Han sighed as he looked at the young, black-hair variant drake sitting on a small, uncomfortable sofa at the end of the room.

To anyone else, the blood-red walls and golden ornaments that provided the only the faintest of light apart from the large double doors that led to the balcony, the room would create an atmosphere that was incredible oppressive however, Han did not realise that Kai had grown up inside a mountain cave and so, the dragon in his humanoid form felt somewhat relaxed.

The only thing ruining the young dragon's mood, excluding the long wait, was the metal collar around his neck.

Even though, apparently it was illegal to be in your natural form in public, a stupid law if Kai had ever heard of one, having the collar on caused the young dragon to be on edge. The feeling of being oppressed, potential danger and, a small amount of indignation, coursed through Kai's veins like an angry viper and his mood continued to sink.

Kai snarled.

It wasn't even like he could alleviate some of his anger with that due with the male drake, Ron. The challenger had disappeared the moment the carriage came to a stop, fleeing into a crowd of guards before escaping down a corridor.

"Don't worry Lord Kai, the Master will be here soon. Something important must have come up," said Han with a wrily, almost lop-side smile as he thought that Kai had finally grown impatient. He knew the whole purpose of showing off when collecting Kai, bringing him through the clan's ancestral gates, past luxurious rooms and courtyards to this cramped, dim, waiting room was a power play by the clan master and other elders.

They wanted to put Kai in his place before talks began.

The only strange thing, at least to Elder Han's experience, excluding the length of time they had been waiting, was that there had not been a mock battle outside yet.

Normally, two or more of the younger generation would 'train' in the arena that the balcony overlooked, showing off the clan's might and prestige to the guests that had nothing to do but watch.

-'I bet the Master is aggrieved about his son challenging Lord Kai without knowing his true strength. I just hope he doesn't hound me too much over it. What was I suppose to do?' Han sank into his small chair, deflating at the years of his long life seemed to catch up with him at once. -'The old Master wouldn't have done things this way. Using wealth and power to lord it others. If he has not yet passed the yellow springs, I hope he isn't too distraught over his son's ways."

"Where the hell do you think you are going?"

Just as Han was thinking these thoughts, a loud shout came from outside the window, instantly drawing the pair's gaze.

"It looks like your attitude has finally caught up with you Kaida. Are you not ashamed of the troubles you bring on your father? He even puts up with a halfbreed like you."

A roar of laughter, seemingly coming from six or seven individuals reached the balcony and passed through the doors, yet Elder Han seemed not to hear it as his face turned pale and he abruptly stood up and rushed forward.

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"You are a blight on this clan, yet we are still merciful and willing to spare with you. Get on your knees and thank your betters."

Bursting through the doors, Han instantly looked over the railings to the large, sand arena, surrounded by buildings and a five foot, enchanted wall, only for his pupils to narrow as he let out a silent curse.

It seemed the Clan Master was indeed extremely annoyed with him and had organised the 'training' to be between the clan's young elite and his child, Kaida. A match which would ensure that Kaida would be in the recovery room for a few weeks at least, a couple of months at most.

"Something wrong?" While Kai couldn't be bothered with the noise outside, his mind focused on the collar around his neck, Elder Han's strange reaction had raised his curiosity and so he followed him out onto the balcony.

However, instead of looking into the arena, he was looking at the Elder's expression, tilting his head as if curious.

However, with the golden, reptilian eyes, even this somewhat disarming action caused Han to shiver. His instincts making him want to take a few steps back.

"Nothing much young Lord," Han changed his way of addressing Kai, somewhat touched that the youth that seemed disinterested with everything would show some concern. "Just a training match between my child and some of the clan's young masters. They happen here from time to time if guests are visiting."

While Han would normally not say the last part, he was angered and spoke without thinking. However, it seemed as if Kai had not picked up on the hidden meaning.

Kai's gaze swept over the group of youths, all looking to be males around the age of seventeen or eighteen with disinterested eyes, finally stopping on a short boy, his frame somewhat slim and unimpressive compared to the others.

Dressed in a flowing red robe, the shape of leather armoured trousers and vest could be seen through the thin material, the young male glared at the others, his body taut as if ready to attack or defend at a moments notice.

Kai's pupils revealed shock as he leant forward on the railings to get a better look, his other senses too far away to get a good lock on the boy. "A human? But he has some scales?"

Han sighed, believing that Kai would be as discriminatory to his child as the rest of the clan. "My son. His mother, rest her soul, was a human and he inherited more of her genes than mine. While he is much stronger than a normal human and has the ability to spit a weak flame, he can not take on our noble form and so, is somewhat of an eyesore to others."

Kai frowned, moving his gaze to Han. "But he is your son? Why would you let others bully or ridicule him? While I wasn't paying attention to what they said, does it not hurt when your child is threatened?"

Han's wrinkled face showed surprise before revealing the first true smile since meeting Kai.

He had been in charge of the clan's external relations for many years and had learnt to read people. Kai, while secretive, was always straightforward and, at least to his senses, truthful giving the Elder a good impression of him. "Lord Kai, I know you are a blunt, truthful person so I am confident you are not providing lip service like the others. The truth is, I want to help but not only have I been forbidden by the clan master, but if I did, my child would never have a good life when these old bones are laid to rest."

Han revealed a twisted expression, helplessness, anger and a hint of loathing making it somewhat unsightly.

Kai's frown deepened, seemingly not approving causing Han to continue. "A chick must leap from the nest to fly, a tiger, be able to hunt. If I do everything for Kaida, I am afraid that, at the critical moment when I am not around, something disastrous would happen. At least this way, Kaida can learn his limits and the skills necessary to survive."

Kai nodded his head once, before turning back to the arena, curious to see how Elder Han's parenting method would affect the behaviour of his son. -"Kaida huh... I wonder if they know the meaning behind the name, though, seeing as its a male and mostly human, I guess not."