“All right, my large friend, get some rest, the trip to Battle Point is coming up soon and I want you fully rested,” Mkel said with earnest.
Give Michen a kiss for me, Gallanth ended with a sincere tone.
“Yes, my friend, good night,” Mkel said as he put his hand on the big dragon’s nose and then turned and walked into his living quarters. Annan was just getting ready to put Michen in bed. Mkel walked over to them and picked up his son. “It’s bed time, my boy,” he said.
“Give dragon kiss,” he quickly replied.
“All right, let’s go give Gallanth a kiss,” Mkel said with a smile. This was his son’s normal nightly ritual; he had to give Annan, Gallanth, Drake, and him a kiss before being put into his crib. Mkel carried Michen back out onto Gallanth’s landing over to the gold dragon’s head and leaned him over; he put his little arms on the golden armored hide.
“Good night, my little hatchling,” Gallanth said quietly.
“Night, night,” the little boy said with a smile.
“All right, let’s go to bed now, Michen,” Mkel said to his son and walked back to the living quarters. He set the little boy down in his crib after he gave Annan and Drake a kiss, and then he walked back to his sleeping chamber.
“Is everything ready for your trip?” Annan asked.
“Yes, Jodem and I went over everything while you were busy this afternoon,” Mkel replied.
“Is there going to be any trouble?” she asked.
“Doubtful; when word of a metallic dragon arriving gets around, the area tends to quiet down, but there has been a lot of activity there. A lot of trouble between the nomadic Kaskar clans in the north and the southern kingdoms, with Morgathian incursions intermixed,” Mkel replied.
“Silvanth told me that Jodem, Beckann, and Gallanth have perceived a growing danger in the east,” she said.
“Silvanth tends to overexaggerate. Jodem and Gallanth get imprecise feelings this far away from there, and what they feel could be a shadow of the fire giant threat, or some combination of the two areas. In either event, there is a whole legion out there with some of the strongest land dragons in the Alliance. As always, Gallanth is the most powerful dragon in the world, save Michenth and Tiamat, so don’t worry. Plus I will be taking extra bolts and gems just in case,” Mkel assured her.
“It is my job to worry,” she replied.
“Well, you and Silvanth will be the first ones I call if we get in trouble,” Mkel said with a smile. “We need to go to sleep, for I have to wake up early tomorrow; remember, Battle Point is a couple of hours ahead of us.”
Mkel settled into their large bed. “Good night, my love,” he said.
“Good night,” Annan replied.
CHAPTER III
Battle Point
Mkel, wake up, my friend, it is time to get ready. Jodem is already up, Gallanth’s deep voice resonated in Mkel’s head. “I’m awake, you annoying lizard,” Mkel replied in a tired but teasing tone. He then got up and went over to take a quick bath and get dressed. When he was finished putting his army tunic on, he kissed the still sleeping Annan and Michen and gave Drake a gentle pat on the head. “Watch over them while I’m gone, Drake,” Mkel whispered to the large elven canine, who lowered his head and went back to his watchful sleep. He then walked out to Gallanth’s landing, where the gold dragon was waiting.
“Good morning, my friend,” Mkel gave a greeting with a smile.
“In a little better mood now, my young friend?” Gallanth replied with as much of a smile as a dragon can muster.
“Yes, I’m awake now; is Jodem already down at the stables?” he asked as he loaded his travel bag and his backpack, in which he carried extra bolts for his crossbow, his ledger for notes, and several other necessary items onto the side security straps of Gallanth’s flying harness. He also loaded a sack with several hundred Drachlars and Drachmeres, which he carried just in case Gallanth got hungry or they needed anything when traveling, as well as spare gems and precious stones for Gallanth if he needed it for battle.
“Yes, he went down a short time ago.” Mkel grabbed his riding coat off of the wall as well as Markthrea. His sword Kershan already hung from his belt, and he placed his dragon tooth dagger in his boot sheath. He stepped up onto Gallanth’s forearm and was hoisted up to his neck, swung his leg over, and sat on the wide padded saddle in between Gallanth’s dorsal ridges. After he locked the crossbow onto the spindle, he gave Gallanth the clear signal that he was hooked in and ready. With that, the gold dragon spread his wings and pushed off of the ledge.
As Gallanth quietly glided down over the landing, Mkel thought to himself that Jodem would even be early for his own funeral. If he was late for anything, it meant real trouble. Gallanth landed by the stable side of the lake, and Mkel slid down his neck onto the dragon’s forearm and then jumped to the ground. He walked over to the stable area, where Jodem was getting the last of his gear stowed on Vatara’s flying saddle rig. Toderan was already there, and they were discussing a couple of matters regarding the Weir’s administrative dealings.
“I’m glad to see you’re awake and not going to miss our trip,” Jodem teased him.
“Right; any issues before we go?” he asked.
“No sir, no real problems, just a couple of accounting issues with payment for the last food shipment from the bakery in Draden and a couple of other minor issues like the last load of heating and cooling crystals we sold to the merchants,” Toderan explained.
“Isn’t that Captain Hornbrag’s area of responsibility?” Mkel asked.
