Chapter 40: Something Else
"You demand the execution of children?"
Draelor’s words carried a certain level of ambiguity that Auryn couldn’t fully place his finger on.
Was it a question or a statement that challenged his demands. Either way, it made them sound absurd and Auryn wasn’t having that.
He couldn’t fully place a meaning to it and most of the council couldn’t either, Vaedon smiled but Auryn didn’t flinch.
Instead he rose with calmness and confidence that stripped away the tension.
"I demand justice," he said.
Stepping forward, he tugged at his chest revealing the bandages of the wound for all to see.
"Castor’s arrow wasn’t aimed at me. It was aimed at my wife,"
Suddenly all the wandering eyes locked on to him. He’d drawn their attention even as Castor’s eyes widened in shock.
That’s it ... Let the show begin...
"Princess Alyrae was standing beside me, when Castor attacked," he grunted.
"If I wasn’t fast enough, she would have taken that arrow." He paused dramatically, his hands gesturing as he spoke.Switching his expression to one of concern.
He continued.
"And I would have lost the mother of my un-born children. Pure-blooded dragon heirs."
The entire council froze in silence. Auryn had finally dialed their numbers and Vaedon knew. He sneered slightly.
Smart bastard!
Auryn continued. "I’m asking for Castor’s wife and three children in return..."
"An even trade?" He shook his head slowly from left to right.
"No..."
Auryn raised a single finger and faced the elders before locking eyes with Vaedon with a smirk creeping onto his visage.
"A single pure-blooded dragon child is worth more than Castor’s entire bloodline."
He held his breath,letting the word settle. This was the truth, as cruel as it was. It remained undeniable.
Pure bloods were above diluted nobility. The Dragon hierarchy was absolute and rigid and he was going to take advantage of that.
Auryn’s voice grew colder as his eyes shifted on to Draelor’s.
"The law is clear, First Prince,"
He paused, eyes fixed on Draelor’s as the words escaped his lips steady and venomous.
"Or have the laws changed?"
Murmurs spread through the chamber as another set of debates arose.
The truth of the law was staring at them. Uncomfortable and unwelcomed but it couldn’t be ignored.
Draelor’s expression remained unreadable. But he hadn’t denied Auryn’s logic. He couldn’t.
"Mm...Hmm"
Vaedon’s voice cut through the spiking murmurs, calmer than Auryn’s and yet somehow more audible.
He stood, walked forward slowly with measured steps, drawing every eye in the chamber to himself.
"Little brother." He exclaimed.
"No one disputes Castor’s guilt." He gestured toward Castor, who still stood at the center of the chamber.
"But execution of an entire family..."
He turned to the elders in that moment, addressing them, not Auryn. Playing his audience.
"His children and wife. Generations of service. Just erased?"
Vaedon slowed his speech, letting the council absorb his words.
"The empire needs the Second Sword," he looked directly at Castor.
"How long has your family defended the eastern border, Castor?"
Castor’s shaky voice struggled to escape his mouth. "My family... two centuries, my lord."
Vaedon repeated it, emphasizing each word.
"Two... centuries..."
it echoed through the chamber as he turned back to Auryn.
"His value is... considerable." He paused and sneezed a wink at Auryn.
"What about compensation? Instead of blood?" He planted his seeds softly. His feign sympathy was first on Auryn and then to the elders.
Finally, we moving...
Auryn thought even as satisfaction flickered in his eyes, barely visible. Well hidden as his expression stayed neutral.
There it is. He thinks he’s negotiating me down. How predictable.
Vaedon’s expression carried satisfaction. He believed he was winning, successfully redirecting the conversation from execution to negotiation.
Auryn stood head down and ram-rodded as if he was in a tight spot and after six seconds he answered softly. Hiding the most devious of smiles.
"Fine," he raised his head with a plain expression.
At the center of it all, Castor stood. He had never in a million years thought he’d be here.
Center of the Triarch Council’s focus. Ten Elders watching. Three princes deliberating.
He stood accused while his family’s fate hung on words he hadn’t spoken yet, couldn’t speak, wouldn’t matter even if he did.
Vaedon had told him to stand proud. Stand as Second Sword. Show them the warrior, not the broken father.
He’d tried. Shoulders were high, chin was raised, when he arrived. Then the attendant read their names.
"Eva. Daren. Claudia. Cara."
His shoulders collapsed. His title dissolved. What remained was just a man who’d lost one son already and might lose everything else.
The weight made him shiver, but not from cold. Not from fear of his own death—he’d faced that a thousand times.
This was different and alot heavier. Fear of losing them all. One wrong word. One misstep and they’d all die.
His throat was dry as sand. Body rigid like a statue. He waited, let his fate be decided by others while pretending he still had dignity left.
Auryn’s word "Fine" had broke through his paralysis.
Compensation? He thought.
Hope flickered in his eyes. It was pathetic to say the least. But Vaedon’s plan was working.
Maybe Vaedon was right. Maybe they’ll survive. Maybe— just maybe
But as soon as his eyes met Auryn’s.His words carried coldness and strategy. The words felt detached like it was serving a purpose it wasn’t meant to.
Castor understood then and there.
Auryn never intended to kill them. This was theater. To make him desperate. Terrified. Then take what he actually wants. And we’ll give it. Gladly. Because the alternative?
His hands clenched behind his back where no one could see. Nails digging into palms hard enough to draw blood he couldn’t feel.
Barely holding together. He waited. Everything was alright to him as long as they were safe.
Auryn turned to face the semicircle of the elders. He moved showing he negotiated with them, not his brothers only.
"I want territory," he said simply.
Vaedon’s fingers stopped tapping. He had expected this.
Auryn continued, "I consulted my council before hand," he turned to see Borin who simply nodded.
"They suggested three regions. Promise Valley. Greenstone and the raverie plains."
The elders nodded. It was reasonable. Those regions had value. Exactly what they would have suggested themselves.
Auryn assessed the choices aloud. Making sense of them.
"This takes power from Castor. A good payment."
Draelor stayed quiet even as Vaedon’s stillness spoke volumes. something crept in the air.
Perfect. He’s exactly where I want you.
A knowing smile stayed on Vaedon’s face. Even as Auryn’s expression grew more difficult to understand.
"But I’m not taking those."
Silence suddenly crashed through the chamber. Confusion rippled through the elders, while they exchanged glances.
Vaedon’s expression shifted in that moment. The first crack in his certainty.
Wait... What..?
Auryn’s voice turned dark and ominous.
"I want something else," He said tilting his head in Castor’s direction. The steel of his eyes piercing the man’s soul.