Chapter 29 - Ambessa Medarda

                                    

                                          
The meeting may have ended, but Mel was currently walking ahead of me and leading me to where Ambessa Medarda was staying.
              "Leading the lamb to the slaughter?" I asked bitterly.
              "I have no choice, Dina. She will upend the entirety of the Undercity while she looks for you." Mel replied.
              "Well, thanks for caring Aunt. So glad to know I had family, but they never cared enough to actually come looking for me." I said with a shake of my head.
              "Everyone has things they regret, Dina." Mel said.
              I rumbled loudly.
              Threateningly.
              "Like leaving Mom to defend herself? Do you regret that Aunt? She died on that bridge. Your enforcers killed her. Is that something you regret?" I asked, angrily.
              I could see Mel's body shaking, but I couldn't care at the moment.
              "We are almost to her chambers. Enough talking." Mel said coolly.
              "You don't tell me what to do, Mel. Or have you forgotten I'm in a position that is equal to your own? Or even higher?" I retorted.
              "You don't lead Zaun yet, Dina. Overconfidence in oneself will get you killed." Mel replied softly.
              "Good thing I don't plan on getting killed." I huffed.
              Mel suddenly stopped and we were standing in front of a set of doors.
              "This is it. Do not anger her, Dina. Try to stay on neutral ground. Mother has been trying to find you since Ashanti has left. Just... talk with her." Mel advised.
              "Do I have to remind you that Mom and I are the ones who have magic running in our veins? Grandma may be a Warlord, but no one has seen my other form and lived to tell the tale, Mel. I'm not weak. The arcane is not with you and that is all the confirmation I need to know how that she wouldn't win against me." I replied.
              Mel sighed but didn't respond.
              Mel opened the doors and Ambessa Medarda was sitting on a large couch while she ate grapes.
              "Ah! There she is! The Lion! The rightful ruler of Zaun! My one and only Grandaughter!" Ambessa said loudly, her voice booming through the room.
              "Mrs. Medarda." I said neutrally as I entered to room
              "None of that now." Ambessa said as she waved her hand. "You're my granddaughter. You can call me Grandmother or Ambessa if you'd like. Now sit. We have a lot to talk about."
              Instead of rumbling angrily, I made my way over to the couch and sat on it like she suggested.
              "My you certainly took after me huh? Tall as any, broad as an ox, and muscles just like me. I definitely knew you were ours as soon as I saw you enter." Ambessa stated proudly then turned to her daughter who was still standing in the doorway. "Mel? You can go now. I have important things to discuss with, Dina."
              I saw Mel's jaw clench at Ambessa's words, but she silently left and closed the doors.
              Only me and Ambessa now...
              "So? What did you want to talk about Ambessa?" I asked, trying to keep my cool.
              "Straight to business. That's fine by me. I always hated talking about nonsense anyway." Ambessa said as she put the bowl of grapes down. "I came here for two reasons. Number one? You. Number two? Opportunity."