Chapter Eleven: In the land of Xia

Teridax was right.

Icarax arrived on Xia to find the Kanohi Dragon and a Tahtorak embroiled in bitter combat, their struggle taking a heavy toll on Mutran’s old rock. As much as Icarax wanted to put both Rahi in their place, he exercised restraint.

Instead, he made his way to the largest of the southern ports. The weapons order he’d been told to investigate originated from one of the middle-tier traders. It was a place nobody would notice if a strange order were placed, but large enough to acquire the hefty amount of goods.

The port hadn’t suffered too much fallout from the battle of the Rahi, but it had taken some hits. When the Makuta found the arms dealer, she was panicking at the damage her establishment had taken.

Icarax seized the arms dealer by her back and lifted her into the air.

“I don’t travel to Xia often,” he began, “But I expect you, as any educated Vortixx, would know that I put on quite a show. Answer my questions and I will spare you the trouble of being the epicenter of it.”

He dropped the Vortixx and she whirled, aptly terrified. “Makuta Icarax!” she gasped before groveling.

A tight smile spread across the Makuta’s face. “The same. A few weeks ago, an order was placed for your,” he gestured around, “establishment. The group did not give you a name, but it was neither the Brotherhood nor the Dark Hunters. Nor was it any the island kingdoms.”

The trader interrupted. “No sir, we’ve never received—”

Icarax stared into her eyes, his own blazing. No powers necessary.

“I mean,” the trader stuttered. “Now that you mention—”

“Describe the person who placed it.”

“Uh, he was tall, red and silver, had a Mask of Charism—”

The description was generic, and in itself presented no useful clues. Without any other options, Icarax asked when the client would return for the shipment and left. By the sounds of it, there would be plenty of time to finish the tasks before he had to investigate this further. Leaving a means for the dealer to contact him should something arise, as well as a thorough warning as to what would happen if she crossed him, Icarax set out to find the Staff.