going any further." Raven explained, glancing at Leia, who was still staring at the elves with open dislike. "With the Pact of the Gods broken, the Serpent Mother was free to return to the world once more. She forced Draco to return Leia to us."
"What did the Dragon God wish with your daughter?" Etha Brody asked Damion, glancing down at Leia with a slight sneer on his face.
"He wanted my blood." Leia told him, returning the sneer. "He wished to use it to create a new breed of dragons which He planned to release upon the world."
"For what purpose?" Ava Delilah asked, her expression concerned.
"The Dragon God has been forced to sit back and watch as His children disappeared from the world, while mankind spread out and took control over the lands." Damion explained in a grim tone. "With the scarlet dragons under the control of the Dragon Gem, and the shadow dragons scattered to the winds, He needed new children that were free to carry out His plans."
"And what was He planning?"
"What else?" Shirk snorted humorlessly. "He intended to use His new children to destroy mankind. The dragons once dominated this world, and witnessing their fall was too much for Draco to bear. He wished to see them returned to their former glory, and the scourge of mankind erased from the world."
"It is fortunate that the Serpent Mother intervened." The elven woman stated in a trouble tone. "The world would surely be lost if Draco hadn't failed in creating a new species of dragon."
"What makes you think He failed?" Leia asked with a frown. "The Dragon God still managed to obtain a bit of my blood, which He used to created the veiled dragons."
"Veiled dragons?"
"They are a new breed of dragon whose scales can shift to blend with their surroundings, kind of like a chameleon." Raven informed them. "There aren't very many of them, but they are formidable beasts that are extremely difficult to detect."
"This is troubling news." The elven woman frowned. "A new breed of dragon could spell disaster for any who have the misfortune of crossing their path."
"Oh, they won't hurt anyone." Leia assured her confidently. "My children know better than to bring harm to the innocent."
" Your children?" The elven man asked, staring at Leia questioningly.
"When the Dragon God created the veiled dragons from Leia's blood, He also inadvertently created a link between them that allows her to know what they are thinking and feeling." Raven explained with a note of pride. "She can even influence their actions. They look upon her as their mother, and would do anything that she asked of them."
"Truly?" The elven man gave the young girl a skeptical look. "She looks no different than any other child that we have encountered on our journey here."
Leia's expression grew angry, and she opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off as Lady Skie came bustling back into the room followed closely by several servants bearing trays of food and drink.
"I had the servants bring up some elven wine from the stores," Lady Skie told their guests as the servants placed several dusty bottles on the table. "and I recalled that elves prefer fish, fruit, and fresh vegetables over beef or venison, so I hope this will be suitable." She gestured to a tray of freshly sliced fruit.
"That was very kind." The elven woman bowed her head to Lady Skie in thanks.
"So what brings you to Sevria?" Damion asked curiously. "I thought that most elves refuse to leave their island kingdom."
"That's true," Etha Brody replied, examining one of the bottles of wine with interest. "but recent events have forced our queen to... well," He frowned disapprovingly. "look for outside assistance."
"What has happened?" Shirk asked, accepting a large tankard of foaming ale from one of the servants.
The pair of elves exchanged a long look.
"Now is not the time to discuss such matters." Etha Brody told him in an evasive tone. "Let us enjoy this generous meal, and discuss more trivial matters. We can venture into the