Reyna watched bemused as the sullen General left the hall, when she turned to her guest once more she caught Indys quickly trying to hide her smile. Good, thought the young Queen, maybe she was connecting with Niko's Braid. "Please don't mind the General, he is after all eight hundred years old, we all know how grouchy the very elderly can be." She smiled, Niko and Indys each gave an uncomfortable chuckle, Ezra looked to be getting increasingly more uncomfortable.

Gililion's tantrum had definitely drained any positive energy from the room, she meant to change it, "Vex, honey, make us laugh." She said to the fool at her feet.

The jester leapt deftly to his feet, the bells on his toes and hat jingling as he did so. His black gloved hands then grabbed the corner edge of the table and he sprung into a handstand, holding himself upside down on the tables ledge. Reyna smiled and clapped happily as bright eyed, gleeful Vex looked at her. He held the handstand between herself and Ezra for a moment longer, before arching his back and gently placing his feet on the table, amazingly he disturbed nothing on the table as he now crouched in front of Ezra's plate. The fool then waived his gloved hands around as if trying to spin a spell, and then whispered at Ezra, "Birds for the birdman." With a final flourish of his hands, two Fire Spider birds fluttered from his hands, as if by magic. The red-beaked black birds name derived from the small poisonous spiders they preyed upon. The tiny birds raced around the room in a playful flight, they were a bird loved by the people, killing the spiders that bit and caused mankind so much pain.

Ezra was neither startled, or scared, by the birds that flew only some small breaths away from his face, barely missing him. His hands clenched tightly to the edge of the dining table, his face a strange mixture of anger, pain, and something she couldn't quite tell. Vex then folded in each arm like a chicken wing and flapped them a few times, clucking like a chicken as well, when suddenly an egg plopped out of the fool's magic hiney, wobbly-rolling across the table top and stopping after hitting Ezra's plate.

"Bravo Vex! Bravo!" Clucked the delighted Queen.

Vex then performed a cartwheel to his left, crouching uncomfortably close to Indys, hovering directly over her goblet he said seductively, "Tea-bag love?" Indys looked at the fool's crotch barely touching the edge of her goblet, as she did so Vex leaned over and kissed her on the forehead before she could react.

"Oh Vex, you're such a vert." Joked the Queen, "Forgive his vulgarity Indys, most of the time he's harmless, but as you can see, he can be crude sometimes." She gave Vex a mock look of anger before quipping, "Enough Vex, you're done for today."

"As you will my Queen." Said Vex as he grabbed the table edge by Indys left elbow and performed a one-handed, hand stand before agilely dismounting to land on the floor, "Yiipes!" He squeaked now standing next to Indys chair.

"Wonderful, bravo indeed, Vex!" Praised Indys in a loud voice, she tilted her head slightly motioning for the fool to come closer, puckering her lips as if wanting a kiss. The fool hesitated for only a brief second too long, Indys put a little more pressure on the dagger tip she'd had between the fool's legs upon his dismounting of the table, the dagger blade long enough that her hand was able to stay under the table and out of the others sight. Vex bent in closely, she put her lips close to the fool's ear and whispered, "Touch me again fool, and I will kill you."

Vex pulled away smiling furtively, "Careful Duchess, I love dirty talk like that."

Feeling his breath on her neck made her stomach churn, she wanted nothing more than to push that dagger through his sack and pin his nuts to his ears, but resisted the urge. Reluctantly she pulled the dagger away, Vex did a few more cartwheels, before landing on his feet once more, he gave the room a deep bow before turning to walk out of the room. "Duchess Anlace I look forward to making my point with you someday."  The jester smiled at her wickedly and left the room

The Queen looked at Indys, oblivious to the words between the jester and her guest, "I must say Indys, it is such a treat to have you as one of my Dracgons, for the Draca to choose you must mean you possess a great strength worthy of a Dracgon."

"Thank you, your Highness." Said Indys.

"I know that being the first woman Dracgon may seem somewhat intimidating, I want you to know that if you have any needs or concerns you can come to me with them, no matter how small you think they may be."

Indys nodded, "Thank you my Queen, I appreciate that." Reyna wasn't sure, but did she sense hesitation in Indys response?

