Touch of Flame

Ravina could feel the prying and judgemental gazes after Malachi made her place the crown on Nazneen\'s head. He had made a statement with that move, and many didn\'t like it at all. She wasn\'t sure how she felt about it yet but didn\'t ponder on it, knowing it would all sink in, eventually. Some tried to make her feel like an outsider, unaware that it didn\'t bother her at all. But it bothered them a lot, and she responded to their bitter faces with a polite smile.

Ravina knew that, however, many joined her side, there would always be those who would oppose, and she wasn\'t here to appease them all. The price of being a ruler was enemies even among your own people.

Malachi joined Nazneen and was helping to introduce her to influential people.

"They look like a couple," a few women beside her spoke loud enough for her to hear.

Oh well, they might have annoyed her and made her jealous if she didn\'t know as much as she did.

"It is sad they are both fated to some weak humans."

They certainly bothered too much about some weak humans.

Her gaze traveled across the distance to find Ares. He stood unbothered beside the large food table, chewing on an apple. Ravina left the women behind and walked over. His gaze fell on her as she neared.

"How are you feeling now?" She asked.

"Better," he replied, but she still thought he looked paler.

"You invented pistols. I am sure you can find a cure."

He smiled and took another bite of the apple. "Death is one thing no one will escape when the time comes."

She sighed. "It is not your time yet."

"Only time will tell."

How could he be so nonchalant about it? Yes, he was a pirate and death was part of his daily life but still...

Ravina looked over at Nazneen. "Does she know?"

"She will know."

"She will be heartbroken..."

He paused and his eyes darkened. "I know..." he said, his voice thickening.

"So then you have to try harder."

Suddenly, he chuckled. "I see..." he took another bite and turned to watch Nazneen and Malachi having a serious discussion with some guests.

Nazneen\'s eyes searched for Ares after a while and she wore a frown. Ravina guessed the topic of discussion was humans again.

"Are they slandering us?" Ares asked.

"It seems so." She said and found Malachi turning to her as well. He was more upset she could tell.

"Come," she told Ares and began to walk over the distance. She had been slacking lately, trying to push things away out of fear and worry but it was time to do what she came to do.

Ares came to walk beside her without asking what she was about to do and Malachi watched her intently as she neared and she want to stand beside him. She looked up at him with a polite smile. "Am I causing a ruckus?"

"Not you. It is me," he smiled, casting the men a sideways glance.

"We were explaining how having you here would be beneficial for all." Nazneen added who didn\'t care to keep things subdued.

Ravina turned to the few men and women trying to oppose to her and Ares\'s presence.

"Queen Nazneen is right. She made the better choice for her people. There are several areas where humans and dragons can benefit from mutual collaboration. Humans have made significant strides in technology and medicine while dragons are becoming more like humans in nature. Aging faster, healing slower, and acquiring some of the illnesses that humans have. This means that the advance in technology and medicine will also be important for the survival of the dragon race in the near future. Deadly diseases that wiped away a whole population have come and gone many times before and humans have only survived because we are much larger in number."

"Even if what you say is true, dragons will never be as weak as humans, even if we are unlike our ancestors, who were much stronger." A man replied.

"One dragon might be stronger than ten humans but I am speaking of dragons as a race against humans. It is not ten against one or even hundred against one. It is much more so it depends on how you value strength. Dragons are here hiding after all."

Their faces twisted with anger, but they dared make no move. "Speaking of hiding, it is another reason to work with humans and establish peace. It is only a matter of time before you are found and with the fast-developing technology of deadly weapons, it will be more beneficial for us to have peace before the humans find us."

She included herself to alleviate the tension but she was included if dragons were found. She would be a traitor. One of them.

"There are of course more reasons for establishing peace and working together. We both have resources that the other doesn\'t have. By trading these resources with each other, both sides can benefit from the increased availability of these resources and we will have economic growth. Harsh times have led to bigger discoveries for humans that we all can benefit from and humans could learn to take better care of their lands from you. Besides, it will be a safer world for half-breeds which I assume there are more of. They will rise one day too, but hopefully a day they are welcomed in both worlds where they don\'t become the enemy of either."

"Are you threatening us?" One male asked.

"No. I am simply offering a solution to what I know will happen. You know it too."

They just stared at her for a while.

"Well, Queen Nazneen and King Malachi are already taking the right measures to ensure everyone\'s safety. It takes a lot of courage to put hostility aside and think of what is best for everyone."

"Yes and if you have any better solution, then I am willing to listen," Malachi added.

"Having been shot with those painful bullets that you hardly can\'t remove, I am curious to see if you have better solutions too," Nazneen added.

That silenced them.

"Oh, we became too serious." Nazneen smiled. "Today is a day to celebrate. Let\'s have something to eat."

She eased out of the conversation, giving them a nod to excuse herself and taking Ares with her.

Malachi and Ravina followed, leaving the eerie silence behind. Nazneen put her arm through Ares\' and then glanced behind at her. "Well spoken." She told her and then released Ares to come to her side. "Perhaps I should be threatening in a polite manner as well."

"That wasn\'t a threat," Ravina said.

"Yes, yes..." she didn\'t believe her. "It was a solution."

"Hopefully a solution or there will be a threat."

Nazneen frowned. "You are not in a good mood. Perhaps frustrated."

Now it was her turn to frown and narrow her eyes. Nazneen raised a brow. Ugh. Not the smell of her again.

"It is alright. During that period, we all become... irritable."

Right... she was getting annoyed.

Nazneen chuckled as if she could hear her thoughts. "King Malachi. I will take your bride for a while," Nazneen said, putting her arm through Ravina\'s and suddenly dragging her away.

Malachi had only opened his mouth before Ravina was snatched from his side. He watched the women walk away and then looked at Ares who was also slightly surprised.

"When did they become close?" Malachi wondered.

Ares shrugged. "When men became the common enemy."

Malachi turned to see if the man was serious. "Yes, we are the enemy," Ares added with a hint of humor.

Malachi shook his head with a smile.

"So which ones of your people are more open-minded to change? Perhaps you could introduce me to some to pick as court members for the new court."

The man was already business and Malachi went on to find and introduce him to influential families but didn\'t pick any open-minded people. There was none he knew, and the man liked a challenge after all so Malachi gave him plenty.

He was good at starting conversations, even with those who didn\'t want to. For those who wanted to run away, he would open the conversation even if it was with a conflict and then it would lead to a discussion of the conflict at hand. His composure on topics that often stirred many emotions was his advantage and he had a way of talking that pulled the listener in even if they didn\'t like what he said. He was convincing.

By listening to the conversations, Malachi learned a few things about his people. The younger ones were more open to change and the older generations were stuck in their old ways, so he found the target.

The younger generation, even if weaker would be the future so Malachi saw it as something positive. He also got pulled into the discussions and spoke of the change he planned to make and encouraged people by showing them the possibilities of a better future. Deep down, most people just wanted to live a good life. Safe for them and their families.

Having those discussions gave him a little more hope and showed him which doors were open.

Ares had already made a list of people in his head. Some were already expected and some were a complete surprise.

"Those don\'t like you or Nazneen," Malachi said.

"I know but they are experienced and a balance in court with some resistance won\'t be bad. It is to not discriminate against those who hold a different opinion. They can still come with something valuable."

Making use of everyone was indeed a good strategy that he could use as well.