Page 45 of Drakhana's Treasure
I visit my parents briefly. They are pleased to see me but not happy with my match. When I tell them, she is pregnant they are surprised but it doesn’t change their minds. Kirralee is odd. Everyone knows that. She should be feared and who knows if she is really pregnant, anyway?
I leave them in disgust. They always showed me a lot of love, but it hurts me that they are so quick to follow the crowd. I have the old powers too. If they fear Kirralee, they should fear me, too.
My feeling of discomfort on the mountain makes me almost happy about our meeting with the elders. I don’t want to explain myself to them but I don’t want to wait in agony, either. When Kirra and I take each others’ hands to walk down the wide tunnel, we don’t hurry. This could be our last walk together. Both of us want to take it slow.
The path is long, pointing almost straight down. It curves frequently to keep the slope even but always points down. The sides of the walls are smooth and the sand under our feet is firm. I have never been down here but it looks like Kirralee has.
The darkness wraps around us once we have gone a fair way underground. Just as I’m about to ask how much further, Kirralee points ahead and I can see the flickering of flames along the corners of the roof.
We make the final turn and arrive in the chamber. The space is vast, a massive underground cave. Towards the back of it there is a huge black rift in the wall that looks like it leads deeper. To our right there is a small dais, obviously chipped from the natural rock and then painstakingly rubbed smooth. Either side of the dais two torches burn and a small fire burns before it in a wide metal brazier.
At the dais sit five people in dark red and black robes. They watch us approach without moving. I don’t recognize any of them. Living on the bottom of the mountain obviously put me out of touch from any official matter. I’ve communicated with the elders over the years, but only through others. My orders came from them but I never knew who they were.
“Kirralee.” One of the females nods and smiles. “It is good to see you home, young one.”
Kirra lowers her head. “You lend me grace, mother.”
A stern looking male nods to me. “Our prince of the city has returned. We thank you for many years of excellent service, Rastus.”
I bow like Kirralee did, guessing wildly at the rules.
“I thank you, father.”
It seems to be the correct response as no one takes offense. I’m surprised by how serious and stern they are. I knew our elder council could be tough, but I wasn’t expecting this.
“We understand that the recent infiltration of ice dragons has been beaten back.” The woman in the center announces. “This is a great victory. No clan has moved on another for decades and we are pleased at the outcome. We trust that Vegas will be put to rights and we can continue on with greater prosperity.”
This all sounds really good but I know there’s a huge ‘but’ coming after all of this.
“However.” The old man beside the main woman speaks up as if they have their speech perfectly prepared from person to person. “We are very concerned about the return of the ancient powers. We understand you won the battle by them but we are not convinced you have them under control.”
“They are not old powers.” Kirralee steps forward, holding out her arms. “They are new. What flows through us both is an evolution of what we once were. Look!”
I know what she is going to do but I am not near enough to stop her. She calls the lava to her blood and instantly glows, the red and yellow streaking through her veins. She smiles and blows a little flame from her nose, not even changing shape.
The elders all sit bolt upright, staring at Kirralee.
“We must confine you!” The old woman snaps. “You are a danger to the entire planet. Until we can be assured of your control, we must bind you.”
“If you do.” Kirralee’s voice is harder than I’ve ever heard it, “you will kill our race. We are awakened to help the others find their fire. If you suppress us the entire clan is at stake.”
The elders confer briefly. I’m worried. Even though Kirra is making her position clear and seems to be very firm about it, she still has that cute, innocent smile. They just threatened to lock us up but she seems to think it’s all like a fairy tale and the good guys will always win in the end.
I know, life is not like that. If you believe it is you are just going to get crushed by it. I’m completely out of my depth. I don’t know the elders, I don’t know the rules. If this was a city takeover, I’d know exactly how to handle it. It’s just about knowing the difference between the carrot and the stick.
That won’t work here. None of my negotiation tactics will. My dragon starts to rumble deep inside me as it tries to break free. I’m anxious enough that I might not be able to stop it.
The elders stop whispering and turn back to us.
“We will permit a demonstration of the powers over a few days. You will attempt to teach others, Kirralee. If we are satisfied your powers are in hand, you may continue. If there is any danger, we must rule again, perhaps with a full council.” the stern woman says.
Kirra nods eagerly, obviously pleased with the answer. They look back to me.
“Rastus. Your closeness to Kirralee has without a doubt awakened your powers. It is disturbing to us that you have been so physically changed just by interacting with her. Together, you are too powerful. We need our prince of the city to set Vegas to rights.” The older man lays down his decree with certainty.
Kirralee reaches for my hand and I take it and squeeze it. She’s waiting for them to speak again, desperately trying to find something to say. My dragon growls and starts to rise. I can’t help it—I’m too angry.
They can’t separate me from Kirra. It’s just not possible. I will not allow it. I’m also afraid that once they have her and I’m gone, they could manipulate her. Clearly, she trusts them and this could be disastrous if they learn the extent of her power.
