I Alone Breed Dragons

Chapter 65: A Meeting With The Council

As suspected, they will still believe I’m a slave in the Dragon Kingdom. There’s no way they’ll agree to just Baran will...

Still, that gives me the right to show up at the council to make a statement. That leaves them no choice then but to follow through with the old man’s will.

But that would have to wait till the time I’m ready to leave the village, once everything is set.

"Don’t go back on your word," Maltie said, strolling passed as she headed towards the village.

I locked my eyes on her. "Where are you going to?"

"Just want to say hi to Quinette." She took off into the sky, her wings flapped, gliding away.

I don’t trust her. Unfurled my wings, I flew after her, before she reaches.

---

"Hello everyone," Maltie pushed the door open, walking in with a warm smile as she greeted the family.

The house froze as everyone’s eyes landed on her.

"Baroness, Maltie." Madel aged as I— eyes landed on her, Quinette frowned, immediately as her mood soured. "What here are you still doing here?"

"A third dragon. What, brother, thinking we don’t have enough room for everyone."

Maltie crouched to my sister’s height. "Don’t worry, dear, I’m not staying, I just visiting."

I stood at the door, watching their reaction. I shoved past, Maltie shut the door behind me.

Walking in I meet my mom. Apron around her waist with a basket, she had to her hips, she sighed.

"You didn’t tell me we’re having this much visitors, Walter, I would have planned ahead."

"Don’t worry about her, she isn’t a visitor."

"You heard Walter, leave, you aren’t welcome."

Maltie held a coy smile. "What’s wrong, Quinette, are you still mad about what I did two years ago?"

"What happened two years ago?"

The two snapped to me, about to tell each parts of their story.

"So what happened was—"

"Maltie did—"

I waved my hand dismissively. "I don’t want to hear anymore," cause actually I didn’t. The two remained silent, looking speechless.

"Then what was the question for," Maltie rolled her eyes.

But my intent was already successful as both dropped their confrontation.

That aside, I turned to Madel. "How’s Randall’s training?"

"It’s going well," she said. The tone in her voice suggested something noteworthy about Randall’s training. "He had a breakthrough today, can use metal element around his arm," Madel added.

"That’s good to hear. I’ll see him tomorrow."

---

"Finally, what took you so long," Randall complained on sighting me and Madel stepping into the clearing.

I stepped into the clearing of the forest where Randall stood shirtless, highlighted under the bright morning sun.

He was here earlier than usual, he was excited, I could see it in his eyes.

"Actually you’re super early, than supposed."

"You can’t blame me, I’ve been working on things, I wanted to show you, Walter."

"Hmm, then show me."

Madel then stepped forward, instructing Randall, "just as we practiced, don’t rush it, just your arms, along."

I waited, as Randall stretched his arms forward, he shut his eyes, tensing his arm, a sharp exhale left his lips.

Gradually mana piled around his arm, I stepped forward watching closely, as then mana built up appearing in a liquid form, then darkened.

In a flash it all solidified, his arm were fully metal, stainless, their smooth surface gleamed under the sunlight.

"I can do it more easily now, what do you think?"

I smiled. "Impressive, not a full week passed you’re already showing progress. I knew I could count on you, you too, Madel, I mean this showed actually underestimated yourself to instruct."

"Glad I could help."

Randall’s body then tensed, he struggled with something while tightening his jaw. I expected something else was coming, maybe he was trying to reshape the metal on his arm, but... no he wasn’t.

"What are you doing?"

Randall gave up, releasing his breath. "I’m trying to move my fingers. The metal won’t budge."

I shook my head. "How do you expect your hand encased in metal to move."

Madel then drew forward to study Randall’s arm. "Hmm, if you control gets fluid, you could control the mana around your finger to be fluid, hardened only the surface, that way you’ll be able to move."

"Another lesson? Great. But if you really think of it, my fingers not budging is a good thing, it means no one will be able to break my fingers, uh? Uh?" Randall flickered his eyebrows at me.

