Dragon Alliance: Rise Against Shadow (27 page)

“The legion is anxious for your review, Lord Gallanth,” Sykes added, almost biting his tongue. “Commanders, bring your units to attention,” he shouted as the subordinate battalion and regiment commanders saluted, turned around, and called their commands to attention. “Sir, Gallanth, gentlemen, if you would follow me.” He turned and walked toward the first infantry battalion. The group walked over to the beginning of the infantry regiment. The soldiers were standing tall, shoulder to shoulder, tens of rows deep. Their armor and weaponry looked very well kept, almost to a fault, but still well used. As General Daddonan walked up to the regimental commander, he drew his sword, an impressive mithril alloy broad sword with a dragonstone in the pommel, likely from a bronze or silver dragon. He saluted the general and Gallanth, and the general returned the salute with his sword, and Gallanth lowered his head for a cursory return.

As they walked across the front line of troops, Gallanth spoke in his full voice, commenting on how good the soldiers looked. “Impressive infantry, General. I see courage and spirit in them,”
he stated. The infantry regiment alone was almost the size of Draden’s combined regiment with the Weir’s garrison. They then walked past the cavalry regiment. They looked almost as good as Lenor’s paladins, but the Weir’s knights were slightly better armed. Again Gallanth complimented them, and to the surprise of the cavalrymen, Gallanth did not spook their horses like they’ve seen chromatic dragons do.

Next was the land dragon battalion. These land dragons were not as big as Wheelor’s but were more on par with Draden’s company. Gallanth spoke up in Draconic, which only Mkel, Jodem, and the battalion wizards could likely understand.

“Thank you, my little brothers, keep your strength and faith.” All the land dragons present, roughly thirty of their total of forty-eight, bowed their heads in unison, much to the surprise of their crews, in deference to Gallanth. This was again the fondness that the metallic dragons had for their smaller land dragon cousins and the inherent admiration that the less-intelligent land-bound fire serpents had for the dragons, especially gold and silvers.

As the group walked in front of the hippogriff squadron, Gallanth stopped and looked directly at a young rider. When any metallic dragon would look at someone, it was as if they could look right into their soul, but especially a gold dragon could make a man shiver. It could be both an uncomfortable and peaceful experience at the same time, for dragons could read emotions as if they were spoken words, and they could always tell if someone was lying.

“Do not worry, young Dackner, rider of Bracks, you will not fail your comrades in battle, and you will find your courage. I have faith, so should you,” Gallanth said to the young hippogriff rider, nodding his immense head to convey that an answer was not necessary. Dackner looked at Mkel, who smiled at him as they kept walking. He started to blush with embarrassment as the other riders in his squadron looked at him with an intense curiosity. Even his hippogriff seemed surprised by the incident; they were usually oblivious, being only just slightly more intelligent than dogs. It was well known that gold dragons had the power of foresight to varying degrees, but to be talked to by one was usually a sign of very good luck.

Mkel reminded himself to ask what his dragon meant by his comments. He likely had a feeling of some sort that this particular lad would play a part of something in the near future.
Time will tell
, he thought to himself. They then passed the catapult battalion, sapper unit, support corps battalion, and ranger company. All looked very professional and polished, and they projected good bearing. Their rangers were not all mounted on griffons; some were on giant eagles, and only one of their numbers present were elves, who gave the elven acknowledgment to Gallanth. They at least had two elves, which Mkel considered good. Out here on the plains, they likely didn’t feel at home, for a lack of forests. Their dealings with the independent wood elves in the forests of the north made their sacrifice valuable to the Alliance. The wood elves distrusted all and were only slightly friendly to the elves of the Alliance. However, in this far outpost of the Alliance, they came to their aid against the occasional chromatic attack, especially the elf-eating green dragons that tended to inhabit the same areas as elves.

