Dawn frowned and rubbed her head, trying not to be too worried. The fate of those sorcerers did not concern her. Her gleaming red armor released a burst of red fire which coiled in the air like a serpent before flickering out.
"My lieutenants. Attend me," the King of the Aes Sidhe called, his mental voice filling Dawn's mind. She rose from her couch and walked toward the door, reaching it in several quick strides. She opened it, revealing a wall of molten lava which glowed fiery red. Unflinching, Dawn stepped straight into the lava, which flowed harmlessly over her armor and skin. She stepped out of the floor of the throne room floor, gravity abruptly changing so that she could stand properly. She had long ago grown accustomed to the change in gravity, though it had taken her a few months of practice when she had first begun serving the King. The floor had been stained with vomit many times. That memory served as a reminder of how much history this throne room had seen- both regal and embarrassing.
A sorcerer was standing before the throne, addressing the king, who had chosen to make himself visible today.
"Most esteemed king," started the man, practically oozing praises. Dawn barely restrained herself from not sneering. "The Council of Sorcerers has requested that you aid them in their preparations, for they believe that your incredible might will truly be of great aid in preparing to ward off those vile fiends."
"The fools," growled the King, speaking privately with his lieutenants without allowing the sorcerer to hear, "They are completely aware that we will sooner or later have to act, thanks to that accursed treaty. For the sake of diplomacy, he's not mentioning that yet. However... none of the tribes are under immediate threat. We need not answer this call for aid." Dawn smiled inwardly, for the King was right. Long ago, the Firsts had convinced(forced) the five tribes to sign a (unbreakable)treaty. This ensured piece throughout the lands for the most part, and ensured that if a tribe was in danger, the other four tribes had to help. HAD TO. Even if they didn't want to. It was a big oof.
The King addressed the sorcerer, "What kind of... aid, would be required?"
The sorcerer rattled off a long stream of things.
"Your Council has the Dragons. The Yetis. And don't pretend; the Terra Worm may be but one, but he is strong," said the King.
"But our ties with the Aes Sidhe have always been the strongest. We believed you would be willing to lend us aid," said the sorcerer.
"Manual labor. It is below my subjects," spat the King.
"May I remind you, esteemed King, but the sorcerers are also doing this 'manual labor'. Not to mention that none of the other tribes seem intent on doing anything about the Nightmares," said the Sorcerer.
"True," admitted the King, "But that is our nature. We look to our own, first and foremost. We, the Sidhe, will close off all portals and hide in our kingdom. We can endure. The drakes- they shall retreat into their city. The Yetis can hide in the ice- they shall not be found if that is not their desire. The Worm- no Nightmare can touch it while it hides in the earth and darkness! And you sorcerers- you can hide in your city. Protect it with sigils."
"And leave the humans to die? Be slaughtered?" Demanded the sorcerer. Dawn revised her impression on the man. She had taken him for a diplomat- and diplomats were usually cold and cowardly, but a suck up to the higher ups. She had been wrong. The diplomat was just a mask. She judged that this was a brave man, with a strong sense of morals. A peacekeeper. He was standing up to the King of the Aes Sidhe- he had to be brave.
"Why not?" asked the King, idly studying his paws, "If they cannot defend themselves... they do not deserve to live. Such is the way of this world. Kill or be killed. Eat or be eaten."
The man looked dumbstruck, as though he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Dawn understood his confusion. The King wasn't human. That was the plain, simple fact. He had no more morals than a lion; he ordered his armies to slaughter nations with no more remorse than an alpha wolf orders his pack to commence a kill. The world was a hunting ground, and he, the King, was one of few apex predators. He ruled. Others didn't. That was a fact. He didn't see it as a disadvantage to others. Merely a skill he had that they did not. Another weapon to complete a kill. If you survived, you were strong. Worthy. If you died, you deserved it. Too bad. It had taken Dawn herself some time to understand. Years. She didn't agree with it. And this sorcerer obviously didn't either. He was staring at the King with a mixture of shock and disgust in his eyes.
"'Why not'?!" He shouted, "They're living creatures! You can't just let them all die!" His eyes gleamed fiercely as he regarded the King.
Dawn knew that that situation could have gone two ways. The King could have killed the man, which would have been sad, as he was a rather nice person. Or...
The King stared at the man with a predatory gaze. He exuded an authoritative aura, one that said: Bow before me, puny weaker being. This aura tried to force the man to bow. To kneel. To grovel.
Had the man given in, the King would've had him killed. The man stared straight into the King's eyes, fierce. Defiant.
The King threw his head back and burst into booming laughter. Dusk looked impressed. Dawn was surprised. This man had resisted the King's magic. He certainly had a bright future ahead of him.
The King finally stopped his booming laughter. "Very good! Strength! I like that! Very well, I shall consult my lieutenants about this... request of yours." He turned to
