Orian and his group dragged the dwarven prisoners back to the Phoenix settlement after all the captive creatures had been freed.
The Phoenix queen would see to it that all the people the dwarves had kidnapped were returned to their families safe and sound.
She had been consulting with Eternus, the Phoenix princess and the two Djinni this entire time, leaving Orian and Chrome to wait.
After an hour of deliberations, Eternus returned for them.
"My queen wishes to meet with the 2 dragons that saved her daughter in person, please follow me." Stated Eternus.
"How's your sister doing now?" Asked Orian.
"She's well enough at present. Make no mistake, she's highly resilient. " Explained Eternus.
"What does your mother intend to do with the dwarves? I can't imagine she was happy to hear about their betrayal?" Asked Chrome.
"... she wasn't... but I believe that is one of the things she wishes to discuss..." stated Eternus.
They lost their chance to discuss the queen further when they entered the audience chamber.
At the far end of the room, on a raised platform, sat the Phoenix Queen in all her glory.
She resembled a young woman in her early 30 with long red/brown hair and bright blue eyes.
A bright red dress covered her body with golden Falcon imagery woven across the garment.
Two long tassels extended from the lower back part of her dress, resembling the wings of her true form. A gold circlet with a massive falcon with it's wing extended was resting on her head, a large, oval shaped ruby set just below the bird.
Two thick sleeves covered both wrists and several rings was placed around her fingers. Her upper arms were exposed and revealed red glyphs on her skin that almost looked like it was branded on her, fires were still raging across her upper arms.
Giving an indication as to her mood state.
Two guards with lobg polearms were standing beside the stairs that rose up the platform towards her throne with . The two Djinni were standing at the foot of the platform.
The small, falcon sized daughter of the queen that they had rescued sat on her left shoulder.
Orian and Chrome stood in front of the stairs and bowed their heads to the queen. The queen smiled in response.
"I would have thought that the brood of the Great Calamity would bow before none but their own!?" Stated the Queen.
"We bow to those that deserve the gesture, Phoenix Queen. Your age and wisdom makes you worthy of our respect. " stated Orian.
"Though don't mistake our gesture for submission or fealty we submit to none but our our father!!" Stated Chrome with an edge.
The queen smiled.
"There's that draconic pride that I was expecting to see!" Stated the Queen.
No one in the room said a word.
"It has come to my attention that I have you two to thank for the safe return of my daughter!?
My family is in your debt and there is only one fitting rewards for such a great deed. I offer my youngest daughter's hand in marriage to the child of Calamity, and with it the title of "Consort Prince' of my court." Stated the Queen.
"I fear we have to decline, your majesty!!" Stated Orian.
Murmurs came from the assembled crowd as they waited to see how their queen would react.
"You would turn down the influence and prestige such a position would grant?" Asked the Queen.
"We mean no offense, your majesty. But my people don't marry for power or political reasons and although your daughter would make a fine suitor to someone some day. I don't feel such a bond to her." Stated Orian.
"Plus my heart already belongs to another!!" Thought Orian, although he did not voice it.
Orian wasn't suprised that the queen had made such a gesture and had prepared for it.
Phoenixes, unlike most races rarely paired for love, especially among the royals. Instead it was a tense contract between families in the hopes of producing an powerful heir that could bring glory to both families.
Love rarely played a part in the negotiations.
Orian had proved his strength through his deeds and so it was no suprise at all that the queen would like to lay claim to him by proposing such a union.
She looked expectantly at Chrome.
"And what of you, second prince?" Asked the Queen.
"No way in he- ow....!!" Exclaimed Chrome, an elbow from Orian interupted him before he could offend the Phoenix queen.
"I mean... I must decline as well..." stated Chrome.
"Very well then... what other boon can I offer the saviors of my daughter?"
"My father sent us to deal with The Order in the area... you're aid in doing so would be reward enough..." stated Orian.
The queen hesitated.
"I already promised your father for our support and I intend to honor it, but you must understand things have changed...
Currently the dwarves from the Mythril clan are a greater threat for my people and that must take priority. " stated the Queen.
"Your Majesty!? What do you intend to do about the Dwarves !?" Asked Chrome.
"Their city will be reduced to ash and their people will be destroyed!" Stated the Queen coldly...
"Your Majesty, I plead for your forgiveness... not all in the clan is responsible for the atrocities... many innocents would die." Pleaded Chrome.
"If they turned a blind eye to their leadership's corruption, then they are no innocents, Prince Chrome. " stated the Queen.
"You promised us a boon in exchange for saving your family? I plead for your mercy for the city!? I have a plan for how to deal with the problem that would minimize the bloodshed for both sides..." Explained Chrome.
The queen hesitated, torn between her promise to them and her desire for retribution.
"I cannot promise to call off the retaliation, Chrome!! Blood must be repaid in blood!" Stated the queen.
"However... I'm willing to delay our attack for you... if you manage to convince the clan to surrender their leaders to us and overthrow their rule... then I will call off the bloodshed... you have a week to do so..." Explained the queen.