Arthur's Point of View

Lestranian Border Settlement

"What did you do!?" Aurora roared in anger.

Many of the Dragons were now on edge as something happened that they couldn't explain. Using my eyes to create several different gravity cones holding the Dragon in place wasn't easy, but it was enough to get the point across. A whining erupted from the restrained Dragon as the others started to become more hostile.

Releasing a wave of killing intent over the area, all the Dragons seemed to freeze as my gaze focused on Aurora. "If you command these Dragons, I suggest you get them under control. I have no quarrel with you, but if you keep pushing me, I will defend myself and those in my care."

Some of the Dragons moved out of fear as they entered fight or flight mode in response. A few back away while others started to barrel towards me. There were even some who tried to breathe Dragon fire at me like their friend. Unfortunately, this didn't end well for any of them.

"Enough." I said simply.

It was difficult to restrain so many Dragons, but it likely helped that many of them didn't realize what was happening. My grip was weak over the group as almost all of them slammed into the ground below, aside from Sapphire and Aurora, who kept her gaze locked on me. Had the other two gotten uppity, it would likely take a turn for the worst immediately.

While I had trained to use my eyes with more precision, it still wasn't easy, and with my grip slipping, I decided to let them all go as a bluff. Making it seem like I was just warning them in response to the threats they made. All of them stumbled or struggled to find their feet, but all locked their eyes on me.

Slamming her tail on the ground got all the Dragons to pause before they thought of attacking me again. "Are you an Elf?" Aurora questioned.

"I am not. Merely a Human doing his best to go about his day." I responded with a hand over my chest to give a small bow. "As I said, we are not here to quarrel with any Dragons. Demons invaded this village, took our people and yours hostage. We merely freed them." Crossing my arms, I gestured back to Aydan. "I know you have a history with him, but the war is over from what I've heard, and I do believe you won. I ask that you look past this moment and start thinking about strengthening your own borders."

"Oh?" The purple Dragon asked back.

"If the Demons are confident enough to steal your children, it won't be long until they start harassing your people as well." I shrugged. "Just a friendly warning. However, if you would be interested in an alliance of sorts, I would be more than willing to accommodate you."

Aydan grabbed my arm violently and turned me to face him. "What!?" He seethed.

My cloaked figure stood there silently as I watched Aydan for a moment until he finally let go reluctantly and turned back to Aurora. "I think we can all agree that Demons are far worse than any of us." Gesturing to Sapphire, I continued. "The Skelds hunted down your young and caged them for who knows what purposes. They were even going to take Sapphire herself."

Aurora turned to the blue Dragon that towered over us and spoke in a calmer tone, but I could tell she was still on guard. "Is this true?"

Sapphire nodded. "It is. We were flying along before we were beset by the Skelds. There were hundreds of them, and they had taken my children." She then motioned to me with her head. "This man, and Aydan Farro, saved us along with their own people."

"Look past your differences with the Elves and whatever harm you two might've done to each other in the past." I moved forward between the group of Dragons. "Demons move across both our lands unabated, unchallenged, and clearly are growing bolder by the day."

"It's true." Aydan finally spoke up. "The Demons foothold in Lestrania has stabilized despite our constant efforts to push them out. However, if they are willing to enter the Dragonlands, I can only imagine their confidence for such an endeavor." He explained.

"To fight Lestrania and Dragons at the same time is either insanity or they have become so confident that they are ready to wage war on us as well." Aurora spoke in thought. "I will make sure our leaders hear of this. Whether or not there will be an alliance is not for me to say."

I nodded in return. "I understand. Thank you for keeping your people in line." With a quick gesture to the Dragons behind her, Aurora looked to Aydan.

With a small glare, she replied. "I should say the same." Her attention quickly turned back to me. "This has been a most interesting meeting. If we should desire an alliance, how would we speak with you?"

Aurora was studying me as I looked to Aydan. "Go retrieve Sapphire's children and return to us." I ordered him. "You can also lower the barrier. No sense in you wasting more of your magic."

"If you think that is what is best."

"I do." I confirmed, and Aydan walked off, leaving me alone with the Dragons. "A simple messenger will do. Should they be fearful, have them fly over the castle if they are wary of an attack. I'm sure word will reach my ears quickly about a Dragon in the area." Aurora didn't seem too impressed like most of this conversation, but I continued. "However, I will make sure everyone is aware that we will be expecting a messenger of sorts."

"And if some will not agree with your decision?" Big Purple inquired.

