As Draama was leaving the hall, she noticed that some banners were being strung up around the keep for the first time. They were plain and simple, but the image was of a dragon sitting on a spear on a green cloth. She then paused to see one of them being lead off the cliff and down into the valley where most of the farmland was. The banners were even being put on farmhouses, stables, and barns. It seemed like a small army camp was encircled by the farmhands, causing Draama to land in annoyance.
“Who is this guest that has everyone stop working?” (Draama)
All the Drakan workers turned toward her and parted to show several soldiers around the parameter of a table with some of the lands produce on it.
One of the caravan leaders walked over to her before speaking.
“Housemaster, these are nobles from the Gile kingdom. They came here to see your parents.” (Caravan Leader)
Draama stepped forward again and walked over to the guards.
“You may step aside. The rest of you, go back to your duties or you won’t eat when rations start getting low.” (Draama)
Instantly, most of the workers started to part, but some of them stayed around to take care of the guests. Her actions caught the attention of the oldest person at the table as well.
“Let her pass.” (Elderly Man)
The guards parted, so she walked forward once again to the table where two humans were sitting, one of which was older by nearly twenty years. After a moment, she jabbed her spear into the ground and relaxed.
“Uncle Gulliver, my mother’s told me so much about you.” (Draama)
The older one smiled widely.
“The last time I saw Naleeit, she was barely pregnant with you.” (Gulliver)
Draama positioned herself to sit down and had a joyful expression on her face.
“It’s been well over thirty years; it was right after the great war.” (Draama)
Gulliver laughed lightly before speaking.
“I’d be dead if not for Naleeit and Dramix. We mere men don’t have the gift of a long life like your kind or the elves do, but we don’t perish so easily either.” (Gulliver)
Draama nodded
“Fair enough. So, what brings you so far from your kingdom?” (Draama)
Gulliver sighed.
“Alas, I’m just an old man right now whose heir has taken over the throne. I decided to do some sightseeing because I often wondered about this homeland that my good friend spoke about. Speaking of, here he comes.” (Gulliver)
Draama didn’t even need to turn around to hear Dramix’s wings being used. What bothered her though is that there was another set with him.
“Why are you here as well great master?” (Draama’s Spirit Talking)
There was some joy in her response.
“Since this might be my only opportunity to learn about this other race in person, I’m taking it.” (Kel)
Draama didn’t even turn around, as her father sat down at her side, with Kel sitting down on the other.
“Father, what sort of creature is that?” (Gulliver’s son)
Dramix spoke next.
“The great master is wondering the same about you as well stranger. Be honored that you’re the first of the wingless breeds in over a thousand years to see our ancestral dragons.” (Dramix)
Peter laughed hard, as even the guards were in complete awe at Kel’s presence. Dramix then looked at her and she nodded, so he went around the table to where Gulliver was standing. They then grabbed each other’s arms and embraced like old warriors who hadn’t seen one another in a long time. As soon as that was done, Dramix pointed at one of the Drakan that was standing around. “ What are you doing just standing around!? Bring some food and wine for my old friend.” (Dramix)
Dramix caught himself right after.
“If that’s fine with the housemaster and the great master?” (Dramix)
They both nodded. Not a moment later, Dramix and Gulliver were utterly oblivious to everyone around them except when the food and drinks came. This left Draama and Kel alone with the other human at the end of the table. The two kept looking at the other in wonder, while Draama was ignored. It was well into the meal when Kel finally spoke to her.
“I tried speaking to him, but I received strange responses.” (Kel)
Draama looked at the other human again.
“Great one, spirit speech is easy for you and a shaman like myself. Even other Drakan can understand it with some training, but he’s none of those. Let me be your medium.” (Draama’s Spirit Talking)
Kel nodded before biting into a chicken leg and eating it whole.
“What’s your name?” (Draama)
The man suddenly looked at Draama while startled.
“I’m Prince Valerian. Is it only me or do you hear strange things when you look at….” (Valerian)
He then paused and gestured at Kel, who had just belched.
“She’s trying to communicate with you, but you two are too different. I’ll be speaking for her.” (Draama)
Prince Valerian looked back toward Kel before responding.
“Will it understand me though?” (Prince Valerian)
Draama chuckled.
“She’s unable to use your tongue, not understand it. She is by far smarter than my father or myself.” (Draama)
Kel nodded.
“What did it say just now?” (Prince Valerian)
Draama tensed her hands some before responding.
“That I give her too much credit, and that you’re directly insulting her by calling her an ‘it’. If you continue to do so, I will have to correct your behavior, the hard way if need be.” (Draama)
The two then stopped talking as the prince drew his sword.
“You and what army?” (Prince Valerian)
Instantly, Draama grabbed her spear and raised it over her head. Almost immediately after that, every Drakan around them grabbed any tool they could find and walked toward them as the soldiers readied themselves.
“Don’t take us lightly. Every one of them is willing to throw their lives away to protect the people at this table. Don’t think that it will be that easy to take us on either, each of them has undergone combat training. Even if they have to use a wooden ax or a battle-ax, they can still destroy the armor that you and your men wear. All I have to do is give them the command and this land will be painted red with blood.” (Draama)
Prince Valerian then took a moment to consider his position before putting his sword away and laughing while sitting down.
“Very well, I stand corrected.” (Prince Valerian)
Draama slowly lowered her arm and planted her spear back into the ground. All the other Drakans returned to their duties as well.
Kel then looked at Draama before chuckling.
“He’s a lot wiser than some of my brothers. Three of them have already barged into my new lair wanting to take control of my new house.” (Kel)
Draama chuckled as well.
“Now what?” (Prince Valerian)
Prince Valerian wasn’t amused since he didn’t understand the joke.
“She said that you’re also much wiser than you appear.” (Draama)
Draama paused.
“As for introductions, her name is Kel and I’m Draama of the house of the Timeless Lance.” (Draama)
Valerian raised his glass.
“May this be the beginning of a fruitful friendship.” (Prince Valerian)
Draama raised hers as well.
“If that is our fate.” (Draama)
They both drank, then Kel went under the table to where the gold engraved container set aside for her was. After a moment, she came back up and belched before looking at Draama.
“We have company.” (Kel)
Draama sighed worriedly before responding.
“I know, I can hear them.” (Draama’s Spirit Talking)
