The High Council

The Reinheart trio knocked on the door which had a name plate saying 'King Conrad Eskeal.'

"Enter." They heard a raspy voice from the other side. The duke turned the door knob and opened the door and entered the room. Daemon was mildly surprised to see that even the king had the same room as all of the others.

"The Pegasus boast equality in the castle. All of the other alliance members rooms are also the same. They have to do it since they are the one who hosts the High Council." Seeing Daemon's confusion Dristen spoke.

Daemon was confused by the sudden voice but saw Dristen looking at him. He nodded to the crown prince. Since he knew about the prince not being a 'Marakin,' it was said in good will and not to embarrass him. The trio properly curtseyed to the King and the prince.

Daemon saw all of the other members were already present in the room.

'Looks like we are the last one.' He though while sighing.

"Since all of you are here, let's start the breakfast." The King announced and moved towards the table. Everybody else followed him.

At the breakfast table, Daemon was aware of the few stares he occasional got. And he knew where they were coming from. But he gracefully ignored them all with pre learned tactics. But he knew they also know about his graceful tactics.

The breakfast went perfectly, he didn't much say anything and was only focused on his delicious meals. They talked about the different scenarios that was to bring up on the High Council. And just like that it ended. They only had fifteen more minutes for the High Council to start.

For everyone else this was just another super important meeting which have high influence in the stability of their kingdom, but for Daemon this was not just another meeting, this was a lifetime excitement. During the fifteen-minute break, the crown prince Dristen approached Daemon and chatted casually. Though he was bewildered at the progress, Daemon soon started to casually talk to him. Though it was only for fifteen minutes Daemon felt he is someone genuine and not to mention someone who is smart. He gave a thump's up for the prince in his heart.

At exact time, someone knocked on the door. it was the same Pegasus who welcomed them when they first arrived. They were beautiful as always.

"The meeting will shortly start. Please follow us. We will take you there." Said the middle one, whose name Daemon forgot to ask anyone.

The King nodded to the Pegasus and like pre planned they all started to follow the Pegasus. Since Daemon can also participate in the meeting, he too started to follow the mass.

Once again Daemon was perplexed by how huge the castle was. There were so many rooms on every side of the castle. Adorned with beautiful decorations and many other things. Though there are countless rooms on the castle, he didn't saw any other Pegasus from the main family apart from the one leading them to the meeting hall. Even though he has seen many Pegasus maids and servants, they are not from the main clan.

*****

Daemon thought they have walked more than two hours. Walking long corridors, climbing stairs and again many more walking's. He thought they would never reach the meeting hall and he would pass out from exhaustion before he could even see the other races. He looked at his brother, he was surprised to see he wasn't even sweating or had any tiredness on his face. He was confused.

Reiner felt Daemon's gaze and looked at his younger brother. Daemon was sweating not too much but a little. Reiner smiled at Daemon. which caused the later to look annoyed. Daemon gestured his hands which asked 'am I missing something here?'

"It's just an illusion." Reiner whispered.

"What! What illusion?" Daemon whispered back.

"Just like I said, its just an illusion. It's because it is your first time here. The castle is rigged with many illusions. It's the castle defence. If some intruder somehow broke into the castle they will run for many hours or days for a three-minute walk."

"Whoa, you didn't tell me about that?" Daemon asked little annoyingly.

"After visiting sometimes and getting familiar with the potent mana in the atmosphere you can easily broke through the illusion. I've long forgotten about it since I've been here for many times. Sorry about that." Daemon apologetically told his bewildered brother.

Daemon didn't converse again and just walked. Mixing some of his mana with the atmospheric mana.

After what feels like 10 more minute the three Pegasus stopped before large wooden double door. which had many runic inscriptions. Dameon could feel powerful spells imbued on the doors.

'So, this must be the meeting room. such powerful magic spells. The Pegasus are playing it safe.'

The lady Pegasus in the middle lightly touched the door. Though nothing can be seen with naked eyes, he could feel mana sweeping through her hand to the door. which in turns connected with the spells on the doors.

With a light thud the double door started to open inwardly. Soon the door opened fully to each side.

"Please go in. Others have already arrived. The lord is waiting for you." Said lady Pegasus.

With a quick nod the king started to walk through the doors. His entourage following him.

"Now entering, King Conrad Eskeal of Astrode kingdom along with his entourages."

Daemon heard someone announcing their arrival but didn't see anyone speaking.

The room was very dense. That was his first reaction on entering the meeting room. Even though the meeting room was very large the beings inside the room emitted such force that he thought he might suffocate. The room was white contrary to the black outside. It had runic symbols all over the room. A large round table was located in the centre of the room. with five chairs around it. Three of them were occupied. Daemon saw who was occupying the chairs and was instantly excited. There on one of the chairs he saw a dwarf who is less than four feet with black eyes which screams annoyance. He had brown hair, and large beard which was braided together with many strands. A metallic ring occupied at the end of the braids. He was adorned in dress befitting a dwarven king from the stories.

On another chair sat the elven king. He had light green hair and pearly eyes along with his pointy ears radiating royalty. He had all of the elven grace which Daemon heard from the stories his mother had told him when he was a baby.

Though both of them was beautiful, especially the elven king Daemon thought they were all outshined by the being sitting on the third chair. He was the Pegasus lord. Even though Daemon had heard about him they all didn't did justice for what he was seeing right now.

The Pegasus lord was what you call regally graceful. Like stories from the past. A calm and domineering aura emanated from him. Though it was domineering it didn't feel oppressive rather it was calm. He had extremely light blue hair with the same eye colour. He looked like a human with beauty rivalling anything in the world.

On the backside of the kings stood many beings. They were the advisors and the important personals from their respective kingdom.

They were all looking at the king and entourage of the Astrode kingdom. The king slowly made his way towards the table and took a chair. The two advisors and the dukes stood behind the king. Daemon was led by his brother along with the crown prince and Marakin towards the far end of the room.

"You are here King Eskeal. Without further delay let us start our meeting." The Pegasus lord regally spoke.

"Yes, we can. But why is there an extra chair on the table." The king gestured towards the empty chair. The other two kings also eyed at the pegausu lord. They too did have the same question and was waiting for the meeting to start to ask the question. But now that the human king has brought up the question, they gazed at the Pegasus lord.

"That's because a new member is joining us today. His kingdom will also be a member of the alliance from now onwards."

"Who?" interjected the dwarven king.

The Pegasus lord looked at the three kings and calmly said

"The Orcs of Gladiel Kingdom."