Inside the tower, Etain’s attention was drawn upwards by the immense open spire that went all the way to the top of the tower. How wonderful would it be to fly up there? she thought. The last stubborn rays of sunlight streamed in from the west, illuminating the brightly colored glass windows. Magus and those that served them hustled throughout. There were men and women clad in black woolen robes doing their best to look busy, but on more than one face, she noticed a look of concern and of fear.

“Do you see this? They’re afraid! What’s really going on here?”

Grymryg shook his head. “I don’t know. The tribunal must be going bad. Your father might need us after all.”

Etain’s gaze was captured by a tapestry hung on the wall. She recognized the image. There were four dragons in the sky, one each of the Opal, Lapis, Onyx, and Garnet. Three Jade dragons were standing next to a larger Garnet dragon and five Magus. They were working together to fight off a three headed serpent with an army of soldiers dressed in brightly colored uniforms. It was the Komari Invasion from three hundred years earlier. Her father was the Garnet on the ground. As Dragon Lord, he demanded to be in the middle of the fight, never asking the Drakku to do something he wouldn’t do. If they were willing to die for the cause, he was too.

The Magus at his side shielded him from enemy arrows, their magic protecting him and their forces. It was a great battle and secured their lands from the invaders across the sea.

She didn’t get a chance to view the other tapestries hung on the walls. Grymryg pulled her forward toward the council chambers and the negotiations.

Nearing the open door, they heard why those within the tower were worried. Her father was shouting and Magus yelled back, each accusing the other of terrible crimes. It sounded as though tensions had been building for years, but as far as Etain knew, there hadn’t been any serious problems.

They carefully stepped inside and took a seat, hoping not to disturb the meeting.

“Lord Avess! Your kind have been flying across our lands for years and you take what you want, when you want it. What happened in Nighthill is just the latest example of Drakku aggression!”

It was a Magus; a tall, balding man dressed in black robes with red embroidered lightning bolts across his back. Etain knew he was the Kull Naga, the head of all five Towers. He was in charge. If he was yelling at her father, then things were not going well at all.

“Kull Ornas, please, I assure you. The Drakku are not highwaymen waiting to pounce. We are a noble race intent on keeping this relationship open.” Her father regained his calm demeanor. His stoic face hid the anger she knew he felt inside. In his human form, he had long red hair like hers, but held back from his face in a tight braid. He had a red beard tinged with gray and bright green eyes. The brown robe, similar to hers, was draped over his muscular frame.

“Lord Avess,” Ornas said quietly as he leaned forward, his knuckles turning white, “The Drakku are lawless. You have no control over your kind. It’s been long enough that we’ve suffered this indignity.”

A Magus in a red robe leaned forward. “Kull, don’t you think that maybe you’re a bit too harsh? The Drakku have been our allies for as long as the Order has existed. They have never been our enemies.” It was Ildor, her father’s friend. At first, Etain tried to hide her face, but he wouldn’t recognize her. She’d never shifted before. At least, not that they knew.

Several others at the negotiation table nodded, siding with Ildor.

“If I wanted your opinion Magus Ildor, I’d ask for it.”

Etain and Grymryg watched silently as the exchange continued. She was surprised when someone to her right spoke to her.

“Gives you chills, doesn’t it? I mean, Lord Avess could change right now and eat the Kull if he really wanted to!”

Etain gasped then turned to the voice. It was a young man who looked about her age dressed in a black robe, though she doubted he was fifty years old. Humans aged differently and Drakku fifty was close to their twenty.

“He would never! Lord Avess is a noble leader. He doesn’t eat those whom he disagrees with!”

The man smiled. “Maybe not. But he could, and that makes it interesting. Hi, I’m Drexon!” He extended his hand to her and she shook it. He did the same with Grymryg.

“Are you a Magus?” she asked.

“Not yet. I will be one day. I’m just a novice. I’ve got a lot to learn, though I know things many Magus do not.” He leaned close and whispered, “I spend a lot of time in the library!”

“Is the Kull Naga always like that?” Grymryg asked.

Drexon looked to the Kull and back. “Not really. Normally he’s worse.”

Grymryg rolled his eyes and watched the proceedings as they grew louder.

“Lord Avess! We must have your assurance that the Drakku will not violate our lands and harm our people! What happened at Nighthill cannot be allowed to cross the Dragonback Mountains. This is a terrible tragedy that we cannot tolerate!”

“Kull, it’s not our way to harm humans. We respect our relationship and we do nothing to break that. The Drakku are not killers and we are not seeking a fight. We insist on living harmoniously with all. I fear…I fear something worse has befallen both our people.”

Etain caught a glint in his eye that made her shudder. It was that look which told her he was forcing back his anger and if pushed much further, he’d unleash it. She’d provoked him one too many times and found out the hard way.

“Grymryg, I’m worried.”

“It’ll be fine. Things get tense just before there’s a resolution.”

“Your friend speaks truth. They’ll resolve this, I’m sure of it.”

The three watched as Kull Naga Ornas stood and crossed his arms.

“One hour Lord Avess. Return to this table in one hour and we will conclude these talks.”

He spun on his heels and left, the other Magus at the table following him in a neat, ordered line. Her father sat, watching them and shaking his head. He sat alone, for all the Drakku, and she thought he looked the loneliest she’d ever seen.