The Drake Blood Tales

Two days had passed.

Fallion slowly opened his eyes, the dim light filtering through the room. He felt warmth on his side and turned his head to see Yanmei hugging him tightly.

"He…hey, Yanmei, this isn't the place to…" Fallion stammered, his cheeks flushing.

Before Yanmei could respond, Samhain noticed him stirring. "Lord Fallion is awake!" he announced, drawing everyone's attention.

The group quickly gathered around Fallion's bed. His gaze darted between them, his confusion evident.

"Where's Farid?" he asked.

Gaz'mirna stepped forward, her face shadowed with sorrow as she explained what had happened. Fallion's expression darkened with shock and grief.

"…Where's Fordragon?" he finally asked.

"The Crow already left," Gan Hua said, stepping into the room. "He's left you all in my care. Once you recover, we'll sail back to Whiteford."

"No, I can't…" Fallion tried to sit up, but a sharp pain stopped him, and he winced.

"Yeah, I figured you'd say that," Gan Hua said dryly. "But here's a word of advice—what can you even do right now?"

Fallion froze, his frustration clear. Gaz'mirna gently added, "Lord Fordragon said he was going to meet Lord Yarinaga."

Fallion fell silent, eventually asking for some time alone.

"Alright," Gan Hua said, shrugging. "But don't overthink it. Your brother's already arranged for your return three days from now."

Later, after taking his medicine, Fallion sat on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. His thoughts churned with grief, guilt, and indecision.

Yanmei quietly entered the room and sat beside him.

"I'm not here to persuade you to stay or to leave," she said softly. "But I want you to know... I don't want to see you die, Fallion. What happened a few days ago—that's daily life here in Arkhari.

"Think I'm crazy if you want, for wanting to be your concubine. But all I've ever wished for is to live as a normal woman. To have children, to see them grow up. But here, in Arkhari, dreams like that are just fantasies. Outside these walls, it's either kill or be killed."

Her voice cracked slightly, but she held herself together. Fallion, conflicted, looked at her. He nodded slowly, as if her words had pushed him closer to a decision.

After some time to collect his thoughts, Fallion called his allies to a meeting.

"I can't make this decision alone," he admitted. "I need all of you. Fordragon said he would speak to Lord Yarinaga, but he also asked us to return to Whiteford. I want to bring him back with us, but I know he won't return anytime soon. What do we do?"

Dofan was the first to speak. He stood, his hands clenched into fists.

"No, we can't leave just yet," he said firmly. "I won't abandon anyone anymore. I'm partly responsible for Farid joining us on this journey, and I know he'd want us to ensure Fordragon's safety—even more than our own. And let's be honest—Fordragon meeting Lord Yarinaga? That's not going to go smoothly. Not with the cultists and Ukataka still out there."

Samhain stepped forward next. "We came unprepared," he said. "We should retreat, regroup, and gather more strength. Ensuring Lord Fallion's survival is the priority. If we act quickly, we can return before the month ends with the proper resources and manpower."

Gaz'mirna crossed her arms, her expression resolute. "They're strong," she admitted. "But I won't back down. If it means fighting to the death alongside Lord Fallion or Lord Fordragon, so be it. And we still don't know who sent those assassins after us."

Yanmei hesitated before speaking. "You know my answer," she said quietly. "The faster we leave, the better. But I won't force you to follow my path."

Fallion listened intently to each perspective, his face etched with determination. Finally, he spoke.

"We're going after Fordragon," he said. "I'm sorry, Samhain—I know you're worried about me. But I can't leave him to face this alone. At least if we're there, with Lord Yarinaga, we can figure out a way to move forward together."

Samhain sighed but nodded. "I understand, my lord. But if conflict arises, you're not allowed to fight. Your body hasn't fully recovered."

With the decision made, the group packed their things. Under the cover of night, they snuck out of the cottage and mounted their horses, riding swiftly toward Yarinaga.

On the other side, Fordragon, followed by six of his companions, arrived at Kouga Yarinaga's castle.

"Saito, wait outside. Khasmir, take position in case things go south. Kaya, Saya, Maya—be ready to create a distraction if needed. Ning An, keep your blade hidden," Fordragon instructed, his voice calm but firm.

As Fordragon, Ning An, Maya, Kaya, and Saya entered the castle, they were led to an ornate chamber to wait. The air was tense as they stood, ready for anything. Soon, two imposing bodyguards entered, their eyes sharp as they assessed the visitors.

"Ah, the Crow himself," one of the bodyguards said with a smirk. "It seems our guest truly managed to convince you to come."

Fordragon's piercing gaze met theirs, but he said nothing. Moments later, an elderly shinobi entered alongside Kouga Yarinaga. The latter exuded authority and calm, his presence commanding the room.

Kouga's voice was warm, almost welcoming. "Ah, at last, the Crow. I've been eager to speak with you."

Fordragon inclined his head slightly. "Then I hope we can settle all our issues today."

Kouga gestured to a seat across from him, and as Fordragon took his place, the two leaders exchanged a long, unyielding stare.