“Yes, but while he is very gifted as a banker and money tracker, his common sense sometimes has to be questioned,” Toderan replied.
“I think you don’t give him enough credit,” Mkel replied; although he knew Hornbrag could be aloof at times, he always had good intentions and his attention to detail in monetary manners was impeccable. Hornbrag also served as a Weir liaison on the staff for the Draden regiment and was a powerful fighter in his own right.
“We’re just making sure, for the POE senators will be calling for a review of all the Weir’s monetary transactions soon, and they will be looking for any small discrepancy,” Jodem stated.
“This Weir will likely be a primary target for them, for the mithril and high gold and gem production we have. You would think they couldn’t overlook the one premise in the Articles of the Alliance that states that the Weirs are basically autonomous. Especially since most of them are arbitrators and are supposedly learned in the law,” Mkel said with slight sarcasm.
“It is better to be overly cautious than to sit before the senatorial hearing unprepared, plus Premier Reagresh has not yet rescinded Bilenton’s coerced decree that the Weirs supply the senate with their financial transactions,” Jodem answered. He was also very studied in Alliance laws and procedures and had embarrassed several arbitrators on many occasions.
“I understand that as well, but the law does give the Weirs a degree of autonomy,” Mkel re-emphasized.
“That will be a point of contention at the next senate gathering,” Jodem said in a concerned manner.
“Well, time will tell, but until then, we have work to do,” Mkel answered.
“I will handle matters back here while you two are gone,” Toderan said. “We will keep the Weir on track.”
“I have faith, my friend,” Mkel said to Toderan.
“Well, it’s time to go, but first how about a little breakfast?” Jodem asked.
“I arranged for the kitchen personnel to bring sandwiches, fruit, and pastries over to the stables for you,” Toderan added.
“How thoughtful of you, like a true support corps sergeant,” Mkel said with a teasing smile.
However, as soon as he spoke, several halfling and human dining hall personnel started to stream from the kitchen area with small tra
ys of various food entrees. Toderan and Jodem seldom left any details to chance. Mkel and Jodem quickly grabbed two sandwiches and several small pastries and fruit as well as juices. The group also replaced the provisions on Gallanth and Vatara; Gallanth had just walked back from the other side of the stable area, where he was fed two whole steer halves.
“I see you are full by the size of your belly, Gallanth,” Toderan asked.
“Master butcher Jern always does an excellent job on the steers, he puts the other Weirs and town’s chefs to shame,” Gallanth replied. “Eat your breakfast, my friends, there is time before we have to leave.” All three of them sat down and started to eat. The food, as always, was of excellent quality, for the Weir’s cooks took great pride in their work. Both humans and halflings were very skilled at their culinary craft. They finished their food with a little more idle chat regarding Tegent’s and the elf’s performance the previous night. The issue of Lieutenant Howrek came up; Mkel explained how he counseled him and that Toderan should talk to Sergeants Macdolan and Vaughnir to keep an eye on him. Mkel also wanted any further issues regarding this brought to his attention immediately.
Toderan still did not like giving Howrek a second chance, but he agreed to abide by Mkel’s edict. As they finished the food on the table, the stable hands informed them that Gallanth’s and Vatara’s gear was secured and they were ready to fly. They inspected the flying rigs and straps constantly to avoid malfunctions in the air. The small group all rose and walked over to their waiting mounts.
“I wish you luck, and don’t let General Daddonan talk you into anything,” Toderan said.
“Don’t worry, I will keep the good general from running over our young captain,” Jodem teased.
“We will see what he has to say and what is causing him such consternation,” Gallanth interjected as he knelt down to allow Mkel to get up on his back.
“I know, Gallanth; best of luck to you all,” Toderan said as they mounted and positioned to take off.
“Have faith, good paladin,” Gallanth replied, and Mkel waved and shouted a good-bye. Vatara spread his golden brown wings and jumped into the air with a strong downward stroke. The eagle rose and headed toward the entrance tunnel across the landing. Gallanth then crouched down, and with a spring from his four massive legs, a push from his huge tail, and a downward stroke of his wings, he was airborne and following Vatara out of the Weir. They emerged in the morning dawn with the light of the rising sun from the east over the plain coming through the break in the mountain chain facing the Weir entrance. They both performed several gyrations of their wings to gain altitude as they flew eastward toward the distant gap in the Gray Mountains.
They could have flown the whole way to Battle Point, but that would have taken several days, even with the speed of a gold dragon and a giant eagle. Jodem’s staff’s dragonstone started to glow, and with a bluish mirage-like shimmer of air around him and his giant eagle, they disappeared. Gallanth and Mkel visualized the air space over the walled city of Battle Point, and Mkel saw the familiar blue streaks of light form around them and then blackness. This only lasted a second, but the empty feeling of the inner space between points always reminded Mkel of total nothingness. In any event, they emerged over the city without error and began to circle around as Gallanth gave a greeting roar to announce their presence. This was to assure the tower guards and Battle Point land dragons that he was friendly and not a chromatic dragon seeking battle.
