Dragon Alliance Dark Storm : Dark Storm (79 page)

“We and our partners must remain above the fray if we are to bring the weirs and their allies down. You all and Hilrodra will attempt to block or at least slow any movement against the Morgathians. We must also step up the activities of our infiltrated spies and cohorts in the diplomatic corps to undermine the Alliance foreign policy of Reagresh. We will also have our friends in the Truth Saying guilds put out a massive information campaign to discredit the dragons and the weirs with the message that they hoard wealth from the people and could give the comfort crystals for free if they were as generous as they claim. This will create discord among the citizenry and the civilian population,” Bilenton continued.

“I don’t know of the certain power our eastern friends have anymore, especially with their somewhat easy defeat of this supposedly massive and invincible armada,” Senator Katsleez questioned.

“Even in their defeat, they still challenged the weirs and were able to attack Alliance soil, if only in Atlean. This can be used by the Truth Saying guilds as a tool against the weirs in that they were unable to protect the republic, which is a partial truth and can’t be struck down by the truth-saying law. They can then put forth the notion that only through skilled negotiations and understanding, along with targeted capitulation and compromise at the lead of the Enlightened can the Alliance move forward to a stable and prosperous peace,” the young senator Masheam theorized.

“An excellent idea, Senator, you actually might be more than a stable boy within our circle someday,” Bilenton chided the junior Enlightened senator while begrudgingly complimenting him. Terrjok and Tekend quickly glanced at each other as they chortled at Bilenton’s joke at Masheam’s expense, knowing that the schism between those two was in their favor. Masheam politely smiled at the jab, but in the back of his mind, he was planning on Bilenton’s and his wife’s downfall and his rise to power with the help of the Kallysh Arianans and Morgathian backing.

“All right, we have to contact the Morgathians and let them know of what has transpired today, for bad news will only grow worse with time. Senator Tekend, have your sorcerer contact him with his dark crystal,” Bilenton directed.

“What? In the Senate Pyramid? We will be detected,” Tekend worriedly objected.

“No, your sorcerer is on your family’s island; he will direct the images through your seeing crystal. We did not spend tens of thousands of drachlars lining this room with lead, soundproofing, and mithril to keep all conversations secret for nothing,” Bilenton sharply answered.

“Yes, Premier,” Tekend reluctantly knuckled under to Bilenton and called his sorcerer through his seeing crystal. “Remsin, contact Prefect Stalenjh and direct the conversation through my seeing crystal,” Tekend ordered of his sorcerer. Soon Stalenjh’s image appeared beside Bilenton’s as projected by Tekend’s seeing crystal.

“Premier Bilenton, members of Enlightened, I have learned of your failure in preventing a call for war against the empire. This does not please us, especially Queen Tiamat. You have failed in your end of the bargain,” the Talon sorcerer said menacingly.

“Prefect, the defeat of the armada and the capture of a Scarab assassin by the sea elves has tied our hands,” Bilenton apologetically replied.

“Our defeat was the fault of that incompetent Dreadstone, who is now lying at the bottom of the sea off your coast. As for the mongrel assassin, he is your concern, not mine,” Stalenjh retorted. “This means that our scatter-fire plan to systematically spread the Alliance military and the weirs thin must be implemented sooner, and we are not ready. We must destroy them piecemeal or our ultimate goal and yours will not be achieved. With that, you all could find yourselves at the death end of a dragon’s breath, be it metallic or chromatic,” the Covenant sorcerer angrily indicated. This clearly made even the normally calm and calculating Bilenton nervous.

“Prefect, in spite of our missteps and the failure of your subordinate, with what we have discussed here today and Morgathia’s swift retribution and provocation powers and talents, we can go forward with our combined plans to weaken and eventually destroy the accursed weirs and their dragons. We just have to rely on and exploit their one true weakness, and that is their sense of honor and their need to defend the weak. Their love of freedom and fairness will be their undoing. Draw them out to defend all who ask for help and make more request it. Unleash all the disruptive and destructive powers of the empire, but not directly, and you will draw them out individually and be able to destroy them individually,” Senator Masheam quickly but eloquently injected.

