Dragon Tide Chronicles: Dawn Rising

Chapter 76: Dawn Rising (Final Chapter)

Chapter 76: Dawn Rising

As soon as I walk into the meeting hall, the elven princess Aladora comes up and hugs me.

“Danica! It’s been so long, so nice to see you again!” She cries out, quite happy. “But you know,” She drops her voice to a menacing whisper, “I’m not happy about you lying about the Dragonlings. Not one bit. They were our allies, why did you NOT tell us they were being attacked, we would have…”

I cut her off, sad that she has found out. “Aladora, the reason we didn’t tell you is because we’re the ones who invaded them. Umm… I didn’t tell you because Mom and Dad made me!!” I stammer frantically as she gives me a glare.

Her blue-green eyes are angry, but they also show a hint of forgiveness. She runs a hand through her white-blond hair which is rather short and a bit wild. She sits her lean body back down in her chair, and sighs.

“I’ll let it go, Danica. Relax, sit down. There’s much we need to discuss.” She indicates two chairs for me and Alexander.

Four dwarf lords are sitting at the opposite end of the meeting table, and they aren’t really pleased to be here. One of them in red ruby armor scowls, and bangs his meaty fist down on the table.

“Would anyone care to explain, what in the hells happened, what was that dragon, AND WHY WAS HE TRYING TO DESTROY EVERYTHING IN SIGHT?!” He roars, his face beet red with fury.

His moustache twitches with anger, and he fiddles with his long maroon beard.

“Dintenci Fallhammer, I encourage that ye do not raise ye voice like that! We are after all, in their hall. Do we not require respect for the leaders of other nations? Show some respect, but more importantly, do not insult ye pride!”

The dwarf next to him grumbles. He has platinum armor, on the shoulder pads are images of a battle-axe, the favored weapon of the northern dwarf kingdom. He has dark grey hair and an unbraided, smooth beard. His moustache is short and well-trimmed.

“Grraahhh. You stupid old timer. Your kingdom’s mannerisms are not our own. We believe in a set core beliefs, just as you do, Grimmhorn Hamestin! Want to know what we believe? Honor, War, and Victory. My pride is not in question here. WE, suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of a dragon! Many a time we the dwarves have had to battle the Dragons, they refuse to allow expansion further west. Yet has that stopped our great civilization? No dragon had ever pierced our mighty walls, all behind my clan’s back!

You have some nerve to insult it!!” Dintenci snarls.

The third dwarf lord, right of Grimmhorn, wears long dark purple baggy robes, and bears a massive iron pole on his back. Unlike Grimmhorn, who looks middle aged, he genuinely looks the old timer part, with white beard and hair. The bags of his eyes indicate extreme age. He coughs.

“May I remind you that we are here to discuss this new threat in a most civil manner, not arguing amongst ourselves. We do plenty of that at Dun Thourom, our sacred meeting place of the great dwarf nations. Let us continue with the matter at hand!”

The last dwarf lord, next to him, nods briefly. He wears robes like the other, black instead of purple. He wears a shady hood, concealing all but his jet black beard.

“I am reluctant to agree, Himnihn Jaset, but indeed I must. This pointless badgering is a waste of my time as well as the other lords of the nations gathered here.”

I give him a look. “And who are you?”

He chuckles darkly. “I am Aharid Jammi, leader of the southern great dwarf kingdom. It’s a pleasure, it’s not every day I get to see the outside of my domain.”