DOTA: Dragon's Blood

My sword. My life.

For Dragon Hold.

Praise the Moon of Mene.

Gather them all.

- -

No!

- -

So pale. Fragile.

-Like this flower. -

My lotuses.

No longer your lotuses.

Just as you are no longer worshiped.

All that sustains you is a spark of divinity

that has never truly been yours.

So clever you are.

You know me so well.

You brought me to this almost effortlessly.

I see that now.

But there is something else I see.

Terrorblade.

One does not simply ask a demon

to murder a goddess in her own temple.

One bargains.

You carry the weight of that bargain.

You worry what happens if you fail to meet your obligation.

A bargain with a demon is no small transaction, it's true.

Then I would like to offer one of my own.

Forgive one another. Restore me.

Allow me to deal with Terrorblade at the height of my powers.

Not for me, or for you. For her.

Filomena.

Filomena discovered these.

-A hybrid species, unique to this valley. -

I gave them her name.

I will give them your power.

-She will live. -

You will die, and no one will remember.

Right flank!

Two lancers gone.

More wounded. We have no medical supplies to treat.

We have what we have.

Fewer mouths to feed, I suppose.

On your feet, you animals!

There's daylight yet to burn,

and at least a hundred spans of forest to cross.

I see it.

Perhaps we should wait.

A few lost hours won't harm us, and a rest may help.

This position looks secure.

Also, your wound has reopened.

Again, doesn't matter.

We have what we have.

You're home. You're safe.

But this gets worse before it gets better.

You have to let me go.

I didn't know before.

I had no idea what was happening to me, or why.

You screamed that the whole journey here. Changes not a fucking thing.

Father is coming.

I'll leave you to the task.

Father. Thank the gods.

I've heard stories of what you're capable of.

Kaden calls it a curse.

It's more than all that.

There's a demon, Father. His name is Terrorblade.

He's killing the Eldwyrms, stealing their souls--

I've been stealing dragon souls since I was a boy.

Younger than you when you completed the Crossing.

You were such a bright child.

So talented, so determined.

We need to protect the dragons.

We need to fight by their sides!

I've never slain a dragon with my own hands.

Never made the Blade Bond. Injury made that impossible.

But I was clever. I learned the secrets of the forge-men.

"Cursed", Kaden said.

What I would not have given to be cursed like you.

Put your back into it, boy! Luminous scales show every smudge.

- -When I was a squire,

it was an honor to polish a father's boots.

More than one evening, I went to my rack,

my hand frozen in a claw from gripping the rag.

Ha!

Hunched over like a hellbear with the shits.

- -

Kaden.

Forgotten your manners already?

Master Ritterfau. Apologies.

Oh, I can't blame you.

Twenty years, has it been?

Barely here, but to haul carcasses in and take weapons out.

Twenty years.

Twenty-two.

Hunting Slyrak.

All that time, just to bring us one of our own.

Under the ankle, damn it!

You certainly made a name for yourself

while the rest of us did the work we're expected to do.

We are a brotherhood. A unit.

No man more important than the rest. Like this boy here.

Happy to be part of the team.

I didn't say you could speak.

- -Twenty-two years, Kaden. Wasted.

Blood on my boots. Never polished. Never cared to.

Not in 22 years, Master Ritterfau.

I'm afraid penetrating bone can be excruciating.

But it's necessary.

You told me he would not be harmed.

Harm and pain are brothers, but they live apart.

I tried what you're trying now. It didn't fucking work.

Made it worse.

I broke his trust. I won't break that trust again.

Remember, Davi, you are loved.

Kaden. They're not just animals.

Nor am I. See to his comfort. Find me in the Great Hall when it's done.

- -

Marcy.

It's a sign.

Grave marker.

-We make camp here. -

The gods can be sick bastards.

- -

You should join them. Worship.

The ley lines are down, our gifts are gone, Selemene falls silent.

When I look to the moon, all I feel is the empty sky.

Pointless ritual.

Or perhaps it's the opposite.

The Dark Moon Order know Selemene is gone, but they believe in her anyway.

That isn't pointless.

That's what hope is.

That's faith.

Faith.

Selemene had faith in the Invoker.

He betrayed it.

That doesn't mean she was wrong to offer it.

Selemene offered nothing.

I never asked her.

Never sought her council.

I accepted the lotuses because I wanted to go home,

and I was afraid our lady would say no.

I didn't have any faith at all.

Still think I should join them?

I thought you might want that.

What are these made of?

- -

Something you won't break.

What in the seven hells were you even thinking, following me here?

I had to help you. You're, you're my people.

I thought your people were back in Coedwig.

- -Cochi. They didn't need me. You did.

I barely remember any of it. It's a fog.

I ran into the fight. It was bad.

Mirana. Is she… is she all right?

She got out of the worst of it.

Beyond that, I, I just don't know.

I wish I did. I wish I could say.

-I'm sorry. -It's not your fault.

Except…

-Except it is my fault. -Fymryn.

I knew it was gonna happen.

I knew and I let it. I, I did nothing.

I was even happy.

At first, then, it didn't feel the way I hoped it would.

-It felt ugly. -You knew.

I was supposed to bring you back to the tower after it all happened.

That's why you followed me. He did this. You're still helping him.

No! No, it's not that way!

Get out.