“Well, father,” began Kaleb, “it's complicated, but the gist is that we need to head out straight away. You, me, the guard—we need to hurry back to Pandling Grounds for—”
“Oh, no, no,” countered his father, slapping him hard on the back. “You're not going anywhere. You've been missing long enough, getting mixed up in...” It was here that he finally realized there were two others in the room. He appraised Minx and Mau confusedly. “Er... What, exactly, have you gotten mixed up in?”
Kaleb turned. “These are friends of mine. Minx, a Fae huntress—and that's Mau, a gifted Faelyr. We ran into each other on the road. Minx has been a great ally to me—in fact, if not for her, I wouldn't be here.” He motioned to the gouges in his armor as proof.
Kaleb's father stormed past him with a toothy grin. He took Minx's hand in his and shook it enthusiastically. “A Fae, of all things? Well, they're not all so bad after all, I suppose! A million thanks, miss, for your service. I appreciate your aiding my son very much.” He stepped back and suddenly motioned for the door.
Apparently, she was being asked to leave. Minx stiffened. “Uh...”
“No, father,” insisted Kaleb, “she can't leave yet. We still have business to tend to.”
“Of course she can leave,” snapped back his father. “We'll see to it that she and her pet have an escort all the way to the territorial boundary.”
Kaleb continued pressing his father, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Seriously, I need you to listen to me. The Fae are facing a great threat. I've come here looking for help. The enemy they're up against may threaten us, too, if we don't join forces and stamp it out soon.”
“What's all this?” spat his father. “A threat? Against the Fae?” He chuckled. “With no offense intended toward your friend here, it is not a dragon's place to much concern himself with the troubles plaguing that race.”
“Father, let me make my case. The threat is real—an army of darkness is gathering and the world as we know it may be plunged into chaos.” Kaleb hesitated. “You know I wouldn't waste your time. And the Fae, as I've learned first-hand, may not be so bad after all. More than mere assistance, I think we stand to forge a longstanding peace with them if we follow through with this.”
His father was flustered—relieved to have his son back, but troubled by all of this nebulous talk of looming battles. “It is a threat to us both?” he asked incredulously. “What kind of threat could possibly concern both of our civilizations, Kaleb? You're speaking nonsense, aren't you?”
“I wish I were.” Kaleb looked to Minx. “I sent that messenger along to ask for aid—aid in mobilizing a force that can accompany us to Pandling Grounds. May I address the Guard? I'll lay it all out on the table for them. I can tell them everything I know about this enemy... but there isn't a lot of time for debate. I need to speak to them immediately, else it might be too late.”
“It isn't like you to be so insistent,” replied his father. Meditating on the request a moment, he reluctantly agreed, motioning to the door. “Let us descend to the War Chamber. I can have the leaders assembled within the hour, but...” He paused. “Are you sure this is necessary? There were mumblings of action after your messenger dropped by, but I don't believe the leaders will come to a unanimous agreement. Many will not be keen to risk their lives in defense of the Fae, and I can hardly blame them. Surely the Fae can take care of themselves, no?”
Kaleb shook his head. “I wish. Please, father, let me appeal to them directly. I couldn't give them the full details earlier. Now, when they hear all I have to say, I'm confident they'll agree at once.”
Kaleb's father led the way out the door, muttering to himself. He had little hope for this course of action and wasn't afraid to show it. “This may be a waste of time, but let's see..” He brought the trio back into the main hall, then cut immediately across to a different arched corridor, this one descending very gently toward a new quadrant of the mountain. There were doorways scattered across this stretch, and in them idled other dragons clad in reddish plate armor. Without exception, these loiterers looked to Minx and Mau with unveiled curiosity and scorn.
Minx couldn't blame them. They've probably never seen a Fae hanging around here.
I'm fairly certain the only Fae they've ever seen in this place have been those tossed in the dungeon. Need I remind you that dragons have never been welcoming of the Fae? It's a wonder we've made it this far. If we lose sight of Kaleb here, we're liable to get locked up for trespassing in dragon territory!
The winding corridors of the labyrinthine mountain settlement brought them through still other passages lined with the residences of community members. They passed, too, through courts of immense breadth, where young dragons dined and socialized at hefty public tables draped in the powdery light of the new day, which entered through masterfully-carved skylights in the unreachable ceilings. Occasionally, these skylights were found to have been outfitted with gilt frames and paned in gorgeous colored glass, resulting in a soothing prismatic effect. No matter the gravity of their errand, Minx and Mau were singularly wowed by the utter beauty of their surroundings.
They may not like us very much... but this dragon kingdom isn't so bad, is it? chanced a delighted Mau.
Minx followed Kaleb and his silent father through a teeming square, basking in the palatial splendor of the setting. Maybe, when this is all over, we'll stay awhile and take a proper tour, she quipped.
The path ahead of them opened into a massive chamber built, seemingly, into the side of the mountain. The domed room, ceilinged in
