章 67: The Empress's Bargain
"What did you say?" The Serpent Queen's last words made Grayson's intent to kill momentarily dissipate. His gaze turned icy as he stared at her beguiling face while she disclosed, "You heard correctly. The Titan Prince Tyrrel is hanging by a thread."
"What do you mean by that?" Grayson demanded with a skeptical gaze.
The Serpent Queen glanced at the blades whirling around her and suggested, "If you wish to discuss this matter, it would be best to let me go. This is hardly the way to negotiate."
"Why should I trust you?" Grayson challenged, his stare unyielding.
"Because you have no reason to doubt. Our recent exchange has already clarified that issue," the Serpent Queen replied with a slight smile, confidently spreading her hands. "I am no match for you, although I don't know how you broke my spell, I've already given it my all."
"From that perspective, you did speak a truth," Grayson conceded, nodding as he called back the suspended blades with a flick of his fingers.
He tapped his chest talisman with the tip of his gauntlet blade and boasted, "Your magic may be strong, but the man who gave me this amulet wields a power greater than yours. It protects me and my certain whimsical companions from the grasp of your vile magic."
Observing the Serpent Queen's expression of dawning realization mixed with curiosity, Grayson continued, "However, I won't divulge his name. Let's return to the matter at hand. Tell me, what did you mean when you said Tyrrel's life is in danger?"
Before she could respond, a cadre of brawny, fully armored Serpentfolk soldiers burst from the stone doorway behind her, encircling the group. Grayson's chilling glance swept over them, finally resting on the Serpent Queen's face.
Without uttering a command, her cold gaze prompted the soldiers to withdraw. Out of the blue, a gleaming scimitar flew past Grayson and struck a Serpentfolk soldier square in the head. The soldier's cry echoed as blood spattered, his body crashing to the ground.
The Serpent Queen's piercing eyes shot past Grayson's shoulder to Morven, who, free from the mental enchantment, tightened his grip on the sheathed sword and strode towards her with resentment.
The surrounding soldiers, witnessing Morven's approach, turned and rushed him with drawn weapons. Seraphine, cradling Katheren, struck the ground with her staff, sending out a spray of water droplets. Those hit by the droplets crumpled to the ground, riddled with bloody holes.
Another soldier, shouting, lunged at Seraphine, only to be met with a bullet from Katheren's silver pistol, piercing his skull.
The gunshot drew more Serpentfolk soldiers from the cavern. Brandishing their blades, they charged at the group. Just as a murderous light flickered in Grayson's eyes, the Serpent Queen's commanding shout stilled the scene: "Cease your actions!"
At her command, the Serpentfolk halted and lowered their weapons, turning back to her. Morven and Katheren, however, did not stop their assault, their stinger and bullets aimed for the soldiers' heads.
With two sudden clangs, a swift blade deflected Katheren's shot, and another parried Morven's stinger. Grayson's voice boomed, echoing in their ears, "Enough! Cease the fighting!"
Silence fell upon the scene as everyone stood frozen. Only Grayson and the Serpent Queen continued their silent appraisal, respect apparent in her eyes. She softly ordered, "Return to your quarters and take the fallen with you."
Respectfully, the Serpentfolk picked up their deceased and withdrew into the stone doorway.
"I apologize for the misunderstanding," Grayson signaled to a still-fuming Morven, then addressed the Queen.
"The apology is mine to give. Thankfully, that is behind us now. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Icarla, Empress of the Serpentfolk. Welcome to my palace," the Serpent Queen said, surveying the group's hostile faces with composure.
"Serpent Empress, you are the supreme ruler of the Serpentfolk?" Grayson sized her up again, sensing an aura distinct from that of any ordinary Serpent leader.
"Yes, much like your Sacred Emperor among humans," she replied with a hint of arrogance. "I am well acquainted with you. I know where you come from and can guess where you're headed. However, I must warn you, your adversary is moving faster than you."
"Who are you referring to as our adversary?" Grayson asked cautiously.
Her expression turned grave as she spoke, "Last night, a black wizard known as 'Bloodhand' Wystan came here and took a vial of poison from my palace."
The name struck a chord of surprise among the group. Grayson pressed further, "For what purpose?"
"That poison is the most potent toxin in this world, capable of killing a Titan. No other poison can affect a giant's massive body," she explained with a grimace.
"That scoundrel intends to poison Tyrrel!" Seraphine cried out.
"Why tell us this?" Grayson probed, his gaze still wary.
