The Wolf’s Daughter

“It looks great,” Phaedra said before giving a small approving nod towards the building.

As if she had any idea about the most basic parts of architecture. It was a building, it had a lot of rooms, it wasn’t going to collapse anytime soon. It was, oddly, quite cool and comfortable. Made primarily of stone, with some wooden furniture within.

It seemed the kobolds were warming up, slightly, to their new territory holders. They’d apparently helped in gathering the materials to help make the new domiciles. While it was hardly the fanciest accommodations, at the very least Phaedra could trust that everyone living in her territory would have a place to rest their heads. They’d even received more supplies from other parts of her territory and, one day, this little region might become a town or even city.

Assuming she hadn’t gone somewhere else. Or been killed. If someone else didn’t take over and move the territory.

She tried not to think too much about that, instead focusing on the new accommodations that were completed. “Now, this is one that, ahhhh, your dragon demanded we have made,” Xenaris said, a slightly nervous look on his face as he led her through a small tunnel.

“I told you to do what she said,” Phaedra said. “I’m not going to be annoyed by… oh… wow…” she whispered when she stepped out from the tunnel and into… well…

A massive hot spring. An actual hot spring. She could already feel her fleece getting overly damp and wilting. But there wasn’t any lava, as far as she could tell.

“Huh,” Phaedra said. “You… made this?”

“No,” Xenaris said quickly. “It was already near here. We merely made the tunnel to get here. There are countless throughout these mountains. We’ve had to work with the water, however, filtering it due to… well…”

“Is it safe?” Phaedra asked before kneeling down and pushing a finger against the water. She quickly pulled it back. No, not hot springs. BOILING springs.

“For some, yes,” Xenaris said. “… I don’t think you’d want to. I don’t think most demons with fur or… wool… would find it very comfortable. Especially with the minerals in the water.”

“Noted,” Phaedra said before getting to her hooves. “I take it the kobolds love it?”

“Amongst others,” Xenaris said.

“Good enough,” Phaedra said, resisting the urge to suck on her finger after that. It had only been a second, but that had burned a little. One of these days she just knew Yroth’s love of over heating was going to get her very, very hurt. “So, what next?”

“We’ll have a few selections from the kobolds to serve as your steward,” Xenaris said.

“And from the demons?” Phaedra asked.

“That… may take slightly more time,” Xenaris said. Judging by how he said that, he was hiding something. She narrowed her eyes on him.

“Why? What’s wrong?” Phaedra asked.

“Please understand that I—” Xenaris started, but she raised a hand to cut him off.

“I won’t get mad at you for telling me the truth,” Phaedra said, quickly. “I do not need you to give me good news. I only require that you give me the news, as it is. What is wrong?”

Xenaris gave a soft before shaking his head. “Your forces are not… quite your own. Many of them were those who expected you to be like your father, with more opportunity to rise in the ranks. To serve under the child of Fenrir was seen as a great honor. Others of them are those acquired when you… slew… Carth.”

“Uh huh,” Phaedra said. “Buuuuuuut?”

“You have yet to have gone on any grand conquests,” Xenaris said. “While those hand picked by your father or who have served under you for longer are aware of your… ahhhhh…”

“Quirks?” Phaedra offered.

“Indeed,” Xenaris said. “The more hot headed are getting restless. There are those amongst your host who are considering finding a new demon to serve under or… well…”

“Trying to take me for themselves?” Phaedra asked.

“Very, very few would take that route,” Xenaris said quickly. “Considering the… results of your recent… dispersal of threats.”

“Devouring Turntip’s heart?” Phaedra asked.

“E-err, yes, my lady,” Xenaris said quickly, bowing his head.

“It’s so much easier when you just say what you mean,” Phaedra said with a soft sigh. “Xenaris, the day I punish you for giving me the truth just because it is bad news is the day I am no longer myself. I may not be the greatest demon in the lands, but I at least understand if I am to rule I need to understand what is going on in my territory. I do understand that you dislike this job, so please. Just make sure whoever replaces you won’t be afraid to tell me the truth. And won’t cause me more trouble.”

“Of course,” Xenaris said. “The kobolds are easier. They follow the dragon, more than you. As long as she is content to obey you and not try to tear your new lands apart, they are content to follow you. But their loyalty is a fickle thing. If the dragon turns on you…”

“Leave the dragon to me,” Phaedra said. “Trust me. I have her firmly under control.”

