Risha: Chapter 50

Risha watched as the human walked into the hall. He looked vaguely familiar to Risha, but she’d met enough humans on the battlefield that she wasn’t sure who he was. He sat at a random chair towards the back. 

Behind the human followed the orc representative, deep in conversation with Klu. Rilok trailed behind the Mystic, his eyes looking over the council members. 

Klu looked up, meeting Risha’s gaze, and gave a small bow, the two orcs with him following suit. 

Goblins, spiders and kobolds trickled in as the last of the council was assembled. 

Risha sat at the back of the large hall, her seat raised so that she could see everyone. Klaz’zks, and Sun-Chaser sat just below Risha, while Glo stood silently behind her, covered in his armor. Risha didn’t wear her armor, instead wearing the items that she’d made from the panther, its long fur coat arranged around her. 

Klu finished speaking with the orc, then walked up to an empty seat just below Risha. 

Sun-Chaser had arranged the seating, and Risha quite liked it. Risha recognized that the power someone had affected how close they sat to Risha, and many of the creatures she’d given specific duties sat closer than the regular council members. 

Risha stood up, quieting much of the room as they watched her. She kept her head high, well aware that they were all watching her, whether they pretended to talk or not. 

Risha stepped over to Sun-Chaser, who stood as she approached. 

“The human should be closer.” After all, he was the only human here, and it felt wrong to Risha to have their only representative placed so low. 

Sun-Chaser bowed, then motioned for one of the kobolds to come closer.

Risha walked back to her seat as a chair was moved just below Klaz’zks, Klu and Sun-Chaser, and the human was told to move.

All eyes watched him as he made his way to the new chair. Risha could admire his composure, although she could still tell that he was nervous. As he got closer, Risha realized why she recognized him. He was the first human he’d met other than Shyanne. His name was… it was Ryn? No, it was Ryan. 

Risha remembered that Caleb, the Drake-Rider, had said his name when they’d discussed the future of the humans. He must be more important than Risha realized if so many of their kind respected him and he’d been placed here instead of one of the Riders.

The final monster to enter the council room was the very man who’d called the council, Elder Kulos. He sat just below the human, close to Risha, and across from Elder Oltak. Elder Oltak gave Elder Kulos a respectful nod, but Risha spotted the wariness in the old Shaman’s gaze. 

Oooh. This was fun. Risha didn’t realize that trying to figure out all the mysteries of the council could be so interesting! 

Did Elder Oltak know about Elder Kulos’s oath to Risha? Elder Kulos had made his opposition to Risha clear on many points, while Elder Oltak had fought for her desires. Risha liked both goblins, but she suspected that only Glo knew of his oath, or his evolution as a High Goblin Spymaster.

Other monsters in this room had their own agendas, but Risha knew that they all wanted what was best for their people, and that’s what Risha cared about. 

Sun-Chaser stood up, drawing Risha’s gaze away from the goblins. “If I may, Grand Mother?”

Risha nodded, and conversation quieted in the hall. 

“As many of you know, the Lizards have become bolder in their attacks in the forest. Elder Kulos has called Empress Risha’s council to address the matter. Elder Kulos,” Sun-Chaser motioned towards the Elder, then sat down. 

“Our scouts have spotted the lizards gathering in larger numbers…” As Elder Kulos spoke, Risha looked over the others, gauging their reaction. 

Personally, Risha had nothing against the lizard-people, and the few she’d met after they’d been rescued had been fine, if a little rude. 

However, the killing of scouting parties was unforgivable in Risha’s eyes. Did that mean war? Risha didn’t know. This wasn’t a decision that Risha wanted to make on her own.

Most of the goblins in the room seemed to agree with Risha that the actions were unforgivable and worrying. The kobolds were harder for Risha to read. Their homes were closer to the mountains, away from the swamplands where goblin scouting parties were being hunted. 

Elder Kulos sat down, and more council members rose to speak while Sun-Chaser moderated. Risha was impressed with the fox kobold. She’d filled her role well, and had done a good job running things while Risha had been across the mountains. 

Risha slowly found herself growing bored as the arguments continued, and spent her time guessing at the thoughts of those who didn’t speak.

A kobold rose next, something about her drawing Risha’s attention. Sun-Chaser introduced the Red Fox kobold as Sky-Runner, “We, all of us, are not ready for more war. We still mourn our brothers and sisters. Our lovers.” The last word was said with a growl, “Is there any proof that these lizards are doing more than protecting their own borders? I too would gather wolves if a war-party as powerful as the Grand Mother’s lived on our border. To so readily call for war, are you all blinded by your bloodlust?” 

The words seemed to spark a fire in those who argued for aggressive action. Several voices argued over each other at the words of the fox. She growled back at those who argued, fire and ice gathering to her hands. 

Risha was surprised to see the orc Klu had walked in with rise. The majority of those arguing quieted and the magic disappeared from the fox’s fingertips. The orc tended to stay quiet, casting his vote silently. Despite that, he held sway with a surprising number of monsters for an orc. The orc glanced at Klu before speaking. “I have a solution to propose.” 

That drew Risha’s attention.

Sun-Chaser motioned for the orc to continue. 

“Many of my people find themselves without work, empty hands that rely on the graciousness of the Grand Mother. Offer them purpose, and post them on the border, a force ready to defend if the lizards push too far past their borders.”

The proposal brought more arguing, but Risha stood up, silencing them. “Glo, what do you think?” 

“It is the least that can be done. But it should not be orcs alone.” Glo’s voice traveled through the hall, and any dissenters kept silent.

Risha nodded, and the council quickly focused on making the idea a reality. The craftsmen offered equipment to any creature who chose to go, while the builders offered several of their own to help build fortifications on the border. Klaz’zks even offered shiny objects that they’d been discovering under the earth as payment for the warriors.

