Koda’s headache pounded against his skull as the meeting that he set up was now in full swing. However it made absolutely no progress. Each leader of their given nation bickered like children over a stuffed animal. They slung insults while ego’s became bruised, it was complete chaos in the Lost Dawns council chambers.

The elven king looked around the room, inspecting each member hoping to quell the fury between them. Other than his close friends, Everett Dallin and Aemor Greyblade, he felt like he was in unfamiliar territory, even within his own castle.

The Sundancer twins sat across from one another. Queen Isana of Isa and King Travin of Alva. Both were dune elves, with a bitter history between them. Isana started the War of Chains by enslaving her brother and forcing him to become a gladiator in her arena. Now both served as leaders of their respective kingdoms. With the Scorch seal now broken in Alva, Travin’s lands were in shambles and his people sought sanctuary in Isa.

“You think I’ll let you and your flea-bitten people into my cities. You must be crazy. It is bad enough you invaded my shores with your refugees!” spat Isana.

“You enslaved me for years! You owe me this!” Travin shouted back.

“I owe nothing!” hissed Isana

Koda moved onto another seat filled by a large white draconian. A large, spiked crown rested on the ridge of his head. Sky-blue armored scales rippled down his chest and stomach leading underneath his heavy tail. He folded his bulky arms and gave a low growl to a prissy ice-elf adolescent. The young prince gave a long yawn as the dragon continued his rant.

“Velduin Whiteblade, the false prince, you do not know who you disrespect with your weak presence!”

“Scale Lord Rellethek, it is you who disrespects the Ice Elf nation, we won’t tolerate your kind any longer. Try me, I dare you!” Velduin's voice writhed with spite. His tone scraped his throat with each word.

“Yer folk have yet to recognize my sovereignty. I demand to be respected and I demand to be heard on behalf of Dragon Realm Abyss!”

Koda turned his head to a young woman with a grizzly scar drawn across her face. A bone white patch covered her right eye. A red tricorn hat sat atop her fierce, curly, red hair which matched her crimson captain’s jacket. She was known as Triss Moonwave and she inherited her title of Ocean Mistress from her mother, but that was all Koda knew about her.

“Please, human, enough with you. Begone Ocean Mistress, back to your pathetic islands and terrible weather,” Velduin spat.

“Why you scrawny, little, rat-faced fink!” Triss said with a permanent scowl to join her scar.

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Koda closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. How were the rest of the lords and ladies handling this mockery of a meeting? Koda caught the eye of Fainn Rosedancer. The hypnotical beautiful human had half her face hidden by her black, wavy hair. Her dark brown eye stared deep into Koda’s soul. What did she think of him, after all she was related to the Estinian royal family, the same family he brought down and even hung their only daughter, Tashna. How could she allow herself to have a peace talk with someone like himself. Koda will never know, nor understand.

He looked over to the last leader at the table, Avalon. No longer the mere Silent One that came to his aide during the Varis War. No, now she was promoted to Prime Gold Wing, second only to the Red Wing of the Silent Ones.

Such a prestigious opportunity that I am glad she didn't turn down. Thought Koda.

He gave her a light smile, but found she had a seething fixation on Fainn. The meeting had gotten way out of hand and Koda had enough.

“Will you all please be QUIET!” Koda roared over the commotion. Each leader looked up with shock written over their faces. Koda glared at them, anger flowing through his blood. “You all have just argued as soon as you took your seats. I’ve had it! The world is in disarray! Don’t any of you care?”

“Of course I care, it is this lug of beast who does not!” sneered Velduin Whiteblade.

“Arrrgh, I had it with you, whelp!” Rellethek rose from his seat and stormed out, slamming the chamber doors behind him that caused the room to tremble.

“Well if he’s gone then I’m gone too,” huffed Triss.

One by one, each leader walked out of the meeting. Koda snatched Avalon’s wrist as she passed him. “You as well, my friend?”

“I have no time to waste with the seals breaking one by one, Koda. I have an order to lead and a people to protect. I will be here when the world leaders are ready to speak.”

Koda pounded his fists on the wooden table and looked up at the two remaining kings, Dallin and Greyblade. “They refuse to listen!”

Dallin walked over to comfort the young king. “Listen, my friend, I think you need a break.”

Koda looked up to Dallin’s worn eyes.

“You should travel the world and earn those magical colors of yours,” continued Dallin.

“Aye, you could even turn it into an emissary mission,” added Aemor. “You will already be visiting the different realms, why not seek each leader and ask them to come back to the meeting.”

“Yes, an excellent idea, Aemor!” exclaimed Dallin with zest in his voice.

Koda leaned back in his chair and stroked his long braid. “I’ve been meaning to get out more, although after my last disastrous emissary mission, I am very hesitant to try for another.”

“May I urge you to take more protection than a few Anti-Rogue Operatives with you this time?”

Koda bit his cheek in embarrassment.

“Perhaps a proper escort would suffice?”

Koda nodded in silence.

“Although, I still believe you should bring Elucard along. The elf has a fondness for violence and is quite good at his job,” Aemor suggested.

Koda nodded once more. “Both are excellent ideas. You have been terrific advisors and friends, but now I will take my leave. I wish to rest and ponder this quest more, tonight.”

And perhaps this will be my opportunity to seek Sable’s master.