Free Kelly Lucille by The Dragon's Mage (Dragon Mage) Page A

dragon council from
our fiery tempered mage?
    I will leave
that to the council’s executioner.
    Sigh.  Somehow, I do
not doubt that.

Chapter 10
    If Morgan had not
already seen Ebens home in the Forsaken Mountain, the council chambers might
have been overwhelming.  But she had seen it so she knew to expect the
priceless gems embedded in the walls and the magic that swirled through the
air, coloring everything in shimmering waves.  At least that's what it looked like
to her.  Maybe a normal human would just see the raw gems in stonewalls.  Even
if that were all they could see, not having magic in their blood, they would
have still wanted to gawk here.  But they would have forgotten about all the
rest the second they saw the dragons.
    They glowed with
beauty.  Seeing so many and all together like this was almost overwhelming. 
That was the only word for it.  They glowed, shimmered, and sparkled as if the
jewels themselves had come alive. 
    There were four
council members, one for each house, competing for the most ostentatious
display.  The rest of the dragons were warriors, obviously there as security,
or possibly just tradition because the council members breathed magic.  Morgan
couldn’t imagine anyone challenging them.  Besides Eben and one or two of the warriors,
they were the oldest dragons, not in physical appearance but definitely in the
press of their power. 
    Suddenly I
don't feel so overdone.
    Told you.  Ladon
laughed in her thoughts. 
    I believe they
are becoming more ostentatious with age.  Eben said blandly from close
behind Morgan. 
    Ladon laughed
again and then pulled Morgans hand up to kiss the inside of her wrist.  Used
to be dragons slept on their treasure, now they just wear it.
    Eben sniffed his
agreement and then pulled Morgans other hand to his lips to kiss the back of
it.  Come Shameaa, let’s show them what true treasure looks like.
    He kept hold of
her hand as he led her inside the main chamber.  Ladon followed close behind
them.  As soon as they cleared the door, every eye in the place rested on them.
    Why do they all
look familiar to me?
    You have seen
our memories.  I’m not sure how much of them you will retain but many things
may seem familiar.
    The council
chamber itself was cavernous, especially considering how few dragons occupied
it.  They were not always going to be in human form .  Morgan thought. 
She recognized Ryall from earlier, when he had come with his mate to heal
Milly.  He was guard here and stood lining the wall with a dozen others dressed
in simple pants and tunics.  Those dragons were armed with swords and knives.
    Why do dragons
need weapons?
    Some foes must
be fought as men rather than dragon.  It is tradition to know all manner of
battle.  What you see here are the elite.  Dragon Knights sworn into service to
the Light.  They carry out the laws of the council now, but in times of war, it
is General Solan who leads the dragon army.   Eben nodded to a man behind
the council members.  All dragons were big imposing men but he was something
all together different. 
    Like Eben, he
favored black from head to toe.  If the council members were jewels come to
life he was obsidian, all sharp edges and hard planes.  His black hair seemed
to swallow the light that touched it so that it felt like you could get lost in
the dark cloud.  He held it back from his face in a severe style that accented
his sharp cheekbones and slightly slanted eyes.  Eyes that were quicksilver and
saw everything.  Even for a dragon, he was scary.  The only part of him that
seemed remotely soft was his lips, which looked surprisingly lush.  Like all
the guards, he wore no amulet of his house.
    He is of the
warrior house now.  They give up their house when they take vows.  He was born
into my house originally.
    House of water
then.  Morgan thought .  Vows?  Like priests?
    Ladon snorted
beside her.  But it was Eben who continued to answer her.
    Nothing so
severe as