The room was not much more than a long oval table and some chairs. However, the unusually fine quality of the Darkwood table and the intricate carvings in the chairs of the same material betrayed the regality it held. The wall was lined with an ancient art carving of dragons transforming into humans and then back into dragons. The chairs were upholstered with rare griffon-down cushions made of red diamondbeetle silk. The Darkwood of the chairs was carved with sinuous designs in the Zhagonian tongue.

Around the elongated table with Eteocles Dorian Daer'hakan at the head and draped in intricate silk robes were the Keys of Zhagoziè. Adorned with rich traditional embroidery, each in the vibrant colors of their gyn or clan, their attire along with some headdresses, signifying their connection to their gyn and their region. Many with dragon-scale patterns. All with golden trim and accents to denote their ranks as Key. Eteocles, outfitted himself in fit of black silk with gold trimming and bold emblem of a dragon head engulfed in flames embroidered with blood crystal beads. His boots were all black with gold plated truesteel mail. His glorious presence barely outshining the other Keys in the room, he also brought Andraemon Hayd'Enox Draenugahar, the soon to be Key of Daer'Ishaan. He was dressed in a similar attire but much less grand, and he forsook the gold for more red and black, and was only wearing a darkwood circlet instead of a golden one like the rest, an odd propriety since his being present was an obvious stretch of status. Then again, so was Eteocles leading this meeting, and the call for the Usurper Clause, but without a Center no one felt much else could be done

"But what if they did survive?" Jin Drazuma, Key to the Onnixxeaun, elegantly waved his fan. The delicate artwork depicts the silhouette of wingless dragons in flight. His clan, or Gyn, is represented with a mint color of his robe and red petals embroidered as if falling from his shoulders. He stood behind his seat fluttering his fan adorned with the dragon lotus - the Drazuma family crest.

"It is already done" sighed another across the table. Baleketan, the Key of the Vysaries. Being from the tropical islands, his outer robe was more like a long vest with the Vysaries colors of royal blue and green in the intricate traditional beadwork and patterns. Adorned with feathers and dragon totem at the for head his gold ceremonial circlet and matching golden pendants dangling from his ears were all that signified his status. He tapped his staff, decorated with matching bead work and as he stood. His head was shaved on the sides where Vysaries tribal tattoos go along the side of his head above his ears. His long midnight blue hair tied up in a knot atop his head.

"The clause wipes out every royal from Key to cor. All holds and estates burned to the ground. We are inviting rebellion or even civil war if we let them escape."

"The Alimenan are making sure of that now."

"Are we sure he was behind it?" Uriaphim Heralomira sat up in her chair placing her right elbow onto the table and pointing. At the same time her partner Vaviur Zariari, "Servius' lynk a Lock Aurora, is our cousin. Onegai, understand our da'underen ra." Partners from the Lysaludal gyn, their attire was white and cyan. Headdresses adorned with white plumes and carrying staffs with moon and crescent carvings and white crystal.

"A late hour to ask that question." Eteocles clenched his teeth.

"You don't worry that the true culprit could have planned things to turn out this way?" Jin stepped forward leaning in front of Uriaphim blocking her from his view.

"Servius was the real culprit." Eteocles seethed, turning his back to them. "It seems more than a little underen zha et? In my eyes, we all saw the same evidence and voted on it."

"Onegai, let us calm down. He is right, regardless of the whether the missing Fum'Atumoyo cubs are found, they are still from the scales of a traitor." spoke the one Key who had been silent throughout the exchange. The Zema'ardyl Key Jonezyf Terrardin Zemapteran in his gold circlet with diamondbead thread cord wrapped around standing out against the copper and charcoal that made up the rest of his outfit. His long charcoal dress robe was embroidered with copper motifs from Zema'ardyl culture, his flowing charcoal colored cloak adding to his majestic appearance. His skin a fair bisque, and his close trimmed hair an aged gray.

Delius walked into the room, a hush filled the space. "The cubs are alive." He announced.

