“If Ciarrohn rises to power again, there will be no future for any of us!” Jaax snarled back.
“Silence!” Queen Beihryhn boomed, standing up and glaring down at Jaax and Jahrra. “You come here requesting our assistance, and you have your answer. Felldreim is safe from the evil will of Cierryon. Our magic is too strong for him to break.”
Despite the fact the female Creecemind was far larger than Jaax, he stood his ground, the anger rolling off him like heat pouring from a fireplace.
“Nothing will stop the Tyrant once he has control of the other provinces of Ethoes, do you not understand that? He may not come for your land right away, but he will come for it. And that same magic you think is strong enough to deter him will be the very thing that draws him like carrion crows to a battle field.”
“Mother, Father, I ask permission to speak.”
Jahrra, who had been totally caught up in the whirlwind of the argument between the three dragons, had momentarily forgotten about the other two Creecemind on the dais. She blinked up to the queen’s left to find Prince Eairhyut rising to address his parents.
The queen huffed out a frustrated breath and said, “Speak, Eairhyut.”
The prince bowed his head to both his parents and said, his voice carrying to include the entire court, “Would it not be wise to strike at the Tyrant now, while his power has not yet reached its full potential?”
Dhuruhn snapped a flinty gaze at his son, but the prince did not back down.
“We do not know that for certain, Eairhyut.”
“I agree with my brother,” the princess stated, joining the conversation.
The courtiers and diplomats who had been so intent on Jaax and Jahrra now found themselves interested in what looked to be an impending family squabble between the royals.
“What do you know of war, Eairheihn?” the queen asked her daughter. “You and your brother were born after the last conflict, a conflict which resulted in the loss of more than two thirds of the Creecemind race.”
Her eyes glistened when she spoke her next words, “I will not put my people through such a terrible trial again.”
The princess, who had seemed full of confidence just moments ago, withered a little. She gave her brother an imploring look and he, too, sat back down, though with some reluctance.
Jahrra gritted her teeth. For a while, she had thought the royal siblings had made some headway. Now, it looked like they were back to where they had started.
Dhuruhn nodded somberly to his wife, and she settled back down as well. He then let his head fall forward, as if the weight of the world had transferred to his icy crown. When he lifted his chin again, his eyes were filled with an ancient weariness Jahrra knew she’d never be able to comprehend.
“I am sorry, Raejaaxorix, and Jahrraneh Drisihn, but I cannot sanction an act of war against Ghorium. I cannot risk the safety of my people, or the citizens of Felldreim, at this time. That is my final word, and I will not give you hope that I might change my decision. You and your traveling companions are welcome to stay in Nimbronia for as long as you need, but if I get word of you stirring up trouble, you will be banished from my kingdom. Am I understood?”
The growl in his voice told Jahrra he wasn’t all that sorry about his pronouncement, and she had to fight the urge to scream in frustration. Beside her, Jaax was wound so tight she expected him to snap apart if he moved a single inch. Instead, he drew in a long breath and gave a quick jerk of his head, not quite a bow, but an acknowledgment of his understanding, nonetheless.
“We do not wish to stay,” her guardian replied, in his most controlled, diplomatic tone. “We will leave tomorrow morning while the weather permits safe travel.”
Jaax turned around, and Jahrra with him. He indicated for her to start walking, but as he stepped behind her, he glanced back over his shoulder and said, “You are making a mistake, your majesty. I only hope you realize that before it is too late.”
Dhuruhn gave no response, and as they made their way to the exit, the people standing witness began whispering and murmuring amongst themselves.
Jaax burst through the door, Jahrra jogging to keep up with him. Her bad knee twinged a little, but she ignored it.
“Jahrra, wait!” Ellyesce called out above the din of courtiers.
Jahrra glanced quickly over her shoulder to spy the elf pushing his way through the crowd to catch up with her, Tollorias and Sapheramin right on his heels. Ignoring them, she continued after her guardian, now heading for the far end of the great chamber where a large window opened out onto a landing.
In her haste to match Jaax’s long strides, Jahrra almost bumped into the people who had jumped out of the dragon’s way earlier.
“Excuse me!” she called over her shoulder. “Sorry! Just need to get to that window over there.”
Jahrra caught up with Jaax just as he stepped out onto the patio. She was out of breath, and her knee was aching again, but before she could ask him what he was doing, her guardian drew in a great gust of air and then let it go with a fiery roar. Emerald and turquoise flames ripped through the air as Jaax vented his frustration. Overwhelmed by the heat, Jahrra dropped to the ground and covered her head, grateful for the layer of snow beneath her to keep her cool.
Finally, the roaring stopped, but the ringing in her ears lingered.
“Jahrra!” Jaax said in surprise. She felt his shadow move over her and heard the crunch of his feet in the snow. “Are you alright?”
“Fine,” she groaned, pulling her hands away from her head so she could blink up at him. “Just trying not to get singed.”
“Forgive me,” her guardian breathed wearily. Anger still snapped in his eyes, but that alert strength he always held about himself had slipped away. Instead, he looked worn down, wilted even.
Jahrra rolled over and got to her feet, careful to keep weight off her knee. Already she felt it swelling once again. Great. Now, she might have to take the crutches with her when they left in the morning.
“Of course,” she said in response to her guardian’s statement. “I feel like doing the same thing right now.”
Jaax caught on to her attempt at humoring him, and he smiled faintly, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
Before either of them could say anything else, a winded Ellyesce exclaimed, “What is going on out here?”
“Just venting my frustration,” Jaax explained, in a subdued voice.
Ellyesce eyed the blackened patch of granite on the side of the castle wall and lifted a dark eyebrow. “I see,” he said.
“Jaax, Jahrra,” Sapheramin called out from somewhere behind Ellyesce, “I am sorry.”
From the pained look in her eyes, Jahrra knew she meant what she said.
Jaax dropped to his haunches, his body language suggesting both defeat and exhaustion. “How on Ethoes will we stand against Cierryon without the help of the Creecemind?”
Jahrra had never seen her guardian look so hopeless, and it frightened her. She glanced at Ellyesce, then the two Korli dragons standing just inside the opening in the wall. None of them were forthcoming with an answer, so she dug deep to find what little optimism she had left.
“Look, we know Kehllor plans to seek help from the Nephaari, and we have all the Coalition members from the other provinces to help us.”
“And the elves of Dhonoara as well,” Ellyesce added. “We have yet to see who our allies in the east have rallied.”
Jaax cast his friend a pessimistic look. “We could also have no one awaiting our call to arms,” he murmured.