They then made their way back to the front of the legion formation. General Daddonan moved up to the stand and placed his dragonstone-powered sword in the central podium to enable it to amplify his voice. “Gentlemen, ladies, soldiers of Battle Point, please stand at rest. I first want to tell you that all units of the legion look outstanding, and I am very proud of what I see today and the job that you have been doing in the recent months. The fight we recently had south of here showed the enemy our mettle. We suffered only three casualties to a whole company of orcs and a band of giants that were sent to hell. Even the drow sorcerer was taken down fairly quickly. We have a special honored guest here today, in case you missed him,” he joked as chuckles reverberated throughout the formations of soldiers in light of the forty-five-yard-long gold dragon sitting directly behind him.

“We want to give the mighty gold dragon Gallanth, his rider Captain Mkel, and the Council Wizard of Keystone Weir, Jodem, a hearty welcome to Battle Point.” A thunderous applause came from the six thousand soldiers standing in formation. “I don’t want to take any more of your time than I have to, for I will have a meeting with your commanders later. So I now have the pleasure to introduce the most powerful dragon in the Alliance, save Michenth himself,” he finished as he turned and walked off of the platform and gave a nod to the gold dragon.

Gallanth raised his immense head as the soldiers of the Battle Point began to cheer again. Mkel was standing with Jodem beside Gallanth and looked up at his dragon. At the Weir and with the garrison, Gallanth did not speak a great deal to the men, other than occasional words of encouragement and during leader meetings. However, when they traveled outside of the Weir or interacted with other non-Weir Alliance units, Gallanth did as much talking as Mkel. Even though he was the rider, he was still a captain, and sometimes higher ranking officers would listen to a dragon, especially a gold dragon, before they would him.

“Soldiers of Battle Point legion, I, my rider Captain Mkel, and the wizard Jodem are all honored to visit your city and our fellow Alliance brothers and sisters of arms. We are extremely impressed with what we have witnessed. I can see the honor and courage that this legion is known for in your eyes and in your hearts. I also mourn with you for the blood you have spilled recently in your battle to the south. You can be assured that the enemy knows who dealt them the blow, for you performed admirably and are a credit to the Alliance. We are entering into uncertain times, and a growing threat is emerging but has not fully identified itself as of yet. Whatever that threat might be, I have faith that this legion will meet this challenge face to face and see it put to ruin. We want you to know that if and when you are in dire need, you can count on the full might of Draden Weir.”
A loud cheer erupted from all the soldiers assembled on the parade field, for they knew the promise of a metallic dragon was as unbreakable as mithril. The knowledge of a whole Weir, especially Draden, backing them up likely rested a great deal of anxiety and fears of the soldiers of this legion, especially with rumors of chromatic dragons encroaching. Jodem and Mkel looked at each other with an uneasy feeling, for Gallanth had just promised them what he and Jodem had spent hours today avoiding saying to General Daddonan, without consulting Colonel Wierangan first.

Put your mind at rest, my friend. I know Colonel Wierangan will not argue, especially if I tell him it is to his advantage
, Gallanth explained to Mkel telepathically.
I hope you are right, Gallanth
, Mkel said silently back to his dragon.
You just have to have faith, my friend
, Gallanth answered back with a trace of humor in his mental reply.

“We will have to trust in your dragon, Mkel,” Jodem whispered to Mkel.

“Now my friends, you will need to find your courage, for it will be tested in the coming months. I know you will perform with bravery and honor. Trust in the Creator’s divine providence, trust in the Alliance, and trust each other. Faith and strength to you all,” he finished as he bowed his head in a kind of Draconic salute and took a step back. He then let out a full battle roar, which could shake buildings to their foundation, which was then echoed by all the land dragons.

General Daddonan quickly sprang back up to the platform and called his subordinate commanders to attention. The clamor of over six thousand soldiers’ armor and weapons, and the rustling of beasts reverberated throughout the landing field. He then called for a presentation of arms as a salute to Gallanth. The gold dragon again bowed his head as a return salute. General Daddonan turned back to face the legion.

“Soldiers of Battle Point, I welcome all of you to the celebration feast in honor of our Weir guests and the bountiful fall harvest. Commanders, you may dismiss your men,” he finished, saluting with his sword, and the battalion and regimental commanders returned the salute. Gallanth turned to walk back to the landing area in front of the visitors’ quarters. Mkel and Jodem quickly turned to walk back as well, for Mkel did not want to hear the slight gloat in General Daddonan’s voice.

