CHAPTER 13: How to Bluff a Dragon
Terenas was silent for a long time, and finally raised his head. A gleam of brilliance, or perhaps just relief, flashed through his cloudy eyes. "Take good care of Calia. You go down. I'm tired."
He's tired. He's an old man playing a young man's game. I bowed. "Thank you, father. I will never let you down."
I didn't say too much about my real plan. At present, I'd take the first step steadily, establish my prestige through this war, and then get the hell out of here and go on an expedition to Kalimdor to establish my own base.
I had no idea that my plans were already causing ripples in places I couldn't imagine. I couldn't know that in a mysterious cave in Tanaris, the bronze dragons—guardians of time—were already taking notice. I didn't know that their ancient leader, Nozdormu, had just reappeared and tasked a quirky, gnomish-looking dragon named Chromie with "paying attention to Arthas."
No, I was blissfully unaware of all that. All I knew was that I'd just told Calia the "good news," and in her relieved, tearful state, I got her first kiss and a whispered "I love you."
Jackpot.
In fact, if I'd wanted to, I could have pushed Calia down on the spot. She was vulnerable, grateful, and clearly... conflicted... in a way that was very, very promising. But just as my desire started to spike, a guard brought me the invitation to Deathwing's banquet. Duty calls. Or rather, a bigger, more dangerous fish calls. I had to put away my... desire... for now.
Restraint was key. Crossing that line now could blow this whole thing up. Terenas might panic and hasten her betrothal just to shield the family's reputation. And I am not losing this Task Reward. Unlike my... alliance... with Aunt Priscilla, which was an unburdened, adult understanding (and what an understanding it was), this with Calia would demand careful navigation. She's a long-term investment. Priscilla is... a very generous preferred stockholder.
Prestor Manor was huge, covering a large area on the outskirts of Lordaeron's capital, complete with its own vineyards and farms. Goblins were working the fields. The walls of the manor itself were hung with ancient murals and, more impressively, magic props. Magic props were a real symbol of wealth—simple, easy to use, and a massive flex. Every noble wanted them, but a simple magic ring that could gather half a tael of water could cost half their family property.
Under the reception of a maid, I walked into the banquet hall, still in my armor. I was completely out of tune with the nobles here, who were all in evening gowns. The noble ladies and ladies-in-waiting, with their chests and backs bared, were surprised by my arrival, and more than a few of the bold ones flirted at me with their eyes.
Deathwing received me very solemnly and immediately invited me to talk aside.
"Your Highness, it's great to meet you. Please allow me to introduce my two children. This is my son, Fadoan, and this is my daughter, Katarina."
I looked at them, and my System UI helpfully provided the real names floating over their heads.
[Nefarian][Onyxia]
Oh, it's a family reunion. The psycho son and the manipulative, kingdom-destroying, smoking-hot daughter. This is just perfect.
I shook hands with Nefarian and, as was custom, gave Onyxia a polite embrace, my hands landing on her waist. She's... solid. In all the right ways. And that scent... brimstone and roses? I'm in trouble. "It's nice to meet you. It reminds me of a scene I saw in the Holy Light."
"Oh?" Onyxia smiled, a charming, practiced expression. She took a glass of red wine, and every movement was fascinating. The white jade skin was like ivory, and her long black hair was scattered on her shoulders in a big wave. That smile... damn, it made my heart beat faster. Her graceful figure was hidden under the court robe, but there was an unconcealable majesty that set off and attracted. She knows exactly what she's doing. She's a weapon, and she's aiming right at me. "What can make Your Highness remember it so deeply? Can you tell me and share it with me?"
She's playing me. Let's play back.
I shook the red wine glass. "Do you think death is the end?"
I wanted to use everything I knew to fool Deathwing. If an old god like N'Zoth could fool him, I couldn't be too inferior, right? Why do guys like Kil'jaeden play tricks? Because it's so cool to shoot from behind the scenes! Especially now that I'm penniless. It's time to win big with a small investment.
"Oh? Can you tell me more about it?" Deathwing became interested. He clearly didn't believe I could know something he didn't.
"Your Highness, are you bragging?" Nefarian couldn't help but sneer. This guy. He's the arrogant prick. Easy to bait.
Onyxia didn't say anything, just smiled, as if she was watching a good show. She often used that expression, I'm sure, to inspire men to fight.
"Oh? You don't believe it?" I sneered back. "Then let's make a bet. Do you dare?" I wouldn't indulge this guy. What kind of second-rate-lizard-shit dares to laugh at me? If it was Deathwing, I'd tolerate it. But you, you little punk?
Nefarian was a little angry and laughed. "What do you want to bet on, Your Highness?"
"Then bet on a dragon. Um, a dragonling mount will do. If I win, you give me a dragonling mount. If I lose, hehe, I can give you a research notebook. It is said to be the experimental notebook of a certain guardian... and no, not Aegwynn."
My smile was half-smile, half-smirk. A total sense of conspiracy.
When Onyxia heard "dragonling mount," she couldn't help but look shocked. Are the proud dragons meant to be mounts for people?
"Haha, Your Highness, do you think you are worthy of having a dragonling mount?" Nefarian said, suppressing his anger. If he wasn't afraid of ruining his father's plan, he'd definitely kill me.
Wait. Bully dragons but not... humiliate them? Did I get that right? Whatever.