I remain stoic, Madel chuckled, a quick glance at her she composed herself.

"That has to be your worst joke yet, Randall."

"You’re always a drybone, Walter."

"Continue your training," I raised a fist, walking away. "I’m counting on you."

I muttered to myself, chance he heard none, when I’m away this village will need as much power needed to keep themselves protected cause I was about to make some really powerful people enemies.

I stepped out of the treeline, I halted, noting a presence beside me.

"Is everything ready?"

Maltie then stepped forward. "Yes it is, but this better be your last request. I won’t help you with anything else. And don’t forget your promise."

"I won’t."

---

We then returned back to the house.

"What’s this?" Quinette said, surveying the dress Maltie had placed before her.

She lifted it up, it was a clean, noble dress with gold and jewelery, placed in a box at the side.

Maltie rolled her eyes, then turned to me. "You didn’t tell her?"

"Timing matters." I was stationed at the door, looking through window at the carriage set outside by Maltie, it was medium enough to display wealth.

"What didn’t you tell me."

"We’re going for a meeting. At the council, we need to go in there looking like nobles, that explains the dress I asked Maltie to bring for you."

Quinette lifted the dress closer to her.

"Why are we having a meeting with council, and you do know, doing so you reveal to the Dragon Kingdom you’re back, putting you in danger."

"I don’t fear danger, for my loved one, definitely." I retreated from the door, walking close to Quinette with deliberate step, my hand buried in my pockets.

"Besides, I was planning on returning to Heart’s house on my own free will, only when I’m inside, my plan can progress."

"Umm, excuse me..." Maltie raised a finger. "What plan exactly? Don’t you only want to be village chief, going to the Heart house isn’t necessary for that, except from helping fulfill the queen’s ultimatum."

"Some plans are meant to be shared, especially to the likes of you." Quinette gets dressed. "The plan is simple, we’re going there for a calm meeting to discuss my position as village chief."

"If all doesn’t go as planned—" my face hardened "—then we switch, with a little violence."

Quinette nodded. "I’ll get dressed." She took the clothes with her, heading into our room.

I went also to get changed into the attire Maltie had also provided, a black cashmere coat, dropped past my knees, a long-sleeve shirt tucked inside, my pants, gloves, and top all match the color of my coat, black cold.

---

I tapped my finger rhythmic on my leg, as I sat leg crossed, for our carriage to arrive at Kingston where the meeting was being held.

Maltie had handed their location, the time, everything we needed to know about the meeting.

The sound of horses galloping, pulling the carriage, filled the air.

Quinette was seated by my side, all dressed in her immaculate warm pink dress, her hair packed in a ponytail, as it was adorned in jeweled hairpins, a gold necklace around her neck, bracelets and bangles on her wrist, she looked like a proper baroness, while the scent of the lavender fragrance colored the air around her.

"If the nobles prove stubborn, how far are we going, make an example or kill them all?"

I turned to Quinette. "Just an example. Not all, but if they call their lackeys... you can kill them all."

We crossed through the border of Kingston, instantly getting cleared as nobles from the Dragon Kingdom, on visit.

The carriage halted to a stop, I looked out the window as we stopped before a majestic structure, a statue of the first king was placed at the entrance, with guards stationed all around.

"We’re here." I climbed down the carriage, offered a hand to Quinette, she took it, descended from the carriage with careful steps as she lifted the hem of her dress from the ground.

I noticed her steps, she wasn’t comfortable in the heels, at least this was a one-time thing, wouldn’t stress if she doesn’t want such.

We walked up the building, I noticed the other carriages parked outside, basic in number, all with different crest, representing different barony of different regions.

Up the stairs, approaching the main door, the huge oak door guarded by two guards in armour, we were immediately confronted, two spears crossed, blocking our entrance, then other guards, moving in from behind, blades sang out of their sheaths.

"What’s going on?"