Draama followed her father to the cities great hall and saw that Kel was already there.
They both took a knee and spoke using their spirits. “Great one.” (Draama and Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Kel then looked at Dramix before her eyes fell on his daughter and she understood what Dramix did.
“Go back to your keep. I’ll speak to the shaman.” (Kel)
Draama started to stand up, but before she could, her father put a hand on her shoulder to keep her kneeling and so he could stand easier.
“As you wish great one.” (Draama)
Kel then turned away and started walking with her short legs, but soon paused and looked back at Draama, who was still kneeling.
“Please follow me. We have much to do.” (Kel)
Draama stood up and kept a close following distance behind the dragon.
“I assume that you heard the conversation last night?” (Kel)
Draama then noticed a few other shamans giving her weird looks before she answered.
“I only heard some of it.” (Draama)
Kel sighed.
“My escape last night wasn’t as unnoticed as I hoped it would be. I must make haste for my plans to come to fruition, but I need some help.” (Kel)
As they moved, Draama noticed that Kel had picked up the pace, so it didn’t take very long before they arrived at a large and impressive ancient tunnel. It was nothing compared to the imposing chamber it opened into though, but its inhabitants were even more so. Both Draama and Peter were in awe of the chamber that was full of dragons. Some were sleeping, while some were drinking from large barrels. Peter even saw two dragons coupling.
While he was looking around, a dragon on the middle pedestal spoke.
“I, Phil, of the house of the Eternal Inferno, support the shaman Yougla of the Inferno house.” (Phil)
Suddenly, a few dragons roared and agreed to his nomination. After the noise died down, the dragon backed away with a Drakan at his side. Kel then walked over to an empty, unclaimed, and uncleaned spot from its former owner before declaring.
“This spot will do for now.” (Kel)
Their presence wasn’t unnoticed though, as another dragon and the Drakan at his side took the pedestal. “I, Koal, of the house of Ironwings, support Fitagron of the Ironwings.” (Koal)
Several dragons roared in agreement once again before the two walked down and another pair took their place. After an hour of it happening over and over again, Draama was using a shovel to push red muck into a trash hole that was filled with several piles of old bones and vases of ancient booze. She didn’t mind cleaning because it allowed her to have a clear nose. As she was returning to Kel’s side though, another dragon walked over to them, wanting to block their path rather than enter another hobble as filthy as Kel’s was.
“Hello, daughter. What are you doing down here?” (Kel’s mother)
Kel and Draama looked up at Kel’s large mother.
“I’m making my own way. I have my own house and shaman, so I’m also entering into the games.” (Kel)
Her mother stood up with a pleased expression on her face before speaking.
“Your father will be proud.” (Kel’s mother)
Kel looked at Draama.
“I doubt it.” (Kel)
The large dragon sighed before responding.
“That may be true, but you’re still growing. In the coming centuries, you will reach your true age and have a clutch.” (Kel’s mother)
Kel was ready to protest as she stared at her mother, but she kept quiet instead.
“I will do what I must.” (Kel)
Since she walked off without saying anything else, she must have agreed. Peter thought about saying something, but he kept it to himself because he noticed that Kel was tensing up after seeing the next pair walking over to the podium.
“I am Towr, the head of the house of Firebrand. I support Gowvan of the Firebrand house.” (Firebrand)
Suddenly, it seemed like over a third of the dragons roared in acceptance at the announcement. Peter could quickly tell that he was a favorite to win, and he was further proven right when it didn’t quiet down until well over five minutes had passed. Peter had noticed that the favor for anybody was increasing through their time there and Kel started moving forward.
“With me shaman.” (Kel)
Draama then walked forward and followed her upwards, while Peter noticed several dragons standing up in surprise, even waking up a few others. An old dragon was moving toward the pedestal, but it soon stopped when it noticed Draama and Kel.
“Young one, I know that you’re eager to enter, but your time has not yet come.” (Old Dragon)
Kel stopped waking because of the mighty presence in front of her.
“I am no longer clutch bound, and I have a house. Move aside so I can announce.” (Kel)
The old dragon didn’t move though.
“Young one, I know that you aren’t ready.” (Old Dragon)
Peter then spoke up out of annoyance.
“We are never ready until we try.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
The old dragon went white-eyed and then backed away.
“As you wish, young one. You know the risks.” (Old Dragon)
Peter didn’t like what the old dragon said, but he didn’t say anything else because Kel had already climbed the pedestal.
“I am Kel, and I’m supporting the house of….” (Kel)
Kel paused, realizing she never learned what the house was called.
“The Timeless Lance.” (Draama whispering)
When Draama quietly whispered to her, she repeated it exactly. There was a pause from complete confusion. Peter then noticed that Kel was looking at her father defiantly. Suddenly, there was a burst of roars from all the other dragons. Peter would have thought that they approved, but Draama heard the roars as laughter.
“Look at Kel and act like they’re beneath you.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Draama stood up slightly before responding.
“What? Why?” (Draama’ Spirit Talking)
Peter smirked.
“She needs to believe in you as much as you believe in yourself right now.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Draama then noticed a small tear forming in Kel’s eye.
“Come, great master. If these fools can’t recognize greatness, then let’s forget them. We will soon pound it into their thick skulls.” (Draama)
As the two walked off the pedestal, they could see that the old dragon stopping laughing.
“Well said young ones. The great games should be interesting, interesting indeed.” (old dragon)
After leaving the great hall of dragons, Kel led Draama back to the keep of the Timeless Lance. She then quickly settled down into the dragon lair they had for guests. Draama knew that it would become her new home from now on. She then left Kel to herself and went into the mess hall where many of the Drakan had already woken up and were eating a mid-day meal. Her father was sitting in his same old seat like always, so she walked over towards him and he got up while saluting.
“Housemaster.” (Dramix)
Draama was about to open her mouth to protest, but she kept quiet as she took her seat. Dramix then stood there at attention, causing Peter to sigh.
“Take command Draama.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Draama sighed to herself.
“I was taught to support, not command.” (Draama’s Spirit Talking)
Peter laughed hard.
“Then you should know more about commanding than you think. Have confidence young one. Without that, you’re nothing.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Draama then took a deep breath to ready herself as she grabbed a mug.
“Dramix and Naleeit, you will run house operations when the tasks are too tedious, or I’m too busy to deal with such things. You will also arrange any and all comforts our new great master desires. Find someone to be her personal servant, and also find me a way to learn about the rules and contests of the great games. We’re taking part in the great games this time.” (Draama)
Draama then took a drink from her mug before releasing the tension in her back and sitting back down. She could tell that the seat was made for being sat in for long periods of time. She could then already hear most of the others speaking about the games, as both her father and mother left her side. She was now left alone with the spirit in the amulet and her own thoughts.
After listening to the story about how her father and mother escaped the slave cages, she noticed someone at her side
“Speak.” (Draama)
She then took a step back.
“Housemaster, I’m sorry if I angered you.” (Farmer)
Draama sighed, releasing some of her annoyance.
“I wasn’t angry at you, so speak.” (Draama)
She then regained her step.
“Housemaster, you have guests.” (Farmer)
Draama looked at the door before responding.
“Show them in.” (Draama)
She then took a step back once again.
“That’s the problem housemaster. They don’t have wings.” (Farmer)
Draama started thinking.
“Are Dramix or Naleeit available?” (Draama)
The farmer that was giving her the news shook her head.
“No, housemaster. Naleeit is away looking for a shaman to take care of the great master, while Dramix is in a meeting with Kel right now and should be available shortly.” (Farmer)
Draama sighed, then she stood up and grabbed the spear leaning against her seat.
“Lead me to them.” (Draama)
