222 Negotiation (1/2)
The dragon's gnarly and scarred finger was pointed to Tia, and with it, he also pointed a permanent scowl. His overpowering presence emanated strongly, surges of his magical energy flaring. Sindra and Cicero were in equal amounts of worry at this standoff, and they looked between dragon and guildmaster with tense stares.
”Excuse me?” said Li, his words strangely calm. ”Could you repeat that? Just so I know I have not misheard?”
”Her. Hand her over,” growled the dragon.
”I see,” said Li. He nodded slowly, not in agreement, but in disbelief. He loosed a light laugh, and Sindra's eyes widened because she knew that for him to laugh was a rare sight.
”Your letter indicated that this would be some sort of negotiation, that we could reach an amicable deal for both of us, and I had thought it would be one that could be talked out. In a civilized manner if you will.” An edge came into voice, his laugh dissipating into a cold, blank stare lined with disgust, the kind someone would give to an insect they were about to crush underfoot.
”But now I know that is not possible.”
A burst of bright green energy began to surge around Li, sounding like the roaring of a waterfall and shaking the building. The entire building of stone and marble began to teeter on its foundations, and cracks began to line the ceiling.
Normally, he thought of things like collateral damage, not raising too much attention, and the like, but now, all those thoughts escaped him. There was only but to eviscerate the bug in front of him.
Cicero drew back in terror, getting onto the ground and hiding by a chair for fear of falling debris. His breathing was stalled, and he had a frail hand on his chest as he felt the pressure crushing his body.
Sindra managed to stand up through the pressure and slowly make her way behind Li, where she could take in a deep breath of relief, away from the surge of directed power from Li.
The dragon stepped back, his draconic features beginning to show as his fight or flight instincts kicked in. His rough, scarred skin gave way to thick, plate-like black scales, and his eyes morphed into gleaming yellow reptilian ones.
”You come all this way from the North and reach out to my guild, and decide that you want to take my daughter from me? Did you ever stop to think of how absolutely ridiculous that plan was? You thought I would sit down and negotiate with you? Or no, of course you did not. You are used to taking things by force. You never thought twice about this.”
The dragon looked at Li, at the overwhelming aura of strength that raged around him, and his fight or flight instincts settled on a decision. Black wings sprouted from his back.
The skin around Li's arms and fingers began to flake off, revealing bark, and it was then that he took in a breath, controlling the surge of anger that had erupted within himself.
”Do not misunderstand,” said the dragon. His tone was still gruff, but it seemed that that was the only tone of voice he had to begin with. ”I want her to protect her.”
”It is true!” stammered Cicero through labored breaths. ”Guildmaster, give us time to explain!”
”Speak,” said Li. ”And know this is no longer a negotiation. You squandered that chance. I ask the questions, I make the demands, and you answer to me.”
Li reduced the intensity of his magical energy, and Cicero could finally breathe.
”Torr Valeris has decreed your daughter to be eliminated,” said Cicero quickly. ”They do not wish for what they believe are impure bloodlines to remain in this world, nor for their draconic blood to be raised and spread among the humans.”
”I am enforcer of their will,” said the dragon. ”Supposed to be. I am of lesser bloodline. In service to them, for the higher do not dirty themselves hunting the lesser. I do not truly hunt. I take the lesser. Give them safety. I want the same for her.”