Dragon Alliance: Rise Against Shadow (21 page)

Mkel realized it was getting close to the time for the evening meal and grabbed his seeing crystal from the small holster on his belt. “Annan, are you ready, my dear?” he asked.

“Yes my love, I am just getting Michen ready. I will see you in the dining hall in a little while,” she replied.

“I will see you there,” Mkel answered. He then got up and started to walk over to the soldiers’ living quarters to see if he could find either Toderan or Pekram. Most of the soldiers were getting ready to go to the dining hall or getting their families together. All of them had either their own room or a small complex if they had a family. Each family unit had a small area for food preparation and sanitary and wash area, as well as a central family room and multiple sleeping chambers. Single soldier units also have small wash areas. These were added on for soldier comfort and morale rather than the ones hewn out of solid rock at the right side of the Weir landing. Those were now used for storage and emergency living space in case a larger force was temporarily stationed at the Weir or a large civilian population for emergencies.

Mkel saw Pekram walking out of the company’s headquarters room. “Sergeant Pekram!” he yelled to get his attention.

“Yes Captain, what do you need?” he replied.

“I read all the summaries from the lieutenants and the senior platoon sergeants. I just wanted to know if you had anything to add.”

“No, they addressed it pretty well. I know about the situation with the first platoon, and I am talking to Sergeant Macdolan about it,” Pekram explained.

“I will talk to Lieutenant Howrek after the evening meal tonight before I go to Battle Point,” Mkel added.

“He needs to get his head straight or I will knock it off. I will not have him screw that platoon up!”

“I will not let that happen; just leave this scenario to me, I will handle the officers. Any other issues that need to be addressed or any soldier that deserves an award?” Mkel asked.

“No, just a couple of small supply and weapons problems sir, I’ll go to Captain Vicasek in the support corps company through Sergeant Sternlan. I will hold off on an award until we have the next engagement. The sergeants controlled the company very well and kept the line moving and intact. Otherwise the company, land dragons, paladins, and catapults did very well. Even the elves were coordinated with us as were you and your dragon,” Pekram finished with his typical wry smile.

“Very good, I’ll let Gallanth know of your approval,” he said, chiding the senior sergeant to let him know he was still in charge but with a hint of humor. “Are you and your family attending the evening meal tonight?” Mkel asked.

“Yes, we will be there, got to hear Tegent perform.”

“He will be playing with the elf minstrel as well,” Mkel added.

“Looking forward to it, we will be there in a little while sir,” Pekram said as he gave a cursory salute and walked back to his quarters.

Mkel started to walk to the dining hall, for the growing noise from conversations from the large hall indicated that the garrison was mostly assembled for the evening meal. As he walked into the hall, a soldier was about to call the room to attention but he motioned to him not to do so; he reserved that honor for Gallanth, Colonel Wierangan, Colonel Dunn, or other officers of similar rank. This courtesy was not important to him. He walked over to his table as the kitchen personnel were starting to bring the food trays out. Beef steaks were the order tonight to celebrate the successful drill today.

Toderan and his family were already there and seated; Annan walked in with Michen almost right after Mkel. Everyone started to be seated when Jodem strode in and walked over to the head table. Ordin and Dorin came up from the lower caverns as Dekeen, Beckann, and the elven minstrel Trilen emerged from the back passage that led in from Draden Forest. The Weir’s leaders sat down at the head tables, and Mkel rose with his mug of freshly poured Draden ale.

“Ladies, gentlemen, friends, can I have your attention?” Mkel opened. “I propose a toast. To the garrison, our elven and dwarven allies, Jodem, and Gallanth, for a well-executed drill and our continued success as the foremost Weir in the Alliance. I am, as always, very proud of your performance,” Mkel proclaimed.

A large cheer arose in unison before all raised mugs were tipped, especially from the dwarven brothers. They loved the town’s own produced ale. The dwarven home brews were made from the special molds and yeasts they cultivated in the lower caverns. These ales were extremely strong and bitter, and only the most devout nondwarf drinkers could stomach them. These molds were also a base for some of the foods they consumed in their subterranean homes and for the air they breathed, being able to quickly convert carbon dioxide and sulfurous gases into breathable oxygen. Dwarves were the inventors of necessity.

Watterseth, the Weir’s head cleric and religious leader, rose and said, “My family, let us give our thanks.” All present in the vast dining hall bowed their heads. “Great Creator, we give thanks for being allowed to assemble here amongst our friends, family, comrades, and allies. The success of the exercise today and the continued prosperity the Weir and its communities enjoy, we owe to your divine grace. May we always keep your message of right, honor, and caring in all we do and uphold the freedom and justice that you espouse in your teachings. We thank you for Gallanth and the dragons that help us in this quest and promote your spirit. We pray that you watch over all of your children to keep them safe from harm and for the strength to uphold the beacon of light that is the Alliance. Bless all,” he finished.

A collective “Bless all” acknowledgment from the garrison resounded softly in the hall. The elves, while not religiously organized, were devoted nonetheless, for they embodied the Creator’s perfection of nature. Dwarven clerics, while rare, are very forceful in their devotion. Ordin’s dwarf clan of Keystone Weir did not have one, as their own cleric died during the last Great Dragon War, and they depended on Watterseth for their religious needs. This was a rare situation, for the gruff dwarves rarely depended on anybody other than from their own race besides dragons, but Watterseth’s power in battle gave him great respect among the dwarves.

With that, the evening meal began and general conversation ensued. Toderan sat beside Mkel, with Jodem across from him, so they could discuss Weir matters. Dekeen and Beckann were at the large head table as well as Dorin, Ordin, and Mkel’s and Toderan’s family.

“Captain, I heard Pekram talked to you about Lieutenant Howrek,” Toderan said quietly.

