“Gentlemen, good evening,” General Daddonan said as he walked toward the group. Mkel started to stand up to give the general a salute, but Daddonan waved him to keep seated. “Gallanth is keeping busy talking to the men, I see,” he stated.
“Yes sir, he does enjoy dispensing out his wisdom on occasions,” Mkel answered.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am with your decision to support us here at Battle Point, Captain Mkel,” the general stated with a large grin.
“Gallanth surprised even me with that statement, sir, but I know we will honor this commitment one way or another. We have to watch this new activity in the south, though,” Mkel added.
“Let’s hope you and your dragon don’t have to be in two places at the same time, son,” Daddonan joked.
“General, talking with Andellion, it seems that while your commanders did a brilliant job in outmaneuvering the orcs and their allies last week, you basically were lucky that their forces were not synchronized,” Jodem said.
“Andellion did a great job in taking out that drow sorcerer,” General Daddonan shot back in an irritated tone, upon which he took a long draught of ale.
“I’m not taking anything away from my old apprentice here, General, but like it or not, that dark elf sorcerer purposefully pushed those orcs and giants forward, knowing that your land dragons and legion soldiers would eventually decimate them. I believe that neither the village nor the soldiers were the target; I think they were attempting to kill Andellion,” Jodem calmly explained.
“How do you draw this conclusion Master, Wizard?” Daddonan asked.
“The drow let him fire several of his most powerful spells at the orcs and giants before he made his attack and then directed his magic at Andellion, not your forces. If the drow truly wanted to attack the town, he would have at least cast some type of spell to injure a land dragon or disrupt your formation. The charge the battalion performed sliced through the orc ranks like a knife. The bottom line is that Andellion was a better shot, and that is how he defeated the drow,” Jodem explained.
“Why would they sacrifice so many just to kill our senior wizard?” asked Daddonan with a growing curiosity.
“Morgathia doesn’t care how many of its own die as long as the means justify the ends. I’m surprised that they did not throw a chromatic dragon at you. They must have had a coordination problem getting one there,” answered Jodem.
“We haven’t seen a chromatic this close to Battle Point for years. They have been focusing their attacks on the horse clans and southern kingdoms,” the general explained.
“That is likely to just satisfy the intense greed and desire for destruction of those dragon types. There is a purpose for all of this; unfortunately, it still remains unclear,” Jodem answered.
“Well then, whatever may happen, my legion and Captain Mkel’s Weir will answer the challenge. We will step up our scout activity and extend our range tomorrow, so we will not be surprised,” the general added.
“Sir, just to remind you that the rangers of our Weir only two days ago observed a gathering of three fire giant clans and several chromatic dragons along the beginning of the Smoking Mountain chain,” Mkel interjected.
“Three clans? With dragons!” General Daddonan exclaimed.
“Yes sir, that would mean over a hundred fire giants, not to mention their own private armies of common giants, ogres, trolls, and orcs. They saw at least four red, green, and blue dragons apiece,” Mkel further explained.
“That’s hard to believe. There hasn’t been that large a gathering since the Great War. Well, I have faith that Colonel Lordan and his cavalry legion can handle that challenge,” Daddonan stated.
“Well sir, remember that Keystone Weir is also defensively tied to Eladran and High Mountain Weirs, and if they get in trouble, we must come to their aid,” Mkel said.
“I have faith that Talonth can handle the chromatics. He has what, over a dozen dragons in his Weir’s wing, and that is not counting their mates,” Daddonan responded.
“Yes sir, but that is supposing they are only facing twelve chromatics. Our rangers and Eladran Weir’s scouts are keeping an eye on the situation, but if they get hard-pressed, Gallanth and I will come to the aid of Talonth. They are good friends,” Mkel explained further.
“What about Machren Weir to the south along the peninsula?” Daddonan asked.
“They are constantly on patrol of our coasts, escorting convoys and providing support to the navy at our trading ports in the island chains,” Mkel replied.
“Well then, Dragonrider, let us hope that the Morgathians, if they are indeed behind this increased activity, do not synchronize their attacks well,” Daddonan said.
