The Valyrian Freehold was not ruled by a single king, but by Forty Great Families—a council of dragonlords, merchant-warlocks, and sorcerer-generals. Each sought power, each sharpened daggers behind their smiles.
Neron had stepped into their game by seizing Cair Volakar, once the ancestral outpost of the Vaelzarys—a minor, declining house known for snake-riding, shadow-trading, and blackmail sorcery.
They were not pleased.
📜 One Week Later — The Messenger Arrives
A pale youth arrived at Cair Volakar, riding a serpentine beast with obsidian eyes. He bore a scroll sealed in silver wax with the sigil of House Vaelzarys: a black cobra devouring a star.
M'Koro didn't trust him. "Looks like poison in human skin."
Neron broke the seal and read aloud:
"To the unknown Ash-Lord of Volakar,
You have claimed what was not yours.
House Vaelzarys does not forget. However, we are generous. Come to Oryssana, our capital, as a guest. Speak, if you have the courage. There may yet be… arrangement."
— Maeryx Vaelzarys, Heir of Smoke
Neron smiled. "A trap."
M'Koro grunted. "So we ignore it?"
"No," Neron said. "We spring it."
📍 Four Days Later — The Obsidian Court, Oryssana
Oryssana was a serpent's nest carved into a mountain of black glass. Slender towers coiled upward like twisted fangs, and within the central hall sat Maeryx Vaelzarys, draped in translucent robes, his hair silver-blue, his eyes like swirling oil.
He smiled thinly. "You're bold, Lord of Ash."
"And you're subtle," Neron replied, walking between flickering braziers, ignoring the seven guards with spears trained on him.
Maeryx sipped wine. "Cair Volakar belonged to my grandfather. We could crush you. But perhaps you offer something better: coin, troops, or… other gifts."
The room grew colder. Shadows moved strangely.
Neron let his system speak for him.
[New Quest: Court of Snakes]Choices:• Lie and Bribe Maeryx – 3000 Gold (Failure Chance: 62%)• Swear Fealty – Become Vassal of House Vaelzarys (Permanent Debuff)• Threaten with Dragon Egg – Political Leverage (Risky, High Reward)• Offer Alliance by Marriage – ???• Use Voldemorte Arcane Sigil – [Lock-pick Court Magic Ward, Chance of Arcane Duel] ✅
He chose the fifth option.
Neron reached into his cloak and withdrew a shard of soul-bound obsidian—the one used in his dragon egg ritual. Arcane runes glowed faintly. He whispered a Voldemorteic incantation in a dead tongue.
The shadows screeched.
Maeryx's eyes widened. "That magic is forbidden."
"Only if you're afraid of it," Neron replied, voice echoing with layered distortion. "Now. We speak as equals."
Maeryx stood, sweat beading his pale brow. "…Then speak."
⚖️ An Alliance Forged in Blackmail
By the end of the night, Neron had secured a deal:
House Vaelzarys would recognize his claim over Cair Volakar.
They would send coin and mercenary agents under the table.
In return, Neron would grant them access to dragon hatchling blood—a priceless magical ingredient.
And he would lend five of his best gladiators as "trainers."
Behind closed doors, Maeryx whispered, "When you hatch your beast, Ash-Lord… we would speak again. There are older things stirring beneath the Freehold. And you… you may be one of them."
[Quest Completed: Court of Snakes][Political Influence +2% (Freehold-wide)][Faction Relationship Updated: House Vaelzarys – Neutral → Cautiously Interested][New Asset Gained: 500 Gold, 3 Elite Mercenary Blades, 1 Spy (Embedded in Oros)]
As Neron returned to Cair Volakar, the dragon egg pulsed with new heat.
And M'Koro brought grim tidings.
"A mercenary band's marching this way. Real dragonhunters. They wear the sigil of House Byrnadar—the Steel-Wyrm Lords."
"How many?" Neron asked.
"Too many for a fair fight."
Neron stared at the mountains in the east. "Then we won't fight fair."
[End of Chapter 5]