“If you say so,” Xenaris said softly. “You are powerful, my lady. But please, understand that if many of your demons leave you…”

“I know,” Phaedra said softly. “Other demons will see it as a sign of weakness and try to come in, right? Take me down themselves? Or lay claim to me?”

“Indeed,” Xenaris said softly. “Your father’s name offers you protection, but only to an extent. Not all demons will fear earning his ire. Or worse, will hope to get at him through you.”

Phaedra couldn’t help but snort at that, though her amusement was lost on him. “I’m sure they’d love to try, but they’d fail.” If her father only knew who she really was, she wondered how long until he’d tear her apart himself. “Our base isn’t fully established yet, is it? It’s hardly self sufficient.”

“There’s also the shift of territory,” Xenaris said. “Many demons question why you’d even take this territory, only to make new homes within it. Why not choose a place that was more… to your liking?”

“Because the dragon is my greatest ally,” Phaedra said with a shrug. “Probably one of the greatest gifts my daddy ever gave me. One day, he might even regret me getting it, should we ever become enemies.”

“Should you try to take his name,” Xenaris said, giving a knowing nod. “You’re powerful, Lady Phaedra. Few here would dare challenge you. But they are beginning to doubt opportunities for glory and power.”

Phaedra gave a soft sigh before nodding. “I see. What, then, would you suggest?”

“A few things,” Xenaris said. “Perhaps a tournament, one with a position within your inner guard, or even harem, as the prize.”

Phaedra kept walking, though her mind just locked up and she only realized what she was doing when she walked into a wall. She yelped and shook her head. “W-what?! My harem?! I don’t have a harem! I don’t, I’m not planning to, why would you think, I, WHAT?”

“It’s not uncommon,” Xenaris said. “Your uncle has been in numerous and now has quite a large one of his own. In fact, I believe Lord Leviathan once served in a harem before his own rise to power. Many demons would be honored to—”

“I-I’m going to NOT focus on that one right now!” Phaedra said quickly, her face burning bright red. “Inner guard, right. So ummm… protecting me. That seems… less… existentially terrifying.”

“… Existentially terrifying?” Xenaris asked.

“I’m still young, I don’t need to worry about an heir yet,” Phaedra said. “I’ve only just set out on my own.”

“Ahhhh, I see,” Xenaris said with a chuckle. “I wouldn’t worry about that, then. There is plenty of time and within a century or two you’ll have likely had dozens.”

“Mmm, sure,” Phaedra said, definitely shoving any feelings she had about that into a little box internally and burying it far, far away. “What else might you advise?”

“A hunt for a name,” Xenaris said. “Either going after another demon’s territory, or an independent. There are plenty of names, some that constantly change owners. Others that are… more difficult to get a hold of. You have yet to have acquired one yourself, despite your great power, and attaining one would make you more fearsome than ever. Additionally, names tend to congregate together. To take one would often mean encountering their allies, who could have names of their own. Not to mention those who have acquired multiple names. Many of those in your command would revel in earning a name in such battles.”

“Hunting them down might be a challenge, though,” Phaedra said. “So are there any other suggestions?”

“Idle hands, lady Phaedra,” Xenaris said.

“What?” Phaedra said.

“Many of those in your service stand idle now, they will not forever,” Xenaris said. “What you do now will set your reputation for the next century. You took this territory quickly. But from here? They will expect action. While demons have joined your ranks since arriving here, they can just as quickly abandon you if they see you do naught but rest.”

“And where would you suggest I strike?” Phaedra asked.

“There is one I believe would be an ideal target for you,” Xenaris said. “However… your… father would likely not approve.”

“Oh? Why?” Phaedra asked.

“She was incredibly close to becoming your mother,” Xenaris said. “Valkyrie and her dueled and your mother came out the champion, but I hear it was a close battle. She showed mercy, however. As you are oft to do.”

Phaedra stopped and looked towards him, her breathing frozen. It was so incredibly rare that she was able to hear anything about what her mother had done. Her father would barely speak of her, her memories were so few of her as well. Most had always gone quiet when she questioned them, to the point she had eventually given up on asking.

“What is her name?” Phaedra asked, unable to keep the nervous excitement out of her voice.

“Oz,” Xenaris said. “But… I should warn that she is quite powerful. While her direct might isn’t much in comparison to your father, her power should not be underestimated.”

“Oz, huh?” Phaedra asked. “That’s… yeah, that’s worrying. Why… haven’t you mentioned her before?”

“Lady Phaedra…” Xenaris said softly.

