Chapter 381: Ryun

Chapter 381: Ryun

Assignment

Ryun met Tali as she came in for a landing in the palace courtyard. The warriors on the walls kept careful watch, but relaxed once she was recognized. They had learned long ago that Ryuns presence usually meant that there was no trouble, they knew that he could sense far, and that if he stood there calmly it was likely that there was no issue.

Talis wings beat near the ground, sending dust in all directions as her feet landed gently on the ground.

Oh, coming out to meet me? She smiled. You shouldnt have.

Welcome back, Ryun said as she walked up to him.

She glanced around, saw the warriors on the walls and some palace staff nearby, then rolled her eyes and gave him a small bow. Sect Head.

That made Ryuns smile grow. How was your visit? Ryun asked.

It was satisfying, she said.

Not it was his turn to roll his eyes. I assume that Sigmund is well.

He is, he sends his regards. Another kingdom joined with his, they have enough now that they can resist the Empire, or at least make it more irritating for them to keep pressuring, Tali told him.

Thats good, anything that annoys him is good in my book. Ryun added as he gestured and then led them inside.

Really Ryun? Still? Tali said.

What?

You do realize that everybody knows about your quarrels, Tali said.

Ryun frowned. How?

Tali rolled her eyes. What? You think that High Rankers dont gossip? Please, and this is the biggest gossip of the century. The Herald of the Machine and The Undying Voids rivalry, they make songs about you.

They dont, Ryun turned his head to look at her. You are messing with me, I wouldve heard them sung in the taverns, they cant hide that from me.

Tali snorted. Anrosh banned the songs featuring you from being sung in Consequence years ago.

Ryun blinked. No, she You are messing with me, right Tali?

She laughed.

Right? Ryun insisted, which only made Tali laugh harder.

Damn, Ryun said to himself after she started calming down.

She shook her head. You really have no idea the lengths that woman goes to manage you.

I am not that bad, Ryun defended.

Sure youre not, Tali patted his shoulder, which just made him feel worse.

They walked through the palace corridors in silence after that, him trying to reflect on just how much work he was making for Anrosh. You are back earlier than expected, Ryun commented after a while.

Tali nodded, now sober. I am.

Does that mean...? Ryun let his question trail off, it wouldnt be prudent to speak openly, not yet anyway.

Yes, they made the decision, Tali answered with a nod.

Ryun grunted; it was finally happening it seemed. He had been expecting it for the last few years, but to know definitively A part of him was excited, it had been a long time since he pushed himself. But there were still issues that he couldnt ignore.

Tali nodded. They did, but it there wasnt much that they could learn. They had mentions of the stories, but what the skreen viewed as a blight, the kreacean viewed as a gift of the heavens. Nothing in there to suggest any kind of weaknesses.

You said in three years? Nayra asked. The first dome is supposed to open in another six. Are we cutting it close?

We arent the first, Tali said. The first dome will be opened this year, in a couple of months. Another reason why I came back early. We need to be ready, just in case that anything goes wrong.

Who is fighting it? Ryun asked.

Tali glanced at him. The Herald.

Ryun grimaced. Ah, Ryun just said. His Empire is fighting alone?

Tali shrugged. He couldnt well push for the united effort against the Domes then insist on doing everything alone. No, a few smaller kingdoms will provide support. They are going against the 3rd, Dome of Render Queen, the first three are skreen Domes. His fleet is already on the way.

I am surprised that Grey Horde wasnt sent against them, Karya mentioned.

It was discussed, but ultimately the analysts decided that any creatures inside the Dome would know more about the native races than others, Tali said.

Ryun did agree with that at least.

Grey Horde has the honor of fighting against the 4th Dome, a single monster Dome.

Ryun blinked, he knew that there were some Domes that held only a single, or a smaller group of monsters inside. He wondered just how strong they had to be in order to be considered a threat.

Well then, Ryun said. Are we agreed with the plan?

After a round of agreements, Ryun nodded. Three years, until then we train.

A few months later the notification about the opening of the dome arrived.

Warning! The 3rd, Dome of Reckoning - Dome of the Render Queen has been opened! The Render Queen wakes. Defeat the Queen and her armies in order to stop her blighted touch.

Fight, prevail, prove that you are worthy.

Defeating the Render Queen will bring new opportunities and rewards for those brave enough.

Ryun had the Sect put on alert, waiting, ready in case that things go wrong. It was three days later when the notification announcing the victory arrived. Ryun was on the roof of the palace, staring at the names of those with the biggest contribution, of which the Herald of the Machine was at the top.

An hour later a messenger from the Empire arrived, carrying a personal message for Ryun. He read it, then stiffened and sent a pulse of Oblivion through the paper, destroying it.

Who was it from, what did it say? Tali asked from next to him.

Ryun grimaced, then glanced in her direction. From the Herald.

She blinked. He he sent you a message before going?

Ryun nodded. He timed it, the bastard.

Tali tilted her head at him. What did it say?

Ryun scowled, then answered. It said: one to one.

Tali frowned. I assume that you know what that means?

It is a score, Ryun said. One dome for me, one for him.

Tali looked at him with a blank expression, and then she started to laugh. Ryun was already plotting his revenge.