Chapter 10: When a Council Talks About a Dragon

I didn't know what else to think, I have been dreaming about the Alpha of fire for more than a month. Well, who can I talk to about this? Mother and Alador? No, they might freak out. Ninari? Most likely not, I don't even know where she is right now. I guess that leaves two people, I hear Domiens speak in my head. I turn to face him as he lays his head on my leg.

"You think that I could talk to them about it?" I ask, he purrs and makes a motion, as if nodding his head. I stand up and grab the two books and head to the room of the Soliaccus twins.

I stand in front of the door, five names carved onto the handle, none of them are mine, sadly. I raise my hand to the door and knock three times. A few minutes pass until I hear a scuffle from inside and some things clattering to the floor. Before Raina opens the door.

"Dawn? What are you doing here?" she asks, clear that she was about ready to go to bed.

"I need to talk, to both of you," she nods, as I hear a scuffle from behind the door

"Who is it?" Roman asks from the unseen bathroom.

"It's Dawn, she wants to talk to us," she yells back, before permitting me to enter.

"Roman, are you decent?" she asks Roman on the other side of a light brown door. And sure enough, he walks out, dressed in a loose-fitting tank top and shorts.

"Greetings Dawn, I apologize for not getting the door, it's just that someone had to push me into the bathroom before I could open the door," Roman glares at Raina, which she returns even harder.

"Well, maybe you should have at least finished getting dressed, I didn't want you answering the door in your underwear," she huffs in annoyance, but Roman smirks.

"Who says I was wearing underwear?" Raina buries her head in her hands, as I blush at the thought. Domiens growls in annoyance, attracting the attention of two other beings in the room. A fox jumps up from Raina's bed, followed by a lion approaching from Roman's.

"Anyways, what were you going to talk to us about?" she asks, Domiens nudges my arm as I shakily pull out my sketchbook and the history book.

"If you want us to marvel at your art, this could have been done at any time," Roman replies, but seeing the look on my face, he immediately goes more serious. I start to flip through the page of my sketchbook until I got to the last page. I turn it around and show the twins. The color drains from their faces as Raina takes the sketchbook from me.

"How did you-?" she asks as I start to flip through the history book.

"I have been having dreams for about a month, the last of which landed me in the healing room," I explain as Roman takes the sketchbook from Raina.

"All the dreams the same, all about him, I never realized that I managed to draw him, but that is what helped me make a connection to the fire alpha," they both sit in shock, looking at the drawing and the book.

"How were you able to contact him?" Roman asks I look at him in confusion, as he continues to examine the drawing.

"This has been the first sign of him in years," ok, now I'm more confused.

"What do you mean?" I ask him, but Raina answers.

"Did you read the rest of this section?" I shake my head, as she composes herself to continue.

"After the war, Cindias returned to the fire country, but after a few months... he disappeared and hasn't been seen until now," she explains, I sit there in shock when I first had these dreams, I didn't know what to think. But now, I know that I was having dreams about the missing alpha of fire? Roman abruptly stands up.

"We have to tell the King and Queen!" he exclaims before I stop him.

"No, they're most likely asleep," I reply.

"This early?" Raina asks, and I nod.

"Knowing my mother, she probably in bed right now, we best not disturb her, or King Alador," they nod as I grab my books as I watch Domiens examine the two other Espirmailius.

"Seems like he's interested in Artemis," she replies smiling.

"And Prince as well," I comment, both of us having a laugh as Raina's fox Artemis bounds over to her.

"Dawn," she speaks up, I look over to her.

"If you ever need anyone to talk to, I'll be there," I smile at her as I walk out.

"Thank you, you're a really good friend," I reply, but she could be more, oh shut up Domiens, not yet. I smile dreamily as I walk back to my room.

I lay down on my bed looking up at the ceiling through the canopy. Domiens crawls up next to me and nuzzles my shoulder. I wrap my arms around him and stroke his fur, I mean he's like a large stuffed animal when he's like this. He snuffs in annoyance, right he can still hear my thoughts. I continue to stroke his back until my eyes close and I succumb to slumber.

As usual, I find myself in the red room, with Cindias in the middle of the room. I walk towards him until I hear two pairs of footsteps approaching. I look around, trying to find somewhere to hide. Ending up hiding by the wall, two soldiers walk towards the fire alpha, both clad in red and black armor. He looks up at the both of them, a sneer painted on his face.

"So, have you made your decision yet?" one of the guards grins, but Cindias growls in response.

"You know what I have to say on this matter," he responds, the soldier frowns, but the other next to him groan in annoyance.

