Koda limped into Arrelion’s headmaster chamber where both the ice elf prince Velduin and white scaled draconian Rellethek waited. Koda bowed to the two and took a seat at the round table that stood in the center of the room. Both the prince and scale lord followed suit.

“Forgive my tardiness, my lords. Between my injuries and the scale of this school, I was destined to be late.”

“Scale. Ha!” grumbled Rellethek. He made a fist with his hand. “If I had to wait any longer with this elven whelp, I would have thrown him through a wall!”

Velduin rolled his eyes.

Koda hesitated. He rapped his finger on the wood before speaking. “Perhaps we can get down to business.”

“It is quite simple. Rellethek and his dragon city must recognize the sovereignty of our nation. Once those beasts learn who is in control of Wintershard, then we can make some progress,” Velduin said snidely. He glanced at Rellethek and smiled as the dragon bared a row of pointed teeth.

“Who ordained you One Beyond All?” growled Rellethek. “I am a surviving draconian of the original Dragon Walkers of Agaas. Your Angels appointed my ancestor, Thericathuel, to be the first Scale Lord of dragons. We oversee the realms— the very dragons you live upon.”

The draconian stood and spanned his leathery wings. “Before your territories even existed, the Scale Lord crown stood the test of time. As the current Scale Lord, I demand the respect that my people deserve from you Ixils!”

“Can you bother speaking Common? What is an Ixil?” Velduin said with a yawn.

“Invader. As in one that doesn’t belong!” Rellethek seethed with hatred rolling in his voice.

“Amusing,” Velduin said dryly.

“Enough! The both of you!” Koda snapped. He slammed his fist on the table.“Scale Lord Rellethek, I am a student of the old ways. I speak for both Cypress and Abyss when I say that your people are recognized as the first denizens of Draak’Terra and thus are due our respect.”

Koda limped before him. “However, you must understand we each lead our own nations of people with many of their own traditions and creeds. We could never see you as one true king.”

Rellethek growled and Velduin smirked.

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Koda turned to the prince. “This goes the same for you too, Velduin.”

“I beg your pardo—”

“You ice elves live in the same territory as Draconicus. You must come to terms with this and honor the Scale Lord as a leader of the land as well. Only together can we hope to achieve our goals.”

Velduin at first sneered at Rellethek. “Perhaps my father can reach an arrangement—”

“No!” Rellethek slammed both hands and cracked the table. “The Scale Lord is the rightful master of this world, my people will not go ignored!”

Koda held silent. His eyes flinched in frustration. However if he could wrangle Queen Isana, then he could handle a spoiled dragon.

“Kneel before me, ice elf!” demanded Rellethek. “Or prepare for war.”

Koda clenched his teeth and closed his fist. “If you can not join our alliance, Rellethek, then we will take the seal from you.”

Rellethek folded his wings and slapped his tail down. “You threaten me, tiny elf?”

The draconian stood twelve feet tall and towered over the shorter Koda.

Koda swallowed a lump in his throat. “I will not be intimidated by you, Rellethek!”

The dragon moved his snout into Koda’s face. In a low, rumbling tone, he growled, “You will kneel before me.”

Koda took a deep breath. “Nev—”

A hefty slap sent Koda crashing into the wall. He wrapped an arm around his bruised side and winced. A large black and blue bruise appeared across his left cheek. “Fine!” he cried. Tears bubbled and streaked down his face. “We don’t need you!!!”

Rellethek stormed out of the chamber.

“Idiotic forest child!” hissed Velduin.

Koda struggled on his feet, using the wall to help him stand. “W-w don’t need the—”

“You are supposed to be the rational one!” Velduin continued. “The ice elves could handle their own business, but now the dragons across the world will see us as a threat!”

Koda shook his head. “My allies—”

“You think Long Whisper will have any allies left once you push them into a needless war with dragonkind? Do you think those silly harekins will be able to harness a dragon against its own king?! Do you think the sea serpents will ignore the Ocean Mistress’s ships?! Do you think the Dragon City will let you one step near that seal? Do you think? DO YOU EVEN THINK???”

What have I done!?

“It doesn’t matter what mortals think of their frivolous wars, Koda.” Tezhok’s presence entered Koda’s mind once more. “Once we have united the gods with the mortal plane, they will deal with false rulers and threatening bullies.”

Koda stared deeply into Velduin’s eyes.

“What is it?” Velduin asked.

“You don’t need him either, the only allies you need are the ones that respect your power,” Tezhok whispered.

Koda’s eyes grew dark. “Get out of my sight, ice elf,” sneered Koda.

Velduin averted his eyes away from Koda’s gaze. “Enjoy your crumbling power, Koda.”

“The only power you need is that of a mage and a master to teach you,” said Tezhok.

Koda closed his eyes. Yes.