Paracosm

Fire and Blood

Dolag

Dolag watches as Dextro gets out of the bed, a raven lands in front of him and drops a letter. The giant bird flies away within seconds.

"It's Annalise reminding us of the meeting," Dextro throws the paper onto the ground.
"She knows something," Dolag dresses herself "what is there to meet about?".

"Wouldn't she stay quiet and attack if she did?" Dextro asks.
"She's smarter than that," Dolag says "she doesn't want to attack unless she's certain, I hope Maon reaches the same conclusion, as with Sliabh".

"And what if she does attack?".
"Gealach will be there," she shrugs "they will be burned within seconds".
Dextro sighs slightly "your brothers are amazing creatures but what if one of them is taken down? They done it to the dragons before, I'm sure they can do it again".

Dolag doesn't answer for several minutes, she feels her heart drop suddenly, as if the fear that's been eating her alive has come out "I have thought about this, for a long time, but my brothers are smart and powerful, I would never put them in a situation I don't believe they are ready for. They know what happened to the others, their family. They feel our pain. But I have noticed something".

Dextro stands on the balcony with her "what's that?".
"They've become restless the past while," she looks out onto the town "as if they sense something".
  "Perhaps war?".
"No," Dolag shakes her head "they fly in the same spot at the same time everyday, as if waiting for something. I read more of my father's writing and he wrote of a giant beast that never accepted a bond, a dragon that my people couldn't control and sent to a small island in the seas, my father called her Iolair. He thought the dragon would return when she was ready to bond with one of us, but she never did".
"You believe she is returning?" Dextro asks.
   "I believe she senses war and she's ready to come back to fight for us".

Annalise

  "How do we go about this?" Munán asks as he enters the meeting room.
"You know the plan," she says as she sits at the top of the table.
"We check in with them, if they appear suspicious they have already made plans amongst themselves, we bring up the bunker and again if they appear suspicious we know they've betrayed us".
"Appearing suspicious will not cut it," Annalise says "do you not think they've already planned what to say? This meeting is to make them aware that we know something is going on, a final warning before they betray us".

The doors open and Sliabh appears. He greets the two of them and takes his place at the table.
"How was your journey?" Munán asks.
"The snow is clearing," Sliabh says.
"Ah, the Gods are on your side," Munán smiles.

Annalise watches him carefully. He doesn't seem distant, but he always composes himself well. Her father had a lot of respect for him. The people of Snowfall have survived harsh weather for generations, which generation becoming more immune to it. They are strong, wise people. Annalise could never take that from them.

Dolag enters through the doors next. Annalise wasn't expecting her to be so early. She ignores them as she passes, ignores Sliabh too. Her dress is made of thin, colourful material, exposing more than a lady should. Annalise looks down at her layered dress, which is too tight on top and mountains of material below.

Dolag sits in silence, Annalise can see Munán is trying hard to think of a conversation.
"How are your supplies on the Fire Island?" Annalise asks.
"We do not need anything from you," Dolag stares so deeply into her soul, it's as if she can read Annalise's thoughts.

Before Annalise can reply Maon comes into the room. He greets everyone except for Munán and Annalise, which is expected.
"Can we get started?" Maon sighs "I do not have time for this".