The gates of Rydgar groaned as they opened, the iron mechanisms straining against decades of wear. Kael stepped forward with Nyxar towering behind him, the guardian's shadow stretching far into the city. Rydgar's soldiers stood stiffly at attention, their hands twitching toward their weapons despite their commander's reassurances.
Kael took a steadying breath as he entered the kingdom's capital. The city rose around him like an ancient fortress carved from the very bones of the earth. Towers of weathered stone loomed over narrow streets, their edges sharp and unyielding as if they had been forged in defiance of the mountain winds. The air was thick with the scents of coal smoke and damp stone, a stark contrast to the open skies Kael had grown accustomed to.
"I don't like this place," Nyxar muttered under his breath, his molten eyes scanning the city with suspicion. "Humans are rarely hospitable when dragons walk among them."
Kael didn't answer. He couldn't afford to dwell on the animosity that radiated from the guards and citizens alike. Instead, he focused on the task ahead. Convincing Rydgar's leaders to join his cause was the first step in a long and treacherous path.
The council chamber was dimly lit, the only light coming from a brazier in the center of the room. Shadows danced on the stone walls as Kael took his place before the assembled council. Five figures sat around a crescent-shaped table, each dressed in the garb of Rydgar's noble houses. Their expressions ranged from wary to openly hostile, their eyes flicking between Kael and Nyxar as if they were assessing a threat.
The eldest councilor, a woman with silver hair pulled tightly into a bun, was the first to speak. "You claim to speak for the dragons," she said, her voice sharp and commanding. "But why should we trust you? For centuries, dragons have been our enemies. They burned our fields, destroyed our homes, and took countless lives. Why should we believe that this time will be any different?"
Kael stepped forward, his hands clenched at his sides. He had anticipated resistance, but the bitterness in her voice was a reminder of how deep the wounds ran between their peoples.
"Because this time, the threat we face isn't just the dragons—or humanity," Kael said firmly. "It's something far greater. The Shadowborn are rising. They seek to control the Flame itself, to wield its power against all who stand in their way. If we don't unite, neither dragons nor humans will survive what's coming."
The council murmured among themselves, their skepticism evident. A younger councilor, a man with dark eyes and a perpetual scowl, leaned forward. "And why should we believe this tale of the 'Shadowborn'? You bring no proof, only words. For all we know, this could be a ploy to draw us into another war."
Kael's frustration flared, but Nyxar's voice rumbled in his mind like a distant storm. Patience, Kael. Words alone will not sway them. Show them the truth.
Taking a deep breath, Kael raised his hand and focused on the Flame within him. The brazier's fire responded immediately, flaring brighter as if it recognized the bondkeeper's power. Flames danced along Kael's arm, weaving intricate patterns in the air before settling into the shape of a dragon—small, but unmistakable.
"This is the power of the Flame," Kael said, his voice steady. "It's not just a weapon. It's a bond, a connection between humans and dragons. The Shadowborn seek to corrupt this power, to use it to destroy us all. If we don't stand together, we'll fall together."
The council chamber fell silent. The flames in Kael's hand flickered out, leaving only the glow of the brazier. The elder councilor's expression softened, but doubt still lingered in her eyes.
"And what would you have us do, bondkeeper?" she asked, the title spoken with a mixture of respect and hesitation. "You ask us to trust the dragons, to fight alongside them. But trust is not easily given."
"I'm not asking you to trust blindly," Kael replied. "I'm asking you to listen. To see the truth of what's coming. If you still doubt me, send scouts to the western borders. The Shadowborn are already moving. Villages have been burned, their people taken or killed. This isn't a story—it's happening now."
The councilors exchanged uneasy glances. The younger man still looked skeptical, but the elder councilor nodded slowly. "We will investigate your claims. If what you say is true, Rydgar will consider your proposal. But understand this, bondkeeper—if you deceive us, if this is some ploy, you will pay the price."
Kael met her gaze, his own unwavering. "I understand. But you'll see that the danger is real."
As Kael and Nyxar left the council chamber, the weight of the encounter pressed down on him. It wasn't a victory, but it wasn't a defeat either. Rydgar's leaders were willing to listen, and that was more than he had dared to hope for.
"They're scared," Nyxar said as they walked through the city streets. "Fear makes humans cautious, but it also makes them dangerous. Be careful, Kael. Not all of them will be so open to your words."
"I know," Kael replied, his voice quiet. "But it's a start. If we can convince Rydgar, maybe the other kingdoms will follow."
Nyxar snorted, smoke curling from his nostrils. "Don't count on it. Humans are stubborn creatures. But you've done well today, bondkeeper. The Flame chose you for a reason."
Kael wasn't so sure. The path ahead was filled with uncertainty, and the storm continued to gather on the horizon. But for now, he had taken the first step. And that was enough.