Dragon Tide Chronicles: Dawn Rising

Chapter 43: Desert Stirring

Chapter 43: Desert Stirring

Boom! Another massive explosion with the shockwave force of an atom bomb goes off, yet people hardly look up. This must happen, A LOT.

Racla walks up to me. “The old man’s tired of serving, and he refuses to take Alexander’s refusals for an answer. He is the strongest of the Red Dragonlings, even stronger than me.”

I frown. “If he’s so strong, why won’t he accept?”

She swipes a crimson red hair out of her face, and then continues, wearily.

“Did you know he was strongly recommended to take the throne?” She asks, almost bored in tone as yet another violent explosion of fire rocks the sky above, where Alexander and the Red Elder were having an all-out fight, with no reserves or holding back their power.

I give her a surprised look. “No I didn’t. Why didn’t he accept it, or the Red Elder’s offer?” She smirks, amused by my question.

“He did it because he’s smart, in a way. You see these people?” She gestures to the ragged clothed people walking throughout the city. I nod, confused as all out.

“They’re angry, Danica.  They’re angry at you, at the Gem Dragonlings, at the world for allowing this to happen. These people want revenge Danica, and the Elders have their hands full. You see, we’re different from you. We believe in a balance of power in the government. Everyone has some type of authority. The people control the Elders, the Elders control the King, and the King controls the people. It’s called Cyclism.”

I think for a minute. “So in a way, everyone has influence over the other, even if it isn’t direct. The people can tell the Elders to make the King do something else they don’t like, and the King can influence their minds as well. And you’re saying with their feelings….” She nods.

“That’s right, Danica. If he became king, he’d be forced to restart the war which was left off at the Desolate Lands, our former kingdom.” I just stay quiet for a minute and absorb this information.

“So, how do you feel about all of…” I shut up, as she points her sword at my throat. Ore tries to stop her, but she takes another sword and points it at his throat as well. The crowd stops and just watches us.

“Personally, Crown, I would like to kill you right now. I want revenge for my father, Alexandi’s death. I would like to kill you right now. But I can’t, because you’re under Alexander’s protection, so just you be grateful! I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHY HE IS, SEEING AS IT’S YOUR FAULT THAT…” Alexander points his sword at her throat, cutting her off from yelling any further.

“That information is not yours to pass out freely, Racla. Don’t make me kill you.” She scowls, and puts her swords down.

“Alexander! Never put your guard down!!!” The Red Elder cries with rage as he attempts a drop kick on Alexander. Alexander regards him with boredom, then grabs his arm and slams him into the ground. The elder doesn’t get up.

“I win again. What’s that you said about lowering my guard?” The elder groans.

“You… win…” He manages, then pulls himself up off the ground, then looks surprised to see me.

“Oh, it’s you, Danica Crown. I’ve been interested in meeting you for a good while. I would appreciate it if you would come and visit with me in the Elder Tower.” I nod, and he gives a satisfied grunt of approval.

“Then come with me, dear. We’ve got a lot to talk about. A LOT to talk about.” He walks towards a massive tower in the center of the mighty city, and Racla and Alexander looks at each other and nods in silent agreement about something.

“What is it? Tell me now!” I growl, starting to really hate the secrets.

“Nothing,” They say simultaneously.

Great. More secrets. And no one will let me in on them. I walk towards the Elder Tower, wondering what the Red Elder wants with me.

A few minutes later, I find myself in front of an assembled Elder’s Council. Red sits on one end, I on the other of the table. Alexander and Racla, the two commanders of the armed forces, sit in the corner, while the others sit between the Red Elder.

Red Elder coughs, then speaks. “Oh dear, I never introduced myself properly, did I? I always forget to do that. I am called Ignitus, Ignitus Arkabine.”

Thinking it wise, I follow his example. “I’m…” The blue elder cuts me off.

“Yes, we all know who you are, Danica Crown. Now tell us, why do you think we are here right now?” I get confused.

“How the heck should I know, why don’t you tell me?” They gruffly agree amongst themselves, then Ignitus coughs lightly.

“You’re here because you are a threat to us all, dear Danica Crown. The fact you now know where our hideaways are leaves in great trouble. Truth is, you are here because you are the greatest threat to all of dragonling kind, right now.”

The other elders mutter their agreement, and I realize that this wasn’t a simple little conversation. They are talking diplomacy. And it doesn’t seem like there’s a lot of good feelings going on here. I may just be screwed right now.