“Of course, forget I asked,” Phaedra said, a hand moving up to rub under her chin. “The watchtower, you mentioned it was going well?”

“Indeed,” Xenaris said. “It’s quite a ways out, however. If you’d like to see it, it would take a few hours by airship.”

“Walking?” Phaedra asked.

“Uhhhhhh…” Xenaris said and the look he gave her told her plenty.

“Considerably longer,” Phaedra said before glancing back towards her ship. “I’d like to see it when it’s finished. In fact, perhaps I should take some time to more closely examine all of my territory. I’ve only really seen a fraction of it.”

“Do you intend to use much of it?” Xenaris asked. “I was under the impression you were only going to use these small portions of it and leave the majority for the kobolds.”

“I intend to,” Phaedra said. “But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t at least give my people a chance to see me and to see their lives, their homes. I could probably learn a lot. A…” She trailed off. “Oh stars it’s all going to be sweltering, isn’t it?”

“Almost every bit of it, my lady,” Xenaris said politely. “I am told the locale that Carth selected was considered one of the cooler areas, as it were. Kobolds do have an incredibly high tolerance for heat.”

Phaedra gave a groan before nodding. “Thanks. I’ll… plan. Ugh… maybe I could get a better amulet, there has to be some kind of magic to make it at least tolerable. Right?”

“Theoretically, yes,” Xenaris said. “But, in most such situations, a demon who wished to claim this territory would like the temperature. Why else claim it?”

Phaedra struggled, desperately, to resist saying ‘Because my dragon crush lived here’. Not only because it would likely confuse him, but also because she wasn’t sure she wasn’t the sheep crush in this romance. “The things we do for our alliances,” Phaedra said before starting towards her fort. “How long would you say I have?”

“A few days before you need to make signs of plans,” Xenaris said. “A month, at best, before you must move. Past that…”

“The longer I wait, the more I bleed,” Phaedra mumbled, shaking her head. “Thank you. Oz… I’ll… consider her. If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to send them to me. I’m going to retire to my room for a little bit.”

“Of course, my lady,” Xenaris said before bowing his head.

Phaedra felt her ire grow slightly.

Things were NOT going how she wanted. She had to make a move in a few days. Then be moving within a month. But she still hadn’t had a chance to get Lilith alone.

She’d tried, of course. But Paradox seemed to be either always nearby or missing. Unfortunately, the demon truly was INCREDIBLE when it came to disappearing or hiding herself. She was mischievous, too. She’d pop out at seemingly random points just to hug her, or ask her questions, to ask her plans. Like when were they going after Medon. She wanted to talk with Lilith, but she had to make sure that Paradox wouldn’t be around when she did it.

How desperately she wished her cousin was older and she could advise her to go on an adventure of her own, perhaps find a name. Maybe even--

Phaedra heard someone running down the halls towards her and moved to the side, barely avoiding being barreled over by her cousin and two of her bat demon guards. “H-hey! W-where do you think you’re—”

“Message from dad!” Paradox yelled before coming to a stop and turning around. “I need to go, I’ll be back tomorrow, uhhh, day after tomorrow! The day after that, at the latest!”

“Oh, uhhhh… I… I see,” Phaedra said, blinking a little. “Do you need my—”

“No! I’ve got it, I’ll see you tomorrow!” Paradox said before running off again.

Phaedra blinked a few times and just stared. That was… incredibly convenient. It wasn’t like she hadn’t spent every day since Paradox had come here wishing that something like this would happen. But well… now? She rushed after them, but as she made it outside again she could only just see them flying off into the distance. “Huh,” she said.

“Lady Phaedra,” Xenaris called out as he ran towards her. “Your cousin, she—”

“I saw,” Phaedra said. “I don’t suppose you heard the message that had her run off in such a flurry?”

Xenaris shook his head. “I’m afraid not. Should I prepare a force to follow them?”

“No,” Phaedra said. “Just alert me the moment she or her guards return.”

Phaedra turned around and started walking through the halls again, back towards her throne room. However, she made sure that she passed the hall that held Lilith’s room on the way.

One of Paradox’s guards remained, it seemed. On the one hand it was nice that he’d healed enough to get up and felt like being on guard duty…

On the other hand, she would have preferred that there were no guards. Should she make a move immediately, or wait? What if she never got another opportunity like this? Could she waste it?

How long could she wait?

She had to talk with Yroth. Sooner, rather than later. Though a part of her wanted to move now, she had to be careful before she let everything go wrong.

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