Introduction
Welcome back to Maledicturs Terra. This is a Chain Story between myself and @lex-zaiya, meaning that we each write the parts alternatively.
If you have not read Maledictus Terra Book 1: Mortis Custos yet, it starts HERE at Part 1 and ends at Part 101 HERE. At the end of the Part 101 post you will find links to all 101 Parts!
Maledictus Terra Book 2: Sanguifex started HERE with Part 1 and ends at Part 111 HERE
The previous part by @lex-zaiya can be found here!
Part 100
Adrian turned to Adiran and raised an eyebrow in an expression that very much mirrored one that the older mage would make on occasion. The intention was clear, but he knew that he would get his point across more if he actually asked the question.
"So... exactly what is Rhys anyway?" He asked his older self, who tried to look bored at the question and did not answer immediately.
Tiberos interrupted. "You caught me up on all the unexplained things... you mentioned Rhys... I had not seen him... I thought that he was an aide or an apprentice of some sort. What am I missing?"
"The fact that he is a big lizard." Adrian said.
Gorma gasped. "Like a small dragon?!"
Adiran shook his head violently. "He does not have wings! Rhys... I found his egg... he was alone, his kind were all gone. I hatched him and raised him since. He is quadripedal and has the ability to camouflage... hardly traits that name him a dragon."
"Yet you cannot be sure he is related to dragons or not?" Adrian asked and Adiran shrugged.
"And where is this Rhys now?" Tiberos asked.
"Back at the castle." Adiran said curtly. "He has been... grumpy lately. I assume it may be because he is close to molting."
"Is he unique to this timeline or have you had him before?" Tiberos asked.
Adiran looked surprised and pleased at the same time. He smiled. "Unique. Just as you are at being here with us. You existed in most of the other times I visited, but you have never come forward the way you do... In fact... there are far more people and powerful beings on our side than any of the other timelines."
"What about the Mawland Tribes?" Gorma asked.
Adiran nodded. "Also unique. I feel that we may be on a timeline of great significance... but before we get full of ourselves here, the best idea is to keep calm and keep things and humble as possible."
The other three nodded.
"Right... time we all settle in to sleep." Adiran said.
"Who takes first watch?" Gorma asked.
"Well, you can stay up if you want, but with the amount of wards Tiberos set, I think its a bit pointless. Just take it easy tonight. The journey is long still." Adiran said and merely settled in and turned his back on the fire. Tiberos did the same and was snoring softly within a minute.
Adrian and Gorma suddenly found themselves alone by the fire. They shared a look at one another and when Gorma smiled, Adrian blushed and smiled back.
"Well, that was sudden..." Adrian said with a little laugh.
"I envy their ability to fall asleep so quickly." She said with a rueful smile. "It has been barely three weeks since myself and my entire tribe just... reappeared in this world... I have not been able to sleep easily."
Adrian looked at her and tried to work out the timing. "So you were all just a few days out when Stretmog came to us? Its been one hell of a journey the last three weeks."
She nodded. "Yeah. It has been difficult."
"Has the world changed a lot after all these years?"
"Everything is different. The Kingdoms, there are no rival tribes to the Mawlands... the other Orcs and Goblins we discovered were base savages, they could barely speak and understand nothing other than violence. I can see from them, why humans would be so wary of having relations with Orc tribes. They must think that your Queen and Princess are taking a big chance to do so."
"You are all so very different to what those savage Orcs are. When we free Innana, we should speak to Magna about letting some of your traders and crafters to come to the City for trade, let the people see more of you and that you are just people."
"Just people?"
Adrian nodded. "Sure they are different, but they are people. People with lives, families, thoughts, beliefs and feelings. The last two years we have made friends with some very diverse people. Orcs and Goblins are no different..."
She looked at him for a while and smiled slyly. "Well... you have been very kind to me. The fact that I am a warrior does not seem to bother you... nor the fact that I am an Orc."
Adrian smiled back at her. "Of course not! My mother and sister are warriors. You are first and foremost your own person, a warrior yes, and Orc yes. But you are foremost a pretty woman with her own life and mind."
"You think I'm pretty?"
Adrian realised that he had run his mouth too fast and his ears and cheeks burned with the embarrassment of his confession. Gorma's own cheeks were flushed a deep green.
"I think anyone can see that you are pretty!" He tried to explain.
She shook her head and, despite the flush on her face leaned toward him and stared directly at his eyes. "No, I don't know if many humans will think this right now, at this time. They don't know Orcs or Orc women... You... Do you think that I am pretty?"
He looked away from her green eyes, really embarrassed and she laughed softly. She took his silence and embarrassment as confirmation. "Well... you're not bad looking for a human."
His head came around fast at that. "What do you mean 'for a human'?"
She grinned at him and said nothing.
Adrian couldn't hold a straight face and laughed; she had caught him. She laughed with him. "Yeah... OK... but don't go bragging about it now..." He said.
"I'll consider it." She teased. "With all that is going on, this much at least is a good thing going on."
He nodded.
"We should get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow." She agreed and the two of them lay down to rest. Adrian noticed that she lay down a lot closer to him than Tiberos on the other side.
Over to you Lex!
Thank you for reading!
Here is an explanation of Chain Stories and here is the current Chainstory Library
Vetitum Nemus
The Reader List
If you would like to be tagged in every episode of Mortis Custos/Sanguifex/Vetitum Nemus, leave us a comment and get added in, miss nothing!
The Watchlist: @weone, @merenludick, @clairemobey, @therneau, @blitzzzz, @pravesho, @joetunex, @captainquack22, @irisworld, @braaiboy, @sketchygamerguy, @fuego-oscuro, @felt.buzz, @dibblers.dabs, @brittandjosie, @tamacvet, @alonicus, @joetunex, @uop, @luizeba, @cryptoniusrex, @agreste, @itzchemaya, @darthsauron, @seki1
If for any reason you do not want to be tagged for a future episode, please let us know and we will remove you from the watchlist.
Cheers! @zakludick
