The Dragon Knight Order (16 page)

“Bold as always Princess Keren,” said Zetzu.

“And the Dragon Knights have always been friends of the elves, it is difficult to ignore their pleas for help and avoid unrest among my kind, Clause,” said Master in a casual tone.

“It is true, that the Dragon Knights have proven to be great friends and defenders of the elves in the past. However, the Dragon Knights of today barely have enough members to serve humans and here you come expecting me to willingly part with perhaps the most talented Knight in all of history?”

“Indeed I do,” answered the princess.

It wasn't an act of defiance or even an insult to the Emperor's power it was more like...

"A desperate attempt to influence the future head of the Dragon Knights," whispered Master over to me. “And perhaps save their people from a devastating civil war, but regardless of what she wants we must go to the southern continent for there is someone waiting for you there.”

I was about to ask who it was but it wasn’t the time or place. The Elven civil war was a much more important subject.

It was true that the elves were on the verge of a three-way civil war and outside help was more than welcomed at this point. But to ask for a single Knight, and one expected to become the next Dragon Paladin, was clearly a political move to gain more power. Neither of the other factions would dare oppose a Dragon Knight backed king or queen, especially when it is quite obvious the dragons were not going to let the future leader of the Knights travel unguarded to the southern continent of Elution. At the least it was a show of force and at best, it was a move to consolidate power of the faction she supports within the Elven council.

“Watch carefully. She has forced Clause’s hand and if he denies her request again, he will lose the only human friendly candidate for the Elvish throne.  Without our help, she has no chance of winning over the rest of the Elven council and that is something Clause can’t afford,” said Master.

“On the other hand, if he agrees and things escalate on the border, the ruler of that part of the drago territories wouldn’t be there to organize a defense. A powerful Knight would be missing and morale among the human army would sink and the Dragon Council would be paralyzed. In times of war, all three members need to vote before a decision can be made,” finished Zetzu.

“You place a difficult choice before me princess. I will have you know we have not forgotten our debt of gratitude to the Elves. Alexander has my blessing to go on this journey with you, so long as his teacher, guardian and he himself agrees to go with you.”

I looked at both dragons in human form and they nodded.

“We agree,” I said.

And so my adventures down south began.