Zane turned to him with a frown. “You never told me that.”
Tiri shrugged. “I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”
“Being a demon is pretty cool and I like flying,” Lorcan said with a grin.
“Chieftain Cwylld, what is left of your people, and are they dedicated to improving upon the reputation of your tribe? The former chieftains did a great deal of evil,” Zamderyth said.
Cadlyr nodded. “My parents were cruel and malicious, Chieftain. I carry the Cwylld name as does my mate, though he was born Valzadari, but I can assure you we are doing what we can to restore honor to our tribe. We are all that is left of it.”
“People are mean to the Valzadari sometimes because they’re blue-skinned,” Lykvalos remarked with a frown. “I’m pink, and I don’t want people to be nasty to me. Zam and Temolvi protect my people, not allowing us to be harmed. We were hurt very bad many times in the past.” For a moment the lively elf’s eyes grew dark with a host of haunted and fearful emotions. Whatever Lykvalos had faced, it had been ugly.
“Chieftains, I will be honest. There may be ignorant tribes that will avoid you, but if any member of the Council of Sorcery and Shifters is cruel to you, there are consequences. I am happy to give you my direct number. You can call me with any incidents, and I will ensure it does not happen again. It is important to me that we encourage a feeling of acceptance throughout all shifters and magickind,” Ellery stated.
“Your Majesty, how would joining the Council affect our relationship with Valzadari Beading Company?” Temolvi asked. “We have built a wonderful working relationship with Chieftain Kalthekor, and we are happy that Chieftain-mate Evlithar Cwylld-D’Vaire is involved again with operations. It has been a lucrative arrangement for all of our tribes, and what I cannot do is sacrifice the quality of life it provides my people.”
“Chieftain, the contracts you have with the Valzadari Beading Company function within the rules of the Council. I understand Kalthekor and Evlithar have made sure it meets all requirements, so there would be no change to them. Your working relationship would continue to be governed how you see fit. The Council would not interfere,” Ellery assured him.
“My hut’s really nice. I even have electricity and I can’t live without my Wi-Fi. Would I get to keep it, or would we have to move?” Lykvalos asked, once again full of lively good cheer.
“Unfortunately, I cannot answer that question at this time. If you filed petitions to join the Council, we would begin negotiations with the humans to see if we can purchase where you are settled. If we can, you may remain there. Should they be unwilling to sell it, then we will have to find another spot for your tribe. Each of you would be heavily involved in that process, so you would have the final say if you were to be relocated. No one is going to tell you that you must move to one spot,” Ellery responded.
“So, if I have to move, I can stay near the Indrenakas and Sae’Varis? They’re very helpful to the Mystamre, and we’d hate to lose our friends,” Lykvalos replied. “We’d live in fear without them.”
“Absolutely, either humans in another area will sell us land or there are some portions of Council-owned properties that might be available,” Ellery told him.
Lykvalos turned to the D’Vaire elves. “Your house is nice. Do you like it here being with other races? Kalthekor says you have a great many here.”
“D’Vaire is a wonderful sanctuary, and I can’t imagine a better place to live,” Lorcan responded for the group.
A small pink hand shot out and petted part of Tiri’s sleeve. “What fabric is this?”
“Dragonskin.”
His green eyes widened. “Does it come in pink?”
“As a matter of fact, Duke Worthington D’Vairedraconis is a pink dragon,” Zane said.
“Oh my, do you think he might perhaps possibly sell me some of his dragonskin?” Lykvalos asked in a whisper. He gasped loudly. “Or do you have to die and skin a dragon? I don’t want him to think I want him dead.”
“Dragons shed their scales regularly, and the dragonskin leather is made from that. No one has to die,” Zane assured him. “I’d be happy to speak to His Grace for you.”
Lykvalos bumped his elbow against Tiri’s. “Your mate is nice.”
“Your Majesty, if you are willing to stand for us and will guide us in this process, then I believe our tribes would be interested in petitioning to join the Council of Sorcery and Shifters,” Temolvi stated.
Ellery couldn’t have held back his smile if he tried. “Chieftain, I will be at your side during the entire process and beyond. In fact, if you will allow me, the Office of the Emperor can cosign each of your petitions, and I will personally present them to the Council when I return in a few weeks.”
“On behalf of the Indrenakas, Sae’Varis, and Mystamre tribes, allow me to thank you, Your Majesty. Kalthekor and Evlithar have expended much energy over the centuries trying to get us to join, but we did not feel it was the right time until Fate selected you as co-ruler. It was not that you were an elf. You are like no one else, someone who stands out whether you like it or not. Our tribes feel like that when around other elves. A legendary hybrid is exactly the type of person we feel we can trust,” Temolvi said.
“In time I hope we can change the mindset of all elves to make them more accepting, Chieftain, but no matter what, you may count on me to always champion your cause. Are there any more questions I can answer for you today?”
“Only one Your Majesty. Tell me, is it possible to get our hands on any of your unique dragonskin?”
Ellery laughed. “I was stuck in dragon form for six months, and I still shift more than anyone else, Chieftain. We have so much of the stuff, we would be happy to hand over whatever quantity you desire.”
“While we are all sitting here, perhaps we could come to an agreement on the usage of His Majesty’s dragonskin. I propose we make it exclusive to the companies Elven D’Vaire, Tiri’s Textiles, and the Valzadari Beading Company. Each tribe in this room would have access to it but no one else,” Zane suggested. He turned to his attention to Ellery. “You could decide the terms of that exclusivity.”
“What do you think, Your Majesty? The rareness of your dragonskin would make any project produced with it have a higher value,” Zamderyth said.