As they discussed, Risha saw the orc bow low to her in thanks.

Risha cleared her throat, drawing their attention back to her. “There’s one other thing,” Risha said, suddenly feeling embarrassed at all of their attention on her. “I want to find the ocean.” 

The words seemed to catch the council off-guard, but one of the Goblin Elders at the end of the table spoke up, “I have heard that it is past the southern forests.” 

“We will send scouts immediately, Grand Mother.” Another Elder spoke.

Risha smiled, then decided it was time to go, the others could figure things out from here. 

She slipped out of her chair, and made her way out of the room.

***

A knock on her door made Risha look up from the tooth necklace she’d been looking at. “Come in.”

Sun-Chaser stepped inside, a Black Lupus Kobold following her. “You asked to see me, Grand Mother?”

“Yes.” Risha glanced at the black wolf, and smiled, “Mist-Prowler, is that you?” 

The Black Lupus smiled wide, “Yes, Grand Mother.”

“Good, you can see this. Sun-Chaser, come here.”

Sun-Chaser stepped forward, and Risha placed her hand against the soft fur of the fox. Magic gathered to her fingertips, while Sun-Chaser watched her with curious eyes. 

[Mother’s Spiritual Advancement]

Magic flowed through Risha, channeling through the kobold. 

Sun-Chaser’s eyes widened as purple mist filled them, hiding her pupils. Risha’s magic continued deeper into the kobold, filling her.

Again, Risha felt the gaze. It watched her with faint amusement, then approved. Risha’s magic tore through the fox, rebuilding her in a way that Risha couldn’t define. 

The tips of Sun-Chaser’s ears and tail turned purple. The changes didn’t stop there as four more tails coalesced from the purple mist, nearly as tall as the fox herself.  

Risha’s hand dropped as a familiar screen appeared in front of her. 

Spirit Evolutions Granted: 4/5 (37/38) 

Risha smiled, then nearly fell, only for a bed of air to catch her. Sun-Chaser’s eyes glowed with spirit, her hand held forward as the wind gently carried Risha to the ground. 

“Thank you, Grand Mother.” The words came quiet, filled with emotion.

“You deserve it,” Risha said, her head turning to the ceiling where her spiderlings rested. 

Sun-Chaser held up her hand, staring at something Risha couldn’t see.

“Oh!” Risha sat up, then immediately felt woozy from the sudden movement. After a minute, she felt good enough to continue on and walked over to a small pouch she’d set aside. She grabbed it and tossed it to Mist-Prowler. 

The kobold disguised as a black wolf opened the bag, then bowed her head to Risha, “Grand Mother, I don’t need…”

Risha waved her hand, “Keep it! I owe you many shinies.” 

The kobold laughed, then walked over to Risha and helped her over to the bed. Sun-Chaser still seemed distracted by what she was reading, but Risha understood. 

“Mist-Prowler,” Risha stopped the kobold from heading back towards the fox. “I’ll be leaving for the depths soon. I want you to come with me.”

“The depths?” 

Risha nodded, “Under the spider-warren. Once I’ve rested, we will leave. There are things down there that I must find.”

“Are you talking about the doors?”

Risha looked at the kobold in surprise.

“You mentioned them last night with the hunters,” Mist-Prowler explained,  “Why me?”

Risha was surprised to hear that, she certainly didn’t remember it. “I like you, and something tells me that you’ll be perfect.” Risha smiled wide, showing all her teeth. “Do you not want to go?”

The kobold hesitated, but couldn’t hide the curiosity from her face. “I’ll go. When do we leave?” 

“Tomorrow. Bring everything you need.”

Mist-Prowler nodded, “I’ll come as a goblin.”

Risha paused for a second, then laughed, “Of course. What is your goblin name?” 

Mist-Prowler grinned, “I like the name Arish.” 

Risha coughed, caught off-guard. That had been the name she used on their night out. At least she would recognize it. Risha cackled, “It’s perfect!” 

“What are you two whispering about?” Sun-Chaser asked, looking at them like a mother with her guilty children. 

Risha grinned, then placed her finger to her lips, “It’s a goblin secret.” 

Sun-Chaser looked over to the large Black Lupus Kobold that was Mist-Prowler’s current disguise. She huffed, then focused on Risha, “Thank you again Grand Mother. The gift you’ve given me, it’s indescribable.” 

Risha pulled herself up, “You’ve done a lot for me, and for our people. This was something I knew I should give to you.”

Sun-Chaser knelt down, her five tails going flat around her. “Let me show you my power as one of your chosen Spirits.”

Magic twisted around her, and words appeared in front of Risha’s eyes, the light becoming visible to her.

Name: Sun-Chaser

Race: Spirit Sunset Vulpine Kobold

Lvl: 38 

Skills: 

[Elemental Spirit Magic]: You can call on the spirits of each element to empower and guide your magic.

[Five Spirit Tails]: Each of your Tails can contain a chosen spirit.

[Spiritual Truth]: You see the truth of people’s spirit, gazing into their desires and their lies.

[Spirit Fox]: Embrace your spirit and expand beyond the physical

[Grand Mother’s Spirit Magic] allows you to commune with the spirits, and control the spirit that resides within you.

***

Epigraph from Chapter 36:

Why do we fear the ocean? Because there are things out there that have lived and breathed since the early days of the First Age. Even the Ocean Mother dares not venture too far into the deep and dark. Our trade routes stick close to land, and only under the blessings of the Ocean Mother do we sail, for her children are not something we dare to offend. Who is the Ocean Mother? Only Mother Shyanne knows.

-Captain Aaron to his newest sailors.

A/N: We should be getting back into the action soon! I hope the setup has been enjoyable.