Spear of Destiny by James Baldwin (little bear else holmelund minarik .TXT) 📕

“You’ll need a bigger ring for me,” Karalti laughed.

“It will resize with you.” The Avatar said. “But you will need a piercing to wear it. The act of drawing blood will attune you to the shield, and permit you limited communication with me.”

“I can live with an earring.” I shrugged.

“Where will you pierce me, though?” Karalti said. “It’s not like I have ears.”

“Your nostril, sweet one.” Solai extended a single claw, and rested the tip against Karalti’s nose. “Right here.”

“Punk dragon.” I chuckled. “Alright. Grab a needle and hit me up.”

Sanayam spread his hands, then pulled out a small piercing kit. He sterilized the needles by rapidly heating and cooling them with magic, and soon, I was sporting a small sun-shaped charm in my left ear, while Karalti had a fine aurum ring through her right nostril.

  Shield Attunement Ring

A rare artifact which lets you freely pass the Shield of Ancestors, the barrier which surrounds Meewhome, and allows the Avatar of Meewhome to connect with you telepathically across any distance.

“Thanks.” I touched the tiny pendant. Thanks to my 2HP per minute regen, the piercing was already healed. “We’ll keep you updated.”

“Do you have a plan for how to defeat the Drachan?” Solai asked. “The Avatar tells me that they cannot be destroyed.”

“The plan is two-fold. To restore the Warsingers, and to unite the peoples of Archemi against the threat we all face,” I said. “We’re only just getting started.”

“Unite the peoples of Archemi? Including us?” She quirked her tail into a hoop.

“If you’re willing.” I nodded.

Solai and the Avatar looked at one another. It was he who spoke. “If the situation develops as you prophesied, we will consider it. But we do not have any good reason to trust humans as a species. We are prepared to defend our home, but join an offense? There are so many of you, and so few of us.”

“There is one boon you could provide for us that makes a large-scale alliance so much more likely,” Solai said. “And that is for you to speak with your liege, and address the injustices done to our orphaned people on the mainland. We know our exiles and cousins are persecuted there. If we receive a missive from Dakhdir and Vlachia stating they will commit to the betterment of our kind in their nations, the Great Conclave of Sisters will consider your plan.”

[New Quest: All Being Equal Under the Light of the Sun.] New Quest: All Being Equal Under the Light of the Sun

Priest-Queen Solai is interested in your offer of alliance to combat the Drachan, with one caveat. The relationship between humans and Meewfolk on Artana has been historically fraught with discrimination and violence, with the proud cat people being treated as second-class citizens in Vlachia and Dakhdir. If you are able to connect the rulers of these nations and establish a diplomatic relationship between the Volod, the Sultir, and the Conclave of Priest-Queens, you will help to heal a divide between races and gain allies for your cause.

Difficulty: Very Hard (Level 35-42)

Rewards: 7309 EXP, Renown (Meewhome, Vlachia, Dakhdir), Royal Guardian Torque x 1, ??? Artifacts.

Vlachia would be easy, but Dakhdir? Oof. I accepted the quest anyway. “Thanks. I’ll work on it. And if you don’t mind, I have a favor to ask you.”

The Priest-Queen flicked an ear, and craned her head. “I believe you have earned at least one favor, Paragon. What is it?”

“You’re the best Lancer I’ve ever met,” I said. “Please, teach me the first level of Master Spearfighting.”

“Hmmm.” Solai wound over to me. “It is true that you will find no better spear-fighters in the world than here. But there is a problem. To attain a Master rank in any Advanced Skill requires four weeks of training. I would be willing to let you study with us, but if I am reading you correctly, you do not have time for it right now.”

I clicked my tongue. “Four weeks? Shit. No, I don’t. And I might never have time for it.”

“The alternative is that I send one of my Battle Maidens with you, and you host her in your territory to serve as your personal instructor,” Solai purred. “I would be willing to do this, but only once we have established more positive relations with Vlachia.”

“That’s fair.” I gave her a short nod. “Once this quest is done, though?”

“Then you have my word.” With a challenging glare at Karalti, she draped herself around me and rubbed her face against mine. “Though, if you do have a month to spare, I should love to host you here. I can teach you more than the arts of war, Paragon… and perhaps gift you more moon scars.”

“Moon scars?” Karalti scowled. “What are ‘moon scars’?”

“Lover’s scars, girl. Like the ones that now stripe the Paragon’s back.” Solai regarded her smugly.

“To be given moon scars by a Priest-Queen is a great honor for a male,” Sanayam said piously.

Karalti’s eyes narrowed at her, then at me.

“Haha, well, just look at the time. We should probably be getting back to the Strelitzia.” I gently disentangled from Solai. “Thanks for everything. I had a good time, too.”

“I assure you that you most certainly did,” Solai trilled. “Three or four times, for several hours. I was greatly impressed.”

Karalti’s eyes were now little more than dark, dangerous slits in her face. If looks could kill, I would already be in the ground and the Avatar would be giving me my last rites.

“Priest-Queen, do not torment the dragon so. They are famously jealous of their mates.” Sanayam raised a lazy hand. “It was a pleasure, Paragon. We shall see you again, but until then, please do keep us abreast of the situation.”

***

The Avatar teleported us back to