"Where are they now?" Eteocles rushed to him, placing his hands on his brother's shoulders. Delius shook his head and pulled the scroll from his sleeve holding it out for Eteocles. Dorian looked down smiling at first, then in his double take his smile was swept away by confusion.

"You went to them, without coming to me first?"

"You haven't been crowned yet" Delius sighed. His brother began to pace the room and then turned back to Eli angrily.

"Why did you abdicate? Are you sure you are done with the throne?"

"Dorian -"

"Dorian? Here in front of the Keys?"

"My apologies Eteocles, Oronye" Eli Delius knelt. "Consider this part of me giving up my reign, I could not stand witness to the end of one our longest lines being the start of your reign brother... Oronye." Delius finished with his head bowed. Eteocles snatched the scroll from his hand with sneer and walked away toward the table. He fumbled it open disdainfully and read it quickling mumbling it out to himself.

"They are to stay in Daer'Ishaan Territory?" He turned around leering.

"Not the gon! He will be sent to the elves." He pointed, standing somberly.

"OH - well I suppose I should thank you." He spat with sarcasm oozing out of every syllable.

"You are most welcome." Delius smiled and turned away.

"What am I supposed to do with the traitors toddler?!?" Eteocles yelled after his brother.

"Where would you put a hostage elf ?" Delius half turned, smiled then sauntered on his way.

Eteocles, always preferred to be called Dorian, he liked the way it sounded. The brothers were both aware of the significance. Eli Delius could walk away, because there was no way Dorian would leave the agon with someone he didn't trust to keep tabs on her. This also meant, he wouldn't be stripping her or her brother of their status as amea and asantegon. The elves would have to regard the gon as a prince in their culture as well. This time the contest between siblings would be considered a draw to one and a loss to the other.

Delius softly opened the door to where Suada Panthalis sat on a bench with the two cubs laid over onto each other and onto her lap. She had pushed it aside from the desk it sat in front of and over to the window. She had managed to activate her drakeseed and retrieve her dress. It was a beautiful layered gray and plum gown. The outer robes were draped over the cubs. The blood stains were almost completely covered by her long hair.

"Del!" She whispered, as she turned her head from the window to see who had entered, a little shocked but trying to hold her composure.

"It's done." He said, leaning back against the door to close it softly as Suada got up, careful not to wake Auster who was the most on her lap. "They will be safe," he sighed.

"Nai, Nai Nai, Eli!!!" She whisper-shouted running up to thank him. "It is all I could have asked for. I worked in your home for years, and after Sera..." She shook her head "Aurora and that family treated me like I belonged. You were always so kind Del," She caressed his cheek. He grabbed it, needing warmth and in recognizing she was colder than he, began softly rubbing it hoping to share the little he had. "But with them, it was a home. I never needed to return to Onnixxeaun, I barely missed it... Servius - he did not deserve this. Lao adenam den gon! Eteocles didn't even give them a chance Del, he must have something to do with it!"

"I don't know, I don't know Panthalis, my brother has always been after more power - more control. . . I know he seemed all too eager - but Manemnon was a mentor to both of us. I just don't see him doing something that -"

"Evil?" she interrupted.

"I was going to say terrifying," He said, stepping back.

"That is true enough."she looked away

"Suada!?"

"No - No! You weren't there! Everygon who was Fum'Oto was slaughtered without question, without hesitation. It wasn't just the Alimenam either! They-"

"That is the order Panthalis" he lowered his head and cradled his brow in his hands.

"No you are not hearing Delius!"

"I did what I could!! I won't just turn on my brother because something doesn't feel right!" He motioned aggressively trying to keep his voice down. Frustrated, he wiped his eyes and waved for her to follow him out to the hall. Quietly they crept out the door, Suada turning to sneak a final peak at the two sleeping cubs to be sure they were still resting. She softly shut the door and turned around to see an angrily pacing Delius.

"I am not, nor should anyone deny that you did the best that could be done... But you admit it, that something doesn't feel right. Daer and Fum have always been close, even next to each other in succession. You knew Servius, you fought by his side! You were at each other's weddings.." she trailed on, trying to hold back her tears as Delius stopped pacing to face her.

