“Now then,” I looked over Sarron, who was strapped to the wall of the Well of Secrets, as the Drakkar liked to call it. He tried squirming for a bit but ended up simply glaring up my way. I smirked and glossed over his visage.

“This Elder Circle can officially begin.” Every one us of pulled the stacks of papers we brought closer, and the dome was silent for but a brief moment.

Malkorok was the one to break the ice. “First of all, congratulations on successfully negotiating the peace agreement with the Humans, Lord Kreshorok. And congratulations on the wedding.” The Dendrin added its own congratulations. “May you have a long a prosperous marriage.”

We raised the empty glasses on our sides, neither of us willing to dabble into liquor just yet. There would be ample time for relaxation and indulgence later.

I looked towards Medusa, whose face was scrunched up in thought, as she tried to find something to say. “Everything alright, Medusa? You seem awfully quiet.”

I decided to be cheeky today. Apart from the Dendrin, I was the eldest one here, and the Dendrin themselves don’t really seem to age or change at all. Medusa thought for a moment longer, then simply shied away.

“No… It’s… nothing. Forget it,” she turned away from me, breaking eye contact while her snakes hissed around. I was perplexed by the development, since as far as I knew, I did nothing that concerned her since the last meeting. ‘Women.’

I tried to leave the futile thinking of what I did wrong, reminiscing about the moments of long lost past. I put every thought of that aside since I considered that past to be far behind me.

“In any case, thank you all. I consider myself lucky to have such a happy life at this moment.” I had realised this was not quite the time and place to share details of that kind, so it was back to business.

“Now, let’s see, what do we have on the agenda for today, shall we?” I glossed over the first paper I had in view, lamenting the text sprawled across it. “Maybe it would be better if someone else started.”

A short round of uncomfortable laughter later, we delved into the simple and boring diplomacy and politics. We renewed the trade agreements between each other, stated the possible changes that might occur with those, I learned that almost nothing happened in foreign lands of these people that could be of any concern. Things were, simply put, peaceful and dull. ‘Maybe it was for the best.’

I trudged through some papers until I came across the one simply titled “Elves”. I sighed, knowing that I would have to get across this bridge at a certain point. I was hoping it could be put away for some other day of this meeting but considered it might be better to just go over it and let things simmer from there and see how they go. Decisions could be reached later.

“So… I’ve met an Elf, in person. Finally.” The faces around me brightened up, ears turning towards me.

“Really? What are they like?” Malkorok asked, filled with curiosity, looking at me like a small boy rather than the man — young as he may be — was. The other people looked at me with slightly controlled faces, not letting many emotions come through.

“I’m not sure how to explain,” I started thinking about my encounter with Miss Ophelia. ‘What are my impressions of her exactly? Are there any?’

“The one I’ve met was… childish in a way. Too similar to Humans in some manner. She seemed to have a greater knowledge of magic than Humans, but completely different to what any of us use. It’s a novelty, for me, at least.

“She asked me to tutor her, or something along those lines.” The crowd murmured at that. We haven’t made many contacts with the Elves as a whole, so this should rile them up in the least.

“I suppose, it could be a new outlook on their capabilities,” Medusa started, coldly calculating the predicament.

“Or, it could be a ruse for her to spy on someone that belongs to a Royal House of the Demons,” Antyr followed with his counterargument. The Dendrin’s mind probably ran about listing the possibilities that could ensue from this.

“Granted. But I am currently far away from any central politics of Dralarag, at least when I’m not in the Circle meeting. I’ve moved closer to the Human lands, partly because I think it’s easier to handle my new marriage there.” I thought about any reasonings I have, and actual detriments to inviting Ophelia in my home as a student or however the styling would be. I had to consider Sophia, in my mind. ‘I’m not certain she’d like that very much. Or she could enjoy it thoroughly, having someone as new as she is in the castle.’

Malkorok looked towards the windows that were scattered about the dome, and I noticed that in our idle chats the day had already passed. “Perhaps it would be good to stop here and let this sit on our minds for the night?”

We all agreed, the fatigue of this day catching up to me. ‘I definitely have less energy than ninety years ago when I started on this thing as a member.’

I glanced over Sarron as we slowly made our way out of the dome, seeing he has not lost concentration in the slightest, at least listening in to our conversation. ‘Progress.’

I called for the two Drakkar posted outside. “Give him something to eat, and set up a bucket so he can relieve himself. Also, take off his pants then, I need him to come back in somewhat clean clothes.” Maybe I’d buy him new ones anyway. The guards moved silently and in unison.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Uncle!?” He gasped at me, rocking his chains upon hearing what I’d plan for him. “You can’t do this!”

“I don’t see anyone who opposes me here. Besides, did you really think I’d just chain you for one afternoon and let you go? Heh, wishful thinking at best. You should consider yourself lucky you get to eat.”

“But… my clothes...,” he added timidly, the colour of his face draining away to be replaced by a shameful red.

“I’ll give them back to you when you’re done. Or scrap them and give you new ones altogether, you’ll admire the Drakkari tailoring,” I chided, then went through the door.

“Practice your fire magic, it’s known to get chilly here at night,” I added behind me, before leaving the dome altogether.

----------------------------------------

I left the meeting, perplexed and fearful. Cerolus spoke of so many new things. He got married, he had a vastly new life than when I saw him the last time. My hopes faltered.

