The Circle of Duty

by Owen Elgie

  Turning back towards my own throne I could see Mike sitting casually on the stone benches set aside for my honour guard. He nodded approval for what I’d just said and gave an ever so subtle thumbs up.

  Hurrying out of my clothes as fast as I could, I drew in all of the power I needed and my body contorted and grew until the final mighty Red Dragon of The Circle stood in the centre of the ring of Guardians. Stretching out my wings to their full extension just to show the gathered crowd just how terrifying I was, I turned and settled myself into the final throne in the ring.

  The second I got myself settled, things began in earnest.

  There was more of a feeling than seeing what was taking place to begin with. As I took my place on the throne, a magical circuit was completed and there was a huge onrushing of power. It wasn’t like a wind passing through the cavern, more like a shared sensation of an electric current, like those experiments where you can shock the person on the end of a chain of people thanks to the wonders of conductivity.

  Looking around the cavern I could see that all of the other Guardians could feel the same sensation. Each and every Dragon was sat just that little bit straighter, had just a little more serious an expression on their faces. The collected groups with each of the Guardians gave no hint that they were aware of the experience which was passing through the room, instead all sitting respectfully still, waiting for who knew what.

  Then as fast as it had started, the current of power stopped.

  Whatever it had been, I could only assume that it had been what would make certain no-one could remember any of the details of what was to take place to allow them to take the memories out of the chamber.

  Taking in a steadying breath, I looked around the cavern and tried to take in the details of what had just happened. From the dais, there were now signs that the power which had passed through the cavern was doing something.

  All of the carved glyphs covering the surface of the giant structure had started to emit a very low light. Nothing like the glowing beams I’d seen come from the runes around the obelisk in my own prison, instead they were more like a glowing ember from a dying fire. A small hint of what the fire had once been rather than a view of what it was. They all just glowed gently over every available area of the dais’ surface.

  That seemed all they were going to do for the longest time but that low light was soon building in intensity as the power within the stone grew. From all around the cavern, flecks of light started to drift down and towards the dais. It was quite a beautiful sight to behold as they slowly danced their way from whatever random points of the space we were all in and were absorbed by the dais, adding to the building power being emitted from the carvings.

  I risked another look over to Andrea as the light show continued, hoping to catch her eye and give her some signal of placation. She, like everyone else in the room, was transfixed by what was going on ahead of us and gave no indication that she was even aware that there was anyone looking in her direction.

  Great.

  Turning my attention back to the light show at the head of the ring of thrones, I could make out a shape beginning to form around the lone chair on the rock stage. A shimmering sphere was slowly taking shape, made of glowing rune symbols of various sizes.

  That sphere steadily grew in density as more and more power was poured into it until it eventually took on the appearance of a solid, golden ball bearing. It encircled the chair on the dais and gave the impression of being impervious to any and all power which was in the room.

  Before there was any further movement of any kind, on either side of the sphere, appeared ten of the giant armoured guards who I’d met at my estate. They were just there. It again made me think that there must be one hell of a trick to get them all in front of that many magical beings without there being any sign they were there. The final appearance on the dais was that of the Messenger. She appeared in exactly the same fashion as her hulking guards, as if she stopped time to position herself and then started it off again to show herself to the rest of the world. There was no overt sensation of pressure to accompany her arrival as it had done when she had visited Wales to give me my invite to this party but it was still apparent that she had a great deal of power here, magical or just political.

  She was still wearing the same clothing she had on the night we’d met. I couldn’t help myself but admire her very powerful form but it also made my jaw ache with the memory of our short skirmish. Still, she was a very, striking young woman.

  All those on stage finally stopped moving about and all was still. I’d already worked out what was going to happen next but I hadn’t expected it to happen in quite the way it did. It had to be the entrance of The Mage to the proceedings.

  It was, but I’d been expecting a huge collection of explosions, flashing lights and booming thunderclaps to herald the arrival of the most powerful of our number to this gathering but instead, the sphere just melted down to run through the nearest carvings around the top of the dais, leaving behind the serene looking shape of the Mage, sat casually casting his glance over the room before him.

