Behind the Names
In this short story (coda), we gain insight into a scene in Dhairthel's political life, following the events of my work, titled There is Always a Story to be Told. Happy reading!
Story ©
[
](/u/TylboDergun)@TylboDergun
Dhairthel, Suth'an ©
[
](/u/TylboDergun)@TylboDergun
The parliament of the city of Kriston. It had always been a beautiful place. The politicians who came here, far less so. Most of them had been corrupt from the very beginning. The rest? Well… let's just say they chose to blend in rather than risk falling out of a fourth-floor window.
The assembly hall was already filling up. In the antechamber, however, two figures were still talking. A green naga and a purple dragon. The serpent was adjusting the quadruped's suit with practiced care.
Dhairthel: - I still feel really damn stupid in this suit…
Dhairthel's sigh only made his lover smile.
Suth'an: - The best tailors in our city made it for you. And besides… this is hardly the first time you've worn it.
Dhairthel: - I know. Still feels strange.
The naga's smile did not fade. After brushing a bit of dust from Dhairthel's suit, he placed his right hand gently against the dragon's face.
Suth'an: - My handsome… mayor.
He added Dhairthel's official title with playful intent.
Dhairthel: - That's enough. Those fuckers are already waiting for me.
Suth'an slid back to give the dragon space.
Suth'an: - Show them that you're more than what they want to paint you as, my love.
Dhairthel nodded, then stepped up to the doors of the assembly hall.
“Just don't lose your head…” he thought after taking a deeper breath. Then, he opened the door and entered the chamber.
As he stepped inside, the room fell into a graveyard silence. The reinforced security watched the dragon with tense attention.
To some, only the gang leader stood before them. Others saw the one who had saved the world. And there were those who saw both at once.
Clidnack: - Well now… the crime itself has arrived…
A gnome spoke from the far end of the room, noticeably surrounded by more guards than usual.
Dhairthel let out a low growl and made his way to his seat.
Clidnack: - You know damn well you don't belong here, dragon.
Dhairthel said nothing. He simply took his seat. Right beside him.
Clidnack: - A criminal will never become a real politician. Never become mayor. Never become… a hero.
After the last word, silence settled for a moment. Not the awkward kind. A tense one.
Dhairthel's chest rose slowly, then fell.
One deep breath.
He felt something old and familiar stir within him. But it was given no room.
Barely after sitting down among the politicians, he stood up again. He did not look at Clidnack. He did not look at the guards. He simply turned and walked toward the exit.
Before leaving the chamber, he stopped for a brief moment by the door and spoke quietly.
Dhairthel: - Then no one here would be one either.
No one in the room spoke again as the door closed behind the names.The parliament of the city of Kriston. It had always been a beautiful place. The politicians who came here, far less so. Most of them had been corrupt from the very beginning. The rest? Well… let's just say they chose to blend in rather than risk falling out of a fourth-floor window.
The assembly hall was already filling up. In the antechamber, however, two figures were still talking. A green naga and a purple dragon. The serpent was adjusting the quadruped's suit with practiced care.
Dhairthel: - I still feel really damn stupid in this suit…
Dhairthel's sigh only made his lover smile.
Suth'an: - The best tailors in our city made it for you. And besides… this is hardly the first time you've worn it.
Dhairthel: - I know. Still feels strange.
The naga's smile did not fade. After brushing a bit of dust from Dhairthel's suit, he placed his right hand gently against the dragon's face.
Suth'an: - My handsome… mayor.
He added Dhairthel's official title with playful intent.
Dhairthel: - That's enough. Those fuckers are already waiting for me.
Suth'an slid back to give the dragon space.
Suth'an: - Show them that you're more than what they want to paint you as, my love.
Dhairthel nodded, then stepped up to the doors of the assembly hall.
“Just don't lose your head…” he thought after taking a deeper breath. Then, he opened the door and entered the chamber.
As he stepped inside, the room fell into a graveyard silence. The reinforced security watched the dragon with tense attention.
To some, only the gang leader stood before them. Others saw the one who had saved the world. And there were those who saw both at once.
Clidnack: - Well now… the crime itself has arrived…
A gnome spoke from the far end of the room, noticeably surrounded by more guards than usual.
Dhairthel let out a low growl and made his way to his seat.
Clidnack: - You know damn well you don't belong here, dragon.
Dhairthel said nothing. He simply took his seat. Right beside him.
Clidnack: - A criminal will never become a real politician. Never become mayor. Never become… a hero.
After the last word, silence settled for a moment. Not the awkward kind. A tense one.
Dhairthel's chest rose slowly, then fell.
One deep breath.
He felt something old and familiar stir within him. But it was given no room.
Barely after sitting down among the politicians, he stood up again. He did not look at Clidnack. He did not look at the guards. He simply turned and walked toward the exit.
Before leaving the chamber, he stopped for a brief moment by the door and spoke quietly.
Dhairthel: - Then no one here would be one either.
No one in the room spoke again as the door closed behind the names.