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With the formalities of my meeting with the queen now complete, we sat together on the dais watching the preparations for the impending feast finish up.

I liked it here. There was a serenity radiating from her, and it was infectious. As much as this was a strange land, and as much as I was surrounded by strangers, in that moment I felt like I could see myself as a part of their society.

Though the solace was not meant to last as a pair of kobolds approached the dais. Unlike everyone else in the hall, these two were wearing uniforms, and when they asked for her time, she urged me to mingle with the crowd.

Milling about with the rest of the dragons was a little bit stressful. I knew nobody here and I was the only non-reptilian creature in sight. So I decided to go to the outskirts of the room where I took a spot next to one of the pillars to watch the crowd outside.

They seemed to be watching a game between four wyverns flying above. And their eyes were glued to them as they wove and flew around, chasing one another across the field. I didn’t know what sort of game it was, but it seemed to have a goal-post in the center with a large ring that they all seemed to aim towards, and trying to stop their opponent from crossing through it.

It was a nice distraction, and it kept me occupied.

Risking a glance around from where I stood, I saw quite a few dragons from various tribes mingling together. Wyverns and greater dragons chatting with kobolds and drakes, and even some serpent-like dragons with only a pair of forelegs (which I learned later were from the lyndwurm tribe.) The sense I got from watching all of it was like this was a reunion of sorts, and everyone was in good spirits as if they were catching up like the families I saw on television.

Though as much as I tried to observe all the activities around me, I couldn’t shed the sense that I was the odd one out. Everywhere I looked there wasn’t a single human, or even anyone that wasn’t a dragon of some kind.

And being nude as everyone else in sight didn’t help much either. They appeared to be comfortable with it, but they all had the benefit of their genitals being hidden from plain sight. I wasn’t so fortunate.

I was shaken from my ruminations when the room quieted down. Turning to see what had caught their attention, I saw two kobolds coming up from the stairs. One was wearing a sash, and the other an apron. Considering the nudity of all the rest, and that they didn’t seem to be wearing uniforms, this seemed abnormal and pricked my curiosity which was soon satisfied.

They both walked to the dais then turned to face the crowd. The kobold with the sash raised his hand to command the room’s attention… and after he cleared his throat, what murmurings that remained died down to silence.

“My dearest brothers and sisters,” The sashed kobold said in a warm voice, “you have brought yourselves, and your appetites I am sure, to the Queen’s table. Our dedicated team of cooks have been working tirelessly for the feast,” he nodded toward the kobold in the apron, who straightened his back at the recognition. “And to reward your patience, I am glad to announce that dinner…” He paused, his eyes scanning the crowd as if to milk it for all he could. “is served.”

He bowed deep as the chef next to him clapped his hands high to signal the rest of his team waiting below to bring up their procession.

And what a procession it was; dozens and dozens of kobolds came marching up, each holding a cloche-covered tray, making their way around the room to place their charge down with a reverence that could be felt even from where I stood.

By the time the aromas hit my nose, the hunger I had been dealing with came forth like a raging inferno and I couldn’t pry my eyes from the secrets hidden beneath the silver coverings.

When all the trays were placed, the team stood waiting. Then in a smoothly rehearsed motion they all lifted the covers together in unison to reveal what they contained.

And with that the feast began.

I wasn’t feeling choosy at this point, because anything would be better than the emptiness of my belly. But I had a difficult time choosing what would be my first taste.

There were all sorts of choices available ranging from roasted meats all the way to plates of fruits and vegetables, and even tables lined with pastries and cakes.

Though the first thing I grabbed was a plate, and soon it was piled with a small taste of whatever caught my fancy.

I found myself looking at a roast bird at the same time as another; a gray wyvern with stubby horns and scale-plates along the top of his snout.

“I plan on taking a large portion, little hyoom,” he said as he saw me spying the bird as well. “Please take what you wish first.”

“You sure?” I asked.

“Of course. You are small. It is unlikely that you will take much.”

I wanted to defy him, but I would have been filled up because this was bigger than a thanksgiving turkey.

I peeled off some of the meat, and then stepped back as I popped it in my mouth. The meat was tender and juicy, and the skin was perfectly crisp.

Though I was about to reach for more, but there wasn’t much left when I looked back at it. The remaining meat had been snapped up and the wyvern next to me had a smile on his face as the juices were dribbling down his maw.

He then said his farewells and quickly scampered off to another table, leaving me to stare at the now empty plate.

Looking around me, idly chewing the meat I had taken, I saw that everyone here was devouring the food like that. Taking large bites, tossing them up and snapping at them. The only ones that seemed to be taking their time were kobolds, but it was likely more because they were closer to my size.

“Ahh, hello little hyoom” I heard a voice behind me.

Startled, I turned to look at a large brown dragon shaped like Arh, but without wings. “I hope that seeing us feast is not instilling fright in you.”

I laughed. “Hardly. I’ve seen worse.”

“I am Kal’ohta, by the way,” He said, bowing his head.

“William,” I said, returning the gesture.

“So what brings you to this feast?” He asked.

“I… uh, I don’t really know,” I said, looking around me. “Is this a regular event?”

“Oh yes. The queen does what she can to make sure that none in her care go hungry.”

“That’s nice of her. I guess it would be arrogant to assume this was for Arh and I.”

“Ahh, so you are the one I have heard rumors about. You are to become keo’vah?”

“Apparently so,” I sighed. “By the way, have you seen Arh’eoban around? I haven’t seen him since he went off to discuss something with another dragon.”

