“Just to you, because of the things you do that are undoubtedly embarrassing and unclassy,” Wilder joked.
“Would you lot be quiet?” Hiker griped. “I’m trying to hear this.”
The room fell quiet as Nevin Gooseman began speaking.
“We have all been surprised by many recent developments in the magical world,” the politician began in a rehearsed tone. “It began with mortals seeing magic again, a result of something that I’m sad to say my fellow magicians were a part of.”
I knew it, Sophia thought, proud to confirm she was right about the congressman being a magician. It was rare to see, as they usually didn’t work in the mortal world, let alone for a mortal government.
“With that came many new discoveries,” Nevin Gooseman continued. “Mortals learned of the different magical races that have always existed around them. Then came the knowledge of governing bodies that you weren’t aware of that control many aspects of your lives. The House of Fourteen, the magician’s leading organization, too, has had its fair share of challenges explaining their involvement in many assorted issues. Specifically, recently, they were complacent in the wake of their own population going missing. It was events such as those that opened my eyes to my own race’s shortcomings and how it affects those I serve.” Nevin Gooseman glanced around the crowd and made eye contact with many of the reporters. “I’m of course referring to you.”
“Burn,” Evan said as hands shot up into the air around the congressman, the reporters antsy to ask questions. “House of Fourteen is gonna have some explaining to do.”
The politician smiled politely, holding up his hand to quiet the reporters. “I’m happy to answer questions once I finish.” He cleared his throat and looked around as the group quieted. “The House of Fourteen is struggling to earn the trust of the mortal world, which I’m certain will take many efforts due to past grievances. However, reflecting on this made me take a hard look at other organizations that state they have authority over us. I’m referring to the Dragon Elite.”
Hiker closed his eyes for a half-beat, dread covering his face as several of the reporters vied for attention and the crowd at Nevin Gooseman’s back erupted in applause.
The politician pushed his hands up in the air, trying to regain control after the outburst. “I was as surprised and ecstatic as many of you at the discovery there were still dragons, and that included the Dragon Elite who are supposedly the ‘supreme global ruling authority.’” Nevin used air quotes for the last few words with a skeptical expression. “As one of your trusted civil servants, I was reluctant to blindly accept that these dragonriders had shown up after centuries of absence from affairs to take over as leaders over our matters and disputes. That just didn’t seem right to me.”
From the crowd of hippies, someone shouted, “The dragons have come to save us!”
Nevin Gooseman glanced over at the group of hippies with a commiserate expression. “No one wants to believe that more than me. Just because these magicians ride dragons, that shouldn’t automatically make them superior to us.”
“Marry me, dragonrider!” another worshipper yelled.
“Well, there you go,” Wilder said, peering down at Evan. “We’ve found someone who wants you and won’t mind that you pee the bed.”
He grimaced. “I told you, the Castle threw my glass of water at me! I didn’t pee my bed.”
“Enough,” Hiker scolded, his fist clenched by his side.
“In order to protect you,” Nevin Gooseman went on, “I decided to look into the Dragon Elite, especially after their leader recently announced they are predicted to be stronger than ever, with a new crop of dragon eggs and the potential to dramatically increase their numbers.”
Sophia and Wilder exchanged hesitant expressions. She didn’t know what bomb this politician was about to drop, but it was all but certain that if there was a metaphorical bomb shelter around, they should all take cover right then.
“A thousand dragon eggs sounds very impressive—”
“Incredible!” a hippie yelled, cutting into the politician’s speech.
He nodded. “I thought so too, but nothing is without its shortcomings. That’s when I did my research and learned that not all dragons are destined to become part of the Elite.”
Hiker, as if in anticipation of what was to come, covered his head with his hands.
“You see, according to a very reliable source,” Nevin Gooseman continued, “of those thousand dragon eggs the Elite has, half of them will hatch and be benevolent magical creatures, upholding justice for the mortal world.”
“Praise dragons!” someone yelled from the crowd.
Nevin Gooseman let out a long breath, shaking his head. “And the other fifty percent, I’m afraid, are destined, without question, to hatch and be evil.”
At the conclusion of his words, a great muttering overtook the crowd, both around the politician and behind him.
Hiker’s hands tightened around his head. Everyone in his office held their breath collectively, waiting for what would unfold next.
“I was as shocked at you to learn this news,” Nevin Gooseman stated when the mortals settled down. “It’s unfortunate I have to reveal that it’s true. For all the peace the Dragon Elite proposes to bring to us, their new crop of potential riders also brings a new force of evil. I ask you, my people, is it worth having adjudicators, meant to protect us if they also bring with them a new enemy? We’ve had to deal with much because of the magical world. No one has suffered more than mortals. I dare say, five hundred evil dragons, which could one day have riders, will present many troubles for us all. It is with a heavy heart that I ask you to reconsider allowing this Dragon Elite to preside over our affairs. They might call themselves the supreme ruling authority, but we always have the choice. You elected me as your official to make decisions on your behalf, and to protect your interests. Shouldn’t you have the same right with the Dragon Elite?”
There was a collective muttering around Nevin Gooseman.
Trying to hide a satisfied grin, the congressman held out his arms wide, as though welcoming everyone around him into his home. “My concern for you, the citizens of this great nation, isn’t just that you might turn your freedom over to a group who hasn’t earned it, but that this organization might bring the very evil you’ll need protection from. Not only should we question the authority of the Dragon Elite, but I beseech you to consider whether dragons are right for the modern world. Especially since we now know that soon many more will inhabit our planet—half of them with evil running through their veins.”
Chapter Seven
“I guess I can become a stunt demon now,” Evan said, blowing out a long breath.
“A what?” Mama Jamba asked, pursing her lips at him.
“Stunt demon,” he repeated. “You know, the guys who do all the cool tricks in the movies for the actors.”
“Stunt devil,” Sophia corrected.
Evan nodded. “Yeah, that. I’ll look into that. If that doesn’t work, I’ll just fall back on my good looks and charm.”