Reyna looked around the table once more, meeting the full colored moons that were her Dracgon's eyes, "I also know that you each carry your own burdens just by being Dracgons of your Houses. You rarely get the adulation's you deserve, and get even less appreciation for the sacrifices you make just so the rest of us can live monster free lives." She made sure to look at Niko as she spoke, "I know my words may seem cliché now, but on the Day of Knowing, the Known will show all, and you will be rewarded with everlasting peace in the Endless Empire." She paused a moment before continuing, noticing the increasing discomfort Ezra seemed to be in the longer she spoke. "But I want to recognize the sacrifices it takes to be a Dracgon also, the countless hours of training, the loves forsaken," she once again looked at Niko, the Captain held her stare till she moved on, "the family lost, and all the bloody battles fought. That is why I schedule these two-year tours at the capital for my Braids, for these two year tours we do our very best to let you indulge in all of life's little...and big pleasures. So, while you're here, do keep up with your training," she gave Ezra a look, the disheveled Dracgon quickly looked away, head bowing, "but also indulge in life, take in the beautiful world the Known has chosen to share with us, feel what it's like to just live. Your lives are long, and full of fighting and blood shed, to which I and all the people are eternally grateful for, and I know these two-year little respites can by no means make up for all the sacrifices you make, I do hope they can comfort you in some way, and shows you a little bit of the gratitude we all feel." Reyna raised her cup, "To the Queen's Reigns, forever Braided."

"Forever Braided." Responded each member of her dinner party, they too raising their cups in a toast, before each taking a drink.

She noticed Ezra's toast seemed half-hearted, and forced, but she could see he was putting forth an effort to be one with this Braid, and that was all she could ask for. But, he had proven himself so much in the past as a Bishop stationed at the Bridge of Ancients, Reyna could only guess that somehow the Draca had changed him, and not for the better. She knew she was treading on shaky ground, the Royal Logs were filled with the checkered past of the Dracgons of House Cleave. She was beginning to wonder if Ezra would be another disappointment, in a long line of them for House Cleave. For reasons no Queen had ever been able to discover, the Dracgons of House Cleave were an enigma to the crown, their service quiet and undistinguished.

"Ezra," she began, "your service as a Bishop has been a decorated one, much like your father and his father before him. But, I can't help but notice that you're are not the soldier you once were." If the words stung, or offended, Ezra's face betrayed nothing, she went on, "I want you to be the soldier you once were Ezra, we are all on the same side, fighting the same enemies. I want you to know that no matter what is going on in your life that I am here for you, if you have any problems I want you to know that you can come to me with them, and I will do everything in my power to make it better. You're a noble soul Ezra Cleave, I need your devoted services, you are invaluable to me." She reached out to touch his left hand affectionately, he made as if he were reaching for his cup to avoid her touch, Reyna took the slight and went on, "I want you to be the greatest Dracgon that House Cleave has ever seen."

"I thank you your Highness," began a reluctant Ezra, "and I beg your pardon for any past behaviors of mine that would have you questioning my loyalties. Receiving the gift of the Draca has been..." he looked for the words, "life changing to say the least." The disheveled knight spoke honestly, if not cryptically.

Reyna nodded her empathy, "I am aware of the burdens that come with the Draca, the Dracgon Scribes tell of the lives of all the Dracgons, both past and present." Reyna chose her next words carefully, she wanted Ezra's trust, but also wanted him to know she expected more, "I've been looking at the histories of House Cleave's Dracgons, and have found it paled compared to the other Houses. Your house analogues beg for a true hero, I hope you are the Dracgon that brings unprecedented honor to both your House and your Queen. Be the first true hero of House Cleave, the first are always most revered." The Queen's eyes stared aloft, as if gazing at a time unseen to all but her.

Ezra's violet eyes met the Queen's far off gaze, the silence awkward, "I will do better your Highness."

The Queen eyes fixated on the room once more, her thoughts coming quickly, "Yes Ezra, please see that you do." The warmth that had once been in her words now seemed absent, their meaning to be taken as more of an order than request. Reyna now seemed preoccupied with memories of a distant past, she took a spoonful of the soup, hoping that would hide her wondering s. She meant to press him further but before she could, a familiar voice crept into her mind.

"My...Queen," came Lott's linked message to her, "an air-barge from the south is approaching fast, flying the flag of House Pierce."

"Are you sure?" Asked the worried Queen.

Lott's long pause annoyed her, she was sure the question had offended the enslaved dragon, Lott was never wrong, or dishonest with her, the beast knew the price she would demand of him if he were ever to fail her. She held Lott as a captive, but the entire dragon race belonged to her as well, even if they were thousands of miles away. Lott was just a conduit to the draca, the life-giving force possessed by all dragons, but she was the one who wielded that power, ruled that power, and Lott was fully aware of this, so he did all she asked of him, fearing for the fate of his brethren if he did not.

