Mermaids are Menacing (Book 2) Complete

92.) War

The three dragon men lead the way. The Mountain was still. Some place were untouched by chaos and others were dripping with the remnants of chaos. The base of the mountain was mostly untouched. This is not where the humans had focused their rage. The higher we went the more destruction was left in their wake.

Tapestrys layed in pieces on the floor cut off the wall for maybe the joy of it.  Decorative pieces and pottery were shredded or broken. It didnt make since to me. They were people, people with tools to do damage but still people. Were they not afraid? Dragons were towering giants with teeth and claws and tails that could whip them in half. Yet, despite all that they had felt comfortable enough to waste time down here making a mess possibly alerting others to their existence to break baubles?

I stepped around the broken bits out of habit. I looked behind to check on my family. They also walked around the wreckage, while the dragon males walked threw and on the sharp pieces without a care. Occasionally kicking aside an offending object and as we went higher, a few bodies.

The farther away we climbed the more uncomfortable I felt. It was like an itching in my lungs. The smell of urine and dung mixed with the strong scent of blood and sweat. Leather shoes, and wine. The scents all bombarded my sences as we came back to the throne room.

I could hear the sound of voices melding together. It vibrated with energy. Now that I think of it everything was like that. The lights the walls the floors, everything was coated in almost a frost like shimmer. It was a gentle humming feeling. My hand traced against the wall and i felt it, a pulsing thrum from the rock. It was very alive.

I heard the creak of the heavy doors and the noise from inside increased. It was a dull roar, sad or angry they were both loud and the sound didnt decrease with the arrival of the high lord. If anything the sound in the hall increased. Whether that was due to the high lord or the return of Pyros it wasnt easy to tell but it was likely both.

I could hear voices screaming and accusing. "Is this how you run your territory!"

Another dragoness was weeping angrily, she sat surrounded by a huddle being consoled by her many attendants.

"This is an outrage! How will you compensate our losses!" Another dragon demanded.

"You! It is our clan who lost the most!"

"Your clan lost so many to humans. If your clan has become this weak then it is natural selection."

"I demand a duel!"

The arguing and crying and blaming all quieted and fell into silence. It was not just me but my family that entered. A group that obviously had dragon traits but looked more human.

The high lord walked to his chair and sat down.

"I will hear you now." He said.

They were still to busy learing at us. Several family members took a step in to not brush up against the taller surrounding group. A mistake as the dragons would only see them as cowering. Pyros stood at the front of our group and Cerastes at the back with the kids. Pyros seemed in excellent spirits. I couldnt see it but i felt it and it lessened the anxiety i felt.

One confident dragon stepped forward towards the throne. He wasnt one of the leaders but he was dressed well.

"We demand compensation for life lossed in your territory. " he said.

"Compensation is not warrented." Kavern stated.

"You as a host failed to uphold peaceful relations during a banquet. Where no interclan aggression is allowed." He argued.

"Do you see anyclans causing another damage? Was it a dragon that left you in this bedraggled state." The high lord gestured to the stained and cut clothes on the dragon.

"A modicum of protection is expected." He sneared.

"Your leaders all knew about these weapons. They were informed at the last banquet. Despite the known danger they willingly came to the mountain. If you want to blaim others you can call on them." Kavern waved his hand.

"I wont ask for your horde but...I do see that Pyros has returned and with an unusual crowd." He angled.

"They are not for sale." Kavern said plainly.

There was a rumbling of disagreement from the crowd.