The Oathsworn

by Liandra Jake

  Arend shook his head. "Unless you want to give up using the weapon."

  Duke huffed, but didn't say anything else. King's approach pulled Arend away from the two Drives. He whistled softly to call him down.

  "Would you prefer if I made one 'kick' more than the other?" Arend asked.

  King settled nearby in the direction where they were fighting before, sniffing around. Duke shook his head. "I try to keep a balance, and changing theirs would off-set my own."

  Arend tossed him the Drives. "Let's try them out then. I haven't seen them in action." The pair walked towards King.

  King greeted Arend with a nod."Did you and Kronth have fun?" He asked as Arend unhooked the Dragon Drive's sheathe from King's saddle.

  "A little. We spent most of the time talking. I learned a little more about her past relationships and more about my role as a Beastmaster to you. She learned a bit more about me and some Kruxsetting as well." Arend replied.

  King nodded. "Before you do whatever it is you're preparing for, do you think you could take this off?" King wiggled in his saddle. "It's getting itchy."

  Arend flipped a few buckles and King let the saddle slide off. Arend started to scratch where the saddle had been on his back, ruffling up the flattened fur. "A little to the left." King directed, stepping over Arend so he could access his left side.

  King's tail wagged unchecked as Arend scratched King's side. The fur was tangled by the heavy Dragon Drive sitting lopsided in the saddle and clenching tightly on King's left side with the leather straps. Everyone chuckled when King rolled onto his back.

  "You're just adorable."Duke commented.

  King promptly sat up. Arend pulled something from his bag. King glanced sideways at him with an interested look and a twitching nose.

  "Is that a slab of jerky?" Duke asked pointing at the arm sized chunk of dried meat in Arend' hand.

  "BBQ cured Forest Anaconda basted in the juice from the fruit of a Silver Rowan." Arend said, wiggling the chuck, one eye on King, who was watching the meat intensely.

  Duke frowned. "Aren't those fruits poisonous?"

  "For humans, yeah, but not those who can eat raw meat without getting sick." Arend replied, stepping a few paces away, luring King after him.

  "I take it Pendragons can?" Duke asked with a half smile at King's antics.

  "Yep!" Arend replied, chucking the meat over the field in a high arc. King moved immediately, catching the meat in a mid-air corkscrew and landing on his feet. He practically pranced to the side of the field some distance away to enjoy his treat.

  Duke had a hand clamped over his mouth as Arend dropped the saddle and his back with the others, leaving the Dragon Drive's sheathe with an eager pair of hands. "C'mon now, you can see him do that again if you buy him some of that yourself." Arend said as he walked further out into the field with a chuckling Duke.

  Duke paused when he finally saw the new Dragon Drive. He was nothing but impressed. "So that's it new and improved?"

  Arend held it out to the side, blade facing the ground to show Duke the Drive. "Dragon Drive Mark II. It showed its worth in the fight with Ros."

  Duke nodded. "So I don't have to worry about breaking it.

  Duke kicked out suddenly, closing the gap between them and striking out with searing flames. Arend' free hand snapped out to catch Duke's foot, fingers digging into his aura with a crackle. A smile crept across Arend' face that gave Duke a sinking feeling. Duke jumped back when Arend' leg shot up where his was previously, stopping in a flash of red flaming Orenth. Duke got the distinct feeling Arend would have easily snapped his leg like a twig.

  Arend drove the tip of his blade into the ground as he lowered his leg. "Here's a challenge for you: Make me use the Drive."

  Duke shot forward, dive kicking at Arend' head with both feet. Arend met him with his head, backed by red flames. Duke quickly pushed back from Arend, cracking the earth at Arend' feet. Arend dashed forward, connecting the end of his hilt with the side of Duke's hip. Duke flipped awkwardly in the air, landing face first on a rock.

  Nem whistled. Kronth blinked. "He's gotten a hell of a lot stronger." Nem commented.

  Duke groaned, rolling over. "This is bullshit!"

  "Not entirely." Arend replied. "I am SS Ranked after all."

  Duke got to his feet. "I'm supposed to be the more experienced one." Duke grumbled.

  Arend raised an eyebrow. "And yet I'm going easy on you."

  The flames at Duke's feet increased tenfold. With a sliding backwards twist, Duke sent a vertical wave of vibrating fire at Arend. Arend lifted the Dragon Drive to cover his face. As the flames began to curl around his blade, Arend engaged the Drive. The flames were sucked in, giving Arend and his blade a healthy purple glow.

  Arend raised the blade with two hands. "Okay. So now you're fighting." Arend' arrogance was gone.

  They were both ready to go even further. Duke leapt forward in a sudden explosion, catching Arend off guard with a twisting sucker punch of Earth that knocked his blade sideways.

  "Heavy Set," Duke's feet moved slightly, his upper body rolling back like he was throwing a second punch. "Light Foot!" Even with the awkward angle, Duke was able to hook Arend' neck with his foot.

