All That Is Evil Is Not Dark/Chapter 30

The Drakel contingent entered the throne room and fixed their eyes upon Tralin, who sat upon the throne. Darin and Cerin stood at Tralin's left while Jano whispered something into Tralin's ear.

"T'palo..." their leader, an enforcer, demanded. "Where is the king...?"

Tralin pointedly ignored the interruption and whispered back to Jano, who bowed and left the throne room.

"Denda Kruatha'ri Nect Re'edi c'tal defo Lin," Tralin proclaimed and enraged the Drakel, who shot his hand for his sword.

Darin drew his own. "Surety is forfeit if you show violence here, Drakel. Lord Tralin is within his rights. If the Drakel are incapable of respect, they CAN take their leave from here..."

"Stay out of this, human... This is none of your affair..."

"On the contrary, as a commander in his majesty's army, it is my business how you treat Lord Tralin."

"Concern yourself first with your life and then with your king... The T'palo is our issue..."

"You are in error. I concern myself with my king and then with my life, and Lord Tralin's treatment is therefore an ultimate concern."

"I warn you, human..." the enforcer began, irritated.

"No," Tralin barked, "we warn you... You are trying our patience, foot soldier of the Drakel. We will not brook your continued assault on our officer or on our throne. You seek the king of Deren, I am he. Speak your piece..."