74 Meeting Cerman I snacked on some bread and cheese and dozed off, only for Opal to rouse me just in time for our seventh-hour appointment.
Handling the teleportation on my own, I found myself at the designated spot. The location was a short distance from a throng of people gathered near the imposing cliff, its peak hidden in the clouds. It was much grander than I had imagined. Observing it nearly gave me a crick in the neck. As more individuals kept teleporting in, Opal suddenly gasped and hid inside my cloak.
"What's going on?"
"Didn't you spot them?"
"No, I was observing—"
"Massive Vorgan, just like near NecroGate Falls."
"But we're far from there."
"They beg to differ."
Glancing up, I spotted a few forms occasionally emerging from the clouds, gliding, and then disappearing.
"They move so elegantly, Opal. Admire them."
"I'd rather not. And you can take a long walk off a short pier, Boss."
"Hello there, Viktor." I heard a voice.
Startled, I spun around. "Greetings, Drevolan. Why the gathering?"
"It's a tribute to Verill's descent at NecroGate Falls."
"Really? We're close to that?"
"Not quite. However, his memorial will be established here."
"Memorial? If his body went down the Falls, how can he have one?"
"It's symbolic. Think of it as a tribute stone or a landmark. This peak has been chosen to commemorate him."
"He's getting an entire peak?"
"He's worthy of it."
"How does one earn a peak?"
Drevolan evaded my query, suggesting, "Let's head to the tribute. Want to join?"
"Joining as what?"
"As part of my entourage. I can bring whoever I want."
"Even a Terran? Or a Vorgan?"
"Indeed."
17:05
"You've planned something, haven't you?"
Opal, always the voice of reason, added, "You're making that up, aren't you, Boss?"
"What's your guess, Opal?"
Ari chimed in with a smirk, "I should've taken you out when I had the chance."
I shot back confidently, "Indeed, you should've. That oversight will be your last."
He took a menacing step closer, towering over me. "Is that a threat, Terran?"
I looked up at him with a cheeky smile. "Indeed, not as a Terran but as a Vorgan. Makes a difference, right?" Suddenly, Opal, a true drama queen, appeared from beneath my cloak, hopping onto my shoulder.
Ari recoiled, a hint of surprise evident, before masking it with a frown. He threatened, "I'll yank your soul out and tie it to a cooking pot. I'd love to see you sizzle as I make my stew."
Amused, I replied, "Sounds delicious! Need some stew tips? Maybe a hint of fennel might—"
"Enough, Viktor," interrupted Drevolan.
"Just saying, you Imperions could use a cooking lesson."
"Viktor!"
"Maybe the Siberyn know a thing—"
"Viktor!"
I just shrugged, flashing another grin at both Cernan and Ari.
Cernan remarked, "Lord Drevolan, I know you wouldn't resort to assassination."
"Absolutely," agreed Drevolan. "And trust me, I've been advising my friend here against any hasty actions."
Cernan retorted, "Your subtle threats are as silly as your Terran friend's blatant ones."
Drevolan responded with a polite bow, "Precisely."
"If you covet what's mine," continued Cernan, "try taking it."
"Taken by thievery, my lord?"
Cernan chuckled, "You have a Vorgan behind you and you talk of theft?"
"You have a brute by your side, and you mention a Vorgan?"
"This is getting us nowhere," Cernan declared, then added, "Your stolen weapon is useless, by the way."
**************************************************
We need golden tickets and power stones to help the book get more exposure.
If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters.
If we reach 100 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters.