Its all Just a Misunderstanding

Word had gotten around, as Mai wasn't kept waiting long at the next gate they eventually found, which had thankfully been the right one as well. Being let into the innermost part of the capital, after only needing to give her name to the guards standing dutifully by the open gates, with Lygawa, Mai approached the large light-grey building within.

This 'fore-sight' ability really does open doors...

Getting to the big castle's high entrance, they were stopped again, as Mai again gave her name, then her village's name, before being told that only she had been given permission to meet with the King, who now expected her.

Lygawa objected strongly to not being allowed to accompany Mai inside this lavish looking castle, but with a little whispering between them, before Mai was admitted, she made sure Lygawa knew to keep a discreet eye and ear out, so she remained safe at all times, but the dragon-girl would have to remain fully stealthy about it.

"I will be sure none see me watching over you, yes."

The silver dragon-girl seemed to understand, and confidently accepted the latest task.

Following the fancily dressed assistant, or guard, through the building, then up a long bright hall, Mai caught something from the corner of her wandering eye, as she gazed about the empty area, as something flickered along the glass high on the roof, and for a brief second she caught the silver figure paddle across the clear panes above her.

That's not what I meant for her to do, but...

She stopped to lightly laugh, as seeing Lygawa like a crawling gecko was pretty funny.

"This way Miss."

The attendant said again, after clearing his throat to regain her wandered attention.

Reaching a pair of overly high white doors, they briefly stopped again, before they were opened wide for her entrance.

I just realized... is this simple blue dress I've got good enough to visit this place...? Perhaps I should have bought something finer or even a little glamorous back in town...

While Mai was fairly nervous, shuffling in, as meeting the royal and leader of the land she lived in now was a big deal, the big room was fairly empty, apart from a couple of guards at attention, and a few figures standing behind another - who sat in the grand seat before her.

He fit the standard image of a King; grey hair, with matching neat beard, with older features to match, but still holding a strong commanding presence. Decked out in a mix of blue, red and white, with a modest shiny metal crown atop his head, there was no mistaking who the man on the thrown was.

"Here enters Mai Misaki, resident of Yarra and 'fore-seer'..."

The escorting attendant announced, as he stayed put near the door.

Mai wandered out before the seated royal, unsure how far she was allowed to get, so stopped a few meters shy of the slightly elevated area that held his seat, and bowed low before him.

"So you are the lady who has been spoken of."

He paused while Mai returned to nervously stand still.

"Good things, I hope, sir."

Mai said shakily.

I hope that's polite enough, no one bothered to give me an etiquette crash course here either...

"Many in fact - including that you have friends amongst the Dragons."

Huh, but how could he know that...?

"Uh... yes sir, I do know... a few in fact."

"Oh?"

Mai remained quiet, so he went on

"So you have come here to announce something for your King then?"

Mai took a calming breath, before speaking as well as she could.

"Yes sir; I believe the army is undertaking a serious and troubling provocation..."

He stayed silent.

"... as I believe an attack on the Dragon kind will lead to a great conflict - that will cause great... and sever harm to these lands..."

Seeing a ruined castle was a fairly good indication of that....

"So you believe my generals are acting... rashly?"

The crowned man asked her flatly.

"I think they underestimate the power and number of the Dragons they seem eager to engage, sir."

The King sighed lightly.

"True, our generation has never seen a real battle between man and great beast... and if I suspect correctly Clarkson is the one of who you speak of?"

Well I didn't catch his name...

"I believe so... sir."

His majesty shuffled on his expensive seat a little too.

"He is ambitious... and naive to boot... but these Dragons do go unchecked and unchallenged every so often... how can we know their intent?"

"I find them reasonable enough to talk with... sir."

Mai spoke up honestly.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Go on..."

"They mistrust people, like many people do toward them, but I believe they don't hold hate in their hearts... As many keep away from Human lands; they do not know of our ways. I believe this unknowing is the problem - on both sides..."

Mai did her best to put her feelings and observations into words

"Well said. And you have come to know this, through talking with them?"

"Yes sir. I have spent time with several, and they are mostly kind and considerate, content to leave us be, or learn about our ways..."

Mai embellished a little, as his majesty sat back into his cushy seat.

"You remind me of... someone I knew long ago..."

He spoke softly, as he looked past her, possibly into his distant memories.

Mai kept quiet as he then leaned over to his nearest advisor, as they exchanged a few words, Mai fiddled with her hands in wait.

"Very well, we will recall the army, if your 'foresight' sees our doom through this action."

"Thank-you... uh sir."

The crowned King stood up.

"So, Mai Misaki, I proclaim you the 'Seer' for this land..."

Two waiting guards approached from either side of the grand room.

"You shall be well taken care of from now on..."

Something smashed overhead, but not quick enough to turn and see what, Mai instead saw a silver streak hurtle down beside her, striking the nearest guardsman to the ground, before twirling over and kicking the one on her opposite side, while grabbing his multi-pronged spear.

Landing well on her feet, Lygawa beamed a smug smile and pointed the captured weapon toward the man up before his fancy seat and proclaimed.

"You'll need to go through me to get your hands on Mai!"

The king merely raised his hand, to stop any other action by his men in the room, not that they were eager to take on the sudden intruder, with the spear and silver tail.

"Ly-ga-wa!"

"Eh..."

The smug smile disappeared as she looked back to Mai, who gave an angered glance.

"I was... they were approaching you with these!"

Lygawa brandished the stolen metal spear, probably only used for ceremonial purposes.

"And here I was saying that you were a well behaved and non-violent Dragon... I thought you were listening?"

"That... last statement was... ambiguous..."

She hesitated under Mai's scowl, as she pled her case.

"I apologise... Miss?"

The King reclaimed their attention, as Lygawa spun about, putting her free hand on her hip and holding the spare upright beside her in another pose.

"I am the mighty dragon; Lygawa."

She proudly proclaimed, swishing her long tail about.

"Mighty Lygawa, I meant; that I believe in her words, and that the 'seer's needs will be met - whatever they might be from henceforth."

He clarified to the unexpected guest.

"Hum... you are a wise King to listen to Mai, yes."

"I am sorry for her actions sir..."

Mai apologised on her behalf, but the King only smiled.

"This is not the worst incident to happen in this room."

Mai nodded - having no clue, while Lygawa tossed the spiky implement back to its previous holder, who had climbed back to his feet and kept clear.

"You will have whatever you desire, Miss Misaki."

"I think I'd like to simply go now, if that's alright sir?"

He still seemed quite happy as he looked over at them.

"You are free to come and leave here - whenever you want."

"Thank-you sir."

Mai bowed again, then grabbed Lygawa's hand and marched her out of the room.

"He seemed reasonable, yes. It all worked out..."

She was right, and perhaps her sudden arrival had even worked a little more in their favour too, at least it did show a slightly dysfunctional relationship with a dragon was possible, but it was still a little embarrassing in front of such an important person.

"Come on, let's go..."

Down the connecting long hall was as far as they got, as they were soon intercepted.