"So!? What does these 'plans' of yours have in store for us?" Asked Grombrim.
"For now, I need you and your workers to fix up the cave system here. Knowing you, you have already taken note of it's condition and have prepared criticism?" Replied Storm
"This place is a dump all right!! You're lucky this whole place hasn't come down on your heads yet!!" Exclaimed Grombrim.
Storm saw Aurora eyeing the roof suspiciously and her apprehension seems to increase.
"Well, I'm hoping you and your people will change all that." Answered Storm.
"And how exactly do you intend to compensate us for our work and time?"
"I seem to recall your clan owing me a favor from when I came to save it years ago? Do this for me, and I'll consider the debt repaid."
"Funny thing about that, dragon. My father owed you a debt. I'M overseer now and I don't owe you anything. " Grombrim replied.
An angry glare crossed Storm's face, he got up and walked towards Grombrim, stopping until he was right in front of the man looking down at him while within biting range.
Despite his dangerous position, Grombrim stood his ground.
Aurora and Augustus backed away slightly.
"Dwarven custom states that if a person fails to honor his debt before passing away, then it becomes the family's responsibility to pay the debt on his behalf!
Is that still the case?! Or has that custom changed in the last 50 years?!" Asked Storm.
Grombrim averted his gaze as he answered.
".... It.... is..."
"Then I'm expecting you to honor your father's debt, Grombrim!! Or should I take my compensation in the form of something else?!" Storm threatened.
"FINE!!! It will be worth it in order to be rid of you, Dragon!! Next time you need our help! You'd better have gold to spend though!!"
"You don't need to worry, Grombrim. I know how 'commerce' works."
"May I go then, 'sir'?! I would like to inspect the caves before we start working. I will return to my people tomorrow morning to fetch the workers and materials."
"Go!" Storm said flatly.
He watched as the dwarf stomped out of the room, resisting the urge to fire a small energy bolt up his backside.
Razor raised a claw to get Storm's attention.
"Uhh... excuse me! But how are my people supposed to help? We can't build! We don't have hands!!"
"No! I have something else in mind for you. My information of the area and it's denizens are 50 years out of date.
Am I correct in assuming that your people are quite familiar with the area?"
Most of it, yes. We know the region and some of the settlements but we don't have indepth knowledge about all the people here." Answered Razor.
"If it's information that you seek, then the person to talk to would be me!" Exclaimed an unknown voice.
The air shimmered and a small purple dragon appeared in the air in front of Storm.
Aurora immediately took a defensive stance, crouching down, extending her wings, and baring her teeth.
Augustus nocked an arrow and aimed it straight at her. He fired it a moment later but the arrow turned into harmless bubbles as it flew through the air.
"Are all yours subordinates this rude, Calamity? It might make me think that I'm not welcome here anymore?" She said in response.
Only Storm seemed to be unaffected by her sudden appearance.
"Kalipso. Why am I not suprised to see you here?" Storm said flatly.
"You know this imposter, Storm?" Asked Aurora.
"Storm? Ahhh! So that's your true name! I had always suspected that you didn't share your real name with the rest of us!" Exclaimed Kalipso.
"Calamity isn't my real name, nor is Storm. My true name is meant only for the closest of family!"
"Don't I count among them?" Kalipso asked with a faked hint of sadness.
"No."
"Hmph!! If you're going to be like this, then I'm not sure why I bothered to come!!"
"Sigh. Why did you come, Kalipso? You were never interested in helping me out before? Not unless there was something in it for you?" Asked Storm.
"Times have 'changed' since the last time we spoke. The world is more dangerous than ever to anything that's not human.
My people can no longer stand independently like I would have liked. We need a powerful backer if we wish to survive. You just so happens to be the most powerful one I know."
"So you're willing to join up with us? No tricks or strings attached?"
"Well... no... I'm still going to need a favor from you. " answered Kalipso.
"Why am I not suprised?" Said Storm while rolling his eyes.
"Bah!! Don't be like that!! My request is a small one! I just need you to free some of my fellow Fay from a hunter camp not far from here."
"There are hunters here!! Why didn't you say anything earlier!!" Exclaimed Augustus.
"You never gave me the chance!! You didn't even invite me here!" She replied.
"Overlord! If there are hunters here, then we need to hit them fast!
We can't risk them taking back information about our whereabouts to the cities!" Said Augustus.
"I agree, we should eliminate them soon! And we need to make sure that no one escapes!" Replied Storm.
"How many hunters are there, Kalipso?" Asked Razor.
"No more than 10."
"Here's the plan. I'll hit the camp while Augustus and his elves set up a perimeter. Kill anyone that escapes me. Can it count on your aerie's aid Razor?"
She nodded her head.
"This affects my aerie just as much as it does your Hatching grounds. We will assist. "
"Good, then keep them on standby!! If any hunters try to escape, your people can hunt the stragglers from the air."
"Storm!! You can't take on 10 hunters all by yourself!!" Exclaimed Aurora.
"I've had worse odds, Aurora. I'll be fine."
"I'll be joining you in the hit on the camp." Said Razor.
As will I!! Exclaimed Aurora.
"It's too dangerous!! You don't have much battle experience, Aurora! And you're no longer as young as you used to be Razor. "
Both seemed to bristle at his objections.
"I may not have spent the last 50 years fighting humankind like you! But I can hold my own in a fight!" Answered Aurora.
"And I may no longer be as young as before, but I'm still one of the best air mages in this world and I can still fight up close if necessary!"
"WE'RE GOING WITH YOU!!"" They both yelled simultaneously.
And that settled the matter.