The Drake Blood Tales

Weeks had passed, and the group was still recovering in a secluded cottage. The healer emerged from one of the rooms, wiping her hands clean.

"They'll be alright. The critical moments have passed," she assured.

"Thanks. I owe you," Fordragon replied with genuine gratitude.

The healer smiled faintly. "It's nothing. Though it's not every day I get to heal a daemon. The other one, however…" Her voice trailed off as her expression darkened. "I'm sorry. I couldn't save him."

Fordragon sighed deeply. "It's alright. I'll arrange for his burial."

The healer nodded. "The daemon woman is awake, by the way. She's waiting for you. I'll take my leave now."

As the healer departed, Fordragon entered a quiet room where Gaz'mirna sat, her gaze distant. She immediately stood when she saw him.

"Ah, Lord Fordragon..."

"Sit down, Gaz'mirna. Your wounds haven't fully healed yet," he said gently but firmly. Once she complied, he continued, "Can you explain what's going on? Why were Fallion and the others here in the first place?"

Gaz'mirna took a deep breath and recounted everything she knew. When she finished, Fordragon leaned back, rubbing his temples.

"Fallion… you should have at least sent me a message first," he muttered, a mixture of frustration and sorrow in his tone.

"Pardon me, my lord," Gaz'mirna began hesitantly, "but Lord Fallion was only thinking of your safety. He feared for you and went so far as to undo your mother's spells to ensure it."

Fordragon exhaled slowly, trying to calm his emotions. He then sat beside her.

"I don't blame any of you," he said finally. "But this place is far more dangerous than you realize. With Hatsuki dead, they'll send assassins even deadlier than him."

Gaz'mirna was about to respond when a voice interrupted them.

"Well, what's done is done," a man said casually, stepping into the room.

Gaz'mirna jumped in surprise. She hadn't sensed his presence.

"Gan Hua, don't sneak up on us like that," Fordragon said with a sigh.

A small goblin with a white beard and hair emerged from the shadows. "Not my fault your perception's so bad," Gan Hua retorted with a smirk. "Anyway, now we know Yarinaga's got their sights on you. What's your plan?"

Fordragon shook his head. "I don't know. I can't take on the League of Shadows or their leader. If Yarinaga's after me, not even the Guild is safe anymore."

As they spoke, a heart-wrenching scream echoed through the cottage.

"FARID!!!" Dofan's voice rang out, filled with despair.

Gaz'mirna immediately rushed to his room, trying to calm him down, while Fordragon and Gan Hua stepped outside to continue their discussion.

"I thought you were hated enough already," Gan Hua mused. "But someone actually sent someone like Hatsuki Sawabe after your brother?"

Fordragon nodded grimly. "Yeah. Any idea who's behind it?"

"I have a few possibilities, but nothing certain. Either your brother was the true target, or they thought it was you. Either way, whoever's behind this clearly wants their target—whether you or your brother—dead," Gan Hua replied thoughtfully.

Fordragon clenched his fists. "Not even Utakata hates me this much, and it's not Yarinaga, either. Gan Hua, I need a favor."

Gan Hua raised an eyebrow. "Another one? Alright, what is it?"

"I want you to arrange for my brother's return to Whiteford. Whatever it costs, I'll pay," Fordragon said, his voice resolute.

Gan Hua stroked his beard, deep in thought. "You realize they won't just let your brother go, right? There's a reason Fallion came here in the first place."

"I know," Fordragon admitted. "But our family's mansion is protected by a secret mechanism. If the mansion detects a danger beyond normal thresholds, it summons a powerful daemon. So powerful, even my mother claimed not even a Daemon King could stand against it."

Gan Hua's eyes widened slightly. "Ah, so that's why no one's dared to attack your home," he remarked.

"Exactly. Mother once told me about it. When Father was unconscious, she carried him back to the mansion. Daemons and cultists tried to ambush them, but the guardian was summoned. The servants described the scene as… brutal and terrifying," Fordragon explained.

Gan Hua nodded. "I'll see what I can do about arranging their return. But what about Yarinaga? He's still got his eyes on you."

Fordragon hesitated before responding. "If I can meet with Yarinaga, I'll talk to him. Maybe there's a way to resolve this. But right now, my brother's safety is my priority."