  Everyone in the cavern, Guardians and retinue alike, all sat bolt upright, practically straining, to show the correct deference or respect to the head of our order. He on the other hand, just sat still and looked around the room.

  It was The Messenger who broke the silence.

  “WE ARE ASSEMBLED LORD MAGE. THINE CIRCLE IS AT THE READY.”

  Her booming voice was akin to a detonation rather than a call to the area and it made every single one of us jump, including The Elder. It made my own attempt at a call to the group seem very anemic in comparison.

  The Mage slowly moved from his throne and purposefully paced towards the front edge of the dais. When he reached the edge, his toes practically curling over the lip of the stone, he asked to the assembled group, “Why are we called to this gathering?” without really trying yet still managed to cast his voice wide enough for everyone to hear clearly. The Messenger replied.

  “WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TOGETHER BY THE ELDER. IT IS SHE WHO HAS REASON.”

  All the gazes in the room passed to The Elder as everyone looked for an explanation. Now it was Leatherpants who spoke.

  “My gathered Guardians. Please accept my thanks and apologies. The Elder would only have evoked this requirement at the most dangerous situation and she feels that we are all found at that point.” He’d slowly walked to the centre of the ring of seated Dragons and was speaking in a calm and authoritative tone. He was familiar with the waters he was swimming in at the moment and it was plain to see for all those who were looking on that he was grandstanding and enjoying every second of it.

  “All the mighty Guardians who find themselves gathered here today have been grouped together far too regularly in the recent past. There has been regular reason to all travel to the estate of one of your number over the last months as one Guardian after another has fallen to the attacks of The Hive.”

  He stopped speaking to really let the point sink in and, looking around the gathered Dragons, I could see a variety of postures, nodded agreement, bowed heads, no movement at all, which all showed that Leatherpants’ words had had the desired effect. He slowly surveyed what was going on around him and waited an extra heartbeat before continuing.

  “My master, The Elder of this mighty force, has seen for herself what has taken place during the fighting at the prison site in Argentina and has borne witness to the continuous failure which has blighted that once mighty house.”

  I just knew that this wasn’t going to end well.

  Leatherpants continued with a steadily raising volume and fervor.

  “There has been a continuous falling of our Guardians from one family line despite the expertise and training each of the members of the line have had. At the same time the enemy have been able to exert more force on our defences than they have ever been able to do before. Why have they been suddenly able to find ways of destroying our defences now when befor
e they have been utterly incapable of breaching those defences? Why have they now been able to group together their efforts to be able to stand against our troops on an equal footing?”

  Again, he let the words drift around to everyone and waited for the seeds he was planting to take hold in the minds of those looking on. Looking at the expressions on the faces of a great number of the surrounding Dragons, it was easy to see that Leatherpants had been able to make his point without actually making his point. The fertile soil of suspicion doing all of the work for those well placed seeds.

  “My Lords and Ladies. Guardians of The Circle. I have been a humble servant of this most vital and honourable of groups for almost a thousand years and I have seen a great many problems come and go as the might and force of this order has stood resolute against all who would seek to break it apart. The strength of The Circle has never been in doubt over all of the years I have been involved and I believe that many of you will feel the same.”

  More nodding from some of the gathered Dragons. Still hung heads from others.

  “The one factor which has been altered in the recent past preceded all of the current issues we are experiencing and that factor has been present at each of the most recent attacks from The Hive in Argentina. My master has been forced to conclude that our latest Guardian from Wales has either been causing these issues because of his lack of training and skill in the matters into which he has been thrust or he has been making deliberate attempts to undermine everything we as a group have been working to maintain.” Another perfectly timed pause as all the eyes of the assembled war force turned to face me. Even Andrea was looking on worriedly.

  This really wasn’t going to end well.

  Growls and rumbles of anger and shock rippled around the thrones as all of the Dragons made their feelings known. The Messenger was quick to step into the void left by Leatherpants to be able to snap all attention back to the expected ceremony of what was supposed to happen here.

