Krarvathar used the time to turn inward while looking out the window of the room, in the direction from which the elves were approaching. The sun was strong, but the place remained cool thanks to the architectural style and materials used in its construction.
"She is right," Krarvathar acknowledged. He was controlling his instincts better. For him, it was pleasurable to think, reflect, and analyze. Even though desires awakened and screamed in the depths of his mind, he overcame them. And he began to wonder what this meant, for he had changed so much in such a short time.
He relied on the argument that he had awakened while still in dragon form, so this must be a consequence of his true draconic nature. His human appearance had been nothing more than the interference of the pharaoh's God to save his people.
The problem was that Krarvathar was no longer so certain about this God. He knew that Neftraya had used the acolyte to influence him into having certainty — a certainty that had vanished after the young woman's death. Even so, there was no better answer. "God" remained the most convenient explanation.
He continued gazing at the city, feeling the wind stir his hair and the pale linen curtain. He heard Neftraya's footsteps. Her scent was stronger now; about half an hour had passed since he had followed her.
"I did not think you would evolve so much in such a short time," Neftraya said as she entered the luxurious resting chamber. She was clean, wearing a veil that partially covered her hair and a matte green dress that covered all her skin up to her arms. Around her neck was a usekh collar with an eye-shaped medallion at the center. "I am partly to blame for this. I could not resist and gave you the best advice, even if it harmed me."
Krarvathar turned to her, first noticing the collar, then the woman. The dragon maintained a posture with his arms crossed behind his back, resembling an old general who had been through many wars.
"I am also surprised. I feel that the more I try to know myself, the more I become unknown to myself," he admitted. "That is why I remain here, listening to you, despite your manipulation and deception. You told me the path is within me."
"And I spoke the truth. It helped you. Look at how you are…" She ran her gaze over his body. "Magnificent! If I did not know you are a dragon, I would say you are a warrior from Azhuur. Strong, hard, and relentless. Yet here you are, conversing like a highly educated scribe."
"And in what way did this harm you?" Krarvathar watched the woman walk to the center of the room and recline naturally on a carved wooden bed resting on reed mats, covered with light fabrics and soft cushions. A stone incense burner slowly burned myrrh.
Neftraya picked up a fruit from the bronze bowl on the small table and looked at Krarvathar:
"Because I wanted to control you…" She bit the fruit calmly, her eyes still fixed on him. "…and make you mine."
Krarvathar remained looking at her. The strangeness he felt toward this woman was something that drew his attention. Then he realized why he had allowed himself to be manipulated: her unpredictable behavior and confusing, enigmatic words touched the desire that had been born alongside his consciousness — the desire to know. And when the Meanings did not answer him, she was the one who had helped him the most.
"In what way?" He wanted to know how a human could achieve that. Neftraya filled her wine cup a little. Krarvathar noticed her quite calm demeanor.
"A creature of Chaos, of ancestral power, created by Baræshadã himself…" She smiled, as if it were obvious. "When Amophf showed you to me in dreams, I saw the opportunity. It was the moment my former mistress had always dreamed would happen." She took a sip of wine.
Krarvathar remained silent.
"So I ordered Amophf to show himself to Uras and torment him. Then I appeared with a saving idea: to draw you to the capital and prevent the creature from destroying other cities. The pharaoh believed it. I performed the sacrifice to DiptsurRá…" Neftraya shifted slightly, a subtle smile on her lips. "But I did nothing. The vision of what was to come was that. Amophf confirmed that your attack would be only here, and I needed to do nothing. He could not explain why you came straight here…"
"I was called. Something drew me," Krarvathar recalled. He had seen the other cities but felt no desire to attack them.
"Perhaps it really was the great DiptsurRá who heard me." She shrugged, finding it amusing. "But then my first problem arose: what fell was no longer a dragon, but a powerful human body that thought and spoke. I had to quickly change my plans and influence you in another way. Amophf allowed me to listen to your conversation with Uras, your confusion and desire to return to who you were. Then I knew what to do."
Neftraya looked at him again.
"But this gift of yours left me so curious that, while manipulating you, I ended up giving you advice that allowed you to evolve. I tried to use Amophf's power of dreams and illusions on your mind, but it did not work. Then I remembered Lizhireri, a young woman from my tribe, someone who, like me, could use Amophf's power. She had potential and great ability, but I had to sacrifice her when Uras wanted you to attack the elves immediately." The woman rose, still holding the cup.
"And in the end, it was useless. The pharaoh had postponed the idea of sending you." She approached the window and looked at Krarvathar again. "Your thoughts had already evolved in a surprising way in just a few hours. Lizhireri died because I wanted her to sustain an idea in your mind: that DiptsurRá had probably transformed you. I did not care about the consequences this would cause her, and I had to kill her to relieve her pain."
Krarvathar felt a slight sting at the woman's words.
"And how did you plan to control me in my natural form?" Krarvathar found it slightly arrogant, but coming from this woman, it sparked doubt.
"Amophf is also one of Baræshadã's creations. Or rather, a transformed subject. With him, I would control your animal mind — something that became impossible after you became conscious." She walked back toward the fruits on the small table. "And what would I do with a dragon under my command?" She smiled, nibbling the fruit. "Many things…"
"But even so, you tried to keep me by your side. You ask me to trust your words. You address me as 'you' and no longer 'my lord,' as if we were on equal footing." Krarvathar noticed the subtleties of her change. "Do you trust so much that I will not simply kill you?"
"Yes," she replied promptly. "I would gain nothing from my death. Besides, I know that being with me interests you greatly, like a man with desires to possess a woman. However, your way is more existential, as if you wanted to tame me, just as I did with you. You feel rage, but it is not greater than your desire to understand — a desire that is fed by being with me." Neftraya now walked toward him, looking him in the eyes. "So no, you will not kill me. You will keep me alive, by your side, won't you?"
Krarvathar could not deny anything she said and smiled.
"Are all women like you?"
"Modesty aside, despite my age, I am more beautiful and smarter than most." She boldly placed her hand on his chest, at the height her face reached. Her fingers slid over his black tunic.
"Very well. Then we will continue with this strange relationship of ours," said the dragon. Then his face turned toward the window. Neftraya followed his gaze.
"Yes, but we can talk more later, can't we? You have to go defeat them," she smiled, returning to the respectful term.
"Yes. I spoke with the pharaoh. He fears the elves will come to kill him, and he is right. I imagine you know they will come after you as well," said Krarvathar, looking into her eyes.
"Yes," she gave him space, stepping back. "I am expecting it. It is kind of you to worry." She gave a small, discreet smile. "As long as you defeat the ones who are coming, I will take care of myself."
"I understand. I understand you a little better, Neftraya. I want to know more after the war is over."
"It may never end," she replied.
"We shall see. I am going now to meet our enemies. I will return when everything is finished." He moved toward the window.
"Krarvathar," Neftraya called, smiling. "Do not die."
"You too, woman. Just like the pharaoh, you are an intriguing human." He smiled, walked to the balcony, the sunlight covered his body, and he leaped.