“Yes, young insolent one, we can make up for our numbers with the blood and sacrifice of the lesser, like the millions of thoughtless Kallysh and the greedy Kaskars. We will work on our end immediately. Until then, ensure that my interests are adhered to and protected in your senate, if you can handle this simple task. Soon, we will unleash terror across the world, and you will support the weirs in answering it, at least until they are spread across the far lands, and then pull support from the non-weir Alliance military forces while creating dissent against the metallics within the republic. You have your orders, now carry them out,” Stalenjh ended his message as his image disappeared.

“Quick thinking, Masheam. That seemed to at least slake the sorcerer’s anger and will mesh into our plan,” Terrjok complimented the young senator for his articulation and fast thinking as he looked at Bilenton’s image and the scowl on his face. A wide grin came across Masheam’s much-tanned face, almost over-accenting his large ears.

“Then we proceed as we had planned. Tekend, you have your orders; Terrjok, see to it that he succeeds. For the rest of you, keep to your oath of the Enlightened and we will see a new dawn over this land soon,” Bilenton stated as he ended his message. His image then disappeared.

A week after the senate gathering, most of the Weirleaders and many in the Draden regiment and the eastern combined weir division leaders had gathered at Draden Weir for Pekram’s funeral. There were dozens of dragons and hundreds of others meeting at the grassy hillside of the weir’s gentle northern base. This was where the honored dead from the weir had been buried for hundreds if not thousands of years. The Weirleader dragons formed an outer ring around the hundreds of gathered mourners as Mkel walked up to the ceremonial stone podium that overlooked the gentle slope.

“I want to first thank all who are in attendance to honor one of Draden weir’s fallen soldiers. Many of you knew Senior Company Sergeant Pekram, or at least knew of him and his very auspicious reputation. To sum up a man’s life, what can truly be said? Pekram was a man among men, a leader among leaders, a true soldier to be emulated, looked up to, and relied upon. His no nonsense, beat-you-over-the-head, common-sense style of leadership inspired all those who knew him and served with him. Pekram’s favorite saying, I remember, when I first took command of the company was, ‘Lieutenant Mkel, as the commander and Weirleader, you command the company, but I run it.’” Mkel smiled as his statement brought a few chuckles from the crowd. “Even before this, as a young, freshly commissioned platoon leader in the weir infantry company, I remember a senior platoon leader had a disagreement with him and demanded a meeting, to which he said he was going to ‘straighten this senior sergeant out.’ Even though I was the Weirleader and a dragonrider, I would not interfere with this, so the meeting took place. Well, to put it bluntly, the lieutenant’s discussion did not go well, as he misunderstood his rank for Company Senior Sergeant Pekram’s authority. As the lieutenant walked out of the meeting, with his head held low, Platoon Senior Sergeant Lenor asked him how it went. To which his reply was, ‘Don’t ask.’” Mkel paused as the crowd laughed at the story.

He then continued, “Pekram will be missed by many, and the hole left by him will not be easy to fill. As a comrade and leader to many and a friend to many more, he will be missed but never forgotten. We look up to Pekram, a man who was larger than life, loud, gruff, abrupt, dedicated, loyal, brave, fierce, and honorable. He touched many lives through his leadership and actions. A true lead-by-example sergeant, his oversight of the Draden Weir infantry company and garrison has been the key to the weir’s success and has saved many lives. His bravery against the fire giants and in the defense of Atlean was awe-inspiring. We all owe so much to him and his memory…” Mkel had to pause to regain his composure. “ . . . for he will live on within the weir, its loyal friends, and in our hearts. Guard, salute the fallen,” Mkel finished his speech and ordered the honor guard to commence the salute.

The nine members of the sharpshooter section raised their crossbows after lighting the short wicks at the end of the exploding tips on their bolts. Senior Sergeant Gemorg then gave the order to aim and fire, upon which the nine bolts were sent streaking into the air and detonated almost simultaneously. This was repeated three times, after which Gallanth bellowed out a tremendous roar and unleashed a plasma fireball that darted into the air toward the Severic River. He then fired a sunburst beam that struck the pulsating ball of energy, resulting in a thunderous and brilliant explosion. All of the Weirleader dragons then lifted their heads and bellowed a haunting, crooning sound that sent shivers down the spines of most in attendance.

