The Wolf’s Daughter

Phaedra leaned back in her throne, taking a slow, deep breath. Yroth wasn’t here today, instead having left to tend to some other matters with the kobolds, at her behest. When Phaedra met the three who had earned the right to stand at her side on her conquests, she figured it best to not make herself appear as just a figurehead of Yroth’s.

Instead, her new kobold steward would be in attendance, the kobold Kun. Phaedra couldn’t help being a little surprised that he had been chosen, but considering he was one of Yroth’s children and had been the first kobold she’d met, he likely had a better rapport with her than most of the kobolds in her territory.

He still seemed to be terrified of her, though, and rarely met her gaze. She hoped he would get over that eventually, he needed to be the one who represented the kobolds in her home, the last thing she wanted was for needed information to not get to her.

Besides him was her other steward, who she called Niz. A porcupine demon, his actual name was long and confusing to the point where after her third time pronouncing it wrong, she finally just asked to call him Niz. Xenaris was, sadly, nowhere to be seen, apparently quite keen to get back to focusing on his ship now that she had proper stewards. She just hoped they’d be able to do the duties expected of them properly.

Dixxy was leaning against the wall across the room, lightly making popping noises with her mouth while they waited. Phaedra was beginning to wonder if this was why she had rarely been allowed to join into diplomatic meetings as a child, she was already wondering if she should throw the girl out. She understood being bored, Phaedra was bored, but part of being diplomatic at times meant not showing it.

Finally, there was Emma. The small mouse demon was standing near the stewards, keeping her eyes low and refusing to meet the gaze of anyone else. Phaedra really hoped the demon would grow more confident with time, her talents and speed were incredibly useful. She didn’t have much power, but there was so much more to the world than just might.

Her fingers lightly rapped against the armrest and she quickly moved her hands into her lap to stop herself from twitching. Okay, so maybe her cousin’s boredom was more understandable. She was about to ask Emma to take Dixxy somewhere more entertaining when the large door to the room began to open. It creaked ominously in a way she found quite impressive for a door that had only been installed a few weeks ago. She wondered if it was intentional to draw attention, or if it was the kind of metal they used to make it.

Three figures stood in the doorway, with a reptilian guard on either side of them. They began to walk towards her.

Phaedra couldn’t help but be slightly amused when she saw the first. A great red horse demon, he carried a great halberd on his back. She wondered if it was a ceremonial weapon or just one he carried around. Most of her guards had weapons as well, but they were often more for appearances than actual use. She remembered hearing that weapons were almost never permitted to be brought into the throne room back on earth.

Then again, she supposed weapons like that meant so much less when most of her subjects could wield magic of some sort or transform into great, vicious monsters if necessary.

The second to enter was easily the largest of the three, though. She wasn’t carrying any weapons, her skin rough and gray. Her mouth was slightly open, revealing thick rows of teeth and her eyes were a very dark red. A shark demon. Her arms looked as thick as tree trunks and she likely could have wrapped one hand around Phaedra with ease.

There was something else about her. She swore she had seen the girl before. She didn’t know that many shark demons aside from Gib, though.

The last of them was a strange, round demon covered in armor. She couldn’t quite place what they were at first, as their body was slouching so badly she couldn’t quite grasp what she was looking at. Then it finally clicked. Armadillo demon. She couldn’t help but wonder if this meant, somewhere, this world had actual armadillos. If not for the translation effects of the magic that brought her here, what would she know them as? If they were brought to her world, would they have wondered why there were so many strange, non-demon versions of what they had demon versions of?

Then again, considering her world used to make commentary about how all creatures eventually evolved into crabs, she supposed she should just be grateful that the world wasn’t just filled with crab demons.

The three finished their walk through the throne room and knelt before her, lowering their heads. She swallowed and braced herself for what she’d need to say. In the end, it was all about presentation. They expected to be following a big, tough demon, so she needed to be that for them. She rose to her feet and looked down at the three.

“Welcome, my three champions,” Phaedra said, her hands crossing behind her back before she walked directly in front of them, examining them closer. “Please, rise.”

The three stood slowly and slightly awkwardly, gazing down at her. The shark demon was so tall she almost had to bend her neck fully to look at her. The only one who could approach looking her in the eyes was the armadillo demon, but even he could only do it because of how much he was slouching.

