The Dragon Hailers
The Meeting
Stars streaked the darkened sky; the moon sat still between misty clouds, its pale silver light emitting faint glows. In a forest of no light, a dark owl hooted, flapping its great black wings, and opening its bright, bronze eyes.
Beyond the forest, and past a rushing river that slid smoothly over smooth pebbles, a stone, sacred tower stood with one window. The only sign of life was a wax candle that feebly flickered its last flame. However, the tower's window seemed bewitched. Everything was silent on the outside....Inside told a different story.
Constant yelling and arguing of two people were heard inside, and there was no sign of it ending. Another person stood in the shadows, taking no part of the argument, but listening all the same, he was deep in thought.
"Hornlike! This whole matter is simply ri—ridiculous!" a woman shrieked madly, she was standing up, and the long tip of her fingernail was placed directly at Hornlike's throat. At the moment, she looked perfectly scary, especially with her hazelnut hair flying about the place.
Hornlike only smiled and pushed away the woman's hand, "Nilera, perhaps this is worth a try, after all, the prophecy is true," he replied calmly, although there was a sign of victory in his voice.
"WHAT PROPHECY?! You mean the one the idiot of my sister predicted?!" Nilera screamed yelling "sister" with extra disgust. Her voice had never gone to higher pitches.
Hornlike simply shrugged lazily, "Believe it or don't believe it, but the prophecy is true and you know it too!"
"I REFUSE!! You're just saying that because you—you like my sister!! How am I different? We are of the same blood…" Nilera's voice became quiet, her eyes full of hurt. A few hot tears escaped. Nilera angrily wiped them off her pale face, looking away. Hornlike stared at Nilera, unsure of what to say.
"I would like to make a statement," a quiet voice said from the shadows. A cloaked man with a trim white beard stood into the light. Hornlike stood up from the wooden chair he sat, and bowed low, staring at the ground, " Tanives," he said.
Tanives nodded at this greeting and in a quiet tone he whispered, "I agree with Hornlike"---Nilera gasped, her expression was unreadable, although defeat was in her eyes, ---"I have seen these children, they will indeed fly free, and save our kingdom. Although this is true, citizens of our country are dying. The killings have gotten worse. Hornlike suggested we go to war with the humans. I agree," Tanives paused, looking expectantly at Nilera, who had turned back around. Nilera pursed her lips, and motioned for him to go on. When Nilera did not scream in protest, Tanives continued "We must be able to take chances. We cannot stand here doing nothing," Tanives stroke his white beard, "I have faith in these children, but if we make one mistake in training them…Havenia's future is indeed lost," Tanives murmured, his sharp golden-green eyes lost in wonder.