Dragon Alliance Dark Storm : Dark Storm (11 page)

“Michenth, Becknor, Fellow Warriors of the Alliance, it is my pleasure to share the long-kept secret of the floating crystals with the free creatures of the republic. We hope this will add to both our nation’s wealth and power. Since our losses during the Great War, our numbers are so diminutive, I fear for the survival of my race. The war decimated the thunder giants and Alliance-aligned mountain giant clans, for both the chromatics and the evil giant races seemed to target us with an unknown ferocity. As we all know, the metallics only produce one or maybe two dragon eggs at a time versus the multiple-egg clutches that the chromatics lay, and the greater frequency of their mating as seen in their burgeoning population. This has also been noted in the numbers of our evil giant counterparts that you experienced at Battle Point, mighty Gallanth, and the fire giant army gathering in the southern mountains.

To do our part, our cloud castles that hover over the Alliance waters and all my brethren have struck at several pirate ships during our hunting and fishing excursions on our giant warbirds or rocs as you call them. We will continue to fight the enemy at all turns and support the republic’s endeavors with all our comrades and partners.” In spite of being the largest and most powerful of the giant races, thunder giants were very soft-spoken unless provoked, and then they were a powerful foe that all but the largest of the dragon races needed to fear. Their light sea-green to dolphin-colored, pale-blue skin reflected both their marine and avian habitats; they preferred either cloud castles or occasionally island and mountain fortresses with undersea components.

The top giant types loosely resembled muscular elves but were stronger than all the other giants and several dragon species. Usually mounting rocs, which were immense birds resembling giant hawks or ospreys with wingspans of up to two hundred feet, they rode these creatures for hunting, war, and basic transportation. Unlike other giants, they did not throw boulders, preferring to use huge bows and also wield immense swords. They had mastery of lightning-bolt spells, being able to cast two chain-lightning volleys a day or a dozen single bolts. Prior to the war, there were dozens of their floating fortresses, which hovered over the land and seas belonging to the Alliance. Raids by wings of blue and red dragons decimated many of them, and less than a dozen of the picturesque cloud castles now remained.

“Golefad, we all thank our thunder and mountain giant allies, for all you have fought for in the past and continue to do now. Your trust in us to share the secret of the floating crystals both does us honor and will benefit all in the Alliance in many ways. We will not let your race pass into the twilight, for as there have been dragons from the beginning, there have also been giants. Our mutual defense pact will be honored, I promise you that,” Michenth replied to the giant’s statements.

“Yes, King Golefad, the giants were a valuable ally during the Great War, and your continued service and cooperation is appreciated as your sacrifices are always remembered and honored,” Becknor echoed his dragon’s sentiment, even though he knew that there was a ring of truth in Golefad’s words, for the chromatics did seem to go after the thunder and mountain giants with an unusual tenacity during the war. Some tactic or motive must have been schemed for this risk of chromatic dragon lives; he hoped they could discern the motive behind this tactic.

“Is there anyone else with words for the council?” he continued. A brief moment of silence indicated to him that all had stated their concerns. “Brothers, Sisters, Dragons, and Friends, we are currently containing what seems to be increasing and coordinated chromatic attacks as well as the Shidanese, pirate, and the saragwin incursions. Due to recent information from the drow priestess, whom Master Wizard Jodem interrogated, we know that Tiamat is alive and regaining much of her strength. The saragwin are being supplied with dark crystal and black-iron weapons, and the same applies to the Shidanese as well. Many chromatics are also noted to be fighting more and more independently throughout the middle kingdoms between the Alliance and Morgathia and in the unsettled lands. Several blue dragons have also been seen coordinating attacks against Ian, and black, green, and white dragons are fighting for those with the highest bid. I still believe this is being orchestrated by the Talon Covenant and the Usurper Five, to promote instability with our allies to make them vulnerable and distrusting of dragons as well as to make the Alliance appear weak.”

