Dragon Blossom

The Pellegrin problem

Cardinal Celhyun of Atyr wouldn't stop talking. He alternated between heartfelt apologies and harsh accusations, all without failing to mention the error of having not one but two women in the direct line of succession. Frey looked at King Alistor, seeking some sign of approval to interrupt him. But the king wasn't paying attention, instead he was patiently explaining to Eri why she had to be there.

"But today is my flying practice, Mrs. Mera doesn't like it when I miss class," Eri said with her typical pout.

"Don't worry, my child, Lady Meracina will be here later, and both of you will have to answer some questions. Your teacher will be the one to speak, but you need to be here. This is necessary so that our friends who come from afar feel reassured knowing that you two are dragons."

"Dragons scare me." She looked back at the cardinal. "The one who looked like him was very mean, he hurt Mrs. Mera and broke Mr. Baker's house."

Frey chuckled. Eri's way of thinking was truly unique. She wasn't lying when she said that dragons frightened her, even being aware of both her own identity and that of Lady Meracina, whom she had come to love sincerely. He looked towards the Pellegrin commission, they weren't listening to the cardinal either, instead they seemed engrossed in their own conversation. The only one who was listening was Runa, who was looking at him with obvious reproach.

"Enough, Cardinal," Frey finally said. "You are not personally in a position to make any demands. I was there when the dragon you brought tried to murder my daughter. We will ask Atyr to replace you as their representative. We have already heard what you came to say, but I'm afraid you are not welcome at this meeting. The information we will share here is for our allies, among whom we cannot count you."

Runa looked at him, her smile was wide, her eyes slightly closed. She knew he had done well.

"I believe," replied the cardinal, suddenly humble, "that I could not expect less. However, if His Majesty the King allows me, I would like to remain in the room. I fear that much of what you will share is already known to me."

King Alistor looked at Frey, expecting him to be the one to respond.

"On behalf of His Majesty, I offer to admit you into the room if you are willing to be questioned and swear by your gods that you will tell us the whole truth." The cardinal, until that moment, had refused to tell the whole story of how he had fallen into the hands of the white prince.

The cardinal finally agreed with a simple nod, his exultant presence from the beginning was long gone.

One of the members of the Pellegrin commission, the one who seemed older, took the floor as soon as he could.

"My lords, we have been patient, but we must address our problem promptly." The Pellegrin accent and way of speaking were not difficult to understand, but they were a distraction to Frey.

"That's true," said King Alistor. "We are already aware that Pellegrin needs Artemia's help, however, the details worry me. Your kingdom is far away, if we are to help you, especially with a large number of troops, the travel time must be a problem."

"To tell you the truth, Your Majesty, we only need..."

The door opened, interrupting the delegate. A stiff woman dressed in a modest blue dress entered, followed by two elven guards and Jimmer, Frey's general and friend. Since her return, they had kept her under constant surveillance.

"We're here now," she said to her shadows. "You don't need to follow me everywhere. I already told you I can't hurt you."

"That's what you're here to explain, dragon," Jimmer told her, with very little tact. "I'm glad to see the high general in his seat, there are many questions, the people of Artemia themselves need to know."