“Fear not, my friend. Colonel Wierangan will understand. I have an uneasy feeling about this region, now that we are here, in that conflict is just over the horizon. They will need us and likely all the garrison. Maybe even the Draden regiment,” Gallanth said out loud to Mkel.

“I always have faith and trust in you, Gallanth,” Mkel replied.

“Yes, but how will the Dragon Council react to this?” Jodem asked.

“General Becknor and Valianth will understand. They know that even though the Capital Wing provides overall protection to Battle Point, they take time to mobilize, and time might be critical to these soldiers,” Gallanth replied.

“I wish you luck, Gallanth. You know how testy Valianth has been as of late, and remember, he is senior to you,” Jodem added.

“Also remember, Master Wizard, that my brother Falcanth is on the council as well,”
Gallanth replied.

“I guess it will depend on how the other senior Weir dragons and Capital dragons view the situation,” answered Jodem.

“How about the Wizard Council of Thirteen?” Gallanth asked.

“I will work on them,” Jodem replied.

“I know Eladran, High Mountain, Atlean, Rom, Rem, Denar, and Talinor Weirs will back us up, with Lancastra and maybe Machren Weirs likely agreeing with us as well,” Mkel added, knowing the Weir leaders and senior dragons of those Weirs very well. He knew that seven of the twelve Weirs were closely aligned with Draden. Ferranor and Ice Bay Weirs were the other remaining fortresses that rimmed Alliance territory, with the exception of Talinor Weir and the Capitol Weir.

“Just have faith, Mkel my rider, the council will go our way. We do not need permission or funds from the senate either. It is just a defense agreement to support and protect this legion,”
Gallanth explained.

As they walked back to the visitor quarters, cooks from the legion’s support section had already wheeled up two wagons with freshly butchered steers. They were lightly cooked over the large fire pits that were blazing on the south side of the landing field and well seasoned. General Daddonan did his homework, for this was how Gallanth liked his meat.

“I see you’ve made General Daddonan very happy, my large Draconian friend. I wonder how he acquired the knowledge of your taste in meat?” Jodem asked with a slight hint of curiosity.

“People come and people go through Draden all the time. The caravans that are headed to Battle Point will sometimes stop in the Weir for a weapons fit or trade. We are almost as large a trading center as Battle Point,” stated Mkel.

“My rider is correct, Master Wizard, but nonetheless we should address it through Sergeant Toderan and Captain Hornbrag upon our return to Draden,” Gallanth added.

“Sir, pardon me, Master Dragon, but your tables, food, and drink are ready,” a civilian support staff worker told Mkel and Jodem. While the inspection was taking place, the kitchen workers and halflings had moved all the tables out of the great hall and were bringing food out by the wagon load. Mkel wanted to go back to his quarters and stow his riding jacket.

“Gallanth, go ahead and eat, I’ll be right back,” Mkel said.

“I can wait,
he replied.” Mkel hurried to the guest quarters building and put his riding jacket in his room. He was glad to have the dragon armor jacket off and would just wear his uniform tunic and mithril weave undershirt that Ordin gave him. The weather was warm and very nice for a late summer day, with clear skies, for they were on the plains and away from a major body of water and the mountains with forests.

Mkel emerged from the building as the legion was gathering to the hundreds of tables set up on the landing. Gallanth was sitting down by the two wagons that had brought the steer halves; he would have to remain there until the legion dispersed. Even the slightest miscalculation on his part with his tail or his massively clawed foot could kill or maim a man.

The smell of fresh breads, cooked meats, and stews wafted through the air. The kegs of draft ales and wine were tapped, and the bards and minstrels were beginning to play.
An impressive feast
, Mkel thought to himself. Not quite as good of quality as what the Weir put on, but a non-Weir aligned legion did not have the resources or riches that Draden or the other Weirs possessed.