“A hope and a faith,” Jodem interjected.
“Master Wizard, just teach young Andellion to be a quicker shot,” the general joked as he stood up. “I will see you all tomorrow, late morning in the legion council room. We can work out the details of our first joint exercise, which hopefully will be very soon,” Daddonan announced.
“Yes sir, we will see you in the morning,” Mkel answered.
“Have a good night, gentlemen; give my regards to Gallanth,” Daddonan stated and walked back to his head table for more ale.
“I don’t think he understands how much we are overextended,” Mkel whispered.
“He is just trying to ensure his soldiers have something to call on in case of the worst or most dangerous scenario. Andellion will do his best to hold off whatever they might encounter, and we will talk to General Becknor and the Dragon Council when we go to the capital in a couple of weeks. We’ll see if they can be supplemented with one of the Avenger dragons when they are ready, and a good brass or copper to guide them,” Jodem answered.
“We will hold our own until you get here, Mkel, in the event of something major,” Andellion spoke up.
“I have faith in you, Andellion. I am just concerned that you’ll be counting on us and we will not be able to get to you in time,” Mkel explained.
“We’ll just have to have faith in each other and in the Creator,” Andellion said with a smile on his freckled face.
CHAPTER IV
Battle of Handsdown
Mkel woke up the next morning a little later than usual. He didn’t drink too much, but he had a restless night, for Gallanth was having dreams again, and they were very intense. Scenes of pain, suffering, and villages burning dominated these visions. The realism of the images brought Mkel out a deep sleep more than once, sweating with his heart pounding, ready for battle. He had learned to keep Kershan and Markthrea close to his bed, for whenever he called for the mithril sword, it flew directly to him, to the unfortunate circumstance of anyone in its way.
Gallanth was already awake and stretching his long wings as Mkel looked out the window of his room. “You let me sleep a little longer today, Gallanth,” Mkel said to his dragon telepathically. I know I woke you up at least three times last night. Something is wrong, but I cannot place it or discern it, but evil is gathering, Gallanth replied. Mkel could sense a slight anxiety in Gallanth’s voice, again unusual for him.
“Let me get ready. There would be hell to pay for us for being late for General Daddonan’s council meeting. Plus I’m sure he will have a good breakfast set up and likely something special for you, now his favorite dragon,” Mkel teased. You should feel honored that General Daddonan has so much faith in us. Besides, I have a feeling that when, and not if, something does happen out here, we will be needed. Unfortunately, I do not think that will be very long from now, Gallanth added. “The dreams are making more sense?” Mkel asked. I know the danger is near and will happen soon, but I cannot pinpoint it. I am drawn to the east, however. We should take a flight out in that direction after General Daddonan’s meeting this morning. “We could accompany a hippogriff patrol. I believe one is heading out today,”
stated Mkel. I do not think General Daddonan will mind.
“All right, let me get ready,” Mkel replied. “I’ll meet you in twenty minutes.” He got out of bed and walked out of his room to the bathing facilities. He quickly bathed, shaved, and got dressed in his spare Alliance uniform tunic. He then walked out to Gallanth; where Jodem was already there, talking to the gold dragon.
“It’s about time, my young friend. We must be going to the legion’s council hall. I’m sure General Daddonan has an excellent breakfast spread for us,” Jodem said; he was not one to miss a good meal.
“Well, let us not delay, for orcs, death knights, and chromatic dragons be damned. Do not get in the way of the Master Wizard Jodem and his breakfast,” Mkel teased his elder mentor.
“Be careful to mind your elders, young dragonrider, or I might turn you into a goat. Besides, your dragon is hungry as well,” Jodem quickly replied.
“Let us go then,” Mkel answered as they started to walk toward the legion headquarters building and General Daddonan’s council room. As they came up to the complex, three wagons were waiting, filled with food for Gallanth. The good general came out of the large oaken doors to greet them.
