Falling Dragons

Friendly Words

Victor enters the palace, as large and grand as one would expect from dragons. He walks a ways through the rooms until he's almost at the dining room. He stops for a moment to stare at a painting hanging on the wall. The artwork is beautiful. Most would assume dragons are incapable of such art. It depicts a battlefield, two dragons in the center with broken swords and battered armor surrounded by several well equipped ice dragons. The mountains they are standing on are splattered with bits of ice and the bodies of fallen soldiers. "Really takes you back, doesn't it?" Victor hears a voice saying from down the hall. Victor turns his head with only a hint of surprise to see King Mel walking his way. "Sure does." Replies Victor, smiling to see his king. "Back then, we were still spry fighters, defending the kingdom." Mel continues. "Come on inside and take a seat." Mel motions to the dining room with his hands as he speaks. "Yeah, yeah, don't make me sound so old and decrepit like you your highness" Victor laughs a little as he follows Mel inside.

They both sit at the table while a butler brings them tea, bread, and other snacks. Mel dismisses the helpful staff before taking a sip of his tea. "Tea? You're still obsessed with this tea stuff?" Vistor asks. "What happened to good ol' booze?" He continued to question. Mel still drinks his tea,almost as if Victor said nothing. After a long drink, he responds. "I happen to like tea, Victor. And don't you think that it's a bit early in the day to be drinking?" Victor seems a bit offended at the remark. "Mel, as long as I've known you, you've never said something so hurtful to me." Victor seems genuinely hurt for just a moment. "Since when is any time too early for a drink?" He begins laughing as Mel just shakes his head. "Victor, not to interrupt the friendly chat, but why do you think I've asked you to join me here today. I'm sure you're aware it isn't just to sip tea and daydream about the old days." Mel says with a serious look in his eyes.

An intense aura fills the room when Mel suddenly changed the topic. Victor stops laughing, a more dramatic tone envelopes his body as well before answering. "Yes, I do... my children are no longer children. They've been adults in the kingdom for quite some time. Two knew immediately what they wanted to do with their lives. The other two still haven't chosen a path. I'm sorry, Mel... I have tried to get them to see the importance of deciding their destiny. Both of them still don't seem any closer to choosing their future than when they were children. I'll scold them more and teach them why it's such an important task." Victor says while hanging his head in shame in front of the king, his long-time ally. Mel seems slightly surprised at hearing these words. Mel seeing such a strong, proud ally sitting in front of him. It always fills his heart with sadness to see his friends in pain.

He reaches over to put his hand on Victor's shoulder. "Victor, times have changed. War is no longer looming over our heads. It's important to have trained soldiers... but the world is more peaceful than ever. Even our greatest enemies seem to agree that we stay away from each other instead of fighting. I can't tell you how to raise them. But there is no urgency from the kingdom for them to choose their life yet." Victor lifts his head from the comforting words. "Mel, I appreciate what you are saying. But we all choose our futures by now. Shyv just wants to exercise all day. She doesn't want to put any of that effort towards a purpose. What good are abs and muscles if you aren't doing anything with them? And Boros, all he ever does is read and cast little spells. I'm not even sure where he got any talent with magic, it sure wasn't from me. They need purpose in their lives Mel." Victor looks Mel in the eyes while saying all of this. With a look of equal parts pride and sadness in his eyes.

Mel stares back at him. "Shyv may be destined for greatness outside the military. Nobody can know what she could do with a perfectly sculpted body in her future. She could open shop as a trainer or maybe she wants to wait until she's strong enough that she's confident joining the military. And Boros is a gifted magician. You may not be able to see it yet... not many mages exist within our walls. Even fewer talented ones. But to know what he knows at such a young age is impressive. I have no doubt all of them will honor the great Blackstone name Victor." Mel smiles after speaking, hoping to comfort his friend. Victor seems lighter after hearing that. "Thank you Mel. That makes me feel better. I'm still going to push them. They're 30 already. Adults are 20 in our kingdom. At 25 they're supposed to decide what their future is. Most decide right after they're adults." Victor stands up. "Thank you for the visit Mel, a pleasure as always. I've got work to do at home. You know where to find me if you need me."
Mel stops drinking his tea for a moment "you're welcome Victor. Thank you for visiting. If you require anything, all you need to do is ask." He waves a hand at Victor as he's left alone at his table.