Interlude: Shadow Mother, Ola and War.

Shadow Mother Cala-Ra watched the three warriors walk by. A goblin, an orc and a kobold deep in discussion, laughing at a joke the goblin made.

What a wonder. 

The animalistic instincts of the kobolds were muted, unlike the packs she’d been forced to fight. 

She hadn't spoken to an orc or goblin since Freera’s death, but she remembered their primal cultures, filled with honor and death. Their Mystic had been a terrifying fanatic, and the monsters she’d faced in battle since the end of the second age had been bloodthirsty and cruel.

These creatures still kept that primal energy, but it was muted, set with purpose for their Grand Mother. 

That was what amazed her. She’d watched these monsters rise and fall for generations, never, never, had she seen them working together. 

The sound of Talo shifting behind her brought her attention back to her wayward son. He kept his head low, not meeting her eyes. 

Her shadow filled the cave, wrapping around Talo completely. She sent her words to him through her shadow. “What do you want, Lightened Talo-Maros?” 

“Shadow Mother, I… I wanted to ask about them.” Talo responded, his words fluent without the tough physicality of vocalized speech. Shades were not made to talk like their more material cousins.

“They suffer, their loss still held close to their hearts. Your failure was not forgotten, nor was it forgiven.” 

“Is there any chance I could-”

“No. Not for a long time, Talo.” 

The words hit him like a sword to the gut, his shadow pulling into itself from the pain.

Cala turned away from the child, hiding the pain that crossed her own shadow as she closed her eyes. She loved him still, but lying to him would not be a kindness. “There is someone here to see you.”

“You mean…”

“Yes. Her love for you has not gone. She still waits.”

“She shouldn’t. I can’t- I am not the shade she once knew.” 

“Do not dim her love with your words, Talo-maros. She has lost friends and allies from the Lightened and the Darkened, all to protect you.”

Talo gulped, his shadow rippling with her words. He was just as bad at hiding his emotions as he’d always been. 

“I will have her visit you before we leave. Greet her with kindness, her soul cannot take more pain.”

“Of course, Mother.” 

Cala watched as more monsters passed, this time accompanied by one of their spiders. What terrifying creatures, brought to heel by their Queen and Risha. Cala shuddered to think what a warren this size could do when out of their control.

“What is Risha like?” Cala asked her son.

“She has a kind heart. She does not let her scars blind her. I am happy to have found a home here.”

“Good. She will need you, Talo. Grand Mother Shyanne can keep the vultures distracted for only so long. Whether it is years or decades, they will come.” 

Talo was silent for a long moment before speaking, “What will you do when they come?” 

“If Risha makes her home in the depths to escape their gaze, I will welcome her. If she chooses to fight… I do not know. It is not a decision I can make lightly. If I make a move, it might be the excuse Lalaila or the Dwarves need to join the fight.” Cala placed her hand on her son’s shoulder, her shadow wrapping him in its embrace, “Should Risha need you, I give you permission to release your seals.”

Sadness filled the young shade, he understood the responsibility that Cala had just placed on him.

Before more could be said, Risha racing her spiderling through the halls drew their attention.

Talo stepped after her, then paused to look at Shadow Mother Cala-Ra, “I must go.”

“May the Darkness treat you kindly, Lightened Talo-Maros.”

“And may the Light watch over you, Shadow Mother.” 

She watched as he began to unravel the cloth around his face, his body falling through the shadows and the lights to follow Grand Mother Risha.

***

Emilio narrowed his eyes at the human girl across from him, and she shrunk beneath his gaze. 

“Is that so? Our furs are that valuable to you?” Sun-Chaser forced his gaze back to her, her grin filled with sharp teeth.

Emilio internally sighed. He’d wanted the goblin to trade with, and instead he’d been left with a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Or more accurately, a fox in sheep’s clothing. Even without the girl, she’d seen through the value he placed on the crystals, and every time he’d thought he’d managed to get more value from her, the girl spoke up. Thankfully, the fox was willing to give on several matters. After all, she wanted more trade, not less. 

But you can’t blame a merchant for trying to make more money. 

Emilio wasn’t sure where they’d found a human so knowledgeable about trade, but he was going to have to pull out all of the stops here. Exclusive trade with such a powerful nation could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams.

***

Ola looked at the large crystal covered in chains, “You are not evil.”

“No, goblin, I am not.”

“But your fire burned Ola and Ola’s people.”

“A tragedy I could not stop. I was a slave, just as you were.”

“If you were free, what would you do?” 

The Spark’s Heart did not respond right away, but Ola was fine with waiting. “I do not know. It has not been a possibility for… a long time.” 

“Ola feels the same way.” Ola looked over her people, all of whom seemed to treat her with respect. Something about her being the first goblin chosen by the Grand Mother, combined with her class, made her people think that she was special. Ola didn’t feel special, but she did have a connection with the Spark that others didn’t. She could hear its voice, while they could not.

Except for the Grand Mother, but she didn’t count.

“What do you want now?”

“... I like talking with you.” 

Ola laughed, “Ola can do that. Ola liked talking, even before Ola could speak well. You’re not a bad crystal, so if Ola talks with you, can you help Grand Mother Risha’s people?” 

“You have a deal, little Ola.”

Ola stood up and patted the crystal as she activated [SparkTender’s Care]. The crystal’s light brightened, and minor cracks across its surface, nearly imperceptible to the eye, healed. 

The spark let out a sigh, its heartbeat smoothing to a normal pulse which made its way through the caves. 

“What do you want to talk about? Oh! Ola knows. Ola just found out how to make music and sing with the crystals. Do you want to hear?”

“That sounds nice.”

Ola smiled as she ran over to some of the crystals her people had gathered and grabbed a few she’d set aside.

***

On the edges of Risha’s territory, where moss covered trees turned into watery ponds and invisible lakes, scaled creatures walked through the lichen swamps, only their eyes above the waterline. Hiding further back, drakes and serpents waited in the deeper lakes.

Across from them, goblins, spiders  and orcs had begun the construction of a wooden tower. This should have been far outside of the lizardmen’s territory, just a precaution in case they moved beyond their normal hunting territories.

One of the lizards raised its hand from the waters, then lowered it. 

As one, they rose from the waters, firing upon the surprised builders.

Monsters died as they hurried to hide behind their structures. Shaman’s hurried to raise barriers of wind, but the waters of the swamp itself rose, flooding the monsters. 

A warcry was called, and the Lizardmen ran from the swamps, attacking and killing the surprised forces of their enemy.

Cries pierced the sky as drakes rose from their lakes, ready to rain fire on Risha’s people.

The people of Risha’s empire died, slaughtered by overwhelming numbers. They retreated, their commanders attempting to hold out, but they would not last forever.

Another roar echoed through the air, and the forest answered its call. Roots rose, protecting the retreating monsters from arrows. Vines wrapped around the lizardmen for daring to anger their brother of the sky.

A huge Drake, covered in vines, crashed into the enemy drakes, its human rider calling upon the forest to grab his enemies from the air.

Howls echoed through the forest, followed by the bellow of orcs, and a second roar answered from further behind Risha’s lines. 

The Draconic Sapling and The Draconic Ember claimed the skies as their own.