"The throne room of the Dragon Keep was in pin drop silence, the only sound being the slow tapping of the Dragon King’s fingers on the arm of his throne.

His countenance had all the Dragon Lords completely silent, and the chilling aura he exuded had all within the hall standing at full attention.

Tap... tap... tap...

Each tap echoed across the throne room more loudly that it should have, and the Dragon Lords quietly awaited King Jian to break the silence.

No one dared speak first and no one wanted to, a dragon lord had been harmed, it was not a matter King Jian would take lightly.

Worse, it was not just any dragon lord but Lord Menarx of Ruby Scales, brother and aide to the dragon king.

The Dragon King was known to be a man of few words, before ever he spoke, each word would deliver a point or he would not speak at all.

At this moment, the Dragon Lords knew King Jian took the time to calm his rage before he would speak, though when he did speak, it was clear his attempts at calming himself were unsuccessful.

"Menarx was harmed..." King Jian began in an eerily calm tone, his words were followed by a quiet chuckle as he glanced down for a moment.

"My brother...here, in Keep Skies..." King Jian continued before his grip tightened on the arm of his throne, his claws scraping the gem embedded in his arm rest.

"I demand an explanation...in blood!" King Jian hissed lowly, his voice somehow still managing to sound calm despite his obvious agitation.

"My Liege, Rauron and Mauldray have taken flight. Whatever it is lurking our borders, they will find it."

"Grant this honor to the fourth squadron, we will end it and deliver it’s head before you!" Lord Lodenworth assured, stepping forward.

"My Liege, my third squadron are prepared for battle. You need only give the order." Lord Cassian said, stepping down from his place beside King Jian to stand before him.

King Jian’s eyes fluttered closed as he resumed tapping his fingers on the arm rest of his throne.

There were many thoughts running through his mind and each was more bloody than the next... this blood thirst, this craving for war was what King Jian had struggled to tame.

But King Jian knew it clearly, a dragon was a beast of war and bloodshed and that urge could never be tamed.

It was at this time the doors to the throne room opened and Lord Kirgan strode in along with Lord Kaideon of the White Dunes and another man dressed in a leather apron and gloves.

Lord Kaideon lowered his head to a bow before he took his place amongst the dragon lords while Lord Kirgan strode up to his place by King Jian’s side.

"Master Tirone." King Jian acknowledged the presence of the head of the academy of smiths.

"My Liege, I have received your message and examined the blade as directed. It is a report I had to deliver in person." Master Tirone began, presenting the blade of the spear that had hit Menarx.

"Who...?" King Jian asked in a slow snarl, all he needed was a name, a description...a race, anything.

"The spear was crafted of dwarven steel yet there is the presence of another material. There is no ore I have not seen and there is none I cannot recognize. Many decades have passed but I cannot mistake this dexterity!"

"Beneath the outer coat of dwarven steel lies the strongest adamantium ore known especially for it’s ability to pierce armored dragon scale!" Master Tirone reported.

A ferocious snarl erupted from Lord Cassian as he took the blade of the spear and lifted it to his gaze before he snapped it in two with ease.

Just as Master Tirone had said, the inner part of the blade was made of pure adamantium, an ore that had been banned since the overthrow.

"This is adamantium ore! This was no coincidence, My Liege! The dwarven kind have begun mining adamantium!" Lord Cassian hissed, presenting the blade to King Jian.

King Jian’s brows twitched as he took the blade and examined it before he placed it down.

"The hidden kingdom has breeched the peace accord! We should burn it to the ground! Fire and blood!" A dragon lord growled out.

"Fire and blood!" The dragon lords echoed the call.

"Dwarves...they must have a death wish." Lord Kirgan growled lowly.

King Jian chuckled quietly to himself, though his expression was anything but amused.

It was all the more terrifying when the dragon king displayed such calm even while everyone else was raging.

"As we know, the forging of a golem is an art of dark magic... the black network is surely involved. My Liege, Garron will provide a report of our findings in person." Lord Rodvan said from where he stood.

Kaideon stepped forward, placing his hand on his sword hilt. He did not speak any words but his intent was well understood.

"The stronghold has been quiet for far too long, many have forgotten their place and we must remind them!"

"That the world belongs to the beasts of Asvar! This is dragon dynasty and it shall be till the end of days!" Lord Imagor snarled as he also stepped down to stand before King Jian.

"Fire and blood, brother. Grant me the honor to lead the charge." Lord Imagor said, dropping to a knee.

"First, we locate the mines of adamantium. Kaideon, Lodenworth and the fourth squadron... find them, and reduce it to ash!"

"As for the dwarf king, you may deal with him as you deem suitable." King Jian ordered.

"On Rauron and Mauldray’s report, we make flight for the fodder grooves. Cassian, Rodvan and the third squadron...with me." King Jian continued.

"My Liege will go in person?" Kirgan asked.

"I should like to see this beast for myself. Kirgan and the second squadron, tighten security around the Keep. The first, fifth and seventh squadron takes charge of the citadel. Reschedule flight patrol and change flight paths."

"From this moment... any and everything that occurs within Keep Skies, I will know of it at the very instant it happens... and not a moment later." King Jian made clear.