(Samuel's POV)
"I did not think it would come to this." Oneth said as she slithered on next to me, "I feel terrible."
I was standing at the gate of the Stronghold, crossing my arms, "I didn't think a Serpent Demon would empathize with others." I said, "Especially someone like you."
Oneth looked at me, "What does that mean?"
"Don't play the fool." I said, "You tried to kill me merciless the moment we met. I didn't expect you to show emotion like that, considering you hate Humans."
She scowled, "My fellow Orcish are a different story, Samuel." She said, inching closer to me, "A woman just lost her father and you dare throw accusations like that."
"They're not accusations if they're true." I said as she clutched my chin, "Let go of me."
She hissed, "Show some respect."
"Oneth." I heard Desiree's voice
We looked behind us to see the Goth Elf walking up to us with the tall and busty lady behind her.
"Lady Desiree." Oneth said, letting go of me
"This is quite the situation." Desiree said, "I have to report to Her Majesty directly. We'll return to Castle Amara along with you."
Oneth nodded, "As you desire, My Lady." She said, "Have you finished paying your respects?"
"Yes." Desiree said, "I've sent a message to my wife; she will have every inch of the Abaddon Kingdom searched for those Duskrend Spies. But my hunch is that they've returned to their side of the War-Torn Lands."
"Perhaps that is the case." Oneth said
Desiree nodded, "To think that they were capable of teleporting Zarias, the Scourge, over to our side." She said, "It is a terrible thing to think about. If my sister weren't here, it would've been a bloody battle."
"It would've been." Oneth said, "He was able to effortlessly defeat us."
"Hm...." I said
I couldn't help but notice that the Tall one was staring at me with her intense dragon eyes. I do remember Asothia mentioning that the Abaddon Kingdom is home to a race called Dragonkin. Is this woman a Dragonkin? She does look like someone who would be one; large horns that resemble a crown with some scales all around her body. Her eyes had that dragon-like look to them, screaming with intensity.
"I have called for a carriage already." Oneth spoke up, "It will be here shortly to take us back to the Capital."
"That is good." Desiree said, "I won't have Streinde waste her Portal Magic on us. She has to use that for her battles."
"Of course." Oneth nodded, "That is a wise decision. All resources should be poured to the efforts in the War-Torn Lands."
As they were speaking, I couldn't help but notice that the Dragonkin woman was still looking at me with an intense stare.
I scowled, "Something the matter?" I said, looking at the woman, "Like what you see?"
Oneth looked at me with an alarmed expression, "Who are you asking that?" She asked in a hushed tone, "You better not antagonize Lady Vaezhrya!"
I narrowed my eyes, not breaking eye contact with the woman, "Someone's got a staring problem." I said, "I'm in no mood to deal with bullshit like this."
Desiree sighed as Vaezhrya moved her out of the way, "Not this.....Sister...."
I looked up to the woman as she stepped closer, towering over me as she simply stared at me with her tense eyes.
"Again." I said as she was literally inches from me, "Like what you see?"
She was silently staring at me, as if she was evaluating me with her sight.
"Lady Vaezhrya...." Oneth said, "Please, forgive him. He is-"
"Promised Warrior." Vaezhrya said with her husky voice
I tilted my head, "That is what I am."
"You are not afraid of me?" She asked
"Should I be?" I asked with a raised eyebrow, "Hm?"
"Most are afraid of me." Vaezhrya said, "They are aware of my might, so they cower before me."
"You can be stronger than me all you want, it won't matter to me. I didn't show fear to anyone in my world, I won't start in this one." I said with a serious scowl, "You didn't see me pissing my pants against that Dusk Elf Vampire."
"Hm." She said, "A Human with a Runepowder Toy. Are you truly the one who will stop this War?"
"You tell me." I said
"Stop antagonizing her!" Oneth scolded
Vaezhrya reached for my chin, holding it firmly as she stared at me, "You're a fragile one." She said, "It won't take much to break your weak little bones."
"Tch...." I said, "Careful. You're in point-blank range, woman. I won't hesitate to put a hole in you."
"S-Samuel!" Oneth said, "Stop-"
"It is okay, Oneth." Vaezhrya said, squeezing my chin, "I merely wish to test this boy's grit."
In an instant, I drew my gun and pressed the barrel against her exposed abs, "Keep squeezing so I can pull this trigger." I said, "It might not kill you, but I bet that it will hurt."
"I can assure you, Samuel Grey." Desiree said with a nervous tone, "It won't even scratch her. So put that thing away before Sister Vaezhrya snaps your neck."
"And she'll have to explain herself to the Queen." I said
"The Queen will understand." Vaezhrya said as she pulled away her hand, "But you are an interesting Human."
I holstered my gun, "What's your deal?"
She walked past me, bumping into me, "Hm."
I stumbled a bit, "What the fuck is her problem?"
"The Heroine of Abaddon does what she wants." Desiree said as Vaezhrya stood a few meters away, "But it seems she has taken a liking to you."
"Tch....." I scowled, "That's just what I need."
Oneth clutched my chin, "Don't fucking do that again!" she hissed, "To antagonize with Lady Vaezhrya is to play with Death itself!! She will not show mercy the next time, Samuel!"
I scowled, "Let me go."
"No!" She said, an angry look on her face, "I need to discipline you when we return to the Castle!!"
"Ooooh." Desiree said, "I must join!"
I looked at her, "You're married, don't start with any bullshit." I said with a glare, "Fucking weirdo."
"Ah..." She blushed, "I'm getting hard.....keep glaring at me like that...."
I shuddered, "Shit, that's...." I said, "You're actually weird. You get off with being glared at?"
"Yes..." She said, patting her own cheeks, "That's what my wife does to me all the time, it gets the mood ready."
"Lady Desiree, he is mine to discipline." Oneth said,
"I am afraid I will not share."