CHAPTER 46: BATTLES BEYOND THE PHYSICAL

"Are you trying to say our soldiers are incapable of catching this so-called Dragonlord?" Lord Arvel’s voice thundered across the chamber the moment the member of Ashantis finished speaking.

Several councillors shifted in their seats, and the tension in the High Hall deepened.

"Lord Arvel," the King said. The hall fell silent at once. "Mind your tone. Let him speak."

The King turned back to the representative of the Ashantis. "You mean the Dragon Rider? First of all, we do not seek to take him by force or chain him like a criminal. We have only sent for him, calling him here as a guest, nothing more."

The man gave a slow nod but did not lower his gaze.

"And secondly," the King continued, "you called him a Dragon Lord. That is a title I have not heard from anyone in this court. Explain yourself."

The man’s lips curled into the faintest smile. "To the best of our knowledge, Your Majesty, this rider you seek has not honored your invitation. And it is not because he is too occupied or engaged in urgent duties. No... he delays because he wants more time, more time to master what he truly is."

"He is not just a dragon rider, as people assume. He is far more. He commands not only the beast but the very element it breathes. He commands fire itself. That, Your Majesty, is the mark of a Dragon Lord."

The King’s brow furrowed. "What do you mean he commands fire himself? What kind of sorcery is that?"

The man answered. "Exactly... sorcery. An ancient power that is thought to be lost. Such abilities are beyond the reach of your soldiers."

His eyes slid deliberately toward Lord Arvel. "And I speak from experience, my lord. We have seen this boy. We have seen this dragon. If they are not... contained... soon, you will unleash a terror upon this world greater than any you’ve known. And it will be your crown that opens the door."

Lady Breya stepped forward and spoke in a sharp and defiant voice. "Unleashing a terror, you say? Last I remember, this ’Dragon Lord,’ as you call him, stood with us in our darkest hour. He saved this kingdom in the last war when you, you who claim to be protectors, were nowhere to be found."

The man’s gaze did not waver. "Even the lion keeps its claws hidden until the moment comes to strike. You do not know his true intentions. And as for us... Our battles are not always seen on the fields of men. We fight wars beyond the physical."

The King’s eyes narrowed. "If finding people like him is your fight, then why stand here? Why come to my court? You’ve hunted such threats for years without ever asking for the council’s blessing. Why now?"

The second Ashantis’ member who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "Because this time, Your Majesty, we want your permission to cut down anyone who stands between us and the Dragon Lord. Without hesitation and without consequence, whoever it may be. Because as it is now... There are already those protecting him."

The hall went still.

Even the King leaned back and studied them with a heavy stare, weighing whether the danger they spoke of was real, or just one of their many games.

"Let’s say you do get him," the King said slowly. "Then what?"

The first Ashantis’ member stepped forward. "Then we take him with us. And we disappear... as we have done for centuries. You will never hear of him again. You will never see the dragon again. The kingdom will be safe, free from fear of any beast that breathes fire. Peace will be certain."

He tilted his head slightly. "So tell me, Your Majesty... should we carry out our duty?"

The room became quiet. Every councillor’s eyes turned to the King, waiting for his word. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Lord Lucius, who had been quiet the entire meeting, took a slow step forward.

"Perhaps," Lucius said in a calm but firm voice, "this news is too sudden. We have only heard your side. Allow us to send more invitations to this so-called Dragon Lord. Let us hear from him directly before we hand him over to you. I ask that you, Your Majesty, give us more time before granting them permission to take him."

The King’s fingers tapped against the armrest of his throne as he thought. Finally, he nodded. "Lord Lucius is right. This has come without warning. Very well, five days. Five days for us to reach him. You, Ashantis, will wait quietly until then. If in five days we have no word, you may proceed with your plan."

The man’s lips tightened. "As you wish, Your Majesty. But know this, powers like his grow quickly. Even in a matter of days, his strength will multiply. So whatever decision is made... it has to be fast." He bowed stiffly and stepped back.

Lord Vanýr cleared his throat. "Your Majesty... are we certain this delay is wise? We could give the Ashantis the order now and be done with it. It would save our own resources for more pressing matters."

The King shook his head. "No. This is not a stranger we are talking about, this is a man who has already fought beside us. We meet him face to face before making any decision."

Lord Lucius then stepped forward again. "Your Majesty... there is another matter. Word has come from the Far East. An entire clan has been wiped out, slaughtered, by something we cannot name. No one survived to tell what it truly was."

The King’s expression hardened. "Far East, you say?"

Lucius nodded. "Yes. Their land is ash and ruin now. If this threat moves westward..."

The King cut him off with a wave of his hand. "Let the eastern villages and their lords deal with it first. There is a kingdom between us and this trouble. When it reaches our borders, then it becomes our concern."

"But, Your Majesty!" Lucius began.

"I said enough," the King’s tone turned final. "I am tired, my lord. The king said as he stood up and left the hall.