Mythical Book #1

Chapter 13

'Why now? Of all days, why today? And on top of it, I'm missing the festival at Halter! And, why have only five leaders showed up? Where the hell is everyone else? I thought this discussion of the Troll attacks were important to everyone!' King Niall huffing a little, as he is sitting at a large round table.

The table is sectioned off to represent the leaders of each land. In the center of the table is a circle, and in the circle is the mark of the royal ruling family. Sitting around the table are King Rinnal of the Elves; Chief Forbish of the Dwarves; Ono, Chief of the Centaurs, Tierra-Long Emperor of the Dragons; and Qut Zaiem [Cut Zy-eem], Emperor of the Felinala. There are more spaces, but these are the ones who bothered to show up at this time. Laying out on the table before them is a map of all the countries of the land, with indications of where the Trolls have attacked.

"Sire, we almost lost Shonagal!" Rinnal says. Both Rinnal and Forbish are wearing their battle attire, because their countries are the ones currently dealing with the Trolls onslaught.

"Almost?" asks Ono surprised. Ono, as most of the leaders are, is older, with his age indicated by his long, silver hair. His horse body, also silver, shifts its weight as his aged white tail flicks a fly away. He is wearing a white tunic with gold square swirls around the edges, and a waist belt where the horse begins, which has a large golden buckle with carvings that indicate his royal status. He also adorns a white cloak with a matching pattern to his tunic that goes back and partially covers his horse back. His body is covered front to back with tattoos that show stories, battles, and symbols of his people.

"We were able to stop the spread of the flames to other buildings by containing it. But, it is currently still burning in the contained area, but there is nothing there for it to burn!" Rinnal explains to Ono.

"What kind of strange magic do the Trolls possess?" Tierra-Long responds. Tierra-Long is a serpent Dragon with light green scales, white belly, and a red long beard and mustache. He's about three and a half indals from head to tail. He wears a loose green robe trimmed in gold and has intricate silver designs delicately crafted throughout the robe, it's fashioned in a way that fits his slender body.

"The Zlobrann, the Fire Axe of Evil," Rinnal declares, "It has to be! There has been word spreading amongst survivors that the Troll King has an axe that emits a flame!"

The group starts to get anxious, agitated, and begin talking over each other. Niall's thoughts are distracted, 'My Queen, I never thought I'd miss you so. I could use your advice, that I always took for granted, right about now. I took you for granted. I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you. I'm sorry-' The noise gets to Niall and he slams his hands on the table and shouts, "Hey!" The room goes silent, "Let's focus guys. Rinnal, there is no proof of that!" He tries to bring the group around, "Why is this so hard? They are known to be dumb and obtuse, right?"

"Noble's do not let rumors and speculation drive their decisions. It is obvious they are not as dumb as they are portrayed. Just because we have not seen the Fire Axe, does not mean we assume they do not possess it either." Tierra-Long backs Rinnal.

"Why not send your Pegasus Guard to infiltrate, and spot where the Trolls are? Or send the Royal Guards out and hunt them down?" Forbish asks Niall with an annoyed tone.

"We have Chieftain! But every time my guards fly out there is no sign of the Trolls! So, I don't even know if they are as far into the lands as people say they are. And I'm not putting my Royal Guard in on some random hunt, when they are needed to protect all of your cities!" Niall's agitation grows. More loud voices follow, except for one, Qut Zaiem has been listening and observing, and then he speaks.