"I...I am positive of it my..Queen, the blue flags of House Pierce flies from the mast, Reyna, of that I am sure."

She clenched her teeth, Lott addressing her by name was one of the fool dragon's ways of annoying her, something the dragon knew also. "How long till they arrive?"

"They are circling the docks as we speak." Replied Lott blandly.

That meant she only had a few minutes before they would be descending and entering the mountain keep through the Lake Steps. That was the path way all royal air-ships used when arriving at the Lance, they would circle high above the top of the mountain before setting down on Pommel Lake. The Royal Airmen would land the barges on the lake's crystal-clear waters, and sail into the small lake town of Hilt sitting atop Queens Lance. The Royal Guards of House Wrent would escort them down into the mountain itself where the rocky mountain walls gradually turned into the fine stone masonry of the ancients long past. During this trek the dirt and rocky trail went from a rough packed earth to the fine Alabastar sheen stone that led to the highest tower within the mountain keep, Peril's Tower. Housed within the tower was the Royal Sleds, piloted by more member of House Wrent. The new arrivals would then be flown to the air-docks of the palace itself, flying high over the Alabastar city of Queens Lance, to the glistening towers and stones of the Royal Palace.

"Find out as much as you can, as fast as you can and report back to me." She went to end the link but noticed a smoky dragon's eye within the wall to her left, one that only she could see. "Is there something else Lott?" Once again, another long pause from the enslaved dragon, was he being even more stubborn, and disrespectful? She would make him rue the....

As if reading her dark thoughts, he spoke, "Yes, my...Queen, the Alabastar on the barge speaks to me...or rather warns me...there is danger on that barge...tainted Alabastar. Touched? Or maybe used for something....something I've felt only on other worlds, but never this one, so...."

Reyna grew inpatient, "What Lott! WHAT?!!" she insisted, cutting him off. Lott's stare pierced her, her stomach knotting, as the dragon's eye squinted and seemed to bore through her even more if that were possible.

"Dark Fire, my... Queen, lost fire, my... Queen, the Forever Fire!"

Reyna's heart sank, it took all her will to keep her hands from shaking, she quickly put down the goblet of wine, in case her nerves betrayed her. She wiped the sides of her mouth, and gracefully stood, "I am horribly sorry Captain Niko, Ezra, Indys, I have a pressing matter I must attend to that has been brought to my attention, my sincerest apologies, I promise you we will pick this up later. Please enjoy your dinners." She nodded curtly and before any of them could get up she quickly turned and left the room.

The Queen's abrupt exit left the members of the Braid sitting quietly, leaving Niko to wonder what, or how something had been brought to the Queen's attention while she had been sitting at the dining table? No messengers had entered the dining hall since they had arrived, what had caused the Queen to make such haste? Indys picked at her plate, as if she too were troubled by the Queen's hasty departure. Ezra seemed oblivious to the Queen's exit, he was staring intently at one of the spider birds as it flew off down the hall that the Queen had exited, the second smaller bird following suit.

Ezra then stood up, his gaze still looking distant and unfocused, "That's my que as well, Captain, Indys, if you'll excuse me." The disheveled knight didn't wait for a reply, draining his goblet and quickly exiting the dining hall.

Indys ignored the exiting knight, her gaze instead following the two Spider birds that had chased after the Queen. Niko wasn't sure if he saw doubt or...suspicion in the lovely red eyes of Indys Anlace. She craned her neck to keep the birds in view for as long as she could, Niko the only thing drawing her attention back to table.

"I can honestly say that is the strangest meal I've ever had." Began Niko, "I am ignorant when it comes to the games of the Queen's court and what not, but this dinner had some strange under tones to it."

Indys wiped both corners of her mouth, feeling guilt about the knowledge she had of Ezra that she was keeping from her Captain, "I'm sorry Captain, I'm suddenly not so hungry."

