Targets

Epis had caught those last strangled words, but did not understand there meaning precisely. He knew not that his son Norin stood a foot from him. He was filled with a grief caused by the scene before himself, knowing he could have helped.

Craftus shifted back into dragon form. He was fuming, knowing that certainly the keeper of knowledge had escaped him, and was likely aiding the others.

"We must assume that Minea's children know of us, the time to attack them is now." He said, he paced in the cave. "I shall send Sonnis and Amos and Ilo to attack Mount Minecraftia, I have no interesting in the sparing of any of the brothers. Onicent, Dauntice and Maiguh all must be brought to their ends." He declared to himself and to the two others. "I shall consider the sparing of Serse and Airabella, the latter for my son. Alora though I think will need to be ended as well. Balyn!" He shouted, he summoned her to his side. She seemed slightly bewildered.

"Father," she said, bowing her head.

"We have lost the edge of an unexpected attack."

"They were all in the palace beneath the sea." Balyn reported, "few have set out to defend, but they have left the young and non fighters there within the fortress, it is well protected though, hence their warning to us."

"Very good," Craftus said.

He knew Dauntice would be easy enough to control, his wife and child were almost certainly protected in the castle.

"And Onicent?"

"He is within the palace on the mountain still, alone except for a boy and nymphs who are non fighters."

"And Maiguh."

Balyn pinched her face together slightly, "none have seen anything of him, I suspect he is trapped within the End."

"He will be dealt with later. Focus on the first two."

"Xeo sent word, he has captured the wife of Onicent, Airabella." She looked hesitant.

"And..?

"Rissa turned on him, he cannot find her. He claims she is gravely wounded. But knows little else, he is incompetent as ever." She added bitterly.

"It is a shame, though I am not taken off guard. She is patron of chaos and was likely to be fickle. It is good news you bring." Craftus turned away from her and fixed his eyes upon Epis. "I sense your displeasure?"

Epis looked at up him with stormy eyes. "You promised me Maiella, I want to see her." There was unspoken meaning in his words.

The dragon considered this. He could sense a turning in Epis that he did not like. Epis was valuable with his skills. Without him healing would be difficult for the children of Minea. A shame that the Ender Dragon should let him go for the time being, but still important to their cause. He would not warn the others. Craftus nodded slightly, "see her you shall then. I send you there. There is a shrine in her village to me."

Epis closed his eyes as he dissolved.

The village was after all being protected by Craftus, and therefore he would hold Epis a prisoner. It was the best prison after all, for Epis would have no desire to leave.

Craftus was slowly chipping at his enemies. He needed to find the pesky keeper to ensure his victory.