He lifted his head and replied, “They saved my life, Harnoth. I will not forsake them. I was attacked by a huge shestoni in the pools above. These two killed it. In the process, the vardeen warrior was bitten, which is why I led them here. If not, she would have certainly died.”
Harnoth lifted one of his front legs, the unmistakable glint of silver or steel reflecting from each talon, and pointed at me, “The vardeen is one thing, but to bring the elf here as well… None of the two-legged folk can be trusted.”
I sat there, feeling more than helpless as Pachi continued to spasm beneath my hands. Quelten was preparing to argue again when another wyvern came up to us and interrupted the exchange.
This one had softer features in the face, fewer horns around the eyes and jaw, and delicate threads of chain across its back. “Silence, Harnoth. We have guests whether we want them or not, and one needs healing. Send two of your warriors to bear her to Chiani at once.” The guard huffed in frustration but turned to do her bidding. The wyvern continued, “And as for you, Quelten, go to Chiani as well. You seem strong enough to do so on your own. When you are all recovered, the queen will want to speak with you.” This last was directed to me. I felt the gravity of the wyvern’s words land on me with the authority of law.
Soon, two of the armored wyverns came bearing a thick leather sling. They set it before Pachi and deftly wove a rope beneath her form, then pulled her onto the sling. It was like a stretcher but had no poles, only a tarp of leather that was bound at the head and foot with rope. The warriors dragged her away.
Thankfully, the floor was smooth here, and her body did not have to suffer many bumps or jolts.
I followed on foot but was keenly aware of the massive wyvern that stalked behind me, none other than the grumpy Harnoth. We wound our way through the subterranean architecture, all well lit but for an occasional passage. Eventually, Pachi was dragged into a small chamber that had the smell of herbs about it.
“Chiani! We have wounded,” Harnoth called, diligent in his duties despite his desire to have us gone.
An old wyvern crawled in from a rear chamber, eyes white and scales faded. “I smell an elf and one of the vardeen. In our halls? Not in centuries has such come to pass. And…” She paused, sniffing the air disdainfully. “Shestoni poison!”
“Quelten was injured as well,” Harnoth said gravely.
Quelten nudged Pachi with his scaled head. “My wounds can wait. The vardeen is close to death.”
The healer walked closer and laid her paw on Pachi’s shoulder. “Yes, she doesn’t have long. Thankfully, the vardeen are not weak creatures. If the elf had been bitten, we would be burying her in the deeps.”
Chiana ordered for herbs and boiling water. She steeped the herbs after grinding them in her palm. The dexterity of her clawed paws was impressive. These wyverns seemed capable of almost anything a human could do but for the finest of motor skills.
After a minute, the wyvern gestured to the bowl. “She must drink this. It will bolster her strength.”
Pachi was barely conscious, but I was able to pour the hot liquid down her tongue by tilting her head up.
The old wyvern set both of her paws on either side of Pachi’s shoulder. Closing her blind eyes, the creature chanted in a language I did not recognize, and a green aura surrounded her body. The light continued to grow stronger, and then it congealed into thick ropes of energy that wrapped around Pachi.
The healer left her cocooned in the energy, which continued to do its work. Pachi was taking long, deep breaths now. Soon she was asleep, and I ran my fingers through her fur as I watched the healer take care of Quelten.
I felt the fatigue of the day wash over me and closed my eyes. I must have fallen asleep, for soon enough I felt a muzzle nudge me awake.
Wake, Hana, Pachi said. These wyverns are kind. And their food is delicious. I told them to cook yours, so I am sure you will like it as well.
I opened my eyes and saw three thick filets of fish laying on a bronze platter, covered in a pinch of black and red herbs.
We ate and thanked Chiani kindly.
Then, as we prepared to leave, Chiani instructed us, “You must address our queen properly. She should be called Queen Matriarch by outsiders such as yourselves. Remember this, young ones.”
When she finished, she slithered away again, mumbling the chords of some nearly forgotten song.
The guards came again, and we followed them down more halls and through countless chambers. The realm of the Sirrushi wyverns was enormous. We passed a thriving market, and the countless domed structures that Quelten told me were homes.
We were led to a vast lake. A series of bright lamps made of crystal lit the wide road that led past the placid water. Rather than looking black and ominous, the blue-white lights reflected across the water, making it seem covered in ice. Everywhere fish darted in an endless progression, nipping at the insects that skittered across the surface.
In the middle of the chamber, a bridge turned and leapt over the lake itself, leading to a structure so grand it could only be a palace.
Needing some excuse to break the silence of our march, I remarked to Quelten, “It’s amazing how well your kind work with stone.”
Harnoth cut the young wyvern off before he could answer, saying, “The Sirrushi do not work stone. We have skill in mining and working the gems and ore we find, but not stone. All of this was
