n

n

n

"Nix locked the home-made coil spring in place after using the weight of six HEP rounds to contract it. The two of them had managed to create a spring-fed breech chamber.

nPon was inspecting the right tube while his partner in crime finished loading them up.

"The springs will probably break after a bit.

"

n

"Six shots from each tube is all I'm hoping for.

" Nix jumped down from the rigged ladder and studied their monstrosity.

nThe golems were about 8 feet in height; each of them had long tubes that, for aesthetic purposes, could be referred to as arms. Raising the arms up forced a projectile into the chamber, effectively locking it. There was no safety; at this point, firing became the best option. From trial and error, the duo discovered that firing both simultaneously wasn't a good idea. The kick-back would either knock the golem to the ground or bend the fragile frame.

n

"Men and their toys.

"

nPon's crabby face broke into a smile at the sound of Semmi's voice.

"Don't women have toys?

"

nSemmi kept her face expressionless.

"Sure... but that's a different topic altogether.

nNix peeked from behind one of the golems.

"Don't flirt in front of me; you both suck at it.

"

nSemmi walked around the Golem where Nix was working.

"You wanted to see me?

"

nNix nodded.

"Hopefully, I'm about to head back to Haven for a few hours. I want you to assign a sniper team to the Keep. Have them target every open window they see. They should be able to get it done from the ocean.

"

nSemmi brought up her hud and highlighted the former Gladis crafters, Darsi's people had all become snipers.

"Toward what end?

"

nNix placed the 12th HEP round inside the framed track and then closed the panel.

"I've been inside those rooms; each window has thick wooden doors that can be barred shut. I need those windows closed.

"

n

"So you want them to stop firing when the windows are closed?

"

nNix nodded; the thing he loved about Semmi was her ability to put things together.

"Yes. Once a window is closed, they stop firing at that one and move to the next.

"

nSemmi pursed her lips slightly while nodding.

"Why? There several areas in the upper Keep that have lookout nests that we can't get to. There's no way we are going to surprise them.

"

nNix grinned because he knew he was one step ahead of her for once.

"Maybe I just like closed windows.

"

nSemmi sighed in frustration, a habit that blew the tip of her blonde bangs upward.

"Don't think I won't figure it out.

"

nNix winked at her.

"I'll let you name these Golems if you do.

"

nSemmi rapped on the nearest tube-arm with her bare knuckles, an action that caused both Nix and Pon to flinch slightly.

"What? These things gonna blow up?

"

nThe duo glanced at each other and then shrugged.

"Maybe,

" they answered at the same time.

nSemmi stepped away from the Golems.

"I'm on it, Nix. What are their names now?

"

nNix nodded.

"PetraZi and...

"

n

"Cuppiecakeninja,

" Pon finished.

nSemmi's pretty face broke into a wide smile.

"You two suck at naming. Going to change them to Thelma and Louise once I figure out your plans.

"

nNix cringed slightly; he'd never let it happen.

"Sure, Sem.

"

nYou have been Summoned by Shae Balefire. Do you accept?

n

"Yes. Cya guys!

" Nix vanished from his spot behind the golems, leaving Pon and Semmi staring into the empty space.

nSemmi had been expecting it, so it didn't surprise her.

"Hey, Pon. Why does he want the windows closed?

"

nPon laughed loudly and shook his head.

"No way!

"

nThe blonde officer wrinkled her nose at him.

"You don't even know.

"

nThe old man shrugged and headed toward their crafting table.

"Won't work, Sem.

"

n****************

nAn instant later, Nix appeared on the balcony of his Haven Ranch. Three different people were smiling at him.

n

"Styxx!

" Bev hugged her brother tightly for a moment before stepping back and watching her father do the same.

"Still hiding away in the Bone Fortress?

"

nNix laughed when his father hugged him. The oddity of having his old man look the same age as him still surprised him.

"Hey, Dad. What's up, Froglegs?

"

nBev shook her head slightly.

"Nothing. We were visiting Hyai.

" His sister fixed him with a sly look.

"Little Styxx has been busy.

"

nNix shrugged slightly, Hyai must have told them about her condition.

"Little Styxx only does what Big Styxx tells it.

"

n

"Huh?

" Bev's eyes look confused for a moment before her complexion turned deep red.

"Oh my God!! I didn't mean it like that you... you...

"

nNix laughed at his sister.