  Arend felt like he was hit by a steel bar, his face grinding past the thickest red Orenth he could muster as he failed to prevent Duke from throwing his face into the ground. Arend flipped on impact, rolling away just as Duke's foot shattered the stone where he once laid. He quickly made it to one knee and held up the Dragon Drive to block Duke's next attack. Arend' feet plowed two trenches even though his entire body acted as a flaming brake.

  Arend realized he needed to change tactics as he raised his arm to block Duke's next attack. Arend slid backwards on white flames, hopping to his feet when Duke hesitated. Arend planted the tip of the Dragon Drive into the ground as he drove his hand towards Drive.

  "Stop!"

  Arend' palm stopped on contact with the spinning central Korvan. Kronth glanced back down at her phone. "There's an issue Guild-wise regarding the Legendary Weapons. I need all of you to come to the meeting building." Kronth looked up at Arend. "You're specifically named."

  Arend nodded, turning off the Drive. He glanced over at Duke. "We can finish this later."

  - - - Shifted Tilt - - -

  Arend and the Legendary Weapon users were met with an uproar of squabbling Guild Reps. "Dragon's Den has too much power!" One shouted.

  "They'll outs all the other Syndicates of Sareville!"

  Kronth stormed past Arend. "Shut up, shut up, SHUT THE HELL UP!" She shouted over them.

  "You're quite the diplomat." Arend commented.

  Kronth le Arend slide, addressing the shocked Guild Reps. "Let's us use our inside voices hmm? I know none of you can out shout me." Kronth looked around the room, staring at a few long enough to make them uncomfortable. "Good. Now what do you people want?"

  "Dragon's Den is the only Guild to benefit from the war. You sustained only one loss of life, have control over the Legendary Weapons, well established connections with powerful people, and reign over this region as the fastest growing and influential Guild out there." The Rep in particular was firm, but didn't raise his voice.

  Arend chuckled mockingly before Kronth could reply. "Are you people serious?"

  The looks Arend received were a mix of shock, disgust, and hostility. "Arend-" Duke started before Arend held a hand to his face and walked forward.

  "It would seem then you have a problem with me; I'm one of very few qualified to even map out how the Legendary Weapons work, I'm the one who's friends with Allan and the others, and I'm the reason people have swarmed to this once-small Guild. When I first came here, Dragon's Den had thirty-eight members, now it has…"

  "Two hundred." Kronth said.

  "Really?" Arend asked. She nodded. "Huh. What a strangely round number."

  "It does include you." Kronth replied.

  One of the Guild Reps stood up. "Enough of this mockery
! I demand that control over the Legendary Weapons be forfeited to a special coalition of Syndicates!"

  Arend pulled the Dragon Drive off his back and held it out. "Even this one?" Arend asked. The man hesitated. "I'd like to point out to all of you this clashed with the Death Weapon. Just try to tell me what to do with it." He jerked his head towards Kronth. "She barely can."

  "I won't stand for this!" One of them shouted.

  "Then sit down." Nem replied.

  They grew silent again. Kyrel stepped forward. "How hard do you people work?"

  "My Gui-" "Not your Guild, you. How many people here are Ranked at least B?" None of the Guild members raised their hands. All of Dragon's Den raised theirs.

  "Now riddle me this," Kyrel glanced around the room. "How could an entire Guild, who used to only get a B Ranked Request three times a week, have a Ranking Average higher than Mid C? How can over half of their members be Ranked S or above, and previously have both a Y Ranked and X Ranked members?"

  Kyrel didn't get a reply. "You work you asses off." Arend replied. Kyrel nodded.

  "And going out of your way to increase your Guild's standings by training nonstop and winning as many tournaments and special events as possible." Nem added.

  Arend grinned widely. "And what happens when a Guild skilled in fighting goes to war?"

  "You survive." Vladd replied. Kronth glanced back with a hint of pride at her group.

  Duke turned to leave. "Hey! Where-"

  Everyone pivoted when Arend interrupted with a wave as he sheathed his weapon. "If you want them so desperately, send someone who can handle them better that our group. Until then, We'll continue to use them." Arend turned to Kronth.

  She smiled. "You're quite the diplomat." He nudged her playfully before walking out.

  Kronth turned to the Guild Reps. "Sorry folks! They're not going to give up the Legendary Weapons without a fight. And I'm not stupid enough to fight a losing battle." Kronth left the room of furious Guild Reps to join the waiting Arend.

  [X]

  Nem had Kyrel and Vladd spar while Arend and Duke watch from the sidelines. Kronth sat with Arend, sharing one of Jacob's lawn chairs. Duke chose to sit some distance away from them. King watched from behind Kronth and Arend, noting every move the two made. They stopped when Jacob called out suddenly.

  Arend glanced back and saw a large group headed their way. Tommori and Myith were leading the group, with Rusty, Tawny, and Iode in the group as well. Four in particular confused him; Allan, Fanscaro, Maeil, and Zeph stood off to the side. Kronth stood up so Arend could stand. Kyrel and Vladd came running. Vladd stopped short when he saw Allan and Fanscaro.

  "What's going on?" Arend asked.

  "What do you think of 'Open Dragon'?" Tawny asked. Arend' eyebrow crept up.

  "Nope." Kyrel said with a shake of his head.

  "The Cave?" Jacob asked.

