Chapter 221 - The Long Week (1/2)

Nix whistled loudly and then quickly shut the door. Propped up against the wall was a thick wood plank for securing the treehouse, it slid easily into place when he barred the door. In the Loki Tree House, most of the first level was taken up by the kitchen. This version boasted a large entryway and a small room for coats to be hung up. One-half step down led to a living room, with six sofas set into an 'L' shaped pattern. Three large coffee tables and brick fireplace completed the room.

The ceiling looked to be nearly twenty feet in height. ”Guess the quality of the home is dependent on the tree being used.” Nix walked through an archway into a formal dining area. The long table was made from a dark redwood and lined with padded chairs that looked comfortable.

Nix nodded happily. ”I need to bring this Tree to Haven. This could be a Guildhall.” On the other side of the formal dining area was the kitchen. It had every amenity you could ask for. Dual copper sinks large enough to put any size pot in. An island that could comfortably seat a half dozen people and enough counter s.p.a.ce on either side of the stove to prep meals.

A quick walk through the rest of the first level showcased four bedrooms, each with private baths and a large area that Nix could only identify as a socializing room. A full railing leading up to the next level proved too much for Nix's sudden lack of motivation.

Nix pushed one of the comfortable armchairs to the nearest table and took a seat. ”My crafting is only 242/500. I should be able to push that up quite a bit.” He spent a few minutes figuring out a to-do list for the week.

[Crafting Week]

Guild Uniforms (Formal)

Guild Cloaks (Camouflage)

Fishing Outfit

12 Pillar Flag

Guild Flag

Alliance Uniforms (Formal)

New Work Uniforms for Hyai.

Dresses for Shae.

Personal Wardrobe.

Clothes for Froglegs

Deidra stepped into the receiving area of her courtyard a few minutes later. He had actually cursed her. She chuckled when she remembered his sour look. ”Well... no one's done that for a while.”

”Mistress!” Her Majordomo walked hurriedly toward her. ”It's time.”

”I know the time, Nomen.” Her form warped and expanded until nothing remained of the beautiful woman that had been standing there earlier. The black dragon followed the human to a sizeable rusted grate set into stone at the edge of the courtyard. ”Secure the perimeter and then leave.”

The grate opened slowly, and Deidra descended the stone ramp. She stopped just inside the tunnel and waited until it closed behind her.

The walk down to the core of Solomon City was always the same. She required no torches or special teams to keep the tunnel clear. One blast of her fire was more than enough to keep it pristine and destroy any of the vermin that had wandered in since the last moon.

A few minutes later, she climbed onto the raised platform and waited. It was always painful, but her duty was something she did without question. A dozen sharpened barbs made from dragon teeth slowly moved toward her, each one was attached to a 3inch platinum tube.

She gritted her teeth when they punched into her skin and slowly pushed toward her bones. Once they attached to the bone, the drills would burrow into her bone until they reached the marrow. Dragon marrow, the most valuable commodity in the Sky Kingdom, and the reason for Solomon City's continued existence as one of the Dragon Settlements. Eighteen dragons in the Sky Kingdom and eighteen dragons, it wasn't a coincidence. The marrow fed the spells that kept the cities in place.