"Because I was not willing to part with my precious serpent venom for that villain," the Empress replied with loathing. "He raided my palace under cover of night, wielding potent black magic, and forced me to surrender the toxin."
"So you're passing this information to me, hoping I'll spoil Wystan's plans?" Grayson deduced with a wry smile.
"Exactly. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and I believe you are trustworthy!" The Serpent Queen extended her pale arm to Grayson, her words heavy with meaning.
"How do you know so much about us?" Grayson remained skeptical, despite the Queen's overture.
"That's simple!" The Empress swayed closer, placing her hand lightly on his shoulder, her smile cryptic. "Because you killed one of my subordinates, a Serpent Matron, and her daughter!"
"The Serpentfolk tribe from the Hot Springs Valley?" Grayson's guard was up instantly, and his companions perked up their ears.
"Yes. It was that incident that brought you to my attention. I have been keeping tabs on you ever since and had planned to summon you had you not come here by chance," she revealed with a smirk.
"But even so, you are not my enemies. In fact, I should thank you for relieving me of a great deal of trouble," she said, retracting her hand and shifting to a somber tone. "The Matron, Syluca, and her daughter opposed me for a long time and recently defected, seeking asylum in the Hot Springs Valley to challenge my rule."
"Had it not been for the ongoing conflict between the Titan factions obstructing the way, I would have sent forces to extinguish that traitor. When I heard you decapitated them both, I was ecstatic. Do you understand my feelings, Monsieur Huntsman?" She gloated beside Grayson.
"I'm flattered to have been of service," Grayson relaxed, sensing a potential alliance. "Did Wystan say anything else when he took the poison?"
"He entrusted the vial to four of his followers, directing them to deliver it back. I believe it's intended for Thunderhold, where everyone knows Prince Solon is preparing for his ascension ceremony, which Prince Tyrrel also plans to attend," the Empress divulged.
"We must find a way to stop them!" Grayson turned to Morven and Seraphine, "Someone has to reach Thunderhold and warn Andros. They must be vigilant against Solon's treachery!"
"I'll handle it. If I can catch up to those men, I'll take care of them myself," Morven said, barely concealing his anger.
"Hold on, I have something for you," the Empress interjected, beckoning them to follow her inside the stone doorway.
They followed the Queen up a snaking ramp, flanked by armored Serpentfolk soldiers eyeing them suspiciously. Reaching a spacious chamber atop the cavern, they were met by a group of Serpentfolk priestesses. The Empress introduced these high-ranking witches before guiding the group to sit upon stone thrones.
A priestess brought forth a crystal vial carved with serpents at the Queen's command and presented it to Grayson, "This is the antidote to the precious serpent venom. Taken within twenty-four hours of poisoning, it can bring back the dead."
Gratefully accepting the antidote, Grayson then received a golden serpent scale from the Empress, "This scale signifies my authority. Wear it, and no Serpentfolk will dare to hinder you."
Handing the antidote and scale to Morven, Grayson instructed him to hasten to Thunderhold, contact Andros, and ensure Tyrrel's safety. Morven departed quickly.
"And what of your plans?" The Empress inquired after Morven's departure.
"We're headed to Greyport to meet 'Soul of the Sea' Jaxton," Grayson responded candidly.
The Empress nodded at his reply, "As I suspected. Whoever gains Jaxton's allegiance and his band of cutthroat pirates will hold the upper hand. But gaining his loyalty will be no easy feat."
"Do you have a suggestion, Your Majesty?" Grayson caught the implication in her words, leaning in to ask.
The Empress's reply came with a silent smile as she rose and approached a stone pedestal, her hand sweeping over its surface. A blood-red crystal orb materialized, floating above the pedestal amidst a crimson glow.
The group gathered around as the Empress beckoned Grayson forward, instructing him, "Place your hand on the orb; it will reveal much you wish to know."
After a moment's hesitation, Grayson complied, his hand pressing against the crystal. He was engulfed by a red luminance, and his vision cleared to reveal an island, beside which a warship flew a black and white skull flag.
Suddenly, raucous laughter approached from behind. Turning, Grayson saw pirates emerging from the jungle, their shouts growing louder. Then, dark lightning streaked the sky, and demonic eyes flashed in the clouds, plunging the surroundings into impenetrable darkness amid the screams of the pirates.
"What's happening here?" Grayson muttered to himself, just as a ghastly, translucent face lunged at him from the void, its blade coming down upon his head.
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