Ning An leaned closer to his companions and whispered, "This is bad. Those two bodyguards are strong, but that shinobi... he's on a completely different level."

Breaking the silence, Kouga began. "I'll be straightforward. I want you and the Night Raven to pause your operations against the Zotho cultists for the time being."

Fordragon raised an eyebrow. "That's quite the request, Lord Yarinaga. Considering how many people the cultists slaughter every day, it's a suspicious one at best."

Kouga smiled faintly. "Perhaps it is. But you're aware of our political standing, aren't you? The cultists are a threat, yes, but without them, nothing stands in the way of Ukataka's advance—not us, and certainly not your mercenary guild."

Fordragon's voice remained steady. "Letting the cultists run unchecked is reckless. Even with the Night Raven targeting them, they've managed to raze villages and kidnap hundreds. All this has happened under both Ukataka's and Yarinaga's watch."

"You overestimate the cultists," Kouga countered. "The Yarinaga clan's primary concern is Ukataka. As long as your Night Raven guild fights the cultists, Ukataka conserves its strength. Once the cultists are gone, do you think Ukataka won't turn its full attention to us—and to you?"

Fordragon crossed his arms. "That's quite an assumption. Ukataka has no history of hostility with the Night Raven. Even before the cultist problem, we've had no quarrels. Yet in recent months, your clan has sent assassins after us."

Kouga chuckled. "Not the guild. Just you. Like your brother, you're not from here. That naivety is to be expected."

He stood and walked to the window, gazing out as he continued. "Ukataka may seem indifferent, but let me share something with you. When your mother led the Spear of Justice paladins, they sought aid from Ukataka and other nations. Ukataka refused, citing the need to protect its borders. They persuaded others to do the same.

"With minimal support, the paladins faced the cultists alone. They were ambushed by the Puresworn and wiped out. Afterward, Ukataka severed its alliance with the paladins, claiming it was unnecessary. Villages that supported the order were razed. Those who resisted were hanged. And now? The world acts as if the paladins never existed."

Fordragon listened, his expression grim. He couldn't confirm or deny Kouga's account but felt the weight of its truth.

"Crow? Are you alright?" Ning An asked quietly.

Fordragon exhaled. "I can't let civilians continue to suffer. If your plan involves leaving them to die, you'll be seen the same way as Ukataka."

Kouga turned, smiling faintly. "You truly have your mother's spirit. Clever and resolute." He clasped his hands behind his back. "I have a proposition. One I believe you can't refuse."

Everyone in the room tensed.

"I will burn my enemies to the ground and lead Ukataka myself one day. But I can't ascend knowing those who will become my people are slaughtered. I'll call my troops and allow you to continue fighting the Zotho cultists. In return, I need you, Crow, to eliminate Ukataka's five official leaders when the time comes."

The room erupted in shock.

"You can't be serious!" the shinobi snapped.

"My lord!" one of the bodyguards protested.

Kouga remained calm. "This is the only way to secure peace and ensure the downfall of Ukataka's tyranny. But it must appear that the Crow acted alone, not the Night Raven."

Fordragon's companions were furious.

"Crow, you can't agree to this!" Kaya exclaimed.

"Think this through! The boss will never forgive you!" Maya added.

Fordragon silenced them with a gesture. "What's your plan, Lord Yarinaga?"

His companions stared at him in disbelief.

"You're being reckless," Ning An pleaded. "Why not turn to the League of Shadows or the Assassin's Guild?"

Kouga shook his head. "Those are contracted blades. Many of their high-ranking members are loyal to Ukataka. The Night Raven, however, has no ties to them. And the Crow has personal reasons—Ukataka's betrayal of the paladins and the assassination attempts on your brother make you the perfect scapegoat."

He handed Fordragon a letter. It was a bounty decree:

By order of Lord Kisuke Ukataka, an outsider named Fallion and his companions are to be eliminated immediately. A reward of 300,000 Verak per head will be paid.

Fordragon's eyes widened as he saw Fallion's face and those of his companions on the document.

"This was issued yesterday morning," the shinobi said.

Fordragon clenched the letter. "Three assassins have already taken the contract?"

The shinobi nodded. "Mu Xianshi, the Thousand Tongue. Barn Grimgar, the Monster. Nagasaki, the Deceiver. High-ranking League of Shadows members."

Ning An whispered, "Those are the 11th, 17th, and 20th strongest in the League."

Kouga spoke again. "You should get to your brother first. But think about my offer, Crow. If you choose to accept, you'll need to become the leader of the Night Raven guild to ensure no suspicion falls on the guild."

Fordragon and his group left immediately, their minds heavy with the weight of Kouga's proposition.

As they departed, the shinobi turned to Kouga. "My lord, do you think he'll agree?"

Kouga's gaze lingered on the horizon. "He will, Jinzo. He's like his mother—unable to turn his back on others' suffering. But this path will lead to his own suffering. Regardless, it's the best outcome for us. No unnecessary bloodshed, and we can focus on the Puresworn."