The Path to Greatness/Chapter 10

"The mandates of my order are quite clear in this regard: I have to follow. You, however, do not have to..." I said simply. "The Sigma Directive is not one taken lightly; it overrides all other pressing affairs. By invoking this, the Drakel has claimed that the invasion of the Devourer or his agents is imminent."

"And indeed it is," the Drakel responded. "Come, human.... As to the Orc and Elf, they may come as well if they travel with you... but we have little time and much ground to cover..."

It was fortunate I had dealings with the Drakel before. This sort of brusque commanding demeanor would be considered rude by any standard otherwise. As it happened, I knew that it had to do with differences in communication. Having many questions to ask but wishing to show my acquiescence, I began walking before continuing my questioning...

"Where are we going?" I asked, noting with some satisfaction that both Kendrel and Culak followed as well...

"Some 30 miles or so," the Drakel said, continuing to walk.

"30 miles or so? Below the surface?" I said, finding it hard to credit his numbers.

"That is correct," the Drakel said. "Though we may meet with others of the Order before then...."

"Is this a Drakel K'eld?" Kendrel asked. I was somewhat startled by the fact that the Elf's tone was genuinely interested rather than on guard. The Elves of Greenguard had not had an easy time with the Drakel of late.

"It is not a K'eld... but a Ne'eld and though its creators are Kruath'ri... it is a stretch to call them Drakel. Though perhaps not as all of the Dracomamalians have been given the name at one time or another."

"Citizens but not Drakel?" I said, trying to process this... While I knew that the Drakel accepted non-Drakel into society on rare occasions, those accepted were always considered Drakel themselves by adoption. What could he mean...? Citizens but not Drakel... And Neld....? Neld was a small island nation in the ocean....

"The Ne'eld... which means submerged place.... is home of the Silari..."

"The Silari!" I said shocked. Culak and Kendrel, who were relatively unfamiliar with ancient archaeology, looked merely confused... "Are you sure...?"

"We are certain... The Silari are our brethren....Those who survived The'Galin became Drakel."

"This place... it is not...." I said scarcely able to mutter the words that my mind was thinking.

"This Ne'eld is The childhood home of Xilar, servitor of The'Galin," the Drakel said, confirming my thoughts and taking me by total surprise... "Now we have a choice... The well-traveled path that the other citizens have followed is long.... Ancient maps tell of another way that is faster, but the Silari last moved in these tunnels many thousands of years ago... The way was a side trail even in the time of activity. It may be overcome with debris, in which case our travels would only be extended... Do we risk longer travel for the possibility of faster reward or do we press on the long way...?"