have we pulled back?” 

“Yes, they’re following deeper and deeper into the forests.”

Risha let out a breath, then glanced down at the child in her arms. She’d fallen asleep as they walked. She liked to sleep in Risha’s arms. “Do we know what they want?” 

“Not exactly, but we know they want Chitin.” 

Risha looked up sharply, and Sun-Chaser met her eyes. 

“They’ve stripped the few warriors and the spider they killed. In the last couple clashes they’ve been seen wearing it as a prize.” Sun-Chaser glanced at one of the kobolds with them, a nondescript Gray Lupus Kobold. The kobold gave her a nod, “But there’s a bigger issue than that, one of the hunters reported seeing Drake-Riders, a hundred strong.” 

Risha stopped, and turned to the red fox, her gaze holding hers. “A hundred drakes?” 

“Yes, and we suspect there’s more.” 

Five drakes had been a terror to the forces on the other side of the mountain, and if Alexandra had been a good example, then every single one of their riders was strong.

They were approaching the gates of the town, but instead of continuing, Risha turned, heading in a different direction. Sun-Chaser followed her without question. 

Risha’s goal was soon made clear as they approached the human camp. A hundred humans and two drakes had chosen to follow them through the mountains, wanting to escape their leaders for many reasons Risha wasn’t sure of.

The humans looked up as Risha and the small pack of kobolds made their way through their camp. They were respectful, and curious. Risha saw surprisingly few suspicious gazes, thanks in part to the warm welcome they’d received when they arrived at orctown. 

The partying had gone on for several days, with every race welcomed into the fold. Even here in the center of the human camp, Risha caught sight of several monsters gambling and chatting with the humans. 

Risha nodded her head to those who greeted her, but continued onward to a large pit where two drakes lazily rested. Here also were the two largest tents. 

The drakes rose their heads as Risha approached, and moments later, Risha spotted a familiar drake-rider. She wore brown gloves, and her brown hair flowed down her back freely. She was covered in soot and sweat, but still walked with confidence. 

“Grand Mother Risha, I’m surprised to see you.” The woman’s voice was anxious, but she still gave a practiced bow, far more refined than most that Risha met, “Caleb should be here soon.” 

Risha nodded her head, “Who’s Caleb?” 

“Oh.” Alexandra looked mildly embarrassed and motioned to the second drake. “Caleb is Kaldero’s rider.”

Risha turned to the drakes, and bowed her head to them. She recognized and respected the powerful predators. In response, they lowered their heads in low bows to her.

“Saya, it is good to speak with you again.” Risha turned to the other drake, “You must be Kaldero.”

“Goblin, it has been a long time,” Saya said as she raised her head, [Brood Mother] translating the growls and hisses of the serpentine drakes.

“You are smaller than I expected.” Kaldero tilted his head to examine her.

Risha smiled, putting her sharp teeth on display, “Risha’s always been the smallest.” 

“Forgive him Goblin, it is rare that we get to speak with outsiders.” 

Risha laughed, and shook her head. “Risha doesn’t take your words as a challenge.” 

Anything else that would’ve been said was stopped by a young man appearing. He had short braided dark hair, and darker skin than most of the humans she’d met, almost as black as Klaz’zks in her human form. He made his own bow to Risha, noticeably different from Alexandra’s, but just as practiced.

“I am Caleb, Kaldero’s bonded.” 

Risha nodded her head, “It is good to meet you and Kaldero.”

Caleb stood tall, and examined Risha, “It is good to meet you as well.”

“Did you need something from us, Grand Mother?” Alexandra looked down at Aliya, who still rested in Risha’s arms. 

Risha motioned for Leaf-Watcher to step over, then handed the sleeping child over to the protective kobold, “Alexandra and Caleb, are you loyal to me?” 

The two humans shared a look, and finally, Caleb turned to Risha, “We chose to follow you, and we will not betray you, but swearing ourselves to someone that’s not human… It has complications that you do not realize.”

Risha laughed. 

The humans looked at her, confused.

“Risha’s sorry.” Risha waved them off as she calmed herself, but couldn’t help her wide smile. “Shyanne told me about how tricky words can be for humans. Sun-Chaser, you’re better at this. You know what I want, right?”

Sun-Chaser stepped forward, a change coming over her that Risha recognized well. The fox had a strength to her that showed itself in moments like these.

