Dawn came and the blissful morning glares shone eloquently across the neon skies. The third day in NML had arrived and all the self preserved and egoistically proud dragon clans gathered together in the meeting hall when the eighth morning hour struck.
The meeting hall was no place for women, as most of the rulers with their heirs believed, however Xenroth had to attend as she was the only heiress to the Frost Kingdom so excluding her would be a form of disrespect to their culture of equality.
A large oakwood round table sat in the middle of a massive ballroom sized area which accommodated fifteen to twenty people. Each king sat with his heir to their side including Fronheis with Xenroth to his right.
Bright orange rays peeked through the spacious walls and windows as ancient wet sand coloured walls flickered with the breeze from the morning dew.
Low shadows formulated on either end while individuals present shared their wild adventures of recent times. Voice above the other. Inaudible to the listener and yet a sense of rapport (understanding) was present.
"Let the meeting commence," Rodengard's thick voice echoed gaining attention from all who were present except the women who were enjoying a tea party on the other side of the castle.
Attention need not be commanded as everyone turned to him.
"The time you all have been waiting for is nēah. I have called for a Jyed because our clans face a formidable threat."
Silence...
A few whispers were heard as everyone was confused. Rodengard is famous for his fearless personality, hence him talking about danger was something worth considering.
"What does that mean?" Katsuhito asked.
Everyone shared quick glances once more and Rodengard continued.
"The humans-"
"Bwahahaha," Ethpan mock laughed and a few scoffs were heard among those present, "The humans!? Since when have we feared those powerless creatures that seek our protection."
"Let me finish," Rodengard pinched the bridge of his nose, left hand on his ale goblet. Taking a sip, he cleared his throat and went on to say, "Even I fear them not. When the news came I mocked. However, there's a certain piece of information that is worth the Jyed."
"Which is...?" Fronheis finally spoke up. Adjusting himself on the elegant oakwood chair.
"The new human leader... has information on the Seranan Peroya."
The entire room fell as silent as a grave. As still as a statue. Ragged breaths and a dominant show of each of their kingdoms' powers seethed through them. The tension was so thick even a blade could not cut it.
Frost, Night, Sun, Flame, all became a blend and display of power and dominance.
Only the strong could survive in a room like that. A few trusted servers were led out by the kingdoms' most trusted personal knights. Each knight leading a maidservant out before they perished.
"How?" Xenroth's voice roared.
"You dare question me you whelp?" Rodengard intimidated her and she responded with just as much passion.
"I dare stand not as a Whelp nor Wyrmling for I am the heiress to my kingdom."
"How would they have known?" Ryuin asked with just as much passion.
"Make no mistake!" Renoph, the flame kingdom's heir warned Ryuin.
"That's elder to you, you ingrate," Ryuin's voice seethed with a venomous tone despite his calm and collected expression.
"What ungrateful bastard went and vomited our knowledge to those filthy pests?" Eroque, the sun kingdom's heir questioned.
The one question everyone wanted to ask.
Despite being dominant, territorial, possessive, greedy, strong and many other things... dragons depised enemies who sought after their possessions and loved their lives above most if not all things.
The Serana Peroya was neither something worth monetary value nor a weapon crafted by the most powerful mage.
It was neither a guide to boundless wealth nor an endless piece that could solve all mysteries and win wars.
The Searana Peroya was a map. A map to the one spell that could ever erase dragons from existance. No other weapon or spell could kill them. Their flesh would die however they would reincarnate into one of their descendants after 300 years. This particular spell would completely erase them. Never to be seen again.
A secret passed down among the dragon clans. Although none ever knew where it was. In case one would use it against the other. The dragon clans had their differences, however the one thing they ever agreed on was that they would never allow nor accept a different species to come between them.
"This new ruler," Fronheis cut the silence that had enveloped them as it became a battle of aura and tension, "Who is he?"
Rodengard cleared his throat and replied, "The last descendent of Worene."
"What?" Katsuhito asked just as shocked as everyone else, "Did they not confirm that Worene's last descendent perished a few generations ago?" He turned to Fronheis, "You confirmed it."
Everyone's gaze fell on Fronheis.
"I did. My informants swore on theirs and future generations' lives that it was true. Unless-"
"-Unless he's a bastard son that has come to reclaim the fallen crown," Ruin tuned in.
Xenroth creased her brows, "Even so...how would it be possible to hide such a secret for too long. The last time the Jyed was held, was the information's credibility not addressed and confirmed?"
"What would you know?" Renoph scoffed, "You are still wet behind the ears-"
"Watch your tongue!" Eroque half-yelled, "Now is not the time for immature remarks," he sighed.
Renoph felt humilliated as he threw a challenging gaze towards Eroque. Which he gracefully returned not.
"Ahem," Rodengard continued, "Quite so. Thus the fact that only a dragon can hide from a dragon in plain sight. Especially those with great affluence."
"So you mean..." Ethan half-gasped.
"There's a possibility," Katsuhito replied. Expression deep in thought.
"If what you suggest is true, why call for a Jyed seeing as the potential traitor could be among us?" Xenroth questioned once more.
"Because Jyed or not, we would all eventually find out one way or the other. No one is to be trusted and yet if he held private meetings, the suspicion would still fall on everyone," Ryuin responded with ease.
"That among many reasons," Rodengard voiced.
"From now on we'll have to tread carefully. News of us in consensus should not get out. Let them assume we are divided," Renoph suggested.
"Seems like you also possess a sound mind," Eroque teased. Xenroth chuckled. Renoph's ears reddened ever so slightly. "Calm down, I jest," his chuckles matched Xenroth's.
Ryuin's fists almost bore holes into his pants under the table.
"How are we to move from here?" Ethpan asked.
"Everyone is to be closely monitored. Even after returning to our kingdoms. Sun kingdom will focus on strategising our next course of action when necessary as you are the wisest. Flame kingdom will concentrate on enhancing the borders of all the kingdoms as you are the strongest. Each kingdom will give a third of their strongest army. Night kingdom will gather as much more information on the the Seranan Peroya as they can get for tgeir well versed in the art of secrecy. Our kingdom, the Frost kingdom will provide supplies and defense when necessary for we are most talented in passive aggressive behaviour. We shall all be prepared to aid the other. Bury the hatchet for now, dig it later after dealing with the threat. What happens between the dragons .... stays with dragons," Xenroth commanded with full authority and confidence despite being the youngest in the room.
"You-" Rodengard tried to voice his opinion however came short of words.
"We'll do as you say," Fronheis turned to his daughter in awe.
"All are welcome to negotiate," a low smirk danced on the corner of her lips.
"Such a trap," Ryuin sighed, "There's just no way to negotiate with a Frost ...ha~"
She chuckled.
The tension in the room dissipated...slowly...gradually.
However, this was far from over.
It had only just begun ...