"If you don't breathe, you're gonna blow up.

"

nShae gripped his hand and leaned in for a quick kiss.

"Deidra is waiting.

"

nNix nodded and opened a breach directly into Deidra's nursery.

"Back in a bit.

"

n**********************

nThe warmth and humidity of Deidra's nursery was vastly different than Tai'Qui's. Was the environment nothing more than personal preference? Or did something else drive it? There was also more light in Deidra's nursery; Dragon water pools glowed slightly while releasing steam into the air. The Solomon City Dragon Master was in the central pool, tending to an Emerald colored Dragon Egg.

n

"Nice color. Is that normal?

" Nix jumped right into the conversation since Deidra wasn't particularly good or interested in exchanging pleasantries with people.

nDeidra's brown eyes were focused on the egg; both of her hands glowed with flames as she pushed her element into it.

"An interesting question. Normal in my experience talking to other dragons? I'd say no. However, for the Haven nurseries, it's very normal.

"

nNix disrobed quickly and let his Emerald Fury Flames light up before sitting in the water.

"I want to talk about a delicate subject.

"

nDeidra stared at the bright green flames, she was going to ask him to charge the pool, but it seems that he already understood that. She turned away from the dragon egg and joined him at the edge of the pool.

"Ask whatever you like.

"

n

"What kind of control abilities do Dragons have?

"

nDeidra's cold face was emotionless. She had purposefully changed the way her human form looked. Her hair was worn up, and there was no visual sign of her horns.

"Some of us have a line of abilities called Dominate. To my knowledge, neither Tai'Qui nor Sinfaya possesses it.

"

n

"Do you?

"

nDeidra nodded.

"Yes. However, this spell branch is highly regulated by the Dragon Accord. It's not like the Greater Heal Spells, where the intent is to heal, but lesser creatures fall asleep. The Dominate line is by nature, quite harmful.

"

nNix considered her words for a moment.

"What would happen if you cast a control spell on me?

"

n

"The marrow in my bones would become cursed, and within a few days, my strength would wither away.

"

n

"Like dragons from fallen cities?

"

nDeidra nodded.

"Much faster and probably very painful.

" The dragon moved closer and closed her eyes.

n

"What if I gave you permission?

"

nDeidra's eyes blinked open, showing the tiniest bit of interest.

"You want me to dominate you?

"

nNix's laughter echoed in the nursery. As soon as she said it, he pictured her with Mimi's black leather armor and whip.

"Let's put a solid 'NO' onto that... then lock it up in the 'no way' vault that I have in the basement of my 'Not even if I die first,' house.

"

nDeidra let a smile seep into her cold features.

"I have no idea what you just said.

"

n

"If a Dragon like Jargon Kane had permission, could he use that on one of the human Heroes from Trifecta?

"

nDeidra's smile faded into a frown.

"Maybe. There'd have to be a blood contract between both parties as well as some sort of limited timeline.

"

nHulo's presence in the Keep raised every black flag in Nix's head.

"What kind of abilities would that mean?

"

nDeidra looked troubled by the conversation.

"Dragon skills wouldn't carry over, but the person's abilities would increase dramatically.

"

nNix leaned back in the water, his eyes staring at the dark brown ceiling.

"I think Hulo and Jargon Kane have entered into some sort of contract.

" He told her in detail about the seven Wildling hearts and how the Greater Spell fed off the land while it cycled through the Burroughs.

n

"You misunderstand me, Nix

" Deidra placed a hand on his shoulder, instantly jerking it back when it contacted his flames. She was silent for a long moment before continuing.

"If such a thing were possible, and I'm not even sure that it is. You wouldn't be facing this Hulo person with amplified strength.

"

n

"No?

"

nDeidra shook her head slightly and eased a few inches away.

"You'd be facing Jargon Kane with his powers greatly limited. You might not appreciate the difference, but Jargon is a very dangerous opponent.

"

nNix grinned suddenly.

"Perfect. So if I punch this clown in the face, Jargon is gonna feel it?

"

nDeidra's perfect lips widened into a real smile.

"Yes, and I would love to see that.

"

nThe dragon watched him as he dressed a few minutes later, she had invited him to stay longer, but Nix had refused.

"Going back now?

"

nNix shook his head and opened a breach.

"No, I'm going to craft a few puppets and spend some time with my family.

"

n