Queen Among Dragons (Dragon Series #1)

Chapter Four

In the fully glory of his dragon form McKenna addressed the ten members of the High Court in a rumbling voice. "Councilors, we meet today to discuss a terrible tragedy and a threat to dragonkind. One of our own, Aren, son of Joren, has been murdered by humans from the village of Krunach." He paced back and forth as the court muttered amongst themselves at the news. He had no doubt the other members of the court would want to enact swift revenge. He could nearly hear the humans' screams and taste their blood. "I call upon you now to hear the facts so that we can come to a just decision about how to handle this insult. The humans will not get away with this, I promise you that." McKenna stalked to the gray slabs of stone that made up his throne and sat back on his haunches. He waved a claw in Murdoch's direction and stated briefly, "Murdoch came upon the humans after they killed Aren, he will present the facts and any analyses he has to aid our decision."

Murdoch mentally braced himself before looking upon the High Court. It would take more than a logical argument to convince them not to attack the village.

* * *

Ramsey, who had managed to rope a hesitant Rhys along with him, was waiting anxiously outside and pounced on Ciaran as soon as he exited the High Court. "So, what was the decision? Are we going to war against the humans? Tell me!"

Ciaran gave him a disgusted look. "How long have you been hovering outside like an adolescent dragon, waiting to ask someone about the meeting?"

Ramsey waved a claw casually, "Not important. Just tell me what the consensus was."

Shooting him another dirty look, Ciaran said in a low voice, "I'm not sure you're going to like the answer. McKenna presented the facts and then had Murdoch explain the situation from his point of view. Based on what Murdoch had to say...the High Court decided to wait."

"What?" Ramsey coughed violently. "That's not funny, Ci."

"I'm not kidding, Ram. Murdoch talked about how we don't understand the full situation and how that could hurt us in the end. He made a logical argument which McKenna and the High Court eventually agreed with."

"Murdoch has a point," Rhys said calmly. "We don't know what we're up against."

Ramsey let out a low whistle. "Well shit. Looks like Shiloh was able to convince Murdoch to change his mind after all." When Ciaran and Rhys gave him a weird look, Ramsey explained. "Shiloh wanted to talk to Murdoch before the meeting. It was my understanding that she didn't want the dragon's attacking her village. I guess she got Murdoch on her side."

"What?" hissed McKenna. Ramsey gulped and turned around slowly, paling when he saw McKenna's enraged face directly behind him.

"Oh hi, Mac," he said nervously. "Rhys and I were just catching up with Ciaran. How was the meeting?"

McKenna growled softly. "What did you say about Shiloh and Murdoch?"

He tried to grin at McKenna, but failed miserably. "Nothing that bears repeating."

"Where is she?"