"I don't understand why we have to do this, we could just find and take it," at that I hear Cindias snarl in response.

"Try to get close enough," fire starts to grow from his hands, I start to back away looking between the two parties.

"Domiens?" I ask under my breath.

"I'm here," he responds, I look back at Cindias, the fire has reached his elbows now.

"Are you seeing this?" I ask him, I hear him purr in affirmation. But, that manages to get the attention of someone. Cindias glances in my direction, staring in shock at me. Which seemed to quell his magic enough that I was noticeable to the soldiers.

They look in my direction and start to approach. But before they did, Cindias transforms fully and sends the guards away in a shock wave. As well as myself. And I wake with a start.

I look at Domiens, awake staring at me. He knew. I sigh and look around for any disturbances, and look at the drawing of Cindias, I added something. The two soldiers that were talking to Cindias.

"What do you think this means?" I ask Domines. He cocks his head to the side and rests his head on my lap as I scratch his ear. I chuckle and smile at his playfulness.

"You're like a 220 lbs kitten, you know that?" he groans at my comment which makes me laugh even more.

"I guess you know as well as I do," I sigh and lay back down, facing the balcony doors overlooking the courtyard, as I see boats in the distance. Domiens follows as I look through the window.

Several different ships sailing alongside each other. Different shapes, types, and even in the dark, I could see the different colors. Especially the different emblems on the sails. All the countries of Edelin coming to one.

I remember my mother speaking of the council to Alador. But I didn't realize it could be this grandiose. Domiens tugs my hand gently, encouraging me to rest. I nod and return to slumber. Miraila knows I'm going to need it.

I wake up to find my Mother in my room, sorting through my closet. Still bleary-eyed I sit up to look at her, looking through all of my clothing, tossing some to the side, putting some on the desk chair, seeming a lot more like the frantic mother I knew in Mortealum than the calm and collected one that existed in both worlds.

"What are you doing?" I ask her, trying to rub the sleep out of my eyes.

"Looking through your clothes to find those suitable enough for today," she replies, sifting through more and more clothes.

"Does this have anything to do with the boats arriving a few hours ago?" that question snaps her out of her frenzy, as she turns to me.

"How do you know about that?" she asks.

"I saw them arriving, figured it was something important so I got as much sleep as I could," I reply shrugging, as she looks through more of my dresses until I step up and help her.

I look through everything until I find a long silver dress, opals embellished across the waist and neckline, with a flowing skirt that has small flowers and animals embroidered onto it. But, there are no sleeves, so I grab a white overcoat that fades into gold. Along with silver heels as my mother grab silver hand gloves along with a diamond necklace and opal earrings.

I walk into the bathroom as my mother does my makeup, sliver eye shadow with black eyeliner and light red lipstick. I look at myself in the dress, and I don't see myself anymore, I look like a princess, not a girl who was raised in the suburbs. I smile a bit as my mother takes me out into the hall, sadly having to leave Domiens behind, where I meet up with Raina, Roman, and Loren. I meet Raina's eye, as we both blush while we walk to the throne room.

Inside the hall, most everyone has been gathered for, basically a welcome ceremony. My family finds its seat in the front of the room, as the Soliaccus family stands to the side. I realize that instead of two thrones, there are three.

It's been almost a month that I've been here, and many things still surprise me. We take our seats as a horn blows to signify the start. We stand, as Alador grips my hand in reassurance. I look to the left and see Raina smile, as Roman gives me a thumbs-up.

Though my first time I have to act like royalty in front of the rest of Edelin, I find peace in knowing that my friends support me. She might be more than just your friend, I think that's pretty self-explanatory by now. As one of the guards enter the hall.

"King Ignis and Queen Alinta, along with heir-to-the-throne Prince Aiden and Princess Adriana of Dracinis," he announces as their national anthem plays. In walks four people, all dressed in either red, orange, or yellow, with just a tint of black.

They walk up, as King Alador shakes the hand of King Ignis, and kisses the hand of Queen Alinta, the same process for their children. Mother does about the same things, but curtsies to the ladies, and lets the men kiss her hand.

So I follow by example. Let King Ignis and Prince Aiden(who seemed to be overjoyed in doing so) kiss my hand. While I curtsy to Queen Alinta and Princess Adriana. Adriana in particular giving a cheerful smile as we curtsy. But, something in the pit of my stomach keeps nagging me as I go through this. But as they move off to the side, the guards come in to announce the next group of Royals.