"What about them?" I asked back in a dull tone.

This seemed to be the first time Aurora was amused. "I am somewhat doubtful that Queen Varvara would be willing to accept this alliance of yours."

Two Dragon children climbed up their mother's back, which made her hum out happily as Aydan rejoined us. "Then it's a good thing she is no longer in charge." Crossing my arms as Aydan stepped next to me with a frown made Aurora snort. "If anyone has any qualms about moving forward with this, they can bring it to my attention, but I expect your people to be just as amicable. Make sure your King and Queen are aware."

She was silent for a moment but nodded in agreement. "I will make sure they are informed, and I will make sure both know about you as well." With a small bow, that was only a courtesy she spread her wings. "Until next time, Mordred."

"Looking forward to it." The Dragons then shuffled away slightly before flying off. "Are the villagers okay?" I asked Aydan.

"They're fine, and there were no real damages to the settlement, so we have no reason to stay." The Great Sage answered while keeping his gaze locked on the giant sky lizards.

"Did they say anything about the Demons?" He shook his head.

"No. I asked around, and none seemed to have any idea why they were suddenly set upon." He then turned to me slowly as the Dragons left. "So, should we call this a success?"

"I don't see why not."

He sighed and shook his head. "Many aren't going to be happy about these new 'talks' with the Dragons."

I shrugged in response. "They don't need to be happy. As long as we aren't fighting a war on two fronts, that's what matters. Besides, the Demons are everyone's problem and with the Dragon's and Elven pride put aside, we may have a chance at a real solid friendship moving forward."

"Well, I suppose we should go tell everyone the news." I nodded in agreement. "What should we work on after this?"

Pointing at him, I replied. "You need to work on that Book of Prophecies and really sell how important I am." Aydan quirked a brow at that, and I held my hands up defensively. "If this incident has taught me anything, it's that it was a miracle I was chosen at all to represent Lestrania." Gesturing to him, a smirk came to my lips. "Obviously, you sang my praises to no end."

He rolled his eyes and nodded. "We'll add it to the list. This entire book is going to be about you, and I'm going to make sure everyone who reads it realizes how eccentric you are."

"Eccentric or an asshole?"

"When it comes to you, it's the same thing." Aydan scoffed and started walking.

We had to walk in silence as Aydan was clearly having doubts about my offer to the Dragons. Past differences do that to people though. He understood why I was doing it but was likely trying to bring up a point for why I shouldn't. Not that he would find one good enough. Our journey wasn't a fast one since we were walking, but it was more boring without someone to talk with.

"Making deals with fucking Dragons…" He mumbled, which made me chuckle.

"Someone is a little sour." I commented but received no reply.

Stopping and turning towards me sharply, his tone was harsh. "You will receive little approval of this!" Aydan informed me in an irritated and raised tone. "Dragons care for none but themselves!

We were far enough away now where I took off my hood so Aydan could see my more serious expression. "What did we think was happening to villages and towns that had been destroyed by the Demon Horde?" I asked him, and he opened his mouth to reply sarcastically before he saw how serious I was.

He put his hands on hips before answering. "We assumed they were dead."

"We did, but no bodies were ever found. 'We assumed' they were all dead, and 'we assumed' they were likely fed to the Demons to tide them over… But I think we may have been wrong." I told him. "These people were captured with barely any injuries or any that could be considered fatal and put them in cages. Why?"

"To imprison them?" Aydan clearly wasn't following what I was saying.

"Obviously, but they were going to be transported somewhere! They aren't killing them, and since they were so careful in subduing the entire village, I think it's safe to say the Demons are using them for some other purpose."

Aydan became quiet at this as he realized I was right, and his look went from anger to confusion to worry. "We've lost several settlements from before you took the crown from Rudnurth… If they're all captured and alive somewhere…" The Sage trailed off.

I nodded gravely and looked back to the village. "Whatever the Demons are doing, they're not just focusing on Lestrania anymore, and that's what really worries me. What do they need, Elves, Humans, Zugal, and Dragons for?"

My companion sighed. "Speaking of Zugal, we never found Aerowyn's scouts…"

"I know. Either they were killed somewhere between here and the Capital, or they were already carted off." Aydan shook his head, and I continued walking. "Once we get close enough where we can teleport, let me know, so we can head back to the Capital. I'll give Aerowyn the bad news and make sure we move all those people out from the settlement to some place safer." Stopping and looking back with a grim look to the village, I continued in a grave tone. "Who knows what might happen to them if we leave them there…"