“Dragon Lord Ember!” called a new entrant behind her. Ember turned to find the Elder Council had disembarked from their castle home and moved to the plateau before the volcano, carried on litters with fellow dragons' aid. The High Elder disembarked and hobbled toward Ember as fast as his withered form could allow. The other dragons stepped aside before his approach. He stuck a bony finger, wagging it contemptuously in Ember’s face. “I demand an explanation! A drake has entered the ceremony without permission! I will demand the harshest measures to correct this trespass.”