"The Queens Cordelia and Cove with their daughter, Princess Chantara of Ocephina," in walks three ladies dressed in a variety of blues, greens, and a bit of gray.

And so it went, kingdom after kingdom, country after country. From Kings Haldor and Heliodor, with their twin daughters Gaia and Hestia from Terietes. To General Indra and Queen Iris with Princess Lyra and Prince Vega of Venquilia.

Dressed in everything from the white and blue of Ursuniae to the bright gold and white of Luxolor. Wearing everything from long flowing dresses to heavy battle armor.

After greeting the kingdom of Luxolor, most people leave the room, leaving only the royals, my family, and the Soliaccus family. As we get escorted out, Raina comes up to join me.

"Have you told your parents yet," she asks, I shake my head.

"There hasn't been a good time, since I've had to get ready for the council meeting," I reply, out of earshot of most of the royalty.

"Well now is a good time, they could help us," she replies and hands me a bag with my sketchbook inside. But someone overheard:

"What are you guys talking about, what could we help with? " I hear from behind me, turning to see Princess Adriana.

"Oh, it's nothing, nothing to worry about," I exclaim, trying to cover my tracks.

"Oh, okay, I just wanted to help," she smiles, we walk through to a large meeting room on the second floor. Where my father stood at the front, and my Mother finds me and drags me upfront along with them.

"We shall begin the meeting this evening, for now, rest and make yourself at home, and if they wish, your children are allowed to take classes here during their stay," I could see some of the kids get interested at the prospect.

"Lunch shall be served in the dining hall in 1 hour," I saw servants come in to escort the royal families to their rooms. As I turn towards mine.

"Mother, Alador," they turn to me, Alador wounded by my remark slightly.

But I continue, "I have something to tell you," I clutch a bag that Raina had given me, and sigh.

"What's wrong?" Alador asks. As I open the bag and explain the situation, my dreams, me seeing Cindias, and unconsciously drawing him. After that finished, I could see both of my parents shocked, looking at the drawing.

"What should we do?" I ask them as they look at each other.

"I don't know," Mother whispers as she hands back the sketchbook.

"Well, we could tell them at the meeting tomorrow, King Ignis and Queen Alinta might understand, they might help us," I replied, flicking through pages as I talk.

"Very well, but for now, get something to eat," Alador says, placing his hand on my shoulder. I nod and walk off towards the dining hall.

For the rest of the day, I tried to keep up appearances, I tried to seem like I was fine. But in reality, I was waiting for the meeting. Constantly checking the clock, and constantly look at my sketchbook, feeling it in the bag, or having it open to the page of CIndias.

Although I did get to have a few distractions, the first being my friends, particularly Raina. Who stayed by my side throughout this endeavor, trying to keep my mind away from the meeting. Also, I had the other royals to deal with, mainly just the princes and princesses. Since most of us were around the same age, with Princess Chantara as the oldest, and Princess Adriana as the youngest. We got to be together a lot.

But, I felt like the black sheep out of all of them. They have been with each other, going to these meetings, or just being friends in general, and I didn't know what to say.

Nevertheless, I finished up dinner with the rest of the royals. As we all went to prepare for the meeting. I walk back to my room to freshen up, reopening the sketchbook and looking at Cindias again, in his dragon form, his wings outstretched, the two guards at his feet, wielding spears. I continue to gaze at it when I hear someone knocking on the door. I turn to see Alador.

"Are you alright?" he asks as he closes the door.

"I guess, I'm just a little nervous," I reply, he smiles kindly, and sits down in the desk chair, while I sit on the bed.

"Well, as you said, 'they might help us' we just have to wait and see," he responds, I smile slightly, but it fades quickly.

"But what if they won't, what if they refuse to help, or we find out that this is all false," my breath starts to falter, but Alador places his hand on my shoulder.

"Everything will be fine, there's no use of wondering what might happen, if they do refuse to help, then we'll figure something out," he continues to smile, as a small one starts to appear on my face.

"Thanks, Alador," I say, he looks over me, but I knew he had more to say.

"I do have a question," he says, as he stands up.

"Why don't you ever call me father?" I blush at his question.

"I don't know..." I reply.

"It still feels weird that I have a father, after almost 15 years without one," I look down at my hands with the sketchbook in them.

"I guess I'm just not used to having one yet..." I look up, he looks hurt, but in the pit of my stomach, I know that he understood.

"Ok... you can start using it when your ready," he manages to speak. I blush, embarrassed that I hurt his feelings.

"We should probably go to the meeting," I nod, as I stand up, and we walk out of the door.

