The Dragon Realms Saga

Koda’s headache pounded against his skull and his face sank into a disappointed frown as the meeting of Draak’Terra’s leaders reached full swing. “Good gods, they are worse than children,” Koda muttered to himself hidden within a miserable sigh.

The elven king looked around the room, inspecting each member in hopes of quelling the fury between them. Other than his close friends, Everett Dallin and Aemor Greyblade, he swam in the depths of unfamiliar territory, even within his own castle. Weighted by his doubts as a leader and drowning in his past failures.

The Sundancer twins sat across from one another: Queen Isana of Isa and King Travin of Alva. Both were dune elves, with a bitter history between them. Isana started the War of Chains by enslaving her brother and forcing him to become a gladiator in her arena. Now both served as leaders of their respective kingdoms. With the Scorch seal now broken in Alva, Travin’s lands were in shambles and his people sought sanctuary in Isa.

“You think I’ll let you and your flea-bitten people into my cities. You must be crazy. It is bad enough you invaded my shores with your refugees!” spat Isana.

“You enslaved me for years! You owe me this!” Travin shouted back.

“I owe nothing!” hissed Isana

Koda’s eyes moved onto another seat filled by a large white draconian. A large, spiked crown rested on the ridge of his head and sky-blue armored scales rippled down his chest and stomach leading underneath his heavy tail. He folded his bulky arms and gave a low growl to a prissy ice-elf adolescent. The young prince gave a long yawn as the dragon continued his rant.

“Velduin Whiteblade, the false prince, you do not know who you disrespect with your weak presence!”

“Scale Lord Rellethek, it is you who disrespects the Ice Elf nation, we won’t tolerate your kind any longer. Try me, I dare you!” Velduin's voice writhed with spite. His tone scraped his throat with each word.

“Yer folk have yet to recognize my sovereignty as well. I demand to be respected and I demand to be heard on behalf of Dragon Realm Abyss!”

Koda turned his head to a young woman with a grizzly scar drawn across her face. A bone white patch covered her right eye. A red tricorn hat sat atop her fierce, curly, rosy hair which matched her crimson captain’s jacket. She was known as Triss Moonwave and she had inherited her title of Ocean Mistress from her mother, but that was all Koda knew about her.

“Please, human, enough with you. Begone Ocean Mistress, back to your pathetic islands and terrible weather,” Velduin spat.

“Why you scrawny, little, rat-faced fink!” Triss said with a permanent scowl to join her scar.

Koda closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. How were the rest of the lords and ladies handling this mockery of a meeting? Koda caught the eye of Fainn Rosedancer. The hypnotical beautiful human had half her face hidden by her black, wavy hair. Her dark brown eyes stared deep into Koda’s soul. As a relative of the Estinian royal family, what must she think of him? It was a miracle she showed up at all. How could she allow herself to have a peace talk with someone like himself.

He looked over to the last leader at the table, Avalon. No longer the mere Silent One that came to his aide during the Varis War. No, now she was promoted to Prime Gold Wing, second only to the Red Wing of the Silent Ones.

Such a prestigious opportunity that I am glad she didn't turn down, thought Koda.

He gave her a light smile, but found she had a seething fixation on Fainn. The meeting had gotten way out of hand and Koda had enough.

“Will you all please be QUIET!” Koda roared over the commotion. Each leader looked up with shock written over their faces. Koda glared at them, anger flowing through his blood. “You all have just argued as soon as you took your seats. I’ve had it! The world is in disarray! Don’t any of you care?”

“Of course I care, it is this lug of beast who does not!” sneered Velduin Whiteblade.

“Arrrgh, I had it with you, whelp!” Rellethek rose from his seat and stormed out, slamming the chamber doors behind him that caused the room to tremble.

“Well if he’s gone then I’m gone too,” huffed Triss.

One by one, each leader walked out of the meeting. Koda snatched Avalon’s wrist as she passed him. “You as well, my friend?”

“I have no time to waste with the seals breaking one by one, Koda. I have an order to lead and a people to protect. I will be here when the world leaders are ready to speak.”

Koda pounded his fists on the wooden table and looked up at the two remaining kings, Dallin and Greyblade. “They refuse to listen!”

Dallin walked over to comfort the young king. “Listen, my friend, I think you need a break.”

Koda looked up to Dallin with worn eyes.

“I wish I could, but this takes priority over a relaxing trip to the spa.”

Aemor leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “I think Dallin is right, Koda.”

Koda frowned. “My people need me.”

“You have lords that could attend to your folk,” stated Aemor.

Koda stroked his chin. “I suppose if I did travel, I could ask the world leaders for another meeting. A visit of good will.”

“Is there anything you’ve been meaning to do on a global trip?” asked Dallin.

“Yes…” Koda’s eyes drifted to the ceiling. There had only been one thing crowding his mind. One thing preoccupying his thoughts since coming home from New Estinia—Since Sable mentioned her cryptic master. “I want to gain my other elements.”

“So be it. We, of the Cypress Alliance,” Aemor gestured to Dallin who acknowledged him back, “Appoint you, King Dawnedge, to go on an embassy mission and gather the other nations’ leaders for a second meeting.”

“I suggest you take more than a few of your Anti-Rogue Operatives, Koda,” suggested Dallin with a thin smile.

“Yes, this time I will take a royal escort, although I think Elucard would still serve me well to bring him along.”

“Good idea, that elf has a knack for violence and he’s damn good at doling it out,” Aemor said in agreeance.

Koda rose from his seat. “You have my thanks—the both of you.”

The two Cypress kings bowed before the younger king.

“No need to thank us, Koda. We will always do whatever it takes to support a friend in need,” said the harekin.

Koda hid a tear and