“There’s a war brewing with the lizards in the swamplands, and they have their own drake-riders. Having you on our side, it would make all the difference.” Sun-Chaser looked between the two of them. 

Caleb frowned, “They have their own drake riders? How many?”

“At least a hundred strong.”

The number surprised both of the humans, and Risha could understand why. Five drake-riders had been enough for the humans to push back an entire orc-clan. Although she suspected the elves had more to do with their success than anything else. 

“Even if they’re low leveled, that many riders… I see why you’re asking for our help.” Caleb bowed his head, “We owe you after being escorted away from the Alveron nobility. Still, we are not your subjects.” 

Risha hummed, while Sun-Chaser’s eyes narrowed. Alexandra didn’t look to be in complete agreement with Caleb, but she kept quiet.

“All the same, we are soldiers,” Caleb looked over the humans in the camp, “And Ryan will follow where I lead. So if you are willing to hire us, we will fight for yo-”

“Caleb doesn’t speak for me, and I know what I want… if you want me to swear myself to you.” Alexandra looked at her Drake, then over to Risha with a desperate gaze, “I want- no I need you to make me your saint.” 

Sun-Chaser looked at Risha, and Risha realized that the kobold likely didn’t know what a saint was. 

“I can’t make you a saint.”

“But you’re a Grand Mother-”

Risha shook her head, “My closest children gain the title of Spirit, not Saint. And that is not a gift Risha can give easily.”  Risha looked at Saya, the drake, something telling her that a certain power would work if she wanted it to. Unlike the orcs and the evolved kobolds, the drakes hadn’t been chosen for an evolutionary path. 

“If what you want is strength, that is something I can give you.” Risha said to Alexandra. She paused, then turned to Caleb. “I can give you power and protection. Is that not enough for you and for the other humans?”

Caleb seemed to rethink what he was going to say, then finally nodded. “Our position here is unstable. We need something more, to allow us to negotiate when push comes to shove.”

Risha finally understood. This human was not greedy, he was scared of being used as a slave, an orc to be sacrificed at the whims of their chief. That was a fear that Risha could understand, and one she could work with. 

“I want you to join my people, not be our slaves. I am not threatening you, or saying that you will be left to the dangers of winter if you say no.” Risha walked over to Saya, and opened her hand for the large creature. 

Saya hesitated, then lowered her head into Risha’s palm. “I do not offer you slavery or servitude. I want you to join me as my sons and daughters.” Mana gathered to Risha, as her eyes glowed with power. Her next words were growled, “I will carve death for even the youngest of my children.” She paused, letting the magic move through her and examine the Drake. She pulled her hand away once she was done. “You will have the power you need to never feel that fear I see inside you, Caleb. Do you understand?” She looked at both of the humans.

Alexandra lowered herself to the floor, kneeling. To Risha’s surprise, tears flowed down her face, “Grand Mother, I have the blood of innocents on my hands. I see their bodies every time I close my eyes. I see the tragedies I turned my eyes away from. I see that orc woman you showed me. I need power. I need power so that I never have to take a life I don’t want to. I will follow you as long as you promise me that you can give me that and- and always show that same mercy you showed me.”

Risha kneeled down next to the bowing woman and placed her hand on her cheek, making the human look up. “Risha will always keep that mercy, and Risha hopes you do as well.”

Risha looked up to the other human, but he was not looking at Risha.

He looked at Alexandra, love in his eyes. Finally, he took a breath and looked at Risha, “If you are the woman she believes you to be…” He got onto his knees, and lowered his head to Risha, “Then please accept me as your child, Grand Mother.” 

Risha laughed, then placed her hand on his cheek as well, bringing his gaze to hers. “Risha will not always be what you want, but Risha will try her hardest.” 

Risha smiled as she stood up, and turned her gaze to the blue screen that had been begging for her attention. 

Analyzing Drake Saya’s Feats…

Possible Evolutions:

Draconic Ember

Draconic Frost

Elder Drake

Wyvern

Risha looked to the drake. The drake looked back, curious after Risha’s magic had gone through her.  “Saya, what do you want to become?” 

Chapter 35 Epigraph:

The ancient homes of the sparks, deep in the labyrinths, covered in infernal scripts, guarded by doors of stone. Demons and Shades make their homes in the old cities, unassailable and dangerous beyond imagining. There is treasure to be found there, in the depths, but only for the powerful or the insane. 

-Delver Leo