I sat down at the long table inside the meeting room as all the other royals enter. Alador sitting at the head of the table, with me on his left, and my mother on his right. Everyone sits down, every family is generally close to each other. As the sun began to set.

"Alright, to start our evening, is there any trouble in your kingdom worth addressing here," Alador asks, as every nation takes turns to speak about the problems in their country.

But for me, all I could think about was the drawing in my hands. I take out the sketchbook and start to look at the drawing. I wish Domiens were here; I could use the emotional support.

Soon my attention was brought back when King Lior and Queen Lainie of Luxolor finished. Their son Lucian, very bored and looking either at the ceiling or the table, thinking it more interesting than what transpires around him. But, now time for the real heavy hitters.

"Now that we have that sorted, we should discuss more serious matters," my father begins, looking at me, and I nod.

"As you know, my daughter, Princess Dawn, recently came to live here after her 14 years in hiding on Mortealum," Alador and I continue to explain the situation of what transpired over the past two months, from getting attacked at school, discovering Edelin and Viritore, getting a surprise visit from Kaldoro and the army of Serpenlupis. My dreams surrounding a mysterious figure, which turned out to be Cindias, were discovered with the help of my new Espirmailius Domiens.

I show the picture of Cindias to everyone at the table, some like Lucian somewhat interested. But the Dracinis royal family, they were shocked, I could see Adriana's face from where I was sitting, and she was in pure awe, and a surprising joy and wonder fill her eyes as she looks at the drawing.

"What does this mean?" General Indra of Venquilia asks as this whole ordeal is finished.

"The actions of the past few months, mean that it's starting, and Kaldoro will most likely go after them," Alador concludes, as I get all kinds of confused. What's started? What is Kaldoro going to go after? And how is all of this linked?

"We do not know for sure," Queen Cordelia of Ocephina replies.

"True, but we shan't stand by and do nothing if Kaldoro might be going after it first, we need to act," King Lior shoots back, as the entire table rouses in the discussion on what to do, what not to do, can we trust this, can we trust her. I look over and see the same look of confusion I'm feeling on the face of Princess Adriana. Along with some of the other princes and princesses.

"ALRIGHT!" Mother shouts, quieting down everyone in the room.

"Let us get to the point, King Ignis, Queen Alinta, we ask if we could travel to Dracinis in search of the Fire Alpha," she suggests, the King and Queen discuss amongst themselves.

Until, King Ignis turns to us, or more specifically me. He walks over to me, out of the corner of my eye I see Raina grabbing hold of her sword, but Roman having to stop her form drawing it. I stand up to meet him, as he bows before me.

"Princess Dawn, I, King Ignis of Dracinis, land of the great Dragon, and masters of fire, give you permission to travel, with a select few, to my homeland to find the Fire Alpha, Cindias," he rises, as I stand in shock. I honestly thought it would be harder than that... but ok? He returns to his seat as I follow suit.

"We shall make preparations for her departure, she shall leave within a week, after the end of the Council meeting, for now, let us rest, for tomorrow, this meeting is adjourned," Alador exclaims, as everyone starts to leave. But I just sit there dumbfounded, until Raina comes to sit next to me.

"Are you alright?" she asks, I shrug my shoulders, looking back at the sketchbook, still open to the page of Cindias.

"I guess... I didn't expect things to go this far, I honestly thought that we would have more to plan," I reply, taking back the sketchbook and placing it in my bag.

"And there are still a lot of things that I don't know about," I feel her place a hand on my shoulder, as I reach to touch it.

"I think the best thing to do is prepare, and find the ones that you know might have answers," she concludes, as I nod, and hug her.

"Thank you, for being such a good friend," she looks at me with a bizarre look, as if she had more to say. She took a breath and replies:

"Your welcome, get some rest, you'll need it for the week," she smiles, but there's a hint of sadness behind it as she continues;

"maybe one day, perhaps I could be more," I blush, but stop at the thought, I turn back to look at the brunette as I soon walk out of the room.

I open my door to find the exact thing I wanted to see. Domiens immediately ran towards me as I opened the door and proceeds to lick my hands and rub against them like a housecat. I sit down on the bed, as Domiens follows, laying his head on my right leg, and his paw on my left. I start to pet him, scratching behind his ears, and stroking his back.

"Things are changing aren't they?" I ask him, he purrs and rolls onto his back so I can rub his belly.

"Raina said I needed to find people with answers," I look out at the balcony door, imagining a purple tent, "and I think I know where to look,".