I slithered back into the chambers reserved for me and my son. He greeted me with open arms and a bright smile on his face while the Drakkar that was in the room looked ready to collapse in fatigue.

“Did you see him, Mommy? Is Daddy here?” His energetic voice filled me with joy again.

“Yes, dear, he’s here. What were you up to today, darling?” I let him nuzzle against my tail, something he enjoyed doing since he was a wee hatchling.

“I saw a Dragon today!” he exclaimed, throwing his arms up in the air.

“A Dragon? You mean, a Wyvern?” I know Drakkar use the Wyverns as beasts of burden, although there were some striking similarities at times between them. But Wyverns were stupid beasts, after all. Then I realised Korthonas was not supposed to leave his room, and there weren’t any ways to see a Wyvern from here.

“No, a Dragon! That’s what he told me, that he is a Dragon.” He turned to the Guard in the room. “He looked like that, only bigger and stronger and with a huge crown. It was so big, Mommy!”

“You met the Dragon?” I asked, looking towards the Guard. ‘What purpose did the leader of the Drakkar have with my son? Was he simply curious? If so, maybe there is a second option if all else fails. Perhaps…’

I went back to my previous line of thought, reminding myself on what I had planned to do. I took Korthonas in my arms. “Want to come and meet your father, Korthonas?”

He smiled, small white teeth already coming out strong. “Yes, Mommy!”

I stood up, taking him by the arm, and went out of the room. ‘Hopefully, all would go well.’

We made our way through the halls, sculpted figures of Drakkar on the walls. Korthonas made sure to touch every single one of them, one sculpture losing a tail in the process. ‘No one saw that, right?’

I stood in front of the doors of Cerolus’ chambers, hesitant to go in. I looked down towards my son. “Now, stay here for a bit, and don’t move.”

“Yes, Mommy,” he answered, and I opened the doors, my heart racing.

Cerolus was lying in a chair, looking over some writing, a glass of what I assumed to be Bloodwine in hand. I adored that drink when he introduced it to me, and I’m pretty certain it was one of the reasons I was here in the first place.

He noticed my entry and looked up with a slight smile on his face. One could take a look at his visage and get lost at that pearly smile amidst the fire and darkness that he gave off. It was dangerous, yet alluring at the same time. There was, after all, a reason Lilin were called Temptation Demons at first. And Cerolus was a master at that particular craft, if someone were to ask for my opinion.

“Hello, Medusa. What brings you to this humble abode? Granted, it’s quite a ways away from where we last met,” he looked over the spacious room, which was noticeably smaller than my own still. “Some wine, maybe?”

He didn’t wait for my answer, just handing me a filled glass with crimson liquid inside. I took a small whiff, savouring the heavenly smell it gave off. I almost forgot why I was here.

“Lord Cerolus…” I started. He immediately laughed.

“Oh, come on Medusa, no need to call me Lord. Especially not after everything we went through.” He sipped on the wine, then stood up, moving closer to me.

“We did have fun last time, didn’t we?” He gazed into the distance, seemingly reminiscing the occasion. I myself remembered that night now, how we started drinking slowly, laughing at simple jokes and sharing some useless things about each other.

The night then progressed to something more than that, and I remembered the distinct touch of his warm hands across my skin and his lips against my neck. It was pure pleasure to be in his arms that night, and I would trade nothing for it.

I straightened myself up, shoving the pleasant memory to the past it belonged to.

“I do have to apologise, maybe we shouldn’t have done that,” he started, and I went into panic.

“No, no, it was great. It was… amazing even. I’d actually be happy to do that again,” the words escaped my mouth without me even realising what nonsense I was spewing around. I straightened myself again, trying to regain my bearings. I was once a queen, and now was a blabbering mess.

“About that,” I tried to move the conversation forwards the way it suited me. Cerolus appeared to have other plans.

“I’m going to have to decline the offer, even though I do appreciate it. I made a promise to my wife. I’m sure you understand.” He looked at me with a hint of regret, but also a strong resolve in his eyes.

Whoever she is, I somehow felt she was in far better hands than anyone would think, and probably even she didn’t know of that. I dismissed idle thoughts, again.

“What I mean is…” I tried to find words for what I wanted to say, anything that would prove helpful this time. My mind decided to white everything out, leaving a void.

The doors to the room opened, to my chagrin. Korthonas stood alone just outside the room, small hands against the large door. He looked at me, then at Cerolus. His face brightened like the Sun in the sky.

He ran towards the man, Cerolus seemingly lost at the development. Before I got any chance to say anything, to explain even a glimmer of what was going on. Korthonas hugged Cerolus, or rather, hugged what he could grab, which was Cerolus’ legs.

“Daddy!”

Cerolus looked down, then at me, then back down at Korthonas. His eyes kept switching between the two of us. He stammered “He’s…”

I could only nod. All the words of multiple languages I knew, and the Queen of Nazjari could only nod.

He took the bottle of wine, untangled from Korthonas’ grasp, and went for the door. “I’ll be right back,” he added, a visible tone of shock on his face.

Korthonas leapt into my arms, crying. “Mommy! Daddy hates me!” his weeps resounded through the room.

“No, that’s not true, he was just… surprised… you grew so much…” I tried adding any words of comfort as I caressed his hair, looking out the door, finding no one.

‘Could’ve gone worse.’