User blog:Redknight910/WWYD Ryu Spazerz

Prompt:Red Dragon Rising

I sigh, really wishing this psycho would just get assassinated already. But given that's not really on the cards at this point, I start writing my response.

To Empress Ina, Red Dragon of the Isle,

''I'm afraid I cannot revoke my protection of the Zipangu state that constrict's you. After the past war I beseech you to reconsider my requests for negotiations. Surely you would not wish to repeat the mistakes of the past so soon after they have been corrected? If you do wish to speak in person, please, send a letter to my castle including a time. I will have to insist on Lotus as the negotiating grounds, as they have long acted as independant jurours.''

In sincerest hope, Lord Araphus.

As I seal the letter and hand it to the messenger, I can only pray that I'll get a positive response. A few weeks later and the messenger returns with a reply.

Lord Araphus,

''Your repeated requests for negotiations are becoming tiring. However, I am in agreeance that the wars of the past should not be repeated. I will be wiating with my personal retinue at the Lotus eastern gate. I emplore you to make haste, lest I tire of waiting and begin to siege the city out of boredom.''

The Dragon Empress, Ina.

Thank whatever gods are still capable of watching, she actually agreed. Though from what I've heard of her retinue, she might as well have brought an entire army anyway. Thankfully two can play at that game.

"Ivan, go and alert my captains that we make for Lotus at soonest convience. And let Allora know I'll be requireing her assistance." My steward nods, and rushes off to make preparations.

Next morning we set out, myself, my three mamono and my five human guards, and my travelling companion Allora.

"Are you certain it's safe, Araphus?" She asks, her weight falling slightly heavier on my shoulders.

"Do not worry. We will be safe. And you above all know how to keep us so, correct?" I hear a faint giggle, and a warm breeze blow across me.

"Of course, my lord."

The trip to the nearest dock is three days, then another four by boat to Zipangu, followed by another day of travel to reach Lotus. We're welcomed with the usual subtle fanfare, followed by an ushering towards the high priest's residence. As we enter he approaches us, his usual calm undercut by a panicked pace.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"My staunchest friend, it is good to see you. And better to be able to thank you for not abandoning us to this... fiend." I assure him it's fine.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"What kind of leader would I be if I left my allies to fall?" He nods, then escorts me to a private chamber. Inside I see the ryu, her red scales and dark skin glistening in the lantern light. She stops sipping tea to look up at me, before placing the cup down on the plate.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"You certainly took your sweet time, Araphus."

<p style="font-weight:400;">"Yes, well, I'm here now, Ina. Can we begin talks, or do you wish to get straight to the arguing about Lotus?" I see the corner of her mouth twitch upwards.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"I think some discussions would be beneficial before we move on. Tea?" I nod, taking a cup from my belongings and placing it down. She pours me a cup, then tops her own up. I have Allora test it first, and she finds it clean.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"So then, may I begin?" I ask, raising the cup to my lips.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"Very well." And with that, our talks begin.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"I wish to first talk about our borders in the Mist continent. Your people are becoming increasingly frustrated with your patrols, especially their tendencies to overstep your borders and patrol through my own lands."

<p style="font-weight:400;">"You have reason to fear what they may report, Araphus?" I shake my head.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"No, I have reason to suspect what they do. And I give you warning. Continue to let them overstep and they will be arrested under suspicion of espionage. She laughs quietly at that.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"You speak as if I have need of spies. My might is more than enough to thwart any attempt of resistance you could muster."

<p style="font-weight:400;">"And yet here we are, talking about it." She nods, smiling as she eyes me.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"And so we are. Are you done speaking?" I sigh.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"It doesn't matter, you'll only talk over me if I'm not. You've never listened before, why start now?" Her smile sours, and I see a spark of anger in her eyes.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"If you wish to be rude, then we can go straight to the brawling, Araphus."

<p style="font-weight:400;">"You're one to speak of being rude. You consistently belittle everyone around you, you don't show even an ounce of respect for anyone, and every time you message me or my allies, you not once have included title. You are arrogant, disrespectful, and dishonorable." I know I've overstepped myself in my ranting, and her eyes are filled with rage, yet her pose is just as elegant as always.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"I do not respect you, for you have done nothing to earn it, Lord Araphus. If I had known you were going to be so degrading of me, I would not have bothered. But since you're here, why don't I show you why you will bow to me?" She waves her hand, and I feel a potent force slamming into me. It takes a large portion of my strength and will to remain where I am, trying to nullify the force.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"That is but a taste of my power. Do you wish to test me, and see what I can really do?"

