“Where else are we supposed to go!?” shouted Travin. The desert elf former gladiator pounded his fist on the council table as he continued his argument with his stubborn sister, Queen Isana.

Koda rubbed his temples and shook his head as he walked to the window. The sprawling city of Isa City was a paradise, untouched by the troubles that the rest of Dragon Realm Scorch currently dealt with. A large oasis bordered the city, providing fresh water, rich vegetation to farm and animals to hunt. The city itself was a beacon for trading with the Isana allies in the massive bazaar that spilled out into the different corners of the city. There, one could find anything from weapons, to spices, textiles, or even exotic pets.

Koda turned back to his problem at hand, getting the two dune elf twins to join him for his meeting of the world leaders.

“It isn’t my problem where your people go, as long as it isn’t on my shores,” Isana said with a smug look smeared across her face. “Now, it would behoove you to take your refugees and evacuate my territory.”

Travin gave Koda a pleading look.

Koda sighed. “Queen Isana, do you not have a heart? He is your own brother.”

“My own brother waged a war with me!” sneered the Queen of Chains.

“You enslaved my people and myself! I had to spill blood in your arenas in order to survive! And when I finally earned my freedom, you continued to kidnap my people for your precious slave trade! You forced my hand!”

Koda leaned over the table and yelled at the top of his lungs,“Enough of this!”

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Isana and Travin immediately went silent.

Koda looked at Isana. “I speak on behalf of Cypress. We will open our trade routes back to North and South Isa if you accept your brother’s refugees.”

Isana stroked her chin in thought. “I have missed that fine elven wine that your people produce.”

“And Varisian wool is the softest in Draak’Terra,” offered Koda to encourage the queen further.

“What do you say, sister?” asked Travin.

Isana narrowed her eyes on Travin. “I say my people have dealt with the trade embargo from Cypress for years. Ice elven wine and Estinian wool has sufficed my kingdom enough. I enjoy my personal freedoms without being backed into some deal with my enemies!”

“You’ve enjoyed your personal freedoms?” snarled Koda. He had enough with walking on eggshells with the spoiled queen. If she wouldn’t comply with pleasantries, perhaps she would comply with force? “How would you like the Cypress Alliance marching across the desert to take away those freedoms?”

“You wouldn’t dare!” hissed Isana with a cold tongue.

“I am sure the Guard of the White Cloaks would like to finish with what they started. Breaking the Queen of Chains. Freeing her many slaves,” laughed Koda.

“Y-you wouldn’t—”

Koda’s Magi flared from his eyes. “Wouldn’t I? Try me.”

The dune elf quaked in her silks. Fear burned in her pupils.

“You won the last one by the skin of your teeth, but how bloody was the war? How much gold did you dump into it? How large is your army now? Could you afford such a wasteful war when all you need for prosperity is to allow Alva’s people to find refuge in your city?”

“If-if I agree to these terms? Is it too late to accept the open trade from Cypress?”

“We will agree to this, as long as you and Travin meet with the other world leaders once more.”

Travin turned to Isana. A bemused look scrawled across his face. “A simple request, sister.

“Yes. I suppose it is,” Isana said, defeated. “Alright, King Dawnedge. We will do it your way.”

Koda smiled. One down, four more realms to go.