Gan Hua sighed. "Heh… another reckless decision," he muttered under his breath as Fordragon headed back inside the cottage.

The goblin watched him go, shaking his head. "You're going to get yourself killed one day," he murmured before disappearing into the shadows.

Fordragon entered the room, finding Dofan sitting on the floor, tears streaming down his face.

"It's my fault... I was the one who told him to join us. I thought we'd need an alchemist," Dofan murmured, his voice trembling with guilt.

Gaz'mirna knelt beside him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's not your fault. If he hadn't joined us, we all would've died," she said softly, trying to console him.

Dofan shook his head. "I failed again. I couldn't protect him… just like I couldn't protect anyone back then."

Fordragon stood a few steps away, his expression stern. "Take some rest, both of you. No one could have anticipated facing the League of Shadows," he said coldly, his tone distant.

He continued, his gaze steady. "Also, remember this: lack of knowledge and experience about your opponent is deadly. You shouldn't blindly fight anyone you encounter. Even weaker enemies can defeat you without proper strategy. Recklessness will only get you killed."

Gaz'mirna remained silent, unable to argue. She knew Fordragon was right. Strength alone wasn't enough—they hadn't studied their opponent's capabilities and had overestimated themselves. The only one who had been cautious was Farid, whose frail body had made him naturally wary.

After a moment, Gaz'mirna broke the silence. "You're right, my lord. I'm sorry. But will you stay until your brother wakes up?"

Fordragon shook his head. "I can't. Staying here with you makes all of you bigger targets. But don't worry—I've arranged for patrols to watch the area, and I've stationed mercenaries nearby. As for you, when Fallion wakes, tell him I've gone to speak with Lord Yarinaga. You'll all return to Whiteford in four or five days; Gan Hua will escort you. Believe me, I'd love to go home with you, but I can't leave just yet."

"Wait, Fordragon..." Dofan called out, his voice breaking.

Fordragon turned to him, his gaze softening slightly.

"I'm sorry... I should have told you. I shouldn't have hidden it. I just didn't want someone like you—so young—to have to know," Dofan admitted, his voice filled with regret.

"It's alright," Fordragon said quietly. "It doesn't matter anymore. I've already seen it all with my own eyes."

Dofan wiped his tears. "I believe you. And… I'm sorry for always being so weak."

Fordragon gave him a brief nod before leaving the cottage. Outside, he mounted his eagle and soared into the sky.

As he disappeared, a girl with a giant bag staggered into the cottage. "Ugh… this is so heavy!" she grumbled.

Gaz'mirna, startled, grabbed her axe. "Who are you?" she demanded.

The girl yelped, startled at the sight of a daemon armed with an axe. "Eek! Wait, wait! I'm Blanchette! I work with the Crow. He asked me to bring you supplies!" she explained hurriedly.

Gaz'mirna lowered her weapon cautiously. Blanchette unloaded her bag, revealing clothes, medicine, potions, scrolls, and various utilities.

"Well, that's it," Blanchette said with a shrug. "Between you and me, the Crow doesn't seem too happy about you guys being here. I don't mean to be rude, but I'd suggest heading back once you've recovered."

She headed for the door but called back, "If you need help, light a fire or something! The trio will come to your aid!"

Gaz'mirna sat beside Dofan after Blanchette left.

"What now?" she asked, her voice weary. "We're in no condition to continue, let alone negotiate with Fordragon."

Dofan sighed. "I don't know. All we can do is wait for Fallion to wake up. It's up to him now."

Meanwhile, in the sky...

Fordragon flew toward a small town nestled in the valley below. As he landed, his eagle continued soaring above. An old elf with a thick white beard approached him.

"Where have you been?" the elf asked gruffly.

"Oh, leader. I was just… scouting around," Fordragon replied, trying to keep his tone casual.

The elf narrowed his eyes. "Have you seen Blanchette? That foolish daughter of mine never tells me where she's going."

Fordragon nodded. "I saw her while scouting. She was probably gathering herbs nearby."

The elf huffed. "Very well. Come inside—it's cold out here."

Fordragon followed the elf into the tavern. The moment they stepped inside, a loud cheer erupted.

"Hey, it's the Crow! And the boss!" one of the mercenaries shouted.

"For the Crow and the Raven Beak!" the room roared.

