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The Drakonian council meetings took place in a rather secluded area of the planet, tucked into a cave that swelled beneath the forest soil. All forests on Drakonia were conservation areas protected by the government. The public was not permitted to enter. Only specific council members, along with the King, could enter the locations that changed each month. It was all to protect the King from potential enemies. It was Kael’s job as Captain of the Army to choose each area, and that month, he was thankful he picked somewhere close.
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the nanny. He had only just met her, but he had heard things about Earthlings. They could be rather clumsy and stupid. Sarah, though, hadn’t shown any signs of distrustful behavior thus far. She had put him in his place, though, which would have booked anyone from his planet to the front of the line for the guillotine.
He wondered if it was an Earth thing. And part of him, though initially offended, enjoyed her refreshing sense of righteousness. Everyone around Kael always had their head bowed, either out of fear of repercussion or cautiousness about his loss. Grief made beings question their own mortality and avoid others who had already been punished by it. It was like a curse that no one wanted to catch.
Kael couldn’t blame them. He avoided the topic as well. He hovered into the cave after his vehicle was scanned, two big lofty doors parting. He hoped he could get through the meeting and get back home to see how Sarah was settling in with Suki.
And to deal with the real problems burdened by the kingdom.
All council members wore their Drakonian uniforms, which consisted of sleek military clothes and a velvet cape. The cape was scarlet, the shade of the King’s tracings on his skin. He had his own place upon the throne elevated while the others sat below him in metallic booths. The ceiling was entirely transparent, showing off the lilac kiss of the sky.
“This meeting is in session!” the moderator said. “Stand and bow to your King!”
The King entered, accompanied by his two guards. They were men appointed to the King’s guard by Kael himself, young but more than capable.
The King gave Kael a nod. It was a power move, an acknowledgment of their connection that extended far beyond kinship of position. The King trusted Kael wholeheartedly. It wasn’t something the Captain was ever going to take for granted.
“As you were,” King Cosmos said, taking a leisurely seat. “What do we have on the tab for today?”
Usually, there was structure to such meetings. Kael adored structure. He thrived on it. It was what made him such a great Captain and military leader. He made sure everyone fell in line, and if they didn’t, they were cast out. Simple, easy, and effective.
“I have one simple request, My King.”
Kael blew his lips out. He knew that voice, and he knew it well. Sitting behind him in his booth with his legs propped up on the table, arms placed behind his head as if smoking in a popular Drakonian lounge was Aric.
Aric had floppy, orange-colored hair that often blocked his eyes. His tracings were chaotic and the color of a sore wound. He wore his uniform haphazardly, which more than ruffled Kael’s feathers.
“Aric,” the King said, anticipating the young Drakonian’s antics. “What more boorish tales do you have ready for us?”
Aric burst into laughter. Kael clenched his fists on the table, the stench of disrespect putrid and far-reaching.
“Oh, I won’t go on a diatribe today,” Aric said, rising to his feet. “I simply needed to pose a question to the council, and it has to do with our man here, dearest Captain.”
Aric wouldn’t dare lay a hand upon the Captain of the King’s army. But he was achingly close, laying it upon the silver table before Kael. Aric then leaned forward and barked a vexing laugh that sounded like his lungs were filled with hornets. Kael knew he liked to play the part of the court jester, the fool. But it was a mask he wore well.
He was far more cunning with much more malicious intentions than the King, or anyone else for that matter, could really intuit.
“Speak your mind,” the King said, raising his voice.
Aric cackled, then faced the King once more.
“My question has two parts, My King. The first is that of a common grievance. Kael’s mind is clouded by his loss. How is he a leader we can trust?”
The rest of the council members grumbled, leading the moderator to bash his gavel. Kael said nothing. He knew what Aric was trying to do. It was his way, as it always had been, to stir the pot.
“Come, come now, I have the floor!” Aric said, smiling broadly. “I am seeking a genuine answer. But please, one more question.”
“Speak now, Councilman Aric,” the moderator boomed. “There are many issues on the docket today!”
“All right, all right,” Aric said, smiling, then placed his hand on his chest. “I am of the utmost genuine concern that our great Captain is not only still blinded by his grief but also has sinister motives when it comes to the well-being of our kind.”
The room erupted, some with concern, some with righteous outrage.
“Order!” The moderator bashed the gavel.
“What say you, Kael?” one of the councilmen shouted.
It was chaos, and that was what Aric wanted. Kael made eye contact with the King, who merely dropped a hand, palm to the sky, with a “what can you do” gesture.
