"This is unacceptable. Absolutely unacceptable." Hildegarde Von Musel thought angrily. A week ago she had received disturbing news- her brother Eckhart had left home. This alone was cause for alarm, but there was more-not only was he developing new powers, but he had accomplished something that Hildegarde hadn't.
Eckhart had fought a Black-Hearth dragon. And won.
Hildegarde was, of course, familiar with the Black-Hearth family. The oldest sister, Emilia, was on Hildegarde's long list of names she wanted to drag through the mud. Emilia was confident, pretty, and above all, powerful. Knowing that there were beings whose ability and charm made Hildegarde look like an insect by comparison made her uncomfortable, so she plotted and schemed to knock these people off their pedestals. Luckily Emilia had already fallen of her own accord, apparently having gotten destroyed by her own void magic- but there had been grumblings about the possibility of her returning. The thought made Hildegarde shudder.
According to her informants, it had been the youngest Black-Hearth, Kaida, that Eckhart had encountered. Her informants had also discovered some more startling news- the dragon was headed here, to Zantaric. Why she would do this, Hildegarde did not know. This did, however, provide an opportunity to learn more about what both Eckhart and Emilia were up to. If Kaida was expecting Hildegarde to be the one answering questions, she was mistaken.
So here she was, standing in an ally only 20 feet from the city gates. Her best scout, a recent recruit named Ignatius Pratt, was with her. Hildegarde had set everything up perfectly so the dragon would be utterly powerless in her presence- one of the downsides of slaughtering villages for hundreds of years was the numerous reports from survivors detailing exactly what your abilities were. "You think you can just waltz into my city and do whatever you like? You're wrong. I'm in charge here."
"Lady Hildegarde? Carolina says the dragon is approaching the gates." said Ignatius. Hildegarde nodded. "Good. Let's get started, shall we?" Lifting up her hand dramatically, Hildegarde created a wall of n2o in front of the city's entrance. When the dragon arrived, she would pass out.
"Ignatius, you may go. You've been a very big help today, I appreciate it." The boy blushed but he didn't leave. "Before I go, can I ask you if... If you've found any sign of my father?" Ignatius asked, apprehensive yet hopeful. Hildegarde studied him for a second, thinking about his question. Ignatius had joined her orginization under the condition that Hildegarde would use her resources find his father. She had found his father, but Ignatius would never know this. Although annoying, Ignatius was dead useful, and she didn't want to give him any reason to leave her side- and with his father lying at the bottom of the sea, he never would. "I've found a few leads." She told him, a kind smile upon her face. "He'll turn up, don't worry." Ignatius rushed forward and hugged her. "Lady Hildegarde, you're the best!" Laughing, Hildegarde returned the hug.
"I know I am."