Who's in Charge???

The next morning Aralt left his home and started to the council building.  He had not sent a message ahead to let the others know he was coming as he figured that if he took his time someone would notice him and inform the others.  "Minions are so useful that way," he thought as he noticed one.  Meen, (he thought someone had called her) was leaping around acting like she wasn't watching for him. 

​"Hhhmm, the Sleeping Sisters are also involved," Aralt realized when he recognized the bird as a magpie sitting in a tree behind the other minion.  "I do wonder what this council has been up to in my absence."

As Meen caught sight of the Herald coming out of his home, she quickly jumped the last log as she tried to get back to the council chamber to alert the others of his approach.  "This spying stuff is fun," Meen thought to herself.  "I can actually play my favorite game of Leap without even getting into trouble."  But she apparently did not need to worry too much of Aralt beating her to the council chamber.  "He seems to be stopping at several of the local shops and apparently taking his own sweet time to arrive at the chamber.  I wonder if he is part Pkysee like me since he seems to be playing instead of worrying about getting to the meeting," Meen pondered for a moment.  Aralt even stopped by the local brewer to place an order of Dragon's Brew to be delivered to his home later today.  It wasn't until he finished his tea and biscuit at the teashop that he finally started towards the chambers.  "That should have given those silly council members plenty of time to arrive," he smiled, knowing that he was subtlety letting them know who will be in charge of this meeting.  

When he walked through the chamber doorway, he was not surprised to see several of the town councilors already seated and waiting for his arrival.  He noticed immediately the Sleeping Sister by her headpiece and serene look as if she was meditating and biding her time.  "Is that a reporter sitting next to her?"  Aralt thought to himself.  "He must be since he has a copy of the Bellwether laying on the desk and scribbling away with his quill.  The others are only a guess."

​"But I would have to surmise with this mix of citizens here, the Troll and the young Nyte Shade must be important as well as the older couple in the corner."  As if they heard his unspoken thoughts, the older couple both turned their attention to him.  

"I am the Dowager Griselda and this is my son Baron Belvedere Allowishes Theodore Steffon.  Our greetings from one of the last members of the Dragon Clan to you Herald," she spoke to Aralt (sounding to him like she was royalty waiting for him to deliver a message).  Aralt took a slow breath and only nodded his head and waited for her to continue the introductions.  It took a minute before the Dowager realized what the Herald was waiting for before she continued. 

"This is Queen Ffion of the Shadows' Realm, King Dulbbe of the Trolls, Awena of the Sleeping Sisters, and Efem the Tree Mother.  The others are citizens of the Realms who are here to witness this historic occasion.  We also have Augustus, The Earl of Grey, who is also the editor of the local newspaper, The Bellwether, to record this news worthy event."  ​

Aralt let the silence last a little longer when the introductions were completed.  "I must show them I am in charge here," he thought as he silently walked to a corner of the room so all had to turn to see him.  "I am Aralt the Herald.  I speak to and for the Dragons and the Clans and will prepare the way for the return of the Dragons.  Soon they will return and we must be prepared to make sure they cause no chaos nor reek havoc among the fae folk or the Outies.  I will meet with their leader, the most powerful of their kind - a Wish Dragon.  Upon her return I will re-establish the rules of order laid down by me in the past for their conduct.  If I need your assistance, I will ask for it then.  I expect you will all be available and require each of you to have a runner or setup a message system so that I may contact you when I need your assistance.  If there are no questions, then we are adjourned," he finished as he started towards the chamber doors.

"But what about Hungry?" Meen uttered to Queen Ffion.  "I mean Dre..." she started to add before she saw the look she was getting from all of the others.  "Opps..." she muttered as she tried to find someplace to to look other than at everyone who was glaring at her.

"What was that all about," thought Aralt as he slowly was walking towards the open doors.  "Maybe I should see if there is something I should know."  Looking at everyone now watching him and not saying a word, the Herald decided that he definitely was missing something.  "They should all be complaining or trying to get me to say something more," he pondered and then realized, "they are waiting for me to leave.  Yes, there is definitely something else going on here."

Deciding on a new tact, he stopped just short of the doorway and turned back towards the council.  "I am sorry.  Being alone for so many years has made me a little brusque in my ways.  I am concerned for the safety of everyone in the Realms and sometimes I do not present myself as cordial as I should.  I have been gone for so long and so many things have changed, I would like to meet with all of you to see what I should know that will help me prepare for the Dragon's return," he finished as he sat down in one of the nearby chairs and awaited their response.   

It was slow in coming.  Actually it was none as no one wanted to be the first to speak back.  "I came on too strong," Aralt realized as he waited.  "I will have to start this."

"Dowager Griselda, I am honored to be met by a member of the Dragon Clan.  I will rely on your assistance upon the Dragons return as you are one of the few who really understand the importance of what I need to do.  We must keep the Dragons under our control if we are to maintain the peace and harmony of our way of life."

As the Dowager remembered the incident with the scroll showing her past and why the Dragon clan was formed, she knew that their decision not to tell the Herald about Dree, the Moon Dragon, had been for the best.