Far below the could layers, Calun could finally see the endless ocean of dark-green forests. It was the Woodland Realm's heart.
With Zuldryn, they gradually descended to the ground. They continued to Great Oak City at the height of the tree foliage.
They passed some scouting dragons who were guarding the aerial area. A few of them stopped them and ordered them to follow them to a sentry tower. The tower was a stone tower on which a giant torch could be lit, which can signal danger to other towers around the kingdom.
"We are from the Fire Realm. This is King Calun, and I am his advisor, Zuldryn," the bigger dragon explained to the Woodland guards. They asked for the invitational letter, which Zuldryn brought in a small pouch on his back.
"Alright, you are safe to go, Your Highness. Two guards will guide you," a soldier dragon said.
With the escorts' help, they went on a short flight again. Among the trees Calun could see their destination: The Great Oak City's grey stone buildings.
Calun could see the populous city full of dragons on its street. Unlike the Fire Realm, the Woodland Realm had many dragons living here. They landed on a large, tall stone building, where he could see the rest of the city. Most dragons here lived in small houses, made out of the same grey stone as almost every other building. Moss and other vegetation gave a greener look to the streets, making the scene blend in perfectly with the forest surrounding it.
Some dragons even cheered at the arrival of Calun and Zuldryn. From the black stone jewellery on his neck, they knew he was the young king. They also probably knew what happened to his kingdom, and why he became the leader at a such young age.
The Woodland Realm and the Fire Realm were very close to each other in terms of political relationship. The dragons here expressed empathy for the Fire Realm's loss of king and capital.
"We have to move on," Zuldryn said to Calun, and they went on towards the Royal Castle of the Great Oak City.
It was a huge castle on top of a hill in the city. It had many towers with balconies on the walls for the flying dragons to enter. Only the main entrance was opened for the guests.
Instead of royalty, now the Council Cycle resided here.
Their Realm-wide decisions were born here. And now, another one was in the making. A decision that could end the peace of Draonia.
The guards let them into the castle. They were greeted with a great hall, with flags representing a picture of an oak tree, the Woodland Realm's symbol, hanging from the tall ceiling.
A large wooden entrance led to the Throne Room, where the other guests have already gathered around.
Calun gulped nervously but tried to keep a noble body position.
The other leading dragons were just in from of him. The ten Council members behind a half-circle-shaped table, and two royal dragons on the opposite sides.
"Please welcome the King of the Fire Realm, King Calun!" Zuldryn introduced him.
The council members and the two leaders bowed.
From the right side of the table, a queen dragon went closer to meet Calun. She had brownish colored scales with black patterns on them. Instead of usual royal metal jewellery, she had a lei of pink flowers on her neck. Calun could feel their sweet smell.
The queen was looking at him, and her face communicates friendliness.
"This is Queen Kyha of the Poison Realm," Zuldryn whispered to Calun, who bowed in front of the queen.
"Greetings, King Calun. Glad to see that you also arrived to this meeting," Kyha said with a charming voice while bowing in front of him.
"G-Glad to be here," Calun stopped for a second, not knowing what to say, "to ensure peace in our Realms."
"Indeed. I hope we can help each other in these times."
Kyha left, and it was the other leader's turn to greet him. He looked like a king, with scales dark as night, some of them having the color of molten lava on his neck. Calun realized that the dragon queen Kyha kept her eyes on the dark-scaled dragon for a bit too long as she went past him.
The large male dragon wore a rough iron chain necklace. Calun immediately knew who he was without an introduction.
"Is he the Sky Realm's King?" he quietly asked Zuldryn.
"No. He is the son of the king, Prince Razzaq," Zuldryn corrected him.
"I greet you, King Calun," Razzaq said as he arrived in front of them. Calun bowed again, but the dragon seemed to ignore the respect, and only bowed slightly. He was definitely not a friendly type.
"Dear Leaders! Let us begin our meeting," one of the elder dragons of the council stated, and Calun with Zuldryn sat down in front of the half-circle table. On Calun's right, Queen Kyha sat, while Razzaq on the left. They formed an almost perfect circle with the court member dragons.
"You might wonder why we gathered only the three of you here," the old council dragon started. "That is because in the past, your realms, the Fire, Poison and Sky Realm formed an alliance with King Braighyss of the Woodland Realm. Our connections might have weakened since the death of his majesty, but we want to ensure our realms would be close again.
Queen Kyha of the Poison Realm, we thank you for your presence. King Calun, we are also pleasured to see you after your realm's tragedy. It is unfortunate that we could not see King Tholros today, but his son is here to represent him"
Upon hearing the word tragedy, Calun's stomach jumped a little. All the other realms knew that he was now the King of Nothing, ruling a dead realm. He tried not to show any emotion.
Zuldryn's reassuring small nod made him feel a bit better. Calun was ready to hear the big news.
"We know you are struggling with the security of your own realms in these times," another old dragon continued while glancing at Calun. "After the loss of the unhatched heir, we were also devastated. The royalty had no other candidates for the throne. And, I have to confess, we fear that the Snow Realm might plan something against us. To take our forests and dragons. To prevent this, we have decided to end the age of a monarchless Woodland Realm."
Complete silence. The prince and queen were having a hard time trying to keep their calm. Their talons were moving, drumming on the ground.
"We are planning to crown a leader who is elected together upon the council's and your decision."