“Good morning Gallanth, Master Wizard, Captain Mkel. I tasked my support corps commander to have a special breakfast for our gold dragon guest. He has prepared nine whole pigs, well seasoned of course, along with about two dozen chickens and breads. I hope you find it to your liking, Gallanth,” General Daddonan spoke as he nodded a cursory head bow to Gallanth.
“I am sure it will be more than fine, General, but you and your staff should not have gone to the trouble,” Gallanth replied.
“Never a trouble for an Alliance gold dragon; come Jodem, Mkel, we’ve got excellent food awaiting in the dining hall,” Daddonan added as he ushered the two into the building and to the hall, where all of the senior legion officers were already eating. There was a table full of fresh fruit, sweetbreads, cereals, and pastries. They eat very well out here, Mkel thought to himself. The senior staff and commanders all acknowledged Mkel and Jodem, and they turned to the window to see Gallanth as he started to swallow his specially prepared breakfast.
Sometimes Mkel felt uncomfortable being among these senior officers, all of colonel rank or higher, but it came with being both a dragonrider, especially a gold dragonrider, and an Alliance officer. He wondered how his father felt at such meetings, since he was a soldier, not even a sergeant, although he was a ranger and renowned fighter. Jodem never felt uncomfortable around officers, especially the support corps troops, for he had a mind for logistics.
As they finished breakfast, they moved into the council room and sat down, after a slight break to feed the otyughs, which were located in the lower chamber at the entrance to the sewers. After they were all seated, General Daddonan wasted no time in getting right down to business by asking Mkel when they could schedule an exercise with Gallanth and the legion.
“It will have to be after the end-of-month Senate gathering at Draconia, sir,” Mkel stated. “General Becknor and the Dragon Council are also meeting, and Gallanth and I must be in attendance.”
“How about next week, for I know that there was just an exercise with the Draden regiment?” Daddonan inquired.
“We have our emissary from Freiland arriving at the Weir next week, sir,” Mkel answered.
“Those barbarians, surely a Battle Point joint exercise would take precedence over the raiders,” General Daddonan snapped back. Many of the land-locked legion officers and some soldiers of the Alliance legions did not like the Freilanders. The basic cause of dislike was the raiders’ lack of discipline, for they fought as individual berserkers, and they were particularly effective and feared. They did not form the disciplined battle lines that made the Alliance legions so successful. The Freiland raiders also did not venture far inland unless there were navigable rivers or inlets. They were seafarers, traders, and raiders, but staunch allies of the Alliance and the metallic dragons who saved their country from an onslaught of chromatics and ice giants during the Great War. They mostly operated with the Alliance navy and the naval infantry.
“Yes General, but we must honor our allies and trade agreements, for these barbarians have come to our aid several times in the past,” Jodem explained.
“Yes General, we must be present for Lawrent, the raider leader that is paired with Keystone Weir, but rest assured we will settle on a date that will expedite an exercise between the Battle Point legion and Draden Weir,” Gallanth interjected from outside the window with his deep booming voice.
“Of course, Master Gallanth, I always have faith in the word of a gold dragon,” General Daddonan said, losing the slight irritation in his voice.
Gallanth then suddenly raised his head, and all the officers present quickly looked over at him. “Mkel, a legion hippogriff rider is approaching from the east, and he and his mount are wounded,” the dragon’s booming voice echoed in the courtyard of the landing.
General Daddonan and all members of the staff got up and started to rush out of the building; they made their way toward the landing by the stables as they were giving orders through their seeing crystals. The wounded hippogriff and its rider barely made a controlled crash landing by the stables. The poor creature had severe gashes to its hindquarters and left wing. The rider fell off but was caught by two soldiers and a healer. General Daddonan, several senior members of his staff, with and Mkel and Jodem arrived at the landing as the healer was treating the rider’s nasty slash wounds. To Mkel’s surprise, it was Dackner, the young rider that Gallanth had addressed the day before at the legion’s inspection.
General Daddonan knelt down and put his hand on the soldier’s uninjured shoulder. “What happened, son?” he said softly.
