The Dragonriders

Chapter 32

An Unknown King In Green And Blue

Back in Celaris we all go to the Council Chambers. The remainder of the council, king Derkley, Tera'shi, Tresh'ta, Rashter and Sha'iva. Because we are with more than usual I call for all of us to converse on the lower levels. Celeste is the first to speak. 'With the leaders death... we need a new leader. One who has lead us before and is the reason we all are here.'

I turn to her. 'No. Absolutely not. I'm the queen of the Elves. To put me in charge of protecting all the races with a clear mind is stupid to say the least! How would I make full unbiased decisions?'

King Derkley steps forward and raises his hammer. 'The way ye lead us so far. Ye are wise, queen Tara'li.'

I shake my head again. 'I'm not a good leader to split my attentions like that. Look how it went before the war blew up. I was put in charge of the Elven kingdom and the Guard. Then both those duties got neglected while I was off gathering an army and fighting the war.'

Sha'iva steps forward. 'What if the kings and queens of all the races became Riders of their own? If the council was made up of not the normal council, but lead by the kings and queens of the races that make up the guard?'

I chuckle. 'Yeah and then king Richard comes over, sees a dragon and cowers behind my mantle. Can you see him ride a dragon? He seems scared of even ponies.'

Everyone laughs at that. King Derkley moves the shaft of his hammer towards me. 'If ye take the mantle, I will follow ye. I like me feet on the ground, but it is time me kin stopped hiding. Me kingdom will be lead from Celaris.'

Tera'shi shakes her head. 'We centaurs, as has been revealed... we are but Elves who abandoned our heritage. We cannot be Riders. Instead we can pledge ourselves to the queen of the Elves...'

Around me I see all of them nod. The two Elves and the two Dwarves both kneel. So does King Derkley. The two dragons whose names I don't know bend their necks in respect. Eventually even Celeste bows her neck and closes her eyes. I feel conflicted but step up and kneel in the middle, drawing moms sword backhanded and putting it tip down on the floor. 'In that case I will accept. Even as leader of the council, I won't overrule any of the council members and I would prefer the existing council to remain in place...'

Celeste responds. 'We will find a new leader of the Dragon Guard, though you as leader will have the last word. I think we should split the council in the high council of kings and queens and the low council of us.'

I rise and walk to the head of the room and turn around. 'Then as first act as leader of the council I would like messages to be send to all leaders of the races requesting their presense in Celaris. I will then formally invite them to the Dragon Guard myself, explaining the situation. Rashter, there is but one thing left to do. I need you to explain what you mean, with the dragons of the Guard being able to become full dragons.'

Rashter steps forward. 'They can be trained. Grown into becoming full dragons... if a Wild Dragon is willing to do so. With the war behind us... I will train the Covenant dragons. Teach them what it means to be a dragon. Teach them the nobility, strength and protectiveness of a dragon. In time, when they learn the essence, their fire breath will come. Well, all but one...'

Celeste, who had been looking up at Rashter, lowers her head. 'I guess that is me. I'm not able to become a full dragon, am I?'

Rashter nods. 'As one of the first generation, you are distinctly Elven. Your physique resembles a dragon, but your blood is Elvish. Though you could... learn the essence of being a dragon, you can't grow into it. Even magic cannot fix this.'