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Not one of them has moved toward us or breathed flame upon us.  Even Ryu has returned to his place behind the table of the High Court.
    Smoke accompanies the King’s words when he speaks.  I’m pretty sure this means he’s really pissed.  “You speak threats and then expect cooperation.  I knew your King to be prideful, but you have surpassed him by a hundred fold,” King Myles says to me.  Dagda stiffens by my side at the slight, but he doesn’t say anything.  Probably because he knows the Dragon King is about to agree to hear us out.  Which he does.
    Between Kallen, Dagda, Raziel and me, we tell the story.  Dagda stresses we already have an agreement with the Merpeople and Kallen shares his findings in their realm as an example of how my doppelgänger, it’s just easier to use this word instead of saying ‘the other me’ all the time, is executing leaders of realms in the same style and leaving behind magical residue similar to mine.  He says similar, not exactly like mine.  When the Dragons demand to know how this happened, Raziel reluctantly explains the Seraphim role in dispensing Divine Grace.  Should we really be sharing this information?  As he speaks, it’s obvious Raziel is embarrassed such a high ranking Angel would do something so awful.
    When we are finished, I get the feeling the clan of Dragons is torn down the middle on whether they believe us or not.  That’s okay, the only opinion which really matters is that of the King.  He may be old now and physically weaker than the rest, but he’s still the only one who gets a vote.
    King Myles beckons his High Court members closer and in harsh, raspy whispers they discuss the matter.  It doesn’t take long for them to break apart and resume their previous positions.  With more smoke bellowing from his mouth and nose, the Dragon King says, “What assistance do you require from us?”
    I try not to grin with glee.  We did it.  We convinced them not to try to kill me.  There was a time when I’d be horrified that they wanted to do so in the first place, but I’m getting used it.  Amazing what we can acclimate ourselves to over the course of our lives.
    “Warning the other realms is the first action we must take,” Dagda says.  Tana has come to stand by him now that the danger seems to be over.  She looks every bit the regal Queen in her dark blue, flowing gown that whispers against the floor when she walks.  “Once we have done so, we need to convene to discuss strategy and actions to be taken.”
    “Where do you expect this convening to take place?” the Dragon King asks already knowing the answer and already hating it.
    “As the Fae have more knowledge than any other of the strengths and weaknesses of a Witch Fairy, it is only reasonable it should take place on our soil,” Dagda replies.  Weaknesses?  What weaknesses do I have that he plans to share with the universe?
    “You truly expect delegates from every realm to respond to your demands?”  King Myles asks dryly. 
    “Only the intelligent ones,” Dagda says with a smile that could easily be described as both malicious and mocking. 
    “Be gone from this realm.  When it is time, I shall send my delegate.”  Kicked out of a realm again.  Something else I’m getting used to.  Haniel was so wrong about me having charisma.
    “A Goblin delegate will be chosen as well,” Tabitha says, surprising us and infuriating the Dragon King even more.
    King Myles really wants to tell her to go to hell, but with a flick of his eyes in my direction, he growls, “Yes.”
    Okay, time to leave before anyone else says something to push the Dragons over the edge of reason.  But, there is one more thing that should be said.  “Thank you,” I say to the irate King.  “We will prove to you what we are saying is true.”  The only response I get is a flash of fire.  Yup, time to go.

Chapter 9
     
    To be on the safe side, I put up a wall of magic while I make a passageway.