"What?!"
The proud Sky Realm Prince said that a bit too loud. And with too much emotion in his voice.
His sudden rage caught the council members off guard.
"And how do you plan to find a candidate, Council?" Kyha tried in a softer voice. One of the elder dragons continued:
"We were ready to tell you the details. The four realms represented here today will start to search for candidates, who can only be native to the Woodland Realm. The candidates will then go through a competition. This competition will be a trial to show which candidate is the most suitable for a leading position. The final decision will be based on the competition's results and the Council's decision."
"When would this happen, Council?" the dark green dragon advisor from the Fire Realm asked. His calmness somewhat irritated Kyha, like he wanted to look the wisest in the room. The little dragonet king next to him was just staring blankly into the air. Kyha assumed he could not even be a decent soldier, let alone a king of a whole realm.
He probably had no idea of the amount of power he held in that position.
Which could mean that he was more susceptible to an older dragon's advice. Kyha's mind was jumping to ideas. A whole new chapter of possibilities was open to her with these dragons who could help her reinforce her power as queen.
"We advise that you start looking for candidates tomorrow. The date of the competition will be given by us when we feel that the time has come," a council member dragon said.
"We also encourage you to help each other as leaders, instead of taking this as a competition of your own -- the Woodland Realm's future is in your hands, alliance members, however, evil plans could destroy not only our Realm, but yours as well. With this candidate election, our plan is to find the best possible dragon in Draonia capable of bringing peace and prosperity."
They then talked about a few other issues. The council asked the Sky Realm Prince about the state of their realm and their precious Forge.
"Our Realm is strong as ever," Razzaq gave a short answer. He kept on a stoic face, keeping his snout lightly high all along the meeting. His scales shone from the slight sunbeams in the Council's room. The scales of the color of lava on his belly gave him a hint of orange highlights under his eyes. He looked somewhat pretty in that pose.
"Glad to hear that. Fire Realm, is there anything our realms could do for you?" the old dragon now turned to the young dragon and his advisor.
Calun gulped, then spoke:
"We are a Realm with a rich history. The tragedy of our home, however devastating, did not at all destroy everything. We are getting stronger every day, but to accelerate this process, we do need the help of other realms. Any donations of prey and materials will be greatly appreciated and will not be forgotten by us."
The little king's speech left the council unspoken. Even the Sky Realm Prince could not utter anything out of his big mouth.
"We are glad to hear that. The Poison Realm will be eager to help your dragons at any time," Kyha spoke first. "While our Realms are divided by the Woodland Realm, taking those extra distances to support you will be no problem."
"Excuse me, Queen Kyha..." Razzaq stopped her suddenly. Kyha could feel her neck heating up in anger. "Isn't your Realm also in the midst of a total catastrophe?"
Kyha could not understand what she had just heard. What was this scumbag lizard thinking? Disrespecting her Realm in front of such company?
"I can assure you that my Realm is indeed well and flourishing."
"Is that so? I heard there was a mysterious disease killing your dragons. It is quite a popular rumor, you must have known about it."
Kyha tried to select her words carefully. She could not let those dragons think that her realm was anywhere as in trouble as the weakened ash fields of the Fire Realm.
"Indeed, there is a disease that appeared in the past. But fortunately to our doctors and their great knowledge of natural chemicals, we are close to finding a cure that completely erases that problem."
"But you haven't found it yet, have you?" Razzaq kept on going.
"Dear leaders! Let us not be concerned about the other Realm's issues. We all believe that the kings and queens gathered here know how to fight those problems. No dragon realm is ever perfect, we all know that."
"Thank you for your words and support, Council," the young king said.
"You all will be granted your own rooms here in the castle for the following days. Whether you already want to look for candidates or do that another time, is your decision. You will be welcome in our lands and our city."
All leaders and council members bowed again. Kyha's personal guards from the Poison Realm appeared next to her, and so did Razzaq's. It was only the young king who arrived only with his advisor as personal company.
They were all led to rooms in the castle. Kyha's was at the top of a tower with a large balcony and its own entrance. She had a great view of Great Oak City below, and she could easily depart or arrive by flying to the room.
Her guards were outside her room's entrance.
But they have probably heard Kyha's anger that she let out on a piece of fabric hanging from the balcony entrance. She ripped it into hundreds of little pieces with her claws.
That arrogant prince, that Sky Realm dragon made her lose her temper, which she so rarely did. She loved to keep the image of a peaceful, calm leader.
He must have been somewhere close to her room, probably in this exact tower or another one. She imagined slicing his neck and dark red blood flowing down on his lava-colored scales.
'Oh, what am I thinking!'
A plan was taking shape in Queen Kyha's head. After ripping the textile to pieces, she realized how foolish she was. She remembered that she wasn't here to make enemies.
She was here to make friends who could easily be deceived.