Lukas found himself in the giant throne room where the Lady Kaitlyn Drakos sat before the crowd of nobles, her expression neutral while her eyes displayed a storm of emotions that the Lordling could not attempt to comprehend. They were not alone, surrounded by the Dragonborn that they could trust.
Katrina stood at Lukas' right, struggling to keep her emotions in check. She had her blonde hair tied up into a tight bun, her eyes fierce. While most of the nobles around them wore robes of silk, she donned her armor with her gigantic warhammer remaining strapped to her back. She had rose to meet the responsibilities of the Warden well and it showed. The young girl seemed more sure of herself, confident in her abilities more than ever. Lukas had made the right choice making her the one to succeed Samuel's old post.
Jesse stood at his left, glancing at Lukas from time to time. But he seemed busy scanning the faces in the crowd, his eyes darting around every few seconds; studying the room. Lukas could only imagine what was going on in that young boy's head. Intelligent beyond his years. Silence filled the court as the seconds went by, awaiting judgement from the dragon who sat on the throne.
Lukas and Jesse had just delivered the news of what information they had gained from the Kraken's interrogation. He had refused to say more on Lord Rodan's whereabouts until he was guaranteed a pardon. If he had no confirmation that he would live to see another day then he would not speak.
Jesse's father, Samuel Sterling, was situated right next to Lady Kaitlyn. He had become a very valuable advisor to the consort since stepping down from his position as the Warden of Kuria Prison and had been doing his part to help the Seas in any way he could.
His mother, Selene of Dawn, had been appointed to the Royal Guard especially after her display of strength on the fateful night where the Seas witnessed the Fall of the Kraken. Now, the retired warlord and former General of the Seas was solely responsible for the safety of the Regent, Lady Kaitlyn. She was dressed in red flowing robes and flashed her son a toothy smile when their eyes met.
"How sure are you of his words, Lukas? We don't have nothing to confirm whether he speaks the truth, no?" The Lady Kaitlyn finally spoke, her tone as calm as ever.
"He swore it on the River Styx." Lukas had learnt the power of such an oath. Jesse and Marshall Sterling had scoffed at the Kraken's initial claim but once he said those words, their expressions changed immediately. To break an oath sworn on the River Styx would be worse than death for its punishments would chase you even after your passing.
"I…will need some time to think about this." The Lady Kaitlyn finally decided,
Katrina finally spoke up. She had been the first one Lukas had gone to with the information because beyond politics and decision-making, she was Rodan's daughter. This was her father they were talking about and after years of assuming that he was dead, she deserved to hear this more than anyone else.
"WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO THINK ABOUT, GRANDMOTHER? WE NEED TO FIND HIM NOW! HE COULD BE IN DANGER, HE CO-" There were tears in her eyes, her fists clenched tight and scales beginning to creep up her arms; waves of emotions seemed to be causing her Draconic Flow's instability. Her outburst was unexpected but it was promptly cut off before she could say what she wanted to say.
"You will not act like a child, Katrina. You are a Drakos and you will act accordingly. Keep your composure or I will order you to be removed from the court. You are not thinking rationally. I understand where you are coming from. But my first priority must always be what is best for our people. You cannot allow emotions to cloud your judgement." She did not raise her voice, the sternness in her voice enough to silence the Warden of Kuria Prison.
"Lady Kaitlyn, I do not understand what else is there to consider." She spoke now, seething as she reigned in control of her rage. "This is Lord Rodan we are talking about, the rightful Lord of the Seas. Without him, the Seas fell to near ruins. Is it not in the people's best interest to find and rescue my father? So that he may lead his people once more? Who knows what the Kraken has done to him, who knows how long he has left? This is not a situation where time is on our side, grandmother. I beg of you." Her voice finally cracked, filled with emotion.
Lukas watched without a word but he finally saw Lady Kaitlyn's gaze soften, recognizing how much her granddaughter had missed her father. Recognizing, truthfully, how much the Royal Consort herself had missed her son. But yet again, the Lady Kaitlyn would not allow herself to be swayed by fleeting emotions.
"We have to consider the possibility of…betrayal, child. If what the Kraken claims is right then your father still betrayed his people by teaching him the Draconic Flow, putting that power into the hands of our enemies. Your father is not weak, Katrina. He would not have lost to the Kraken. We have to accept that it is likely…that your father turned his back on his people. Abandoned his position and worked hand in hand with the Kraken. Why would he do this? I have no idea. The Kraken needs to pay for the sins he has committed against the Seas. My conscience will not allow me to let somebody like him go free."
The nobles murmured in agreement, realizing the truth in the regent's words.
She…was right.
At the end of the day, if the stories of Rodan were true, the Kraken wouldn't have stood a chance against such a mighty warrior. Lukas had been able to defeat the Kraken fairly easily, somebody who had mastered the Divinity of the Seas centuries ago like Rodan would have absolutely demolished the Kraken.
