The Rat and the Dragon

(Part 27 of the Final Stand)
(Part 3 of the Battle for Fantasia Trilogy)

There was a groan as the massive doors were pushed inward, the ancient stone moving for the first time in nearly a year. A single figure stone between them and, a moment later, the great slabs of stone fell back to their proper places with a deafening clang.

The cavern beyond, a place Crystal had seen but once before, had certainly changed over the past twelve months. What had once been a society dedicated to the sole purpose of mining out the rich minerals of the region had given birth to what amounted to a small, primitive human city: shops dotted the floor of the cave here and there in the forms of burrows and tents, more permanent structures offered artisans such as blacksmiths and fletchers, and in places performers took the shoppers and salesmen off the tasks of their busy lives to watch some impressive feat of juggling, a fire breather, or perhaps even a short play.

Another notable change came in the form of the great throne that rested in the center of the now-bustling city. What had once been the seat of a guardian of Blackwater, a succubus that served to protect part of the powerful magical artifact, the Eye of the Storm, now served as the throne for another queen of the underground. It now served as a raised dais, a much smaller throne positioned on top upon which one could look out and see the whole of the quickly growing city that lay spread around it.

The dragon smiled at the progress as she nimbly worked her way among the tents and hovels, producing more than one cry of alarm. She was, after all, standing at a height greater than any of the existing structures could hope to achieve; she was a monster that, to some, seemed to be rampaging through the city.

At length, however, she reached the dais she sought. Here she came to a stop, gazing down at the seat of the larger throne upon which she could have sat comfortably. Instead, however, she simply hunched herself over, coming down to a point somewhat akin to eyelevel for the ruler that sat atop the pinnacle of power.

"Hello, Arthenia," Crystal said through her beaming grin. "It's been awhile, hasn't it?"

The kobold – tall for her kind at some five and a half feet in height – rose from her seat to gaze up into the golden eyes of the titanic being. She remained composed for the longest of moments, her look stern and her resolve flashing with the air of authority. But, at length, she broke down and offered her friend a smile of equal intensity.

"It's your fault for not coming more often." She returned. The words clearly pleased the colossal woman.

"Touché," she returned, offering her hand to the queen of the city.

At Arthenia's side two guards, both females that clearly stood at least a head shorter than their ruler, lowered pole-arms towers the descending claws. Their looks were steely through the slits in their helmets, suspicious and protective.

Arthenia laid a hand ever so gently on the shoulder of one soldier, putting her at rest. The other followed suit, though the pair still continued to eye the draconic titan wearily.

With confident steps the kobold made her way into the azure palm, her world blurring around her as the giantess lifted her far above the city she ruled. Quickly the duo made their way over the city coming, at length, to a secluded section of the cavern into which the mining nation had failed to expand. Here, among the loose stones and shadows, Crystal sat with her friend to begin what she lamented to being the most desperate, professional conversation she was yet to have with the rat woman.

"So," Arthenia asked in playful suspicion "where have you been, exactly?"

"The Dragon Council is in trouble." The sea colored titan confessed in explanation. The news clearly started the subterranean queen and she gazed up at her guest in disbelief, clearly expecting her ears – though keen – to have deceived her.

"You're kidding."

"Far from it," the dragon returned mournfully.

"But it isn't just us: it's the surface – it's the entire world."

Suspicion replaced initial confused as the enormous eyes of the rat narrowed, evenly meeting the troubled gaze of the draconic swordsman. "Explain," she ordered.

And so Crystal did, her lips spinning a tale that, as it emerged, seemed as though it was a confession, a way for the desperate woman to get the pain and strife of her situation off her chest. The words seemed a painting, a work of art of which Arthenia's mental eyes took in every detail. Some two hours later, after the laughs and tears of the spoken story were revealed before the kobold, she finally spoke.

"Why come to us?" she asked. "Why make your way back to Blackwater?"

"Over the months," Crystal conceded "you have become one of my closest friends. I have come to know and trust you, Arthenia. Now… now I would like to ask your help. The Council can't hold back the armies alone; Tyus knows it and so do I. We need all the help we can get."

The rat sighed, closing her eyes in contemplation. In time the great reddish orbs opened, the shadows of reluctance flickering in their depths.

"We've come so far." She said just above a whisper, turning back to spread a hand out before the city. Even in the distance the clamor of hammers and forges rang out amidst the cheers and shouts of spectators, encouraging the entertainers. There was a quiver in the leader's voice, the hint of tears revealing itself amidst each syllable as she realized the implications of both sending forth and holding back her kinsmen.

"If you go," Crystal ensured her, hiding nothing "many kobolds will die."

"But if we stay hidden beneath the earth," Arthenia went on, laying the entire story at her feet "we may all very well, in time, meet our end."

The dragon nodded.

The rat followed suit.

"We've been through hard times in the past." She said, allowing a long, sorrow filled breath to escape her lips amid the words. "But every time we found ourselves in a rut we also found a way out. If you lose this war there will be no way out."

Crystal silently agreed, the titan offering another nod of confirmation. The soundless exchange persisted for the longest of moments as the kobold queen considered her words carefully, knowing there was no going back once she made a promise to her friend – her closest friend.

"It looks like the city will be dark again." She said at length, biting her lip and closing her eyes in resignation. "I'll muster the troops myself. We'll march in two days and reach the Council in about a week. I hope it isn't too late."

"You're a lifesaver." The azure giantess grinned in relief, letting loose a pleased sigh as she affectionately rustled the rat's hair. Arthenia returned with a slap to the side of the dragon's claw, twitching her nose in distaste – though she couldn't hide her own smile, knowing she would not fight the war alone.