As far as Jaax knew, this was the largest table in existence in their world, and composed, not surprisingly, entirely of ice. It was high enough for the smaller dragons to sit comfortably beside their diminutive companions, as Tollorias said, and the many sets of ice staircases leading up to higher platforms allowed the elves and other similar races to sit with the table’s edge at a reasonable level.
“Amazing,” Jahrra breathed.
Shortly after stepping into the great room, one of several ushers standing by scurried over and showed them to their places. They were all seated on the same side of the table, closer to the front of the room where a great platform of ice stood waiting for the king and his family. Tollorias sat closest to the king’s dais, followed by Sapheramin, Jahrra, Dervit, Ellyesce and finally, Jaax. The Tanaan dragon had hoped to sit closer to his ward, but approved of her proximity to Sapheramin. Despite her bold choice of apparel and that all too familiar determined tilt to her chin, Jaax was certain Jahrra was feeling exceedingly nervous about meeting the king. If anyone could put her at ease, it would be Sapheramin. The female Korli’s kind disposition and ease of diplomacy made her the perfect dinner partner for someone new to Nimbronia.
As the castle staff began the long and grueling task of bringing out the first dinner course, Ellyesce turned to Jaax and murmured, “Jahrra looks well tonight, does she not?”
Jaax nodded his head. She did look well. Better than well, actually. Jaax quickly darted his gaze around the room, not missing the several pairs of appreciative male eyes directed toward his ward. The muscles in his jaw tightened, and he fought the urge to gouge deep furrows into the table top with his claws. He had always been protective of Jahrra, but after what had happened with the regent’s son in Cahrdyarein, he had become very much aware of another way she could be hurt. If it was in his power, he would make sure such a wound was never inflicted upon her again.
Taking a breath to ease his aggression, he said to Ellyesce, “I think getting a chance to rest without worrying about being attacked at any second has helped immensely.”
The elf pursed his lips and hummed in agreement. He then eyed his companion, his gaze narrowed in thought. “I think it has done you some good as well.”
“I will be in even higher spirits when Dhuruhn agrees to help in the fight against Ciarrohn.”
Ellyesce snorted in laughter. “Always looking ahead, aren’t you? Don’t you ever stop to enjoy the moment, Jaax?”
The dragon gave him a wry grin. “Never.”
“You should try it some time.”
Ellyesce looked as if he was going to say something else, but at that moment a pair of enormous doors at the front of the room swung open and the king and his family entered. It was quite the sight to see, Jaax had to admit, and he watched Jahrra carefully as she took in the Creecemind royal family in all their glory. From what he could tell, she studied every detail, her body tense, her focus intent. When they finally settled down upon their dais, Dhuruhn spoke a greeting in his booming voice. Jahrra’s reaction was as expected, a quick jolt to attention.
Do not let him intimidate you, Jahrra, Jaax thought. And when she regained her composure, straightening her shoulders and tilting her chin slightly upward, he had to fight a smile. That’s my girl.
With Jahrra’s quiet determination boosting his spirits, Jaax returned his attention to the feast spread out before him. He would get his chance to present his ward to the Creecemind king, but for now, he would live in the moment and enjoy the fine food and affable company around him.
-Chapter Twenty-Six-
The Korli Dragon’s Tale
Jahrra had wanted to introduce herself, properly, to the Korli dragon sitting beside her, since she hadn’t had the chance out in the foyer, but just as she took a breath to speak up, a commotion at the front of the room drew everyone’s attention. Elves dressed in the silver and blue armor of Nimbronia’s guard worked in pairs to open a massive set of carved wooden doors to the right of the dais. Jahrra leaned forward to see what was behind them, but before she could get a good look, a narrowed snout and head, followed by a long, graceful neck, emerged. Jahrra’s jaw dropped open in awe as the rest of the Creecemind dragon glided into the room. She had seen them before, gracing the skies above the city in their beautiful aerial dance, and perched upon the ledges of the mountain city, their long, slender physiques mimicking the turrets and towers of ice surrounding them. Observing one up close, however, was an entirely different matter.
Before she could finish studying the first dragon, another one followed, then two more. Jahrra knew the Creecemind were huge, but somehow, these four seemed even bigger than those she’d seen outside the castle walls. She tried to place herself beside them, concluding she would stand about as tall as the longest teeth protruding from the lower portion of their jaws.
The four dragons found their places, settling down like lions, their heads facing the grand dining room while the rest of their bodies stretched out into an extensive antechamber behind the dais. The two in the center were the biggest, their pale scales shining like pearls. The dragon on the left was more blue and larger than the one on the right, and both of them wore crowns of what appeared to be giant icicles encrusted with brilliant pale blue and crystal clear stones. More jewelry of the same design adorned their necks and shoulders, similar to the formal bloodrose pendant and circlet Jaax wore. These two must be Dhuruhn and his queen, Jahrra mused, meaning that the other two on either side of them are the prince and princess.
Jahrra narrowed her eyes and focused in on Dhuruhn. His gaze scanned the crowd, his body language giving away nothing. His snout was long, the lower part of his jaw, like those menacing teeth she was studying earlier, protruding a little farther than the upper half. From the way they were sitting and facing their guests, Jahrra couldn’t get a good look at their wings, but she knew they were longer and narrower than a Korli or Tanaan dragon’s. Dhuruhn’s queen, and their two children, shared similar features and their icy cold gazes slowly roved over the room as if they had all the time in the world to study their guests.
Somewhere out of sight, a heavy bell clanged, and the chattering guests quieted. When all was silent, a pale blue Tanaan dragon stepped forward and announced in a booming voice, “His Royal Highness, King Dhuruhn of Felldreim, her Royal Highness, Queen Beihryhn of Felldreim, his Royal Highness, Prince Eairhyut of Felldreim and her Royal Highness, Princess Eairheihn of Felldreim extend their welcome to you, nobles and diplomats of the far reaches of Ethoes. His Majesty, the king, will now offer his personal welcome.”
The dragon stepped aside, and the king of the Creecemind drew in a great breath to speak.
“Good evening, guests and residents,” he announced, his deep voice reverberating throughout the massive chamber like the rumbling tremors of an earthquake.
Goose pimples rose on Jahrra’s skin, and she could have sworn her ribcage rattled with the power of his voice. Beside her, Dervit grew as taut as a bowstring.
“Welcome to Nimbronia, and I hope you find our hospitality up to your standards. I understand some of you wish to speak with me tonight, but I ask that you wait until dinner is over.”
Jahrra wasn’t certain, but it seemed as if the king directed his attention onto Jaax at that moment. She resisted the urge to turn and glance down the table at him.
“Now, without further delay, please, return to your meal and conversations.”
And just like that, the spell the four royals held over the hall evaporated, and the amicable chatter from before returned.