The walls of the city were made of heavy granite and limestone rocks that came from the quarry roughly five to six miles away. There was a smaller wall inside the main city wall, which was hastily built after a momentous battle over thirty years ago. The outer wall was at least sixty feet high, taller in many places. The city itself covered over fifty square miles, making it much bigger than Draden, but still not nearly as big as many of the coastal Alliance cities such as Atlean, Lancastra, and Fathracia, and nowhere near as large as Draconia. The central keep, which held the homes of the mayor and other government officials, as well as the backup headquarters for the commanding general of the legion stationed at Battle Point, now also housed several other key buildings and structures. The troops and various forces of the legion were stationed in barracks that ringed the inside of the city walls. The city itself held two hundred to three hundred thousand at any one time, but could hold much more.
Battle Point sat on the west side of the small river that ran south from the northern plains. It eventually grew wider and deeper as it neared the southern kingdoms and eventually emptied into the large inland Ontaror Sea that lay just north and east of the Fire Mountain chain, over eighteen hundred miles south. It also fed the vast swampland in that region. Battle Point was always bustling with activity. It was the central trading outpost and waypoint between all kingdoms east of the Alliance border as well as those in the north and south. Alliance forces at Battle Point created a degree of stability in the region, which allowed trade to flow freely.
There were three patrols of mounted hippogriffs coming and going in the air above the city besides Gallanth and Jodem, along with dozens of other non-military hippogriffs and flying mounts. Mkel could see the crowds in the markets below stop to look up at the circling gold dragon and giant eagle. In a couple of minutes, a squadron of hippogriffs rose up from the stables and barracks located in the southern area of the city, which was also the largest landing within the city’s walls, to meet and guide Gallanth and Vatara to their landing site. It was customary to escort a metallic dragon down to the landing. The escort was a type of honor or salute to the dragon and rider, for the arrival of a metallic, especially a gold or silver, meant the population would be a little safer and the legion or Alliance forces present had a powerful ally. A visit from a gold dragon also was rumored to mean good luck for that community. There was partial truth to this, for nothing in this world could face a gold dragon in battle and hope to survive one on one. Additionally, the higher metallic dragons, especially golds, inspired courage and uplifted the spirits of those who viewed them or were in the presence of one.
As the twelve mounted hippogriffs gained altitude and lined up with Gallanth and Vatara, the squadron leader waved to Mkel. The hippogriff riders alternated as lancers and missile soldiers, with either short composite recurved bows or repeating crossbows. They flew in pairs or wing mates to complement each other with one lance and one archer. They still wore the traditional banded or scale armor of the Alliance soldier, but it was more padded because of the colder temperatures that aerial riders encountered.
“Captain Mkel, Lieutenant Americ, sir. I am here to escort you, Gallanth, and Master Wizard Jodem to the lower field,” the young Alliance officer said to Mkel through his seeing crystal.
“You lead and we will follow,” Mkel responded, “but make sure to give us a wide berth, for the draft from Gallanth’s back wings when he lands is enough to topple your hippogriffs.”
“Yes sir, we will circle the city one more time to give the people one more good look at Gallanth, the mayor’s idea, and then you can land in the center of the field in front of the barracks and stables. We will land just after you and behind you,” the lieutenant instructed.
“Acknowledged, Lieutenant,” Mkel agreed.
The hippogriffs flapped their brownish white wings almost in unison as they tried to move ahead of Gallanth and Jodem for the final circle around the city. Gallanth was a much faster flyer than a hippogriff, but he was cruising at almost a stall speed to allow the half-hawk, half-horse creatures to move ahead of him. It must have looked like an impressive sight from the ground to see the twelve hippogriffs in a V formation in front of Gallanth’s immense seventy-five-yard wingspan.
“The crowds do love a show,” Jodem said to Mkel through his crystal.
“It is all flattering but totally unnecessary,” Gallanth added to both of them.
“Yes, but it is a tremendous morale boost
to the city, modest dragon,” Jodem responded.
“Yes, wise wizard”, Gallanth responded with a slight tint of sarcasm in his voice.
Mkel felt Gallanth’s body dip to the right as they followed the hippogriffs around the city’s circumference. They swung wide out below the southern boundary of the city to allow a straight flight onto the landing. Mkel looked through his crossbow’s sight at the legion’s headquarters building at the north end of the landing. He saw General Daddonan and his staff gather outside the building to watch Gallanth and Vatara land.
Gallanth started his approach and quickly began to descend. He flew over the southern wall of the city roughly one hundred feet above the ramparts so as to not knock off any soldiers on the wall from his wing wash. He back winged quickly so as to not stir up too much grass and dirt close to the barracks and headquarters building. If he wanted to, the power of the wind from his wings could knock over an ogre. The bludgeoning power of his wings could kill an ogre or manticore and severely injure a hippogriff or griffon, but he could modify that power to a pretty good degree. The squadron of hippogriffs continued to soar over the legion headquarters building and split to circle back and land by their stables.
The gold dragon landed with a soft but noticeable impact tremor. Gallanth was always careful to land as softly as possible, but weighing dozens of tons does not make this an easy task. He folded his wings and began to walk to the crowd gathering at the headquarters building.
Dragon Alliance: Rise Against Shadow Page 17