“Our combined wisdom must be focused on solving this tangled web of a puzzle that is looming like a dark storm rising on the horizon. Until we finally understand the full nature of what we may be facing, we must all stand ever vigilant against any endeavor aimed at us and the Alliance. A final note for all Weirleaders: take care to cultivate the corps of sergeants in your garrisons, for they proved pivotal for the Battle Point legion at the recent fight in Handsdown, as noted in Captain Mkel’s after-battle report. They are the bronze dragons of the legions. Also remember that the forty dragons of the Capital Weir’s wings are always there for our brothers and sisters in spite of our recent increased tempo,” Becknor stated.

Michenth spoke up. “I agree with my rider’s sentiment. We as the vanguard of the republic must keep all our senses tuned against any threat to the Alliance, from all directions.”

This was a unique statement by Michenth, Mkel thought, suggesting that there could be actual enemies within the Alliance.

“Remember though, my children, we do have several weapons at our disposal besides our talons and breath weapons. Selenth, what is the chromatics most pronounced weakness?”

“We are,” the copper dragon replied.

“No, but close. Rapierth?” Michenth answered.

“Our riders, my Lord Michenth,” the venerable bronze replied.

“True, but that is still not their primary weakness. Gallanth?” the arch dragon continued the questioning.

“It is their pride and arrogance, Lord Michenth,” Gallanth answered.

“Precisely, my brothers, and this weakness is what we will exploit just as Gallanth has done in Battle Point. The chromatics are so obsessed with their own power and avarice that it blinds them to wisdom, and this is also the Morgathians’ weakness as well. Our own Enlightened senators suffer from this affliction in their own right, but they do have the patience to scheme and plot, to strike when they feel that we are at our weakest, so keep your wits about you and remember your oath to the Alliance. Also remember that all we do, all we sacrifice, all those who died defending the republic and its freedom only buys us time against the cancerous evil of the pseudo-enlightened or apologists, that dark side of men and dragons that can inflict destruction upon a nation through disunity, disloyalty, and disbelief. Enemies can come in many forms, external and internal, and we must be prepared for both. It has been a pleasure to attend this combined council meeting for the first time since the Great War. My wounds are healing, but slowly. My brothers and sisters, fight the good fight and remember to always keep your faith.”

All rose and formed a tight semicircle centered in front of General Becknor. The arch dragonrider drew his pure mithril long sword, its large diamond dragonstone glowing in an almost silvery light, and let it go. The famed sword levitated to the center of the circle and cast twelve beams of light from the diamond. The rays of concentrated light were directed at the dragonstones of the Weirleaders’ weapons, and they in turn levitated to the center of the circle formed by the riders and surrounded Becknor’s blade. He then crossed his arms and grabbed Keisem’s and Grommel’s hands. They in turn crossed arms and joined all the other dragonriders’ hands forming a human chain of sorts. Their dragonstone weapons glowed so intensely that they almost became one in the scintillating silvery light. Becknor stated in a firm voice, “Dragonriders, defenders of light and the soul of the Alliance,” which all repeated. They then all bowed to Michenth, as did their dragons with all their eyes glowing, before they closed them. This ended the ceremony after a quick prayer to the Creator.

“Young Captain Mkel, I trust that little Michen is doing well?” the mithril dragon asked at the end of the council session.

Mkel, slightly taken back by Michenth’s question, paused a second before answering. “Yes, Lord Michenth, he is doing very well and growing both in size and attitude,” he answered.

“That is always good to hear. Keep him well. I must retire now and sleep,” he stated as he slowly turned and limped back to his chamber, still very stiff from the wound on his flank. This inquiry puzzled Mkel. Why did the arch dragon care about his son? While his benevolence was well known, this focus on this miniscule issue in spite of the many things that Michenth must be concerned with seemed strange.

“Captain Mkel!” Colonel Lordan called over to him as the meeting was breaking up, and the dragons, riders, and other members were beginning to move back to the weir landing.

“Yes, sir,” he replied.

“Mkel, have you heard anything more of the fire giants from your rangers?” he asked.

“Not other than that they are continuing to gather more forces and more chromatics. We have had to be more cautious since my ranger lieutenant and his elf counterpart were compromised and then engaged when they were retrograding from the area. We can only get small teams of our best rangers in, and then they can only stay for a short time, so as not to risk detection. There is a sorcerer there who has a magic detection field in the area so a seeing-eye spell would be compromised at close range. I do feel confident that when they do decide to move, we will know quickly and at what strength they will come,” Mkel explained.

