The Matriarch continued to study them in silence for another minute before addressing them.
"So.... two dragons have decided to grace my halls. I admit, Dragon.
I don't often entertain your kind here.
The rarity of this event is almost enough to make me forget the rudeness of your visit!
It is customary to send word and request an audience 'before ' showing up at someone's door and demanding to see them, dragon!"
Storm bowed is head in apology.
"Forgive me, Milady. But the situation is of the upmost importance and couldn't wait for the usual customs."
"Is that so? Then voice your concerns, and we shall attempt to resolve them."
"I represent the resist...." started Storm.
The Matriarch waved a hand in dismissal.
"Yes, ,Yes!! I already know who you are, Calamity!!
Truth be told, it's the only reason why I agreed to meet with you!"
Storm suppressed his irritation at the haughty way she was addressing him.
"I have received reports that hunters have an base hidden in the fringes and am requesting information as to it's location.
As I'm sure you would agree, this is a serious threat to both our settlements.
Your people has eyes and ears throughout the human kingdoms.
I'm hoping to also enlist your aid in destroying it once it has been located." Storm explained.
The Matriarch was silent as she considered Storm's offer.
"I'm afraid that you have made the trip in vain then, Calamity!
Although news of this hidden 'infestation' has indeed reached my ears, I have no more information than you about it's location!"
Storm nodded his head.
"And what about my offer to join forces when the time comes to attack this hideout?"
"I will admit, I have my.doubts." answered The Matriarch.
Storm did his best to suppress his anger at her refusal.
"Would you care to elaborate?!" Asked Storm with steel in his voice.
"Word of you have reached my ears, Calamity.
And some of these tales don't depict you as the most dependable ally!
You abandoned your charges to go play 'avenger' in the human cities!
You refused aid to those that came to seek it for no other reason that 'spite'
And worse of all.
You showed a willingness to sacrifice others if their views didn't align with your own.
I trust you can understand my apprehension of placing my forces into your care with tales such as these?!"
Storm lowered his head ashamed.
"I admit that I did a lot of terrible things in my grief.
Things that I greatly regret now. I have been trying to make up for the mistakes I made in the past. " replied Storm
"Milady!! May I speak?!" Asked Aurora.
The Matriarch studied Aurora closely.
"What is your name, Young one?"
"Aurora, Milady!"
"Speak freely, Aurora!"
"I am aware that he is still flawed! As are we all.
But I can attest to his willingness to change.
He's been working tirelessly to repair old bonds and to make up for past mistakes.
Please give him a chance?!" Finished Aurora.
Storm looked at Aurora with gratitude for her support .
Something that the Matriarch picked up on. She gave a fond smile in response.
"The tales described a dragon that had given up on life and love. A dragon that allowed grief and hatred to consume him.
I don't see that dragon when I look at you two.
I see a dragon with a lot of regrets and an eagerness to experience love again.
You two reminded me of my own past.
I had the same devotion to another that you two have now.
I failed him however, I thought that my decision was the best option for him, but I fear that he has lost himself in grief and hatred, just as you once did.
Perhaps you two can still succeed where I once failed." The Matriarch explained.
She leaned back in her throne and sighed.
"I cannot take you at your word on blind faith alone , but I may have a way to prove yourself, and also gain the information we both seek at the same time ." Answered the Matriarch.
This news gave Storm some hope.
"What do you have in mind?"
"I have been trying to get the very information you seek since I first heard about it.
2 weeks ago I sent one of my people to Northburg which has recently seen an increase in hunter activity.
The last report I received from her said she'd identified a potential leak and that she was going to move in.
This was a week ago and I haven't heard anything from her since that time." Explained the Matriarch.
"She could just have been delayed? Or it could have been harder to approach him?" Explained Storm.
The Matriarch shook her head.
"Her handler, an older Kitsune that has been living in the city for years and helps younger agents settle into their new identities investigated, but found no trace of her.
It's like she simply vanished! And since her target was an hunter, I've got a bad feeling about this!"
Storm nodded his head.
"I'll find her!"
"Track her down and rescue her if needed. We need her report as soon as possible!" Explained the Matriarch.
"What if she's already...?" Started Aurora.
"Dead? I hope that isn't the case, but if the worst has happened, then try and find out if she left notes.
Also track down her target. Interrogate him and get that information!
You're not under my command, so I can't order you to do this!
But if you 'have' to kill him, do it quietly.
It will make our jobs a lot harder if the hunters begin to investigate. "
Storm and Aurora nodded their heads in understanding.
"One other thing!
Dragons are not welcome in Northburg so you two will have to 'reconsider ' your appearance. " Explained the Matriarch.
"I already have a human identity. Aurora doesn't have one however. "
"Actually! I do, Storm! Pyros showed me how to hide my form.
I won't be a burden to you!" Aurora corrected.
The Matriarch held out her hand and an attendant brought her a simple black brooch in the shape of a lotus flower.
"Wear this!
It will prove to the Kitsune in the city that you can be trusted!
They won't reveal themselves to you without it."