Thirty-one dragons assembled at the peak of a pink granite dome in the hill country west of the capital. A thirty-foot stone wall ringed the base of the hill. The wall had no gates. Land-bound creatures were not welcome, in this place.
Aurelius Antipater sat coiled in the center, his head held high. Regulus and Mahazioth flanked him on his right and left. A bonfire burned to ward off the cold of night. The crescent moon sat high in the sky, smiling down at them.
Damrina Ashurina rose up and stretched her wings out wide, asking for every dragon’s attention. Thank you all for coming, she whispered to the crowd, especially on such short notice. I apologize for any inconvenience.
Aurelius gave her a blank look. Why have you called us here? What business demands our immediate attention?
Not in the mood for formalities, I see, said Damrina. Very well. I’m informed of a new threat to the kingdom. She looked at Aurelius. To you in particular.
What is this new threat? asked the dragon king.
An old friend of mine, said Damrina. He has returned. He speaks of taking the throne for himself.
Who is this old friend? asked Aurelius.
Damrina smiled. I’ll let him speak for himself.
She looked at the sky and focused her mind. A bright blue-white light appeared a hundred yards above them. It shone brighter than the full moon. The assembled dragons looked around in all directions.
There, whispered Mahazioth to Aurelius and Regulus. To the east.
The king looked. In the distance, barely visible in the night sky, something approached. It grew larger as it closed the distance, but no brighter. Only when it was within half a mile could the assembly recognize it as one of theirs; a dragon with scales so black they could scarcely see him.
The newcomer circled the granite peak twice before he spiraled down to greet them. He coiled up next to Damrina, placed his wing around her, and looked over the crowd. Greetings, he said. He looked at Aurelius. I am Amalek.
Regulus told me you had returned, said Aurelius.
Yes, said Amalek. The prodigal snake returns. I would first like to thank Damrina Ashurina for calling this conclave. I see some familiar faces here, and some new. I look forward to getting to know all of you, in time. Amalek gave them a draconic grin.
Amalek looked over the dragons. Most sat stone still, faces blank, but he knew whispers were flying between minds at a frantic pace. He sat back and let his words sink in.
Damrina says you want my throne, said Aurelius.
Yes! said Amalek. I do. I plan to place Zebulun Koh on it.
The crowd sat silent, but Amalek could sense the murmuring behind the blank faces.
I suppose you think I’ll abdicate, said Aurelius. To flee in fear at the mere presence of the mighty Amalek?
I hope not, said Amalek. I’m told you’re a better challenge than that.
Is that what I am? asked Aurelius. A challenge?
The real challenge, said Amalek, is to create a small kingdom strong enough to thwart empires. That is my new dream. You are simply in the way.
You plan to make war on me, then? asked Aurelius.
Oh, no, said Amalek. I couldn’t do that. I have no army, for one, and I promised Zebulun no war.
No, said Amalek. I want a quiet revolution.
You think you can overthrow this regime without a fight? asked Aurelius.
Amalek grinned. There’s no need for widespread bloodshed and destruction. We could duel for the throne, you and I. We can settle matters right here, if you’re willing.
I’m no fool, said Aurelius. Regulus and Mahazioth told me about your battle. Perhaps I could best you, but I see no reason to stake my throne on it when you have no way to depose me.
You are intelligent! said Amalek. A shame. I suppose I’ll have to think of something else.
Good luck with that, whispered Aurelius to Amalek.
Be seeing you, Amalek whispered back.