Arulo had been born into great luxory. His father had been a powerfull man. Warrior. Landlord. Trader. By the time Arulo, the youngest of four sons, was born, the man held more lands than that of all the Chitkina combined. Now, it was his youngest´s turn.

His three brothers had all been killed in battle agains the Sailen people. Something which Arulo never forgot and never forgave of the Chitkina. They were supposed to protect humans, ensure their survival and yet, they had allowed the heirs to a mighty empire die. Aurolo hated them for this and now, he truly had come to believe the Chitkina were standing in men´s way. They were ment to protect them, serve them, not to hold them back. What sickened the young man the most were the Padeos and Niseos. Humans, taken when they were little more than babies and raised by creatures. It was unnatural. So were their abilities. Yet, for the moment, the humans still needed the Chitkina´s armies, but not for long. Arulo stood at the edge of the encampment. He smiled. The council of the Dragons had once again agreed to his terms. This was one more reason he believed it was in these creature´s nature to serve: they never looked to their people, they simply led them in such a way as they did not disturb men. After the battle, the council would announce the complete independence of the World of Men and, offer their services to Arulo. He laughed. These creatures were truly stupid! They would rather serve than break their oath to protect. Another sign of weakness, in the mind of Arulo.

His attention was drawn away as the Padeos arrived. He glared at them. The vrigda marched in front. Ten of them. He only had eyes to follow one though. He ran his tongue across his teeth. Kaia. He had to admit. He was attracted to her. It was nothing like love. He could never love anything that was not human but, there was something about her. She led the vrigda, she, in fact, led all the vrigda. It was not an official position, but it was true nonetheless. Most Padeos seemed to follow her lead. He watched her, carefully. When her services were his, she would not be able to refuse him. He didn´t want much. She could go on to have a relationship with the Niseos, Vozem. All Arulo really wanted was to have her. He laughed once more as he pictured it. It was all made the better because he´d been warned so much of that one. She was powerful, she was one with one of the most powerful dragons to have ever existed and she did not believe in serving anyone. She had no master. Arulo´s fantasies changed. He now began to wonder how exactly Kaia planned to oppose him, because he knew she would. It was inevitable. Two years ago, when they´d first met, she´d made it clear. She did not trust him. She was not so stupid. He noticed that there were four other members in her vridga. One of the was Jaffa, bearing a symbol that no other Jaffa bore. He looked closer. There was something strange about these four. They wore the symbol of Bolshoi´s house. This was interesting. They were Kaia´s kin. His mind turned once again as he noticed the other woman, the blonde one. She was Kaia´s kin.....he smiled once more before going back to his tent. He would ask to see them, before the battle.

Inside, Arulo was surprised to find a man. He recognized him. Chilaviek. Not a man. This dragon was also a problem. He had once been under the guard of Bolshoi and he´d learned much, he did not approve of the Padeos´ services being offered to men. Arulo sighed, trying to show he was not impressed.

"You humans always measure everything by wether or not it bores you."

"What do you care dragon? You believe us so weak to not even show us your true selves.....or maybe you are just afraid."

"Fear has nothing to do with it. You know this so I will not explain myself to you."

"What do you want dragon?"

"I wish to greet you and to learn if you will join us in the battle."

"I command a great army and all of it is here, is it not?"

"That is not what I asked. I want to know if you will join us."

"You will fight?"

"Yes. The Borderlands are to close to my own land, Nok."

"Ah yes.....the Land of Light....." He sat down on a rather large chair. Chilaviek could never understand the need for humans to have furniture larger than was necessary, or convinient. Arulo smiled, as if he knew some sort of secret. Chilaviek looked in his mind. There was nothing there but treachery and selfishness. "You did not seriously come here simply to greet me, did you dragon?"

"No. As I said, I wish to know if you will-"

"Fight? I suppose." Arulo tried to sound bored. Chilaviek knew the truth: fighting terrified him. He´d only been in three battles so far. He´d run away from two and had been rescued by Kaia on the third. That had been two years ago. Arulo continued, "I noticed all of the Padeos have arrived. Even the vrigda."

"Yes. They were all called to fight."

"And they all came. Well at least I can say one thing for them: they know how to obey."

"They were called to fight, not ordered to do so."

"Ah yes.....you have no masters. Intersting. A creature with no masters is a creature with no loyalty."

"The Padeos are loyal to many things, most of which you, Arulo, have little understanding."

"Teach me."

"Patience. Strength. Honor. Truth. Loyalty. Every Padeos would die three times for each."

"I am not sure I cannot trust creatures who cannot see beyond these simple words."

"They are not just simple words, Arulo."

"They are to me, dragon. But, as you often say, I am not one of your.....people." He spat the last word out with disdain. Chilaviek controlled the urge to singe the man before him. "Everyone came then? Even Kaia."

"Yes. Her vrigda is here."

"I wish to see her."

"Why?"

"It is not your concern, dragon.....if you must know, I noticed there are four more, one of them a Jaffa."

"Yes. They are of her house."

"Really? How?"

"You know how."

"I meant since when."

"Not long ago."

"Why?"

"They were lost. Kaia met them on their journey and offered to bring them to her house."

"They are Padeos then?"

"Yes."

"Why were they lost?"

"They were far from home. They have no other kin in these lands."

"What about their house?"

"They are part of Bolshoi´s house now."

"And the previous one."

"Do you sincerely care, Arulo?"

"No."

"Then it is not your concern."

Chilaviek left. He didn't even turn to acknowledge the man. Arulo despised when they did that. Dragons never bowed to men. When they were in his service, he would change all that. They would bow to men. All men, even the most lowly. Arulo found this amusing. He enjoyed picturing the Chitkina (especially the Dragons) being humiliated. His musings continued until a voice called out to him. It was Kaia.