Omega's Rebirth

"The seven outposts of the dwarves are already well known, the dwarves are much smarter than to allow any of these be their major supply route."

"I also assume their supply route is constantly changing and yet somehow still linked directly to the inner citadel."

"We do not know all there is to know about the dwarves Ron and that in itself is already a shortcoming." Menarx murmured with a shake of his head.

"You are a warrior dragon, this is your forte. You will have it all figured out, Narx. But you must prioritize your health while at it."

"Does the fact that the royal healer accompanied you on your mission not tell enough that your condition is still critical?" Everon asked with a sigh.

"I will heal...it is slow,but I will heal." Menarx murmured dismissively.

Everon sighed again, he knew how stubborn Menarx could be when it came to his duties, there was no dissuading him.

But Everon was grateful that he still had a method with which to get through to the stubborn cousin of his.

"What do you reckon Neveah would have to say about this?" Everon asked, knowing well enough that would get Menarx’s attention.

As Everon expected, Menarx finally spared him a glance, an amused smile settled on his lips.

"She does not speak much... she would glare me into doing what she wanted instead." Menarx replied, his words quickly followed by a deep sigh, thick with longing.

"You should make a point to remember that you are no longer a lone warrior, Menarx. You have a rider...a woman to whom you will be the world."

"You cannot be as careless with your life as you used to. Now I need to clean your wounds and change the bandages, and I need you to be good." Everon added for good measure.

Menarx rolled his eyes but complied with Everon’s wishes. He placed down the marker he had been holding and got up to his feet, moving around the table to sit on the makeshift bed.

"Do your thing." Menarx permitted, taking off his shirt.

A quiet groan of pain escaped Menarx as his movement directly affected the injury.

"You may think yourself capable of bearing through the pain, but with adamantium, we both know the pain is the least of your worries." Everon warned as he got to work, unwrapping the blood stained bandage.

Menarx said nothing in response, he understood exactly what Everon warned of.

An wound inflicted by any other weapon would have already healed by now, but with adamantium, the natural healing ability he possessed as a dragon lord was completely overshadowed.

Menarx’s healing rate was only slightly better than that of a human at this point.

"You will not be in any position to shift for a few days more at the least. Do not even consider it ever again." Everon continued as he worked.

Menarx grumbled beneath his breath, wincing visibly when Everon pulled at the bandage especially harshly as a warning.

Menarx was about to speak when Lodenworth walked in.

"My Lord Menarx." He greeted, lowering his head to a bow.

"Lodenworth, at ease. What word?" Menarx asked as Everon applied a herb mesh to his wounds.

"Report from patrol, Conrad and Adron have spotted a group of dwarves detouring around the second outpost. They seem like a normal supply team but their actions are suspicious." Lodenworth relayed.

"Suspicious how?" Menarx asked with a raised brow.

"They take the back mountain route around the second outpost." Lodenworth reported.

"Old Dwarven folklore and superstitions linked to that route makes it the least expected route for a supply team..." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"The back mountain opens up into a waterfall cliff, steep paths, not exactly a first choice for transporting goods." Lodenworth assessed.

Menarx thought over it for a moment before he nodded in agreement.

"How far out?" Menarx enquired.

"An hour’s flight." Lodenworth replied.

"Conrad and Adron may engage... covertly. We will take a look." Menarx decided.

"Understood." Lodenworth accepted the order and took his leave.

"I will have you patched up in a moment... and I will give you a ride as well, again." Everon grumbled with a sigh before Menarx could say a word.

"You are much appreciated, my blood." Menarx said, chuckling to himself when Everon snorted at his words.

"I do not require your appreciation, I require you to heal so I may return... the air out in these mine terrains do not suit my tastes." Everon clarification.

"You are much too delicate for a dragon, Ron. Remind me when last you left keep skies? Or battled?" Menarx asked.

"Not every dragon lord must chant fire and blood for a living, Narx. I am a man of the finer arts and a refined disposition... I will have no part in your hobbies and that of your brothers."

"The six of you are enough trouble to last the stronghold a millennium." Everon grumbled, securing the final straps of the bandage.

Menarx put on his shirt again and got up to his feet, leading the way out of his tent where Lodenworth and his rider Keila already awaited.

___________

"A group of smugglers disguised as supply guards? It does not seem like the situation amongst the dwarven ranks is all that promising." Everon commented as Conrad finished with his report.

"There is more to it but it is hard to ascertain from their possessions alone. Adron will procure a full report once the dwarves regain consciousness." Conrad relayed.

Menarx hummed in response, walking over to the cart. On first glance, the surface of the cart was heaped with fresh fruits.

Menarx slid off the upper layer of the cart and as expected, on the layer beneath were dozens of glimmering gems and precious ores.

"Dwarves and their treasures..." Menarx murmured with a scoff,

But Menarx’s expression soon changed when his eyes settled on a certain gleaming object that was much too familiar.

Menarx reached for the small button on which was engraved an all too familiar crest.