Chapter 67 - Chapter 67: House Bors

Countless number of soldiers were trying their luck after hearing that a reward of 100 old coins would be offered to anyone who destroys the condensed mass of dirt. "Greetings sir White Eagle." The Wind Talon said. She was bowing her head while holding her chest. "Wind Talon. Are you well?" I asked. Viton excused himself and went to try breaking the cuboid once more. We struck up a conversation where we talked about mundane things until the conversation got serious. "I would like to thank you again for sparing my son. Further investigation proved that he was worse than I thought. I am ashamed as a parent." The wind Talon said. She was referring to an instance where I found out her son was responsible for extortions and murders inside one of the bases. This took place while war at the wall was still in effect. I did threaten to execute him but decided against that. "Is he still in prison?" I asked. "Yes. For the rest of his life." The Wind Talon said. I enquired why she was here and not back at the kingdom of Ultra where she was stationed. "We conduct random joint training sessions here every two weeks. Whenever I am free, I come to observe the progress." The Wind Talon said. We talked more about the talent of the soldiers where I learned that Viton was the Vice Wind Talon. "Viton has such a peculiar talent. Music performed to such an extent that can perform almost anything. A specific tune heals the injured, another removes exhaustion from his companions, another summons birds to scout ahead…All I can say is that I had to recruit him by all means." The Wind Talon said. I had a slight idea that music magic was strong when he managed to scratch my monument but not to this extent. It almost seems that he can truly do anything. Through Jenga's guidance, it is possible for me to learn Music Magic but I lack the artistic talent which means that there is a high chance I shall never reach my full potential. "He has the potential to become a very great commander on the battlefield." I said. "Yes, although he resents it. His pursue of strength is only to ensure that he is strong enough to defend himself. I have sparred with him countlessly and he tends to improve every single time. In the next 2 or 3 years, I am sure that I will no longer have the strength to best him in a duel and I am afraid that he shall leave the force." The Wind Talon said. "Leave? Why leave?" I asked. "We made a pact that he would remain here as long as I had something to teach him. With his current growth rate however, I fear that in a few years' time I shall have grown incompetent in his eyes." The Wind Talon said. "Do you know anything about him?" I asked. I don't remember someone like this fighting at the wall during the great battle against the beasts and monsters. "No, I have tried to check his background but I could not find anything about him. He suddenly appeared one year ago and through various duels, he has risen to the Vice Wind Talon." The Wind Talon said. It got quiet for a while as I was contemplating on what I had just heard. "Sir White Eagle, Greetings." The Light Talon said. He was an older gentleman who wore clothes that resembled priestly garments. "Light Talon, it has been sometime yes?" I asked. We got into some small talk before I was asked why I was visiting so suddenly without notice. The Light Talon insisted that they should welcome me in a grander manner than this. "Now, now. Its fine, after all I came here for work." I said. "If you don't mind. I will lead you to the building." The Light Talon said. We entered the building, sat down and I began stating my objectives. I also told the two talons present about the spiders and my experiences in the Central Continent. "About the curse plaguing the Duke's daughter, I am aware of it and have tried to break it with no success. It has been plaguing the royal family for 300 years now." The Light Talon said. This was some headway at least. "Do you know who is responsible?" I asked. "The story is told that about 300 years ago, the current Royal family did not exist. In its stead, stood another house one of great prestige and experience. The house of Bors which was originally from the first White Eagle himself Sir Bors. At the time of the fall of the Bors House, the Talons were greatly divided and could not agree on simple matters. This was also the case where various flying beasts and monsters attacked Midrain regularly but they could not get any assistance from the other Talons. The people grew resentful and began agitating for more military independence. The current Captain of the royal guards seized this opportunity and turned the blades on the royal family massacring everyone in the palace. The Captain became the new King with great support from the people after promising to offer safety. He then renamed the country after himself, Midrain and thus the house of Midrain was formed." The light Talon concluded. I was confused because this was not the question I had asked. "The survivors from the House of Bors contracted spirits and cursed the entire Midrain bloodline in exchange for the lives of half of those present during that ritual. Since then, the curse has taken more than half the adults ever born from that time." the light Talon explained further. This must be a very powerful curse, I doubt the draconic aura is sufficient to deal with such a thing. "Is there a way to break the curse?" I asked. "I am afraid I do not know of one." The light Talon said. The Wind Talon also shook her head. This is now a very difficult situation. "How much do you know about spirits?" I asked. "Communicating with spirits was a specialty for the Bors family but after most were wiped out, it became a lost art." The Wind Talon said. Spirits? There were some people in the Central continent who knew more about them too. I could ask the dragons first before going there. It is possible that Zora knows something. I got up from my seat and began excusing myself. "Sir, are you leaving already?" The Wind Talon asked. "Yes I still have a lot of work to do. I came faster than the letter but it's all the same. All thee Talons will be meeting at Capel soon. We shall talk more then." I said. I got out of the room and went to my monument to look at the progress before heading back home. Viton was relentlessly attacking the monument without any progress taking place. "Viton. I am leaving now. Make sure you come with the wind Talon to Capel." I shouted. If my suspicions are right, he was a remnant of Bors family. He bowed and acknowledged my words before returning to assault the monument. It was now in the evening and I flew back to Capel where I had left Roy the prince sleeping in the morning. I landed at the family's manor front door and before I could get close to the door, I was swarmed with a fire attack. "You brute. Did you think it was that easy to catch your master off-guard?" I said. It was pitch who had just launched that attack. "You need to hide your presence better than that." I said while smiling at him. "Master? Will you train us like before?" Pitch said as he landed on the ground. So this was why he came out here, to get a chance to brag how much they had improved. Cheeky bastard. "Tomorrow. Go and tell Alpha and the others." I said. "Thank you." Pitch said in a tone that betrayed his happiness. He then flew away just as suddenly as he had appeared. "What was that?" Roy shouted from the balcony. There was no need for me to enter through the door so I just flew to where he was and sat at the edge of the balcony. "That was Pitch, my pet crow." I said. "Pet? That thing is huge." Roy said. "Yeah, he takes after me. Enough about that, I talked to the king about you in passing. He has no qualms about meeting you." I said. "Really? That is good. When do I meet him?" Roy asked. "Tomorrow. For now, let me show you around." I said. I led Roy out of the house and we travelled to the Capital. "This carriage is very silent." Roy said. "Yes. My family runs that business of making and repairing carriages." I said proudly. "What kind of dragon are you? Why do you need to run a business?" Roy asked. I should probably not tell him to call me a dragon. "Roy, I was once a powerful human with power. Very few people know that I am a dragon. It is forbidden to mention that I am a dragon. This is because the god that turned me into one is not popular among the citizens. Having their military leader choose a god to serve is likely to cause distrust and limit cohesion." I rumbled on. I came up with such a terrible lie that I was embarrassed about it. Roy however took my words at face value and accepted them as they were.