“They were everywhere, sir,” the soldier weakly replied. “My patrol approached the small trading village of Handsdown to drop off the supplies to the infantry company my wing had secured yesterday. It was under attack by a kind of man/dragon-type creature, called spawns. These creatures are a cross between a winged dragon and a man, standing at least eight feet tall and as strong as an ogre. There were also men mounted on manticores, orcs on giant wasps and hymenoids, and death knights on wyverns, with over a battalion or more of orcs and drow on the ground. We dove in to help the infantry company to distract them, but we were quickly overwhelmed. My section leader sent me back to get help. Bracks and I fought through them to get here, but I don’t know what happened to the rest of them, sir,” the soldier finished with a painful gasp.
“It’s all right, son, we’ll get them help,” General Daddonan replied with conviction and a stern look on his face. “We’ve got a gold dragon on our side today.”
“Sir, how soon can you get a strike force together?” Mkel asked. “We have a small trick now to get you there a little quicker.” Mkel assumed that General Daddonan was already formulating a plan.
“Colonel Sykes, go tell Colonel Sheer, Colonel Ronson, and Colonel Dansar that I want at least two infantry companies, a land dragon platoon with cavalry troop, and a hippogriff wing at the landing in fifteen minutes, formed around Gallanth and ready for battle,” he snapped at his chief of staff.
“Yes sir, it will be done,” Colonel Sykes replied as he gave a quick salute and turned at a fast pace toward the barracks, grabbing his seeing crystal.
“Are you ready, Captain?” the general asked. Gallanth let out a battle roar as he walked over to the landing.
“Any questions, sir?” he replied as he looked up at his dragon mate. “Any time there is a need, we will answer, sir, and I have a score to settle with the drow,” he added. “If I may, sir,” he saluted as he motioned toward Gallanth.
“Give ’em hell, Dragonrider,” the general responded as he returned the salute and started to walk back to his headquarters to get his armor and weapons. Jodem walked over to the stable area to get Vata
ra ready.
“I tried to get mental images from the hippogriff, but I wasn’t able to see any chromatics clearly. Its mind is confused and wracked with pain. If there were any, they would have shown themselves,” Gallanth explained.
“I agree with Gallanth, but if drow are present, there could be a sorcerer or priestess of some power, so we should take caution,” Jodem explained as he walked his eagle over to the gold dragon and his rider.
“We will handle it,” Mkel replied.
“I have faith,” he continued.
“As you always should; besides, what is a few lonely sorcerers?” Gallanth added, teasing Jodem, who smiled. “I will enjoy sending a few more drow back to the underworld in ashes. I’ve not destroyed a dark elf since the Great War, and I will look forward to that privilege soon.”
Within minutes, there was a clamor of soldiers getting armor and weapons ready, and soon over a hundred armed men were gathering around Gallanth’s feet. They looked up in amazement at the dragon’s colossal size. “Thank the Creator he’ll be with us on this one,” one soldier whispered to his sergeant.
“You are welcome, my lad,” Gallanth replied to the soldier, who started to blush with a slight embarrassment from being overheard by the gold dragon. His squad sergeant smiled, as did Mkel. Soon a small cavalry troop was moving from the stables with half a company of land dragons. Mkel saw a colonel walking over to the group.
“Sir, as soon as you have enough, let me know,” he yelled to the battalion commander from high on Gallanth’s back. Mkel knew it was Colonel Sheer, one of the infantry battalion commanders, just by his size. He stood six feet, four inches tall and was a burly man at that. He guessed he would be the commander on the ground for this fight.
“Right, Captain; there’s no time for catapults. As soon as we have at least two line companies and a few more horses, hippogriffs, and land dragons, we can go,” Colonel Sheer replied. Sometimes there was a little friction from senior line officers toward dragonriders, who they considered like an aristocracy. It was well known within the Draden regiment and the Battle Point legion that Mkel was an infantryman first and served as a line soldier while a junior dragonrider, and even before he became dragon bonded.
Dragon Alliance: Rise Against Shadow Page 22