Dragon Origin: Scales Kingdom's Rise

Chapter 3: The First Step To A Kingdom

Location: Soranika, Dragon Lands- 1807

Irie: 96 Zaila: 96 Farris: 26 Imara: 25

"Farris the small creatures seem to be making dwellings on our land." Imara said, sitting at the corner of the cliff overseeing settlements growing. "Let them, all they do is make it easy for us to feast on them." he said as she glanced back. "Lizaeds have been captured by their weapons." She added as he scoffed. "Because they are stupid and lazy. We have nothing to worry about." He continued. "They have magic. They took all the cotton candy dragons. Faelings are almost extinct and now the lizaed. We are next Farris" She continued. "They got rid of our competition, you know well only the strong were made to survive. We don't need those weaker dragons,'' he added. "With many of us slowly disappearing there is mixing happening." She said finally making him approach her. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"Down in Xitlalachu, where the smaller dragons settled the small creatures have taken them almost as livestock. There are words of Cotton candy's mixed with Faeling." She replied. "They allowed themselves to be used as toys." He said, shaking his head. "We cannot rule a kingdom without a kingdom to rule. If we step in and save them, they will finally bow to you, the Lizaed included." She replied as he took a deep breath. "If we leave the gem someone else will take claim" He said, beginning to raise his voice.

"Are you King Farris?" a large dragon with the sharp appearance of a Nightling but the soft aromatic feathers of a cotton candy dragon said as they landed in front of him. "And you a mutt that speaks to me without a name to be called?" He said as the dragon raised their chin. "Call me what you will. I'm here to offer my help if you're willing to take it." She said as Imara gave a thorough look at her. "What is your name mutt?" Imara asked. "Zaila, my sister is named Irie and she is already doing her best with the negotiation with the Humans. They are willing to speak with her as she is of smaller stature." She replied.

"Then what do you need me for?" he asked. "They want to speak to the King, ensure the peace, they won't listen to us as rouges" She answered. "But if they don't speak to you, who is smaller than me do you think they'll speak to me?" He asked. "My sister and I understand the gem's magic of transformations; they can change you, my king. They will change you into one of the little creatures." She said as he began to growl so you are after my gem," He said as Imara shook her head. "Listen to the mutt, she may be onto something." Imara said, stepping between them. "You are a brave King are you not? Say the incantation and touch the gem and you will see I come with honesty." Zaila added as Farris wrinkled his nose turning to the gem. "Very well but if I am to be in harm's way you will be first on my dinner plate." He said as Zaila lowered her head "Of course my king." She answered.

He approached the gem and spoke the words Zaila said. It wasn't long before he was looking up at Zaila and Imara now in a human body. "The change is reversible with the same incantation," She added as Imara looked over at the gem then to Farris. "And what of the gem?" He asked. "I can bring the leader of the small creature to meet you here where you cannot leave the gem," Zaila said. "You sister Irie will bring them. Any wrong step from you and she will be my dinner" He said as Zaila shrugged. "So be it." She answered.

While they waited for the arrival Farris spent time practicing the incantation over and over as Imara kept an eye out. "I see Zaila," She said as he stayed in his dragon form. "I have brought garments for the meeting my king," She said as he looked at the rags. "You mean I must assimilate?" He asked as Imara looked at them. "May I?" She asked as Zaila shrugged. "It would be best but you are the king," Zaila said as Imara turned to Farris. Signaling her to go ahead. Imara touched the gem and transformed into a woman going to the garments and fixing them as she had seen the humans do in the settlements.

Finally Irie arrived carrying humans on her back. She looked as Zaila had said smaller. She fit more of the cotton candy appearance. She looked at Imara and bowed her head slightly then to Farris. The people looked up at Farris as the one who had most jewels and gold stepped forward, "I hear you are the king of the dragons," The man said as Farris grinned. Zaila glanced at the gem then to Farris as he went and transformed, also doing his best as Imara to fix them as the humans. "And you of the little creatures," Farris said. "Of course beast, though I must say I didn't see you as anywhere near as intelligent," The man said as Farris wrinkled his nose. Zaila and Irie looked at one another before walking to the gem together and changing into human appearance themselves. The men couldn't help but stare as the two sisters clothed themselves. "My king, do not let them get to you." Zaila said standing next to Farris. "There was a peace agreement, correct?" Irie said, standing between Farris and the other men who could not look away.

"What did you say your name was again beast?" The king asked, staring at Irie as turned to face him. "Irie, my last name is yet to be determined" She said raising her brow. "We must form borders between the lands." Imara said, clearing her throat as Zaila smiled. "That is a start, Dragon lands will begin where you humans' original settlements end, Batio," Zaila said as Farris stepped in front of her. "If anyone is to make such decisions it is I," He said as Irie shook her head. "Some borders have already been formed, my king, We can just respect them and inform the others" She suggested. "Inform? You can't possibly tell me he can control all these other rogue dragons," The man said as Zaila nodded. "Of course, he is the one that holds the gem." She replied.

Farris glanced at Zaila then back to the people. "What do you suppose is used to form this treaty?" Farris asked, knowing they would most likely not be offering themselves as a meal. "It'll depend on what you can offer us. I can offer an abundance of things to keep you off my land and from feasting on my subject but what do you have to offer?" The man said with a look of anticipation. "Your life should be enough. Other Nightlings and I have eaten smaller dragons, feasting on you would not prove any more difficult." Farris added as a few of the men stepped in front of the supposed king. "My king fifty men of their kind wouldn't be enough to call it a feast and remember the issue at hand." Zaila said as Imara got closer. "Lives are at stake. Dragon life's and little creatures. You men are over hunting our fellow dragons for trinkets" Imara added.

"It's the dragons you beast eat, what's the difference?" One said as their king turned to them. "Then how do you suppose we should trust that you will leave our people alone?" Their king asked. Farris glanced over at Zaila for answers, "We'll respect the borders no dragons will trespass to your lands and if they do then they are at your mercy. The settlements that have been formed here must be removed, if they choose to stay they will abide by our king's ruling," Zaila said. "I do have another demand," Their king said, pulling Irie close. Irie looked over at Zaila and the others. "That is?" Imara asked, looking at Irie's complex expression. "You allow more dragons to become human to ease the communication between us." The king said as Farris and Imara glanced at one another. "So it will." Zaila answered. "Just as collateral damage I wish to take this one," He said, keeping his arms around Irie.

"What do you need a mutt for?" Farris asked, laughing. "She's quite lovely as a human. I'm sure more of your dragons can be suited for our nobles and vice versa. Perhaps when you have a more established court we can talk of unions between them." He added. "Go ahead and take her. I have no use for her aside from dinner." Farris answered.

"Irie is my sister, not a game piece." Zaila said, stepping forward. "You can come with me if you wish to be with her as well." The man said, shrugging as Farris pulled Zaila back. "She stays." He growled.

Zaila looked down for a moment, "Let me speak with my sister first." She answered looking back between the two. "Very well, say your goodbyes." They both said. Zaila and Irie stepped aside to talk. "I'll be okay Zaila, someone has to represent our kind in their court anyways." Irie said as Zaila took a deep breath. "You know well they don't want you for your voice." Zaila answered. "I can handle myself, remember they cannot harm me," She answered as Zaila hugged her. "If they do, I'll let hell loose so please take care of yourself." Zaila added as Irie nodded. "Of course sister. I'll gather as much as I can and inform you" Irie answered, stepping back to be with the humans.