He was a Dragon Lord, impervious to magic which affected control over the mind. There was no world in which the Kraken could have forced Rodan to teach him the Draconic Flow.
Unless...he had done so willingly.
Katrina looked around the room desperately, watching as the nobles nodded in approval. None would dare meet her eyes. None except Lukas. She sobbed, her eyes speaking more words than she could ever say in that moment. He had heard enough.
"May I propose a solution, my Lady?" Lukas' voice boomed across the court, forcing all of the attention on him.
The Lady Kaitlyn's eyes narrowed in slight suspicion but granted him the approval to address the court with a curt nod.
"I believe you are right. There is a very high likelihood that Lord Rodan betrayed his people. And we know for a fact that he is not in Linemall. Or else we would have found him already. Am I correct to make such a claim?" He asked, knowing full well that he was right.
She nodded again, wondering where he was going with this.
"Allow me to paint you a picture. So if you are right then we have a former Dragon Lord who is out in the world of Hiraeth doing who knows what. A former Dragon Lord who has power to rival any living creature who no longer has any loyalty to the Kingdom of Linemall. A former Dragon Lord who knows exactly…where Linemall is. If we do not do anything about him, is it not also possible he may be willing to lead our enemies right to our doorsteps? What's to say we don't put the entirety of the draconic kind at risk if we choose not to spare the Kraken?"
The nobles gasped and Katrina looked at him, eyes filled with fury. She had asked him to help Rodan's case, not to slander her father's name even further. Then, the true intentions behind Lukas' words began to sink in. She looked uncertain but understanding began to dawn on her thus allowing Lukas to continue on with this proposal.
"With this in mind, is it not true that we should do everything in our power to make sure he is brought back to Linemall immediately? Whether or not he has betrayed his people, that will be decided once we find him. And if he is, then he will return to Linemall to face his punishment. Until then, all I can say is that we must find him and bring him back to prevent putting the very safety of Linemall at risk. And I give you my word, I will bring him back." The nobles were silent now, still on the fence about such a situation.
While many respected Lord Rodan, they weren't sure it was worth risking their rising star Lukas Drakos to travel to the outside world to seek out a Dragon Lord who had already turned his back on his people. Why risk losing Lukas just to find Rodan?
At the same time, the last thing they wanted was another Great War on their hands. Many of them here had lived through and fought in the Great War. Another event like that could wipe out the entirety of the draconic race.
"Additionally, I would like to take this opportunity to improve the livelihoods of all in Linemall. Though our economy has been growing fast, the Seas can prosper even more rapidly if you allow us to begin to expand the Merchant Guild's influence outside of Linemall. This will undoubtedly improve the quality of life for all in the Seas. This way, sparing the Kraken's life is in the best interest for the people."
The nobles had only heard one thing that mattered to them: money money money!!!!
At their core, they were nothing but greedy bastards. Dragons weren't known for their generosity after all. They were known for their treasure troves and mountains full of gold. Lukas knew that which is why he made full use of their character to his advantage.
They maintained their composure and nodded after taking some moments to "consider". They'd made their decision the moment Lukas had brought up the possibility of greater profits.
The Lady Kaitlyn sat there, hesitant as ever but seeing the truth in his words. He knew she was trying to come up with any reason why she would refuse this proposal but she knew he was right.
Deep down, even if the consort would never admit it herself, she was glad that Lukas had given her a reason to find her son. She didn't want to believe it herself, in fact she could not ever accept the fact that her son would ever betray his own kind. She had not shot down Katrina because she did not love her son, in fact Lukas knew she cared for him more than anything in the world. But as the one who was responsible for leading and caring for the Seas, she had had to put her duties above her own wants.
Now Lukas had given her an ideal solution even with the dangers it posed, such that both the needs of her people and what she wanted could be prioritized.
"Very well, Lukas Drakos. But this time, it is not only the Seas but possibly it is now the fate of Linemall that lies in your hands. You will depart by the end of this week. Much must be done before then. The next few days are going to be very busy. This meeting is adjourned."
The crowd of nobles cheered and began to take their leave. Katrina enveloped him in a bear hug as she thanked him profusely. She proceeded to shake Jesse with excitement, shouting at the top of her lungs.
Lukas glanced towards the woman who sat on the throne and she locked eyes with him. In that split second, she gave him a warm smile before mouthing the words: "Thank you." He simply took a bow, acknowledging her gratitude.
With that, he turned, followed by Katrina and Jesse who were both discussing what had just happened, and walked out of the throne room. She was right. There was a lot to be done before their departure.
He would have liked to claim that he had done all of that out of the kindness of his heart. Guess Lukas wasn't so different from all those nobles. He was a little bit of a selfish bastard himself.
Lukas Drakos was thrilled. For the first time in his second life, he was going to see what lay beyond the Kingdom of Dragons. He'd always wondered what it was like outside of Linemall and the moment he saw the opportunity, he seized it before it could get away.
This would be an adventure like never before. Finally, Lukas was going to see what the rest of the world of Hiraeth had to offer!