“You’ve all faced the challenges offered to come to this position,” Phaedra said with a small smirk. “As the three who have earned the right to join me in my upcoming campaign. Aside from the crew of my vessel, there is going to be one more who will be joining us. Emma?”

The mouse demon blinked a little before going pale. “L-Lady Phaedra?”

“Come here,” Phaedra said before motioning her over. Almost instantly the mouse was at her side. Practically hiding behind her from the three. She, gently, reached a hand down and patted her on the head. “This is Emma.”

“A mouse?” the horse demon asked, his voice amused.

“Indeed,” Phaedra said. “She’s become a useful servant since I acquired her. Part of your duties will be ensuring she stays safe.”

“Keep her safe?” the shark asked, her voice bewildered.

“Indeed,” Phaedra said. “She’s not a fighter, but she is quite useful. Speaking of, which of you three would you say is the strongest?”

“That would be me!” the horse demon said fiercely.

To Phaedra’s surprise, the other two didn’t object or argue. Now she kind of wished she had watched the selection process of these three. He must have been quite powerful during it if they didn’t even try to object.

“I see, and you are?” Phaedra asked.

“You… don’t know?” the horse demon asked, looking confused.

“I love a good surprise,” Phaedra said. “Besides, I figured once you three were chosen, there was a decent chance you might team up to overthrow me. If that happened, I wanted the fight to be a fun little surprise, hardly fun if I know what you can do.”

The shark suddenly snorted, a massive hand moving to cover an even more massive mouth. “As expected of the Wolf’s daughter,” she said.

“Indeed,” Phaedra said with a small smirk. “My father’s rise was inevitable, but he does have a host of loyal, powerful demons at his side. Part of his power comes from his willingness to face any and all who would attempt to take his spot. Those who follow him know that he is a demon who will expect his warriors to fight besides him, not in front of him. As his daughter, I find it is paramount that I follow the great example he has made for me. So, you are?”

“I am Lu Bu,” the horse demon said before reaching back and drawing his halberd. He rapped it against the ground three times. “My name has been passed down through my family for many generations, growing stronger with each life sacrificed to it. My great-great-grandfather was the prior Lu Bu until the day I slew him, and he became one with me as others before him. I will make this name one of the greats of our world.”

“Lu Bu?” Phaedra asked, barely managing to keep the smile on her face. “A powerful warrior, indeed. I trust you’ll make your family proud.” She then glanced towards the shark. “And you?”

“Medea,” the shark demon said. “We have met once before. I am the granddaughter of the great Leviathan, here on his recommendation.”

“Medea,” Phaedra said, struggling to not whimper. Oh. This was already not boding well. “I thought you looked familiar. Finally, you?” she asked, glancing to the armadillo.

“Lancelot,” the last of the demons said.

“I see,” Phaedra said, internally screaming.

Oh, this was NOT going to go well, at all. She’d heard of warning signs, but these were warning flashing neon signs.

------

“I don’t see the cause of concern,” Yroth said as she chewed on what Phaedra was almost certain was a piece of sulfur. It certainly smelled like it and she could tell, because in a strange twist, Yroth had taken her kobold form and was sitting on HER lap. The dragon was even dangling her legs over the side of the throne and using the other armrest to lean on.

“Lu Bu, Medea and LANCELOT!” Phaedra said before moaning, her hands covering her face. “This is going to be a disaster!”

“I still don’t see the problem,” Yroth said before taking another bite. “While those are names of power, they aren’t very powerful. Circe was a far stronger one. Those names will not make them a threat alone.”

“You don’t understand,” Phaedra said. “All three of those names were legendary ones back home. Lancelot and Lu Bu were incredibly powerful warriors, the best of the best. Medea was a legendary sorceress, one of the best.”

“Hmmmm,” Yroth said. “I can see why you’re worried, then. But those names are not of that power here.”

“All three of them are also known for their betrayals,” Phaedra said before finally slipping her hands from her face. “Lu Bu killed his adoptive father when he fell in love with her concubine and betrayed many of the people he worked with until he was slain. Lancelot was the greatest of the Knights of the Round Table, but fell in love with his king’s wife and led to the downfall of Camelot. Medea was enchanted by the gods to fall in love with Jason of the Argonauts, where she then killed her brother and betrayed her father for him, before ultimately being betrayed by him and killing his new wife and children.”