“Word doesn’t take too long to get around here, does it?” Mkel replied with a slightly humorous tone.

“I was going to say something to you in any event tonight if it had not been mentioned to you up to this point,” Toderan added.

“I am planning on talking to him after the evening meal and Tegent’s performance. No sense in ruining a man’s dinner, but I will address the issues that were brought to me. I will not let the vanity of one man affect the training and potentially cost the lives of the men of this company. Depending on what his responses are, I will allow him a chance to redeem himself or I will send him back to the regiment,” Mkel explained.

“Yes, but he must be watched, for a fight with this new giant and the Morgathian threat to the east could be just over the horizon,” Toderan added.

“You are right, but I trust Sergeant Macdolan to keep things in order, and if he comes to me for help or a concern, it will be addressed right away,” Mkel answered.

“I know, I’m just concerned,” replied Toderan.

“I would be disappointed if you were not,” Mkel answered with a smile. He looked over at Jodem, who gave a smile and a nod in acknowledgment. Mkel knew that the wizard knew what was going on, for very little escaped him in regard to happenings in the Weir. He would seek his counsel after they arrived at Battle Point regarding how he handled the Howrek scenario. Mkel nodded back to acknowledge Jodem’s unspoken words. He diverted his attention to help Annan and Janta feed Michen. The little boy was very aggressive at times, so watching him was indeed a full-time endeavor.

Soon the great hall was quieted by Tegent and his apprentices getting up and making their way to the slightly raised platform beside the tavern portion of the dining hall, along with the elven minstrel that was sitting beside Dekeen and Annan. Tegent and the elf musician stepped up and sat on the tall stools at the center of the platform and quickly tuned their lyres. Several flute players and drummers quickly set up behind the two musicians. The familiar chords that harmoniously emanated from Tegent’s lyre told the assembled Weir of an uplifting song he titled “Dragon’s Wings,”
which was one of the many tribute songs that he created in Gallanth’s honor. Tegent’s lyre glowed in its dragonstone light as the accompanying elf minstrel gave the song a new added twist, for elven vocals always added a unique but haunting quality to the melody. This was one of the few songs that he sang that was not meant to be sung along with; however, many still did. He also changed the verses on occasion to reflect events like battles, training exercises, or even social news.

As Tegent and the elf played and sang, even the dwarf brothers listened along with Michen. This was indeed an accomplishment. The songs that he sang could bring a tear to the toughest soldier’s heart, even a dwarf. They could rouse the garrison to want to take on the whole of Morgathia. The one central theme of his songs was Gallanth, although he also sang about the elves, the dwarves, the adventures of men, past battles, lost love, hunting, women, and politics. He was one of the most talented bards in all of the Alliance as well as no slouch as a fighter, hunter, and archer. He studied with the elves for several years, which contributed to many of his musical, archery, and swordsmanship techniques.

His sung words were echoed by his elf companion:

There’s a gathering storm in the east tonight

There’s a raging fire from the sky

We’ll give them cold blue steel for the right

And make them see the searing light and dragon’s eye

Take us on your mighty wings across the sky

They’ll feel your fire from above

They’ll taste our steel from the heart tonight

They can never defeat us and our love

Take us on your mighty wings for the fight

And Morgathia will feel our wrath and might

The giants are gathering in the east tonight

We will rise on his wings and meet the threat in sight

For all that is good and keep shining the Alliance light

As he and the elf ended the song, the room erupted in loud cheers. He and his accompaniment immediately started into a lively tune that he took from traveling halflings. Their songs were always upbeat, for they loved good drink, good food, and just having fun.

As they started the song, several of the halflings working in the kitchen started to dance on the floor and bare tables. Dwarves and many humans stepped to the rhythm and sang with the choruses. A night being entertained by Tegent alone or with company was always a good one.

The duo sang for over an hour before calling it a night and getting some ale themselves. Michen was getting restless, and Annan and Janta took him back to their living quarters. Dekeen and Beckann gave their farewells and walked to the back of the Weir to go out the secret passage to the forest. Ordin and Dorin shook Mkel’s hand and went over to the bar keep for more ale. Mkel then motioned for Lieutenant Howrek to come over to him.

“Yes sir, you called?” Howrek asked.

“Let’s go to my council room for a little talk,” Mkel replied as he got up and started to walk to the planning room and his office. As they entered, he told the lieutenant to sit down at the table he used in his personal office. “I don’t like to be anything but direct, Lieutenant, so I will get right to the point. I offered you a position as a platoon leader at the Weir garrison after Colonel Wierangan basically forced you to leave his southern catapult battery. I will give any man a chance as long as he is willing to look out for his men, lead from the front, and always give his best effort. I do not care if mistakes are made, especially in exercises, for they do not cost blood. However, I will not tolerate one of my men, especially one of my sergeants or officers, taking unnecessary risks for personal gain or to chase an award or medal. This is the easiest way to get men killed in battle. Do you understand my philosophy?”

“Yes sir, but I’m not sure what you are getting at,” Howrek said pensively.

“It has been brought to my attention through several soldiers that you’ve been making certain decisions and taking actions that do not have your platoon’s best intentions at heart, and that you almost panicked when the elves came to simulate a relief of your platoon. You only want to look good to impress either me or Colonel Wierangan, or Jodem, or whoever else,” Mkel said with a serious tone.

“Sir, I would never …”

“Lieutenant, I am not making any direct accusations or charges against you now. What I am doing is expressing my concerns over what has been brought to me. I do not deal in rumors or innuendoes, but I prefer to correct the problem directly, and this situation is bordering on both. I am not attacking you as a person, but addressing the behavior so corrections can be made. Do you understand my meaning?” Mkel finished with a sincere tone in his voice.