Dragon Alliance: Rise Against Shadow (22 page)

“Yes sir,” Lieutenant Howrek responded sheepishly.

“What you have to do is take a long look into yourself and examine your actions and the motives you have. Only when you take this hard look can you grow as a man. As the elves say of griffons and eagles, you only learn when your feathers get ruffled,” Mkel added.

“I will look at what I do in a more critical way from now on sir, for the last thing I would want to see is anything happening to this garrison or to offend you or Gallanth,” Howrek said apologetically.

“Gallanth and I are not to be worried about, it is the men. To get their respect is very easy. Just look after them, put their well-being above yours, and be true to yourself as well as them. It is an easy formula, just have faith in them and yourself,” Mkel finished.

“I will try, sir. Thank you for your honesty and the time you took to counsel me,” Howrek answered as he fidgeted slightly in his chair.

Mkel got up and reached over to grab Howrek’s forearm and shook it in the Alliance comradeship gesture with a smile. “Remember, always fight the good fight,” Mkel said with his natural smile.

“Yes sir,” Howrek replied, “and have a good trip to Battle Point, sir.”

“Get some rest and think it over. If you have any questions or wish to discuss this or any other matter, my door is always open,” Mkel finished. With that, Howrek gave Mkel a quick salute and walked out of the council room and back toward the tavern.
Probably needs a drink now
, Mkel thought to himself.
We will see if what I said to him sunk in, or whether I will need to relieve him
. Mkel then started to walk across the landing toward his living quarter’s area.

He walked up the long winding staircase from the landing grounds that led up to his, Gallanth’s, and Jodem’s chamber rather than taking the counterweight elevator. He stepped onto Gallanth’s landing and looked at his sleeping dragon mate.
It is amazing how peaceful the immense dragon looks when in slumber, compared to the incredible destructive power and incalculable strength he brings to bear in battle
, he thought to himself.

You handled the counseling session with Lieutenant Howrek well, my rider
, Gallanth said to him telepathically. “I thought you were sleeping, my friend,” Mkel said to him quietly with a smile on his face.
I sensed a little anxiety in your mind so I just listened in,
the big dragon answered back. “Well, I thank you for your comment. It is always hard to discipline one of my men. I want them all to succeed.”
Yes, but sometimes you cannot force a rock to move. There are many that nobody can reach or be made to understand or learn. They must hit the wall first and then learn for themselves
. “I understand, we will have to see, but I trust his sergeants to handle the situation.”
Yes, but I sense that Lieutenant Howrek’s mind is troubled. His jealousy and anxiety are growing, and I do not trust his judgment. I have a bad feeling but cannot pinpoint it
, Gallanth added.

“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

M
kel, 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 trays 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.