“I see,” Yroth said, a confused look on her face. “Do most of the stories of your world have to do with betrayal and love?”

“A lot more than you’d think,” Phaedra said softly. “All three of them were powerful, feared for their incredible abilities. And all three betrayed the people they served, leading to their downfall.”

“It doesn’t mean they are destined to destroy you,” Yroth said. “The translation of names do not necessarily symbolize who they are. It merely implies a connection between your knowledge of them from your world, and them in this world.”

“But what if it DOES mean they’ll betray me?” Phaedra asked. “Or get me killed?”

“We could kill them now,” Yroth said.

“NO!” Phaedra said before trying to shove Yroth off her. The dragon didn’t budge, she merely smirked at her.

“Then fretting about it does nothing,” Yroth said. “Perhaps it is just the magic’s way of alerting you to be careful amongst them. There is more to one than their name. You, of all people, should know that. My name, for example, is a powerful one. Yet in your world it means nothing. That in and of itself should tell you that the magic that alters the names for you is not absolute and cannot tell you everything. Merely some things.”

“But what if they fall in love with… I don’t know… you? And then they decide to get to you by killing me?” Phaedra asked.

“I’d say that I am beyond any of their reach,” Yroth said. “And that if they believe that killing the one I care for is the way to attain my heart, they are big enough fools that they would hardly be able to subtly oppose you.” She took another bite of her sulfur before reaching out to poke the tip of her nose. “You, sheep, are far too easily panicked. This is not a threat or danger. It is merely an existence.”

“So you think it’s just coincidence?” Phaedra asked.

“Of course not,” Yroth said. “It surely is not, after all, the names are all similar in their history to your world. But it does not necessarily mean they are to be your enemies. It could merely be a sign that the three of them are, or shall be, closely connected. If you spend all your time believing they shall betray you, you shall invite it on your head.”

Phaedra groaned and leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes. “I… guess, you’re probably right. It was just kind of a shock. Do you think they noticed?”

“You were slightly more nervous than normal,” Yroth said. “But you mask it well. I doubt they were able to tell that you were worried about them, aside from a bit of nervousness pertaining to your little mouse project.”

“Emma?” Phaedra asked.

“Few demons keep a mouse around,” Yroth said. “While she may be useful, her strength is… minor. Many demons will see that as a weakness, keeping her in your inner circle.”

“I have to keep her there, she balances you out,” Phaedra said with a small smile. “The incredibly powerful and beautiful Ascended Dragon with the weak and adorable mouse demon.” To her delight, she saw the kobold preen slightly under the compliment, sitting up a little straighter and her wings spreading out slightly.

“Mmmmm. I suppose having me besides you does allow a bit more room to have weaker allies,” Yroth said dismissively.

“Maybe less egotistical ones, too,” Phaedra said in a playful tone. “Who don’t smoke in their sleep.”

“I DO NOT SMOKE IN MY SLEEP!” Yroth snapped, her cheeks going a little red before she stuffed the last of the sulfur into her mouth. “You are such an arrogant, obnoxious sheep…”

“Of course I’m arrogant,” Phaedra said. “I have an Ascended Dragon in my lap, living in luxury. Few demons could claim such. Few beings. In fact, I bet I am the only creature who has an Ascended Dragon that follows my whims so closely.”

“Why would you believe that?” Yroth asked, cocking an eye. “Most of my kind develop favorites now and again.” Her hand moved up, lightly stroking the underside of her chin. “We are oft known for enjoying more exotic treats. And what could be more exotic from the being from another world, brought into ours and then reborn a second time? But trust me… you are not the only one to have caught one of our eyes.”

“Well, I wouldn’t know,” Phaedra said. “I’ve only met the one Ascended Dragon. It— grk!” Her words were cut off by Yroth’s kiss and her tongue going far, far too deep in her mouth. She yanked back, coughing and sputtering. “S-stop doing that!”

“Or what?” Yroth asked.

“Nothing! Probably! I-I don’t know! It just feels weird!” Phaedra said, giving a light whine.

“Pathetic, whining sheep…” Yroth whispered before kissing her once more and speaking into her mouth, her tone low and breathy, sending chills down her spine. “Tomorrow, you leave once more to earn your glory and continue your tricks… but tonight? You are mine…”

Phaedra gave a soft, excited little bleat, gently kissing the dragon back. At least, this time, she wasn’t afraid to leave her home alone.

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