Gallanth had told Mkel this was the dragons’ sound of sorrow, akin to crying, which dragons almost never did. Tegent’s bugler then played the final honors, and upon completion, the master weir bard sang a lament to Pekram that left many of even the toughest, battle-hardened veterans and dragonriders with tears rolling down their cheeks. As the ceremony ended and Pekram’s body was laid to rest, Mkel invited everyone back to the weir for food and drink. General Becknor walked up to Mkel and put his hand on his shoulder, as he could see the younger dragonrider was very upset but trying not to express it.

“Mkel, I know that Pekram meant a lot to you and all of Draden Weir, but I also know that since your father died, death and events such as these are very difficult for you. Just remember that emotion is our strength and in turn the strength of our dragons. Don’t be afraid to show and express it. We all grow stronger this way,” the dragonrider general explained to Mkel.

“Thanks, sir. Your sentiment is appreciated,” Mkel answered, choking back tears as they all walked back to the mountain fortress. The after-funeral gathering at the weir’s tavern was both sad and jovial, as all who started to imbibe told stories of the famous senior sergeant and laughed at his comments and the methods he used. Lawrent pulled Mkel to the side during the gathering to talk to him.

“Mkel, I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you bringing me here for the honors. My ships needed to get back to Freiland and could not be delayed anymore, but I needed to give Pekram and his family my respects. While we did not see eye to eye on everything, Pekram was indeed an outstanding leader and warrior, worthy of a raider, and I will miss him,” the tall Freiland barbarian explained almost to the point of tears, which was very unusual for them.

“I understand, my friend, and yes, he will be missed by all. Now you should be going back to your ships. They are likely halfway to Freiland by now, and if they get there before you do, half of your trade goods will be sold for your crew’s ale and women,” Mkel said with a smile to cheer up his raider friend.

Lawrent smiled back and replied, “As long as your new gorgeous dragonrider will ferry me back,” he said with his toothy smile under his reddish-blond mustache.

“I would be careful with that one; she is very good with her spear and sword and could definitely end parts of your manhood if you don’t behave. Not to mention her very protective dragon,” Mkel joked back.

At that, Lawrent gave Mkel a bear hug and walked over to the weir lake where Heathiret was standing by ready to fly him back to his ships. Mkel looked over to the images of Pekram that were being projected from many a Draden soldier’s seeing crystal and raised his tankard. “To you, my friend, may your fight in the afterlife be as good as your fight here at the weir,” he spoke to himself.

“
Have
no
fear,
my
rider;
it
is
,” Gallanth answered his rider’s thought telepathically.

The massive dark stone halls of Tiamat’s fortress in Aserghul echoed with the angry roars of the queen dragon. The Covenant and the Usurpers knew that the meeting called by the arch dragon would not go well with the news of the armada’s defeat. As Stalenjh walked from the planning rooms to Tiamat’s central chamber, he was summarizing the points of his speech; he knew he had to calm the large dragon or else someone might be sacrificed or eaten at this meeting.

“I want all to gather now!” Tiamat’s white head roared out in its shrill, reverberating tone. All four remaining Usurper dragons cautiously walked in from their attached chambers and sat at their respective places. The Talon Covenant sorcerers and their death lord knights also slowly crept in and positioned themselves as far away from Tiamat as possible, without being too conspicuous about doing so. The place normally reserved for Dreadstone and Reigngrim was empty, even Havocfire was absent, as he was still recovering from his wounds from the fight.

“Stalenjh, I want to know what happened to the armada and our dragon army!” all of Tiamat’s heads roared at once.

“Queen Mother Tiamat, while this looks like a defeat, as we said earlier, there was much accomplished in this attack,” Stalenjh tried to assuage the arch dragon’s anger.

“In what? Our armada is destroyed along with any chance of challenging the Alliance on the seas, and of the almost twelve hundred dragons we sent, only a handful have returned!” her green head angrily retorted.

“Yes, but we have for the first time successfully drawn blood on Alliance soil, taken down over a dozen metallics, and have sent a message to the weirs and the people of the Alliance that their so-called mighty dragons and riders can’t keep their enemies from attacking them in their own homes. It has also given our puppets in their senate the ammunition to set doubt in their citizens regarding the weirs’ protected status and promote dissent to further weaken them internally. This is an excellent step in our plan to draw them out and weaken them over time,” Stalenjh was doing his best to paint a more acceptable picture on this obviously crushing defeat. As Tiamat’s five heads looked at each other to assess this explanation, a large image of Michenth’s head appeared in front of the evil archdragon in a very rare communication with his former mate.