The Dragon's Resolve

POV Vesuvius:

The dragon lay on the ground of his palace of black marble, volcanic stone, and gold.

Two of his minions kneeled under him, his huge body making them look like a pair of ants.

The young elf in her simple green dress and the tall draconic knight in his heavy enchanted armor decorated with silver, gold, and glowing red runes remained silent. Their large fiery wings were folded on their backs, glowing in the darkness.

Even though the entire chamber was filled with thick, toxic smoke, they had no problem breathing.

Finally, Alesia ended the silence, her childish voice echoing through the vast chambers of the dragon's divine kingdom, "Your Highness, the immortals tracked the gems you were looking for."

"Where is the catch?" Vesuvius was sure there had to be one; otherwise, they would have already recovered them.

This time his knight spoke, "Sire, they were bought by a foreigner, an elf from the elven enclave..."