King Tholros of the Sky Realm was sitting on his comfortable throne with a bored expression. When Razzaq entered the King's room, he forced his face to look more serious in front of his son.
"You wanted to see me, father," Razzaq said while slightly bowing his neck in front of the King. No matter if he was his only son, Tholros demanded that Razzaq practice the same etiquette as any dragon would in his royal presence. Razzaq hated it.
"There is important news coming from every edge of Draonia," Tholros said with a forced seriousness.
Razzaq waited for him to give more details, but instead, the old dragon started another topic:
"And my guards tell me you ended the life of another thief," he said in the same manner.
"I did not. I let him live."
"So he's still in the prison?" the king wondered.
"He is on his way to the Snow Realm with a message."
Tholros did not like that answer, and a small cloud of smoke left his nostrils.
"What was that message?"
"Just a threat."
"Just a... are you crazy? Threatening the Snow Kingdom?" Tholros shouted.
"Why does it matter? It was a simple warning, father."
"When did I give permission to my own son to manage my warfare decisions?" Tholros continued as if he didn't hear a single word from Razzaq.
"Ituthel was sending that dragon to steal iron from us. They are preparing for war in front of our eyes. If we don't do something about it, they might even..."
"Enough!"
Razzaq forced himself to keep quiet. His father was puffing out smoke like a volcano. He had the same dark scales on his body as Razzaq, with his enormous black wings folded behind his back. Just like Razzaq, he also had orange, lava-resembling scales on his neck and belly, which mage him a lot more intimidating than he actually was.
"When did I bring up a bloodthirsty, warmonger son?"
You never did, Razzaq thought. It was the Forge and the constant kingdom management that made Razzaq the tough dragon he is. He was out in the Realm, completing his duties his entire life while Tholros was sitting in his chair, giving orders as a distant spectator. Razzaq, the son he never wanted in the first place, grew up with warrior guilds that taught him how to fight, punish and kill. Those were the entities that made a ruler feared in every Realm. That was real power.
"There will be no war. Now, back to my original business. I just received a message from the Woodland Realm's Circle. Those old fools finally made up their mind to elect a leader to the Woodland throne."
Razzaq did not say a word. Anger was still brewing inside his stomach, but he was interested by the news he just heard.
"I am sure the fall of the Fire Realm scared them. A volcano wiped out almost an entire Realm! A Realm that they were good alliances with. The Fire Realm got prey and animals, and for a good trade, the Woodland Realm got metals and fish. That friendship is now over. The Woodland Realm is weaker than ever."
"What is your plan, father?"
"Go to this meeting without any hostile intentions. Say that you arrived with peace in mind, and follow everything that the Woodland Council Circle says. Listening is not your strongest skill, but remember that I am in charge. I will share the rest of my plan when you come back."
"Shouldn't you share the plans beforehand..."
"Silence!"
Tholros's voice quaked the black stone walls. The black columns of the royal hall even shook a little.
"Do not question me again, bastard. You are under the king's might. And let me remind you that you should address me as your King. Now go!"
"Yes... My King..."
Razzaq left without a bow. At this point, he was puffing out smoke as well. As soon as he got out of the throne room and the guards closed the heavy black doors behind him, he let out a huge fireball at a dark grey, dragon-sized statue. A statue, that happened to represent his father. There were many statues of the previous kings along the corridors. Generations of dragon monarchs from the Sky Realm. Razzaq often wondered if he would be the next statue in line.
He stormed away.
Tholros will pay for this. Whether he likes it or not, his son is a great tool in his hand, who is an exceptional warrior. Without him, he is weak. Which is why he never abandoned him or disowned him.
Razzaq was fitter to the Sky Realm's throne. And King Tholros knew that.
His ability to keep his son in his hands was weakening.
And Razzaq had his own plans to claim the throne when the right time comes.