Cordelia

It is rather rare to be born shaded if neither parent was shaded to begin with. However, the shade can be passed on as a genetic trait, an infection from parent to children. This was the reality for Cordelia. Her father was shade-touched and she became the same in turn. The shade is not a harmful creature to exist inside of a dragon. In fact, it can be rather helpful. Another set of eyes watching the world. A small voice giving advice and support. A shade-touched archaeologist had bouts of good luck because of those extra eyes and ears, that voice passing on information. No one could get the drop on her, no one could see the treasures faster than her, no one could interpret ancient texts as accurately as her. Because of this, Cordelia was mildly famous among the archaeology circles. Of course, her shade was not hidden from anyone. She was proud of it. A shaded dragon had a new source of power and strength. A shaded dragon could do a lot. Sure, some dragons were frightened of her that they could become infected, or they thought she was disgusting for being “infected” with something so insidious. But the shade was weaker now. It needed her as much as she needed it. And that was the sole reason she wanted to prove their bond to others.

Cordelia claimed she could go into the Hewn City and come back with all its secrets. A feat many archaeologist had attempted in the past. Many came back with little to note and even more didn't come back at all. But Cordelia had an ace up her sleeve. She had her shade.

Perhaps going with only a small party was a mistake. Maybe she should have hired another mercenary or two. Or maybe she shouldn't have left at all. The expedition went well for the first two weeks. There were treasures and history galore, just waiting to be discovered. Hidden texts, ancient tombs, decaying libraries, and lost history tempting them further and further into the city. Into uncharted territory. Ancient maps of the city could do little to direct them now with all the fallen walls and collapsing ground. But the city was home to some simple creatures that could easily be chased off. There was nothing there that could kill a dragon if they were careful. Or, so they thought.

Cordelia found herself among civilization again after being lost in the Hewn City for months. None of her original team was with her. And, according to those that found her, she was babbling and rambling of the horrors she saw. Seven heads attached to a single, decaying body with multiple limbs hanging on by only tissue and sinew. An Emperor. She saw an Emperor. It was making its way out of the city, marching right towards the large wall surrounding the forbidden grounds. It moved slowly, but it was coming. Oh, by the Eleven, it was coming! For weeks she mumbled to herself about the Emperor and the horrors surrounding it. The countless bodies of former explorers and beasts that got a little too close. Her navigator being ripped apart right in front of Cordelia's eyes. If it wasn't for her shade, for the creature bent on keeping her alive, Cordelia would have died as well. The shade helped her escape, but it couldn't stop the monster marching towards civilization.

Everyone brushes off her concerns as crazy. If Cordelia brought it up, she was met with “There goes that Crazy Cordelia again!” They don't know of the truth that rests in that city and the monster that is coming. They will never know until its too late.

By Dew

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