"By the king's command, the Green caste was banned from such a place on the council," Lord Dranin said, clearly offended at the thought of going against the king.
"The king has not been around in three thousand years; the unanimous approval of the council could overturn the law," Hanson refuted, obviously wanting Finnley on the council.
"The choice is clear, my Lords. I get a mate or a seat on the council. If not, I go to war for the offense to me and mine," Finnley said, throwing the gauntlet down.
The council members and the crowd started arguing with each other. They were each defending their views. Tempers were flaring, and voices were rising. It was chaos.
“Enough!” a loud voice roared.
Where there had been pandemonium seconds ago, silence reigned. Krispin stepped forward, his eyes glowing, and the gold scale crown started emerging around his head. Many in the crowd dropped to their knees, recognizing the Dragon King. Others stood in awe of his power. As Krispin approached the dais, Lord Tilly and Lord Dranin went to their knees, while Hanson and Donavon stood in shocked disbelief.
Krispin climbed the stone steps and walked behind the council seats, stepping up and taking his rightful place on the stone throne. As he sat, the golden jewel above the stone throne shone brightly, lighting up the night sky, turning night into day and signifying the return of the king.
"Lord Hanson!" Krispin barked.
The lord of the Blue caste came to attention, bowing his head slightly.
"Yes, Your M-majesty," he said weakly.
"Where does your allegiance lie?" Krispin asked.
I felt the power of his words. This was far beyond the energy I had felt in the kitchen this morning. Krispin was indeed more powerful than any here. Many in the crowd could not even look at him and instead bowed before him.
"W-with you, my k-king," Hanson stammered.
Krispin then turned his golden gaze to Lord Donavon. "Lord Donavon! Where does your allegiance lie?" he demanded with the same authority.
"With you, my king," the man replied, his voice going even higher as he bowed at his waist before Krispin.
Krispin turned his gaze to Lord Finnley.
"Good! Then hear this! There will never be another of the Green caste to hold a seat on this council! Not by marriage, challenge, or any other means!" Krispin roared, causing some of the castle ruins to crumble more.
"Your Majesty!" Lord Finnley cried, but another earth-shaking roar stopped him.
"There will be no forced mating, and you will never hold a seat onmycouncil," Krispin said with finality.
"A move against the Glenfinnan circle will be a move against me and my house, and you will see whose circle will be razed to the ground," Krispin growled.
Silence reigned for a moment as the king’s words sank in. Finnley roared, shifting into his sizable green dragon. His scales glistened in the golden light that still shone over the area. His massive wings unfurled, and he leaped to attack Krispin.
Fire and Blood
Roarke
Iwas awestruck by Krispin's power. My dragon was also surging to the forefront. This was our king, our brother. I could not be prouder, seeing him claim his birthright. Lord Finnley’s roar brought me out of my musings. I saw his beast come forth. It spurred my dragon to take control.
As Finnley jumped toward Krispin, I jumped, shifting in mid-air and intercepting the green beast. I bit down on his neck and whipped him away from the king. His large body and wings collided with onlookers in the crowd.
My bright red scales glistened in the golden glow, which still encompassed the area. The red shield surrounded me, showing my power as a member of the royal line. I fully unfurled my massive wings and rose onto my back legs. The golden scales Krispin had gifted me shone brightly. Smoke billowed from my nostrils as I let loose a roar.
Finnley rose, and our two dragons circled each other. We were matched in size, although Finnley’s dragon held more bulk. He was strong, in our history, the Green caste were the guardians and the physically strongest of the castes. Their affinity was earth magic, drawing strength and power from the surrounding earth.
He snarled, "I'll kill you, runt! You think you're stronger than me? You will regret not giving me your ass!"
He whipped his tail. I felt the wind blow over me as I ducked, the spiked tail missing my head. I lunged forward, using my wings to push me, colliding with his colossal frame. I snarled as his claw scratched at my underbelly. I fought through the pain and the memories of my injury. I growled. I needed to stand strong.
I quickly looked around, assessing the surroundings. Finnley's clan had taken on his cause, and dragons fought dragons. Krispin was engaged with Lord Hanson of the Blue caste. The traitor.