“You do not know? Oh, forgive me. The novelty of seeing a hyoom has many of us curious, but forgetful that this is not your world,” He leaned closer, giving the conversation a touch of intimacy. “He is likely finishing up preparations for the ritual. Ancient magics are at play in the joining and it must be done right,” He smiled as he brought his head closer to mine. “If it will help ease your mind, I imagine he will be up soon.”

It was a relief to hear that. Despite being in a massive crowd, I couldn’t escape this sense of loneliness. Everywhere before me there was a strong sense of familiarity. A familiarity that I didn’t feel I deserved. I was just the lone “hyoom” waiting here for what felt like an eternity for the one dragon that I knew I could feel safe around to return.

And no sooner had I realized that than a crash came ringing from across the hall. I flinched, and nearly fumbled my plate.

Turning to look at what had cause the commotion, I saw a large drake had tripped and knocked themselves into a table and was wearing a plate of pastries along with a mortified look.

A team of kobolds were on the scene within seconds to help him up and clean the mess.

Still, that did little to dispell this alien feeling. I was out of place, and everything I saw before me reminded me of that one simple fact.

These thoughts clamored around to shout over the din of the banquet, bringing the icy cold stab of doubt. The meeting with the queen should have told me that these fears were unfounded, but that did nothing to dispel the frigid whispers my mind kept lobbing at me that I didn’t belong. That I would never belong.

My hands were trembling before I fully realized it and I could feel that familiar sting in my body rearing up.

“I do not wish for you to think me inhospitable, but I see a plate of pastries that appear to be lonely,” Kal said before bounding off.

Did he notice my trembling?

Well, whether he did or not, I recoiled inside because I thought he did, and wanted to get away.

I had to find somewhere to go where I could ride this out before it became too much to bear. I didn’t care where, as long as I could be the watcher, and not the watched.

I found a spot near one of the pillars and tried to finish eating, but as hungry as I knew I was, I struggled to get the food down.

I stood like that for what felt like hours until I heard his voice again. His deep voice that carried into my ears like velvet.

“I see you have experienced the wonders of the queen’s kitchen,” Arh said, bringing his head close to mine from behind.

I jumped, and nearly dropped my plate. But I turned to hug his foreleg.

“I hope you have not been mistreated,” he said, placing his other leg over my back to hold me close. “I know we can be passionate, but—”

“No, it’s not that,” I said, my nose starting to sting as my eyes filled up with tears. “I…”

I couldn’t finish that sentence. I didn’t know what I wanted to say in that moment. All I knew I wanted was to feel him in that moment. The only dragon in a room of hundreds that I knew.

He sat his haunches down and brought his tail around me.

“If I knew this would be difficult for you, I would have chosen another day.”

“No, it’s not your fault. I’m just not good with crowds.”

“Ahh, then you may not like what will happen soon,” he breathed in my scent. “But do not fear, I will be with you through it all.”

“What’s—” I was about to say but was cut off from the sound of a gong in the main hall.

The master of ceremonies was standing by the dais with the gong, and a mallet.

Clearing his throat, he then stood tall and called to the crowd.

“Please, may I have your eyes and ears,” he called. Waiting a bit for the few disparate voices to settle down. “As you may know, our lands have not had a visitor from other realms in a very, very long time,” he cast his eyes around the room to ensure all eyes were on him. “It has been centuries since the gods above and below have seen fit to bless us with an errant soul among us.”

I could see eyes turning my way.

“When dragons become keo’vah, they allow their hearts to beat together as one,” the master of ceremonies continued. “And today is a joyous moment. A dear brother of ours has been blessed with the duty of joining.”

A few muffled voices erupted from the crowd.

“The very gods themselves opened a path to a realm long feared lost to us,” he continued. “So, if I may, I would like to announce to you the one that has come to join with Arh’eoban.”

He gestured towards us once more. I felt Arh’s paw gently urge me up. “Do not be afraid. Stand and greet them,” he whispered to me while eyes watched.

The master of ceremonies smiled and continued. “It is my greatest pleasure and privilege to wish you many blessings. May the gods themselves smile with you and bestow upon you centuries of love. May your song reach their ears as thanks and praise.”

A round of applause and joyful shouts erupted from the crowd. I felt my cheeks grow hotter than they’ve ever been from the blush that took over my face.

“Ahem, quiet, please,” the kobold called out. Straightening his posture, he held out his arm towards us. “Now, will our honored guests please approach the dais,” he directed. His arms gesturing towards us. “Come, come. I will not bite.”

“Not too hard,” a voice called out from the crowd, causing a few guffaws to pour forth.

I got up, with Arh following behind me.

When we approached the dais, we were stood side by side in front of the queen and made to face out toward the crowd.

I was glad I didn’t have to move. My legs lost their strength, but I found some of it next to me in the dragon I was found myself leaning on.

The master of ceremonies cleared his throat again, calling the attention to him, as he faced us to straighten, then bow. “May your hearts beat strong and as one,” he said, to which every other dragons in the room bowed along.

After that the hall broke from the announcement to return to the feast. When the tables had been rendered a wasteland, music rang out, and dancing soon followed. Whomever didn’t dance or make merry congregated in groups. Some around a teller of tales whom wove a tale as captivating as his gesture. Others in large piles just chatting and feasting, and the rest scattered about. I didn’t feel like they were alien to me. They just looked like what I had imagined good-spirited people were.

I smiled as Arh leaned his head near mine to nuzzle.

“Thank you,” he said.

“Thank you,” I replied.

I pulled him close in an embrace, to which he purred… making me wish I could as well.