<p style="font-weight:400;">"A tyrant with power will one day wither, a populace under boots will forever stand." Words I'd said once before, when we kicked out the Order from their halls. The force intensified, and I felt Allora being to stir. She pushed back with me, her strength keeping us stable.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"You would dare..." she mutters, "I have given everything for my people! I have fought the Old War, I have lost my family to it, and I have forged myself into a monster to ensure none ever have to do so again! And you would dare to call me a tyrant?!" Even with Allora's help we're being pushed back, slowly but steadily. She advances on us, face curled in anger and eyes lit up with hate.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"You cannot stop war with force. You can kill a warlord, you can topple a government, but with the way you're leading your people, you will only create destruction." I'm trying to keep my voice level, trying my damndest to battle both the magic and the fear. I spot something, something I hoped to see. Water, glassing her eyes, the crack in her armour I've been looking for.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"If I control them all, no one will need to fight. If I can lead the world, then no one will be able to go to war..."

<p style="font-weight:400;">"If you conquer them, they will rebel. If you demand they stop, they'll go harder. If you force yourself upon us, you won't be ending the war. You'll be paving the way for hundreds of rebellions, hundreds of small wars that will only end in more people losing everything." The force is dying down, and I put a hand on he shoulder. "You can't bear the world on your shoulders. Either you'll break yourself, or you'll break the world." She collapses into my shoulder, crying.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"How. How can you do this to me? Everything I've done, every step of the path I've followed. How can you tell me it was all for nothing?"

<p style="font-weight:400;">"I'm not. You've built something powerful, something that will last for generations. But even the best foundations can only take so much weight. We need to be able to work together, side by side, not underneath one another." She looks at me, teary eyes confused.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"How are you this wise?" I can't help the smile that comes to my lips.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"I'm not. The high priest of Lotus taught me most of it. And the rest, well..." I shrug, tapping on my armour. "Allora? If you would?" There's a sensation of skin peeling away, and soon my armour is standing next to me.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"You...." She stares in awe at the gleaming suit standing on it's own.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"One thing I did come up with on my own. You can't stand alone, and expect to hold everything together. You need people, people you trust, people you care about, and who care about you. I couldn't surrender protection of Lotus, because both the people and their leaders have given me and mine so much. I would like if we could do the same between our people." She looks at me for several long minutes, before sighing.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"Indeed. I had no intention of listening to your requests when I entered this room, but now..." she sighs "now I will try. Lord Araphus." We seat ourselves again, and I pour two new cups of tea. Our discussions last several hours, and include many trade and travel agreements. By the time we leave, any tension in the air has fallen, and as we step out together, I see both of our guards relax a little.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"Empress, is all well?" One of the dragon's asks, looking between us.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"Indeed, Captain Dorus. We have come to many agreements that will need to be made known. I trust the messengers will be ready to deliver?" The dragon nods, looking at me with a brief smile. Ina also turns to me.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"I cannot thank you enough, Lord Araphus, nor Master Yin for being so influencial with you." At the seeming mention of his name, the high priest appears from thin air.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"I trust things are well, given how the two of you are speaking?" We both nod, and Ina bows.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"Indeed. I only wish I had not been so harsh as to not give you audience, Master Yin. I believe the words of your people would sound all the sweeter coming from your lips." While she makes no efforts to entice, there's no question her words sound like more than simple thanks.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"If you ever have some time for it, my fellow monks would be happy to teach you some of our philosiphies, Empress Ina." She nods happily.

<p style="font-weight:400;">"I believe I would enjoy that, but first I must attend to my own people. Please, excuse me." With that she leaves, taking her retinue with her. I can't help but notice the parting look one of her soldiers gives one of mine, and how he returns it.

<p style="font-weight:400;">We stay a few days to pay respects and visit friends, before returning home. Upon arrival I have several stacks of treaties to sign and seal, but I do so happily, knowing that for another generation at least, this peace will last.