"Alright, alright, calm down!" the elf, Raven Beak, said, raising his hands to quiet the crowd. "No need to cheer every time we walk in here."

"But, boss, we haven't seen you in a week!" one of the mercenaries protested.

Fordragon chuckled lightly. "Well, now that you're all free of contracts, you'll probably see us more often."

As the mercenaries laughed and drank, Fordragon quietly moved to his favorite spot by the window, a seat Raven Beak had specially prepared for him. There, he sat alone, gazing out into the darkened night, lost in thought.

Blanchette burst into the tavern, her gaze sweeping over the mercenaries who were now staring at her in silence.

"..."

She clenched her fists and shouted, "Alright! Where's my cheers?"

The room erupted into laughter.

"Alright, alright! Cheers for our little sister who's finally brave enough to ask the Crow for a date!" one mercenary teased.

The crowd roared with laughter.

"You all—" Blanchette stammered, her face turning beet red as she tried to suppress her embarrassment.

Ignoring the teasing, she walked over to Fordragon's table and plopped herself down in a huff.

"Hahaha, well, that's a kind of bravery too," Fordragon said, smirking.

"Shut up… I'm in a bad mood," Blanchette muttered, still blushing.

Fordragon slid a drink toward her, chuckling softly.

As the night stretched into the early hours of morning, the tavern emptied. Most mercenaries had either gone home, retreated to their rooms, or passed out at the tables. A few lingered, playing cards by the fire.

Blanchette, now tipsy and half-asleep, leaned on the table, mumbling incoherently while tears welled in her eyes.

"Ugh… Crow, you're going back home, aren't you?" she slurred.

"No, no, Mrs. Blanchette, I'm not going home," Fordragon replied, trying to soothe her.

Blanchette clumsily pointed a shaky finger at him. "LIES! You're planning to go home and marry some girl from Whiteford!"

"Hahaha! Please, Mrs. Blanchette," Fordragon teased. "We're already dating! Why would I marry someone else?"

Blanchette lowered her finger, swaying slightly before collapsing into Fordragon's lap. She mumbled, her voice soft and drowsy, "That's right… why would you… You have me. I'll still look pretty for the next 400 years…"

Fordragon smiled faintly, adjusting her so she was comfortable.

The bartender, a bakeneko with sleek black fur, a swishing tail, and sharp cat ears, approached Fordragon's table.

"So, what do you want to ask?" the bartender said in a loud, inquisitive tone.

"Keep it down, Tatsuke," Fordragon whispered sharply. "I don't want the boss finding out about this."

Tatsuke flicked his tail lazily, then slid into the bench across from Fordragon, resting his chin on his paw. "Alright, spit it out. What's the job?"

"I'm planning to meet Kouga Yarinaga," Fordragon said in a low voice. "I need someone skilled and trustworthy to back me up. Someone who can handle things if they go... Arkhari."

Tatsuke's eyes narrowed as he considered the request. "There are a few options, but they'll cost you. And this isn't exactly a 'healthy' operation. The boss won't like you dealing with the Yarinaga—those guys are brutal."

"I know. But this is important," Fordragon insisted.

Tatsuke sighed. "Fine. I'll do what I can. But if the boss finds out I'm helping you…" He trailed off, shaking his head.

"One more thing," Fordragon added. "Look into the League of Shadows and the Assassin's Guild. See if there's any bounty on me—or someone who looks like me."

Tatsuke nodded. "Alright, I'll check it out." With that, he slipped away into the shadows of the tavern.

Fordragon remained seated, gazing out the window, lost in thought. Blanchette stirred in his lap, frowning as her face brushed against something.

"Hm… why does it feel like something's rising?" she mumbled sleepily.

Fordragon glanced down at her.

Blanchette blinked, her hand reaching up to grab the object. "What's this long thing?" she muttered, her expression annoyed. "Fine, I'll take care of it—"

Fordragon's voice cut through her haze. "Careful, that's my shiv."

Blanchette froze, her face flushed. "W-what?! Your shiv?"

Fordragon smirked, holding up the blade for her to see. "I always carry it. You almost cut yourself."

She groaned, burying her face in his lap again. "I hate you," she muttered.

Fordragon chuckled softly, his gaze returning to the window as the quiet night pressed on.