The Dragon Realms Saga

Rellethek's chest throbbed in pain. The poison coated by Elucard's blade seeped deeper into his gruesome wound. It gnawed his muscles and stabbed his lungs with a thousand tiny needles. Every inch of his body felt as heavy as a mountain, crushing down on him with its immense weight. His sight swayed back and forth, dizzy from his nauseous stomach. The thick mists clouded his mind, leaving him lightheaded, but he fought to focus on the situation at hand. An assassination attempt was made on his life. In his own city—no, at his throne! Dead of Winter tried to topple his crown. Now his weak body laid in bed. Helpless. Like a whelp that needed its mother to survive.

"We need to think about the near future of our city." His daughter paced around his chamber. As young as she appeared compared to him, she was twice the age of a middle aged man. Perfect to act as his successor. "You were warned by the wolf that this Dead of Winter would be a danger. I believe the best course of action would be to stand with them."

Rellethek looked to his advisor and general of his dragon flight. "Y-you two… anything to add?"

His general stepped forward. "Anathayla's intentions are good, but naive. If we should put Draconicus first, we should shut its doors."

Rellethek eyed his advisor, Klevcalen. "D-Do you agree with R-Reshthoric?"

"To an extent, my liege."

"E-Explain."

Kelvcalen bowed. "Of course. I agree that we should isolate our city, but leave the Wolf with the seal."

Rellethek furrowed his brow, giving his royal advisor a glowered stare.

"You see, the seal is the source of all this conflict in the world," Reshthoric said. "To have one near our city will stir more violence for us. We should cut out ties with the Celestial Seal and let them kill each other for it."

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"He makes a good point, Father," said Anathayla. "We have other responsibilities tending to the Life Matrix."

Rellethek held silent and waited for Reshthoric to speak up..

"My king, Your great grandfather was a fool to take on watching over both the seal and the Life Matrix of Stratus," he said. "The seals ward man's gods, but Stratus is our god. Let the wolf and Dead of Winter deal with the blasted Heaven's Mark," the general said.

The dragon lord nodded. His council's advice felt right to him. If he gave Koda and the cat the seal or let Wildeye have the seal, he wouldn't have been nearly killed. Yes, this was the best course of action.

"I-I agree," he said. "Bring in the wolf and A-Arrelion."

Analayla walked over to the chamber door and opened it. On the other side stood the familiar of Koda and the silver mage, Arrelion. Analayla gestured for the two to enter before shutting the door. She guided both to the foot of Rellethek's bed before addressing her father.

"Father, Wildeye, leader of their coalition and the great mage Arrelion, they are here to learn of your decision."

Rellethek narrowed his eyes to the blue wolf. He already dismissed her from his sight and city and yet she sent her assassins into Draconicus to spy on him. She was just as devious as Koda. The wolf could not be trusted.

"I-I have decided to let y-you have the seal, but y-you and your men…are banished from my city."

Arrelion gave the draconian a deep bow. "Understood, your grace."

"What of Cade and Elucard?" asked Wildeye. "Will you free them?"

Rellethek shook his head, now too weak to answer. He raised a shaky finger to his daughter.

Analayla nodded and turned to Wildeye. "The assassin that attacked my father will be beheaded. The other will await trial for his punishment."

"He was ordered to keep the Scale Lord alive," argued Wildeye. "Sure that should grant him his freedom."

"I am sorry, my father commands this. Those that break any law of Draconicus must be punished. Your Cade trespassed within our city under the cover of shadow."

Arrelion placed a hand on Wildeye's shoulder. "He knew the consequences if he were captured. We shall take our leave immediately."