"I am more hurt about this than you know" he growled

"I am not trying to turn you against your brother Del, at least I won't try. Yet, you cannot seem to look me straight in the eye since I brought it up."

"Because, I know my brother - he would move quick to avenge Manemnon, and move even quicker to be Center, he could still be a pawn in this too...I know my brother."

"Not like I do." She looked up at him solemnly. "Not like someone who he doesn't respect."

"He respected Manemnon, I know that much."

"Okay, stop... We aren't getting anywhere..." She put her hands up and began to shift her balance from one leg to the other with frustration. "Where do you think he will send them?" she asked with a sigh motioning back toward the door

"Silvius,"he began softly.

"Auster-" she covered her mouth

"Will be sent off to the elves" he closed his eyes.

"But - how is that better for him? You know how elves treat dragons - we are barely sentient to them, they treat us like-"

"He will be sent over as a hostage prince."

"Well, how do you know that?" She asked, aware foresight was not his ikono.

"The Ameagon. Eteocles will want her within reach. When he was a Key, he could have sent her to some mucro nearby, but..."

"As Center, it will be harder to keep track of her if she is in a smaller province, and any surveillance would stand out more." She smirked a little bit. "But how...what does that have to do with Austeresh?" She turned to the door to sneak a quick peak and check on them as they talked.

"My brother is no fool, no matter what you say...'' he started in a hushed tone as they both looked in on the sleeping cubs. They had stretched out fully onto the cushioned bench. Silvius Austeresh lay closest to the end in their direction, Semiramishe Sasibe'Llona lay on his chest.

"He won't remove just one of their titles, especially not just the boy - it would stand out. People would call him a coward for being afraid of a twee gon - a cub at that... He will either find a way to take her to Zeneth or send her to Andraemon - the new Key of Daer'Ishaan once he becomes Center, least likely the Pylon, and send the gon over to the elves as a hostage prince. He will still be an Asantegon, but if he ever tries to return home before the right time, his life will be in danger." They closed the door again and now felt the chill of the hallway.

Suada sighed, Delius opened his arms and they came together in an embrace. Platonic as it was, it was one of the deepest either of them had in a long time. They felt how deeply they needed it and remained there a while.

"I will figure out who planned this. You and I both know Servius was investigating something important, and now he suddenly ends up the greatest traitor in zheragon history in over an era... This is not the end."

12 Years Later

It was a warm day. The sun had just come over the horizon and already Semmy felt like laying in the grass and enjoying the soft breeze. She had finally matured enough to take full form and couldn't wait for her First Flight Celebration or Tawaeya as older dragons called it. For Semmy – it was the first time she felt free from her curse as the daughter of a traitor. First Flight was an honored day for every dragon and it was finally her turn.

She couldn't help but smile staring out the window. Gons and agons were already flooding in from other tribes and cities to visit the Center Castle for the ball. Events held in Zeneth were always a free-for-all where dragons from all around came to meet and show off, network and create new betrothals. Though in the same decade as En' Zehut - engagements had slowed significantly. Everygon was also on their best behavior with Noalmon, as he heads the council that will choose the participants for those who volunteer and those who did not. If your name is drafted - you had to go - or forfeit your right to lynk. Her view from the tower, gave her full view of everygon entering the main gain and the back of the east garden.

Semmy sighed and got up from her chair. She looked around her room. Even though it was a tower room – it was not for royalty. The beams in the ceiling were visible, there were no rugs or curtains. Her mattress was the same one from when she arrived – stained and caving in. She did have an attached room, which was intended for Suada, her attendant, However she always disappeared at night, so instead it was where all of Semmy's jewelry and clothing was kept. Mostly handmade by Suada since they would not have any expensive tailors or imported diamondbeeetle silk bolts set aside for someone like her. There was nothing here to make her feel warm or welcome. Even her comforter was something Suada had put together for her and not something a princess would normally use. Every night, the time she spent in it was just a reminder of her predicament.

Today – was going to be different.