“I thank you all for coming at such short notice.” Koda sat around the wooden tribal table. Although it was older than Koda’s rule, the Long Whisper crest carved into the center showed no wear or chippings. Like its king, the table was sturdy enough to deal with the flaws of age and experience.

Around the table sat the elven lords. All seven of them had been replaced since the betrayal during the Varis war, save for Cass Baneberry who remained at his and his father’s side. Now the eight tribes were composed of Baneberry, Riverflow, Treadheart, Swiftleaf, Fieldrunner, Starvow, and Songbrook, all under the leadership of the Dawnedge tribe. These new tribes were of lesser nobility, but Koda was sure he could trust them.

“I’m sure you have your own lands to tend to, but I ask for only a moment of your time,” continued Koda.

“I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that we are all here for you, my king,” said Cass. Everyone in the room nodded. Some pounded on the table in agreement.

Koda smiled and took a breath of air. He knew his idea would not be taken well, but all the same he needed to try. “As you are all aware, I’ve taken it upon myself to locate the heaven marks of the five Dragon Realms. I feel their security is of the utmost importance.”

“I know you have, Koda, but I still don’t understand why?” It was Vala Treadheart’s time to speak up. She was not the only elven lord with confusion written on her face.

“The people of Lost Dawns haven’t even recovered from the riots two years ago. The rubble may be clear, but their anger is still fresh in their eyes. What is so important that you would ask us to neglect them? ” asked Brenen Riverflow. His question attracted mummers from the rest of the lords.

Koda raised his hand to quiet down the commotion. “Please, if you will hear me out.” He waited for the lords to give him their attention again before speaking. “My grandfather raised me to be an Arcane Guardian, to guard the old ways of our people. I chose to become your king to lead us into the modern age of our culture, but the secrets of our world still must be protected. The seals are one of those secrets and they must not be destroyed. If so, our way of life will be threatened.”

“Perhaps if we just located the seal on our realm and guarded that, we could let other nations guard their own?” suggested Senri Swiftleaf. Her emerald eyes flickered in the candle light. She was Koda’s first choice to join the council. Despite her being several years younger than him, her wisdom matched his father’s.

Senri’s words were once pondered in Koda’s thoughts, but after the fiasco in Scorch, he was sure it would be his nation that would take the task on alone.

“I can not trust other nations to deal with something with such dire consequences,” said Koda. His voice rose as he continued, “We will be the vanguard of Draak’Terra. We must be!”

“Then what do you propose, my king?” asked Halar Fieldrunner. He scratched his red beard, still unconvinced.

“I have a gut feeling that the seal of Blight is somewhere in New Estinia-” started Koda.

“New Estinia!” shouted Cass, “You can’t possibly want to go to war with an Estinian nation!?”

“No, no. Not go to war,” Koda calmly explained, “I wish to go there on a diplomatic mission. To try to join forces with them to protect the seal.”

“I feel this wouldn’t be a wise move, Koda. Not only is a journey to meet our longtime enemies ill-advised, but the fact that you are going at all puts the entire realm at risk. My king, you have no heir. If they were to kill you, we would be plunged into chaos,” replied Cass.

“I am in agreement with Baneberry,” spoke out Levric Songbrook.

“I need to go myself. I must show faith in our treaty with the Estinian people. For them to see we are no longer enemies,” said Koda.

He looked around the room. His council announced their disapproval with their silence.

“Aster Starvow, we haven’t heard anything from you?”

Aster's people were the blacksmiths of Long Whisper. During the ancient era of tribal warfare among the elves, it had been Aster’s family that supplied those tribes with their weapons and armor. The Starvow had always shown fierce loyalty to the Dawnedge, thus earning their namesake.

However Aster could not show any today. He shook his head.

The council had spoken against Koda’s plan. He thanked them all for their time and stormed out of the chamber.

***

“They don’t understand the severity of our duties, Wildeye!” Koda told his familiar. The bitterness of his frustration hung on his voice.

The wolf rested her head on Koda’s legs as they both laid on the elf’s bed. Her once blue fur shimmered with a shade of lavender. Both eyes now flared with sparks of wild magic and as she walked, trails of stars floated from her paws.

Koda had noticed the wondrous changes in his familiar as well, chalking it up to the mysteriousness of the Wolves of the Eclipse. The pack had a deep connection with the Magi and the secrets of Nashoon. Things he would never understand or uncover.

Koda tried to relax as he brushed his fingers through the wolf’s thick coat. "It must be so simple being an animal. Going through your daily life sleeping and eating. Never to worry about the stress of being a king.

“As a wolf, yes, but as your familiar I sense your troubles deep in my veins.”

Koda immediately sat up, his hands snapped away from Wildeye as if her fur scorched him. He heard an older woman’s voice echo within his mind. Wise and soothing. He closed his eyes to hear if the voice would speak again.

“I was enjoying that rub, please do continue.”

There it was again! He looked down at the wolf, who stared back at him. Was it the voice of Wildeye? A telepathic link to him?

“Can you understand me, girl?” he asked the wolf, feeling slightly foolish that he was trying to have a conversation with an animal.

“I can.”

When did this happen? Koda thought. Wildeye’s Magi was growing stronger by the day. Much like his control with the magic. Perhaps his skills to the Magi and Wildeye’s growth were connected.

“I’m not sure, Koda. I’m as bewildered about it as you.” Wildeye’s words echoed in Koda’s head.

You can read my thoughts, too?” Koda’s curiosity blossomed like a flower. Can you hear this?

“I can! It seems our thoughts are one.”

Koda laughed in excitement, but his face flattened to one more serious expression. What is your take on my mission? To protect the Celestial Seals?

“My opinion is that of a wolf, not a royal councilor.”

You are my friend. Your opinion is just as important as my lords'.

“Very well. I believe finding the seals is all that matters right now. You have already failed Xile when you abused the Magi during the Varis war. Do not disappoint him with a broken promise.

Koda’s face tensed up at the mention of his Magi use. The allure of the Magi still wracked his body. He ached to use it once more, but feared its potential and further effects on his mind. Could his connection with his overuse of the Magi be what was altering his familiar?

Koda massaged the brim of his nose. Communicating through thought took a lot of concentration and tired him out. He chose to physically speak to his wolf for the rest of the conversation.

“So I should go to New Estinia and try to create an alliance?” he asked.

“I believe it is the wisest course of action.”

Koda nodded. He looked towards the shadows of the room. “Calsoon, alert Elucard and Wiccer. They are to set sail with me to New Estinia.”

There was a long silence in the room. As far as Koda could tell he spoke to no one, but he knew the skills of an Anti-Rogue Operative were not to be laughed at. He was aware that his elven bodyguard was by his side at all times, from day till night. He wasn’t even sure if Calsoon ever slept.

Finally a lean elf with silver hair and vibrant blue eyes stepped forth from the shadows. He gave an elegant bow and smiled. “As you wish, my king. Shall I be attending as well?”

“I think you have earned a rest, wouldn’t you agree?” chuckled Koda.

Calsoon frowned. “With all due respect, my king, Elucard hand picked me to watch over you. It would be a shame to falter now.”

Koda lifted his chin. Elucard’s Watchers had been extremely effective with their duties. As scouts in the Varis War, working undercover during the uprising, or even while protecting him from any threat of assassination, they were never known to fail.

“Very well, Calsoon. I shall grant you this request.”

Calsoon bowed once more. “I take pleasure in working for you, my king.”

“Find Major Newsun and Captain Freewind. We shall depart in the morning.”