“Well, that will have to do. My centaur scouts and—mounted rangers are watching the passes to their south and have been observing some of their reinforcements arrive, but they must stay to the forested areas for concealment, and that region is very sparse. How did your ranger and elf get compromised?

I know of their reputation, and that would be unusual for them. Is there anything else of Battle Point and Handsdown?” Lordan inquired.

“No, sir. Captain Decren says that since our fight, the region as a whole has been quiet. Even the normal skirmishes from the Kaskars are reduced, so our show of force has all sides dutifully respectful, at least for now. As far as Lieutenant Lupek and Deless getting compromised, it was as if the enemy was actually looking for them, or like they knew they were in the area, almost as if the enemy was tipped off to their whereabouts,” Mkel answered.

“It sounds almost like we have a spy in our midst, so you might want to be cautious about who knows of our reconnaissance and battle plans. That was some fight out there; we can’t thank you and Gallanth enough for saving our hides.”

“We could not have won it without our planning and your and Padonan’s initiative. We did get lucky, but we also outwitted and outfought them,” Mkel answered.

“Let’s hope our luck and our wits hold out, Gold Rider,” Lordan said with his normal friendly smile.

“Sir, as long as the Capital Wing flies, you have no worries,” Padonan walked over adding his usual joking, bravado-tinged comment.

“Some things never change,” Mkel replied as he gave his friend a hug.

“Sorry I didn’t come over before the meeting, but you looked busy. Our fight is still being discussed among the capital dragons and riders, with these demon dragons and the other little surprises we experienced,” Padonan stated.

“I have faith that their superior intellect will come up with solutions and explanations,” Lordan shot a sarcastic comment back to the young silver dragonrider who smiled.

“I think there has been enough discussion on this. Our dragons need meat, and we need ale, my good silver riders,” Mkel interjected.

“I agree with my rider. Strikenth, may you lead us to the feeding grounds,” Gallanth stepped into the conversation to usher everyone into the landing and facilitate an end to the discussion. “Mkel, only a few ales, for you might have to shoot in the games tomorrow if your competition is picked by the drawing,” he added.

“Yes, my friend, just one or two to relax and to wash down this Capital Weir food, for we didn’t get to finish our dinner before the council,” he said with a smile as he looked up at his dragon. “Oh, Dkert, tell Scandalon that Jodem and I wish him luck in the tournament, and you, your brother, and Slidess owe me a drink anyway!” Mkel yelled over to his copper rider friend, who smiled an acknowledgement.

“I think I owe you one as well,” Keisem called to Mkel as he caught up to him and the others.

“I can only have a couple tonight, but I will collect later. Come on and join us for the rest of dinner, my friend,” he answered as he extended his hand to the bronze rider. It felt good to have all his friends back together at one time and in one place. The dinner, while not up to Draden standards, was good, and there was a wide variety of foods available to accommodate the tastes from all the weirs spread out over the far reaches of the Alliance. The Capital Weir spared little expense for a Dragon Council meeting, not to mention the Honors Day Games and celebration. The evening went too fast for Mkel, but he knew there would be more time both during and after the games. He walked with Jodem and his Draden crew back to their temporary quarters beside the landings for the dragons, where Gallanth was already resting and quickly retired.

CHAPTE
R 
 II

Honors Day Games

T
he morning of the first day of the games started with a spectacular sunrise over Sauric Bay. By first light, the fields had already been prepped for the games by the weir workers and halflings.
Very
industrious
lot,
Mkel thought to himself as they scurried all about the landings, parade grounds, and the amphitheater. As he walked out onto the protruding landing from his alcove, he marveled at the construction of the massive tiered seating that was carved right into the base of the Capital Weir. There were over twelve hundred landing alcoves for the dragons to rest on above the amphitheater, all set in on the northern side of the mountain. However, even with almost all of the dragons in the Alliance assembled there for the games, they did not even occupy a quarter of the external landings. The Alliance currently had just over two hundred and forty dragons of age serving in the weirs, compared to the over twelve hundred before the Great War.