Niko watched as Indys got up and abruptly left as well, leaving the Captain alone with his thoughts. Niko sat alone in the hall, feeling frustrated and disappointed. He had hoped this dinner with the Queen would put the members of his braid at ease and mend the splintered relationship between them and their General, but if anything, it had fractured it even more. He knew asking the Queen to let him train the Braid was stepping on Gililion's pride, but the venom the General now had for all of them was something that needed to be ironed out, one way or another. He could understand Gili's frustrations and anger towards Ezra, but not Indys. A Dracgon's sex should have nothing to do with how the General treated them, she was more than capable of holding her own against any vampire or werewolf, this he was sure of. So why all the animosity? Niko got up and drained his goblet, the red wine going down smooth. He was tempted to get another but thought better of it, he wanted a clear head for when he would try to reach out to Popper later. He hadn't heard from his friend since he had flown off to fight the Scalder, that had been almost four days ago, it had Niko worried. He headed out of the dining hall, he would grab his horse and head out of the Lance, hoping a nice evening flight would clear his head and let him 'link' with Popper. The Captain exited the castle in a much darker mood than when he had entered.

The two Fire- Spider birds flitted through the high castle hallways, one darting around the other in playful flight. The vast keep was lightly staffed now, so their playful darting and diving went all but unnoticed in the quiet halls. Their red beaks poked and pecked at one another, a red and black blur of beaks and feathers, the two playful creatures jousting for supremacy. Their presence while pretty to the eye went unnoticed by Reyna as she marched towards Peril's Tower, the bird's fast fluttering wings quiet to all but the most astute of bird watchers. Reyna deep in troubled thought, turned right at one of the vast halls with no thought of playful birds. As she turned, one of the happy birds pecked hard at the other, letting it know that it no longer wished to play. The bird's eyes fixed on the Queen and now seemed to be flying with a purpose, following the quickening pace of the monarch. The other bird tried in vain to get its partner to play once again, but the bird with purpose pecked it hard a few more times to get its point across, so it too flew after the Queen, feeling a little sullen.

The walk took the Queen down numerous Alabastar corridors in the great mountain castle, the dim hue now emitted from the Alabastar seemed to be darkening with the young Queen's mood. The flitting reflections of the bird's flight bouncing off the walls and ceiling, gleefully filling the eyes of one of Nazra's most long forgotten predators. The playful bird, lagging behind it's boring companion suddenly seemed struck by madness, the small bird darted towards ceiling, smacking violently against the Alabastar ceiling only to be swallowed up by the predator lurking within. The other bird flew on oblivious of its companion's fate, too intent on following the young Queen. The predator within the walls now turned its eye to another, the hunger maddening, trying to focus like trying to catch a shadow and kiss it. The predator eyed the Queen lustily.

The lone Spider-Fire bird glided above the Queen, just as it was almost directly above her, the madness seized it. The bird lurched with a jerk, as if two thoughts at once were running through its bird brain, with one thought winning over the other. The bird immediately dove towards the hurried Queen, barreling down on her at full speed. The predator within wanted to let out a mighty roar but knew that it could only muster a small birds pathetic caw, so it chose to remain silent, continuing its hate filled dive towards the Queen. The Queen, as if sensing something suddenly stopped, only briefly, but causing the predator to pause, before once again darting furiously towards her. The Queen the sped up, the mad diving bird lightly brushed against her leg, before it too was swallowed up by the smooth Alabastar. Reyna continued on, deaths fettered touch going unnoticed by the woman sitting on the high throne of human kind. The predator growled as the madness once again threatened to overtake him, the birds providing only a moments respite to a parched pallet. For a moment he had felt something within the bird, another presence perhaps? But the madness made it hard for him to concentrate, his thoughts only a smoldering fog kept far beyond his feeble grasp. The burning fire was upon him all thought lost, he tried to hold on to the knowledge gained but the white tide of the Alabastar fire once again swallowing him, pulling him into the painful grip of oblivion.

---

Lott roared through the castle in gleeful triumph, or he would have had he a physical form to do so. He was risking his brethren for a remote chance of escape. But it had happened, the first bird had gone crazy with the compulsion, but the second one, the second one! It had gotten so close, so close to hitting the witch. For the first time in centuries the apex predator within the Alabastar castle was stirring, a beast that had been famished slowly inching his way back from a fate worse than death itself. For once the imprisoned dragon king was feeling something more than utter despair, something more than pain, and the woeful knowledge that he could be his entire races demise. After almost eight hundred years of constant torment the dragon felt a tinge of something long forgotten...HOPE.

"Lott! Lott!"

Lott's exhilaration was quickly quashed, the Bitch was summoning him again. He seen her just entering Peril's Tower, the dragon king smiled to himself, the Queen oblivious of her own true peril.

"Yes.....myQueen?"