  "Too much like the Nest." Nem replied, catching on to their game.

  "Orenth Anthology?" Fanscaro asked.

  Allan shook his head. "'Orenth and Korvan' would be better."

  "Grey Rift?" Nate suggested.

  "What about 'Full Grey'?" Iode asked.

  Kyrel nodded. "Hmm… that's good."

  "Full Tilt!" Zeph exclaimed. "It fits his personality!"

  "How about 'Slip Tilt'?" Rusty asked.

  "Drive Tilt?" Kronth suggested, laughing slightly.

  Arend was a little irritated. "What are you doing?"

  "Trying to find a name for our store." Maeil replied.

  The group turned to Maeil with an irritated look.

  "Stop that!" Arend said with a wave. "It's not like it can be anything I don't agree on."

  Tommori and Myith began whispering. Arend looked over at Allan and Fanscaro. "Why are you here? This is a little strange for you two."

  "My group and I could use a tune up now and in the future from a guy who knows his stuff." Allan replied.

  "You mentioned special spots for consultants. I want to guarantee mine." Fanscaro replied.

  Corenden waddled out from the group. He looked up at Arend. "Shifted Tilt." Kronth and Kyrel nodded.

  "Sounds good." Nem said.

  Arend shrugged. "If it's so important to name it now, I guess it's okay. It's going to be tied closely to Dragon's Den anyway."

  Tommori tossed Kyrel a case. He caught it and popped it open, signing a few things inside it. All that was missing was Arend' signature and Kronth's stamp of approval.

  Kronth and Arend meticulously poked through the documents. "So it's partially supported by Dragon's Den, but has to pay double the taxes and many fees in return." Kronth said.

  "And no requirement to hire from Dragon's Den." Arend added.

  "Thanks to you, it can produce Drives…" Kronth mumbled.

  "And according to this, I don't need to pay rent!" Arend exclaimed.

  Kronth paused on one paper before handing it to Arend. 'All construction materials provided by Yitkin, overlooked and designed by Iode, paid for by Richard Griffin. Tools and appliances provided by Daniel Prickett, Myith, Civen, Jacob, and Iine Excelscar.' Arend smiled.

  "You know this'll put you in debt with a lot of people right?" Kronth asked, a little worried.

  Arend signed what he needed to. "Not really. I've earned more than a few favors."

  Kronth signed before stamping and stapling the contracts. Kyrel sealed the case and provided Arend with a copy of the contract with all the finer detail intact. "We can get started right away." Iode said.

  "Not yet." Arend said. "I still need to go over things and find out exactly what I'm getting. And probably call a few people in here I forgot about." Iode nodded.

  The group scattered, leaving Iode Zeph and Corenden. Arend and Kronth sat back down. Corenden sat comfortably on Arend' head. "Where will it be built?" Nem asked.

  "Right next to the Den Building; they've asked for at least a floor above the lobby." Arend replied.

  He pulled out his phone and dialed a number from memory. "Who are you calling?" Kronth asked as Arend put the phone to his ear.

  "Iine." Arend replied.

  The phone rang twice before Iine's secretary answered. "Alright, what do you want?"

  "It's Arend." Arend replied. "I need to talk to the Iceman."

  "…Hello?" Iine asked.

  "Yo." Arend replied.

  "Ahh… So they've told you."

  "Yeah, it seems that surprise contracts are a thing around here or something." Arend replied.

  "Did you refuse?"

  "No, no! I just was some clarification on what you're sending me. I need to know for the layout."

  Iine chuckled. "A Maxim Vulcanus."

  "Hold on, WHAT?" Arend asked.

  "You heard me." Iine replied.

  "Tell them!" Arend exclaimed, putting the phone on speaker.

  "Hello?" Nem asked.

  "…Nem…?"

  "C'mon, c'mon! Tell them!" Arend exclaimed.

  "I'm giving Arend a Maxim Vulcanus for his shop." Vladd nearly dropped Felsen Soul.

  Arend switched the phone back. "I didn't realize what I did was so important."

  "Arend, you have no idea what you mean to my people. You were famous well before you became involved in the Guild situations." Iine replied.

  "It's not the same though."

  "It doesn't matter if it's different! Most of these people owe you their lives. When I heard about your plans, I barely mention it to my secretary and the entire region is scrambling to donate! I had to prevent them from charging your way when Celestial Rim showed up, and they out did themselves because of it. It's brand new and headed towards your little Nest with a top notch security team."

  "…Sub Meridian?" Arend asked with a faint smile.

  Kronth and everyone else listening slowly dropped their jaws. "You know it." Iine replied.

  Arend laughed. "Plow on my friend!" Arend said.

  "And change the world." Iine replied before hanging up.

  "Sub Meridian is c
oming here?" Kyrel asked with a touch of awe.

  "With my Maxim Vulcanus." Arend replied with a grin.

  "Who is Sub Meridian?" Zeph asked. "And Maxim Vulcanus?"

  "A multi-million Ere machine; A custom 100% accurate Korvan creator." Arend replied.

  "And a group of Y Ranked Guild Members from the Northern Alliance." Kronth added.