  “QUIET! THIS IS A MOST SERIOUS CLAIM. ELDER. STEP FORWARD AND MAKE THINE CASE.”

  There was a new silence which fell over the assembled group but this time there was no mistaking the fear and anger which was sat squarely at its centre. The Elder practically uncoiled herself from her throne, her black scaled skin giving more the impression of a liquid.

  “My fellow Guardians. I have served for the longest of us all and have seen as each of you has made your first steps into the world of what we all are. I have been able to watch on as each and every Guardian has taken their place amongst our order and has done what is expected of them in defence of the whole world.” Now she paused and let her words hang before the others. This double team effort did seem like it was going to be able to make me guilty of everything they wanted and possibly any other crime they could wish to throw into the mix. I could see it now, my fault that Marathon bars became Snickers.

  “We are all though, my brothers and sisters, only as strong as the weakest link in our Circle.” She turned and fixed me with her all too familiar withering gaze.

  “Our latest Dragon from Wales has been woefully under trained and has shown nothing but arrogance and disdain towards the expectations placed upon him. He has allowed his own estate to be overrun by the enemy and was supremely fortunate to be able to prevent a wider catastrophe by getting his demon charge returned to its prison. At best, what this Guardian was able to do resulted in the release of his charge, the one thing we are all here to prevent came to pass, merely days after his Awakening.” Another pause.

  “Since he has then been involved in the actions which have been taking place in Argentina, we have all seen how The Hive have been able to make much deeper inroads into our forces than they have ever previously been able.”

  Now she was turning to face each and every sitting member of the Circle, all of whom were now staring intently at her, hanging on her every word in response to the fervour she had been able to whip up. I’d felt the frustration building inside me from the very first utterance from Leatherpants but to hear The Elder heaping on the accusations was taking things beyond what even I thought was possible. All I could do was sit and take whatever was being thrown around regardless of the truth behind the claims. I just knew that me losing it and making a lunge for my accusers would do me no good at all.

  “It is not unheard of that we should lose a Guardian during an attack from the enemy. We all assumed the position we currently hold through the sacrifice put forward by our predecessors so we know that the role of Guardian is one that has so many dreadful risks. But. We have all seen how one Guardian after another has fallen at the same site despite what has been done in defence by our latest would be savior.”

  Now she turned back to me and fixed me again with her blazing hatred, bringing with her each and every set of eyes there.

  “The Hive were never able to do what they have done. They have been able to undo everything we have at our disposal for the defence of the prison in Argentina and have been able to destroy our Guardians far too easily. You have been deeply involved in the defensive effort each time following your 'would be success' and now we see a sudden and large increase in our enemies abilities. I witnessed myself the almost limitless supply of creatures they had at their disposal during the last battle, of a kind not ever seen by any of us before. Aside from that fact, somehow, The Hive have also been able to find the power to create their own Cascade Bridges, something only the highest members of this order have the ability to do.”

  Her expression began to show the building emotion behind what she was saying.

  “I say that you are responsible for the weaknesses we have in our group. You are either just so incapable of doing what is needed that you have been making mistakes to create these issues or you are directly working with the enemy to bring down this respected force. You’ve shown that you have little or no respect for any of us and the role we fulfill, indeed thinking as a beast when you look at another one of our number.”

  I knew that she was referring back to our conversation about Andrea when we were in the infirmary but I was only barely holding onto the last vestiges of my self-control. Looking around the other Guardians in the ceremonial ring, I could see that there were a great many of them who were looking on in a fashion which suggested that they believed the worst of me. There were others who were less inclined to believe that one of their number would be willing to throw the entire line of protection to the enemy. At least that was something.

  I clamped my hands down on the carved arms of my quarried throne and could feel the cracks spreading out through the frame as I took out my frustrations at what was being leveled at me. This was another attempt from someone to try and put me in my place despite the truth or sense of what was happening not warranting it.

  Growling and with smoke curling up from the sides of my mouth, I eased myself up and out of my throne and took two measured steps towards the centre of the ring of thrones and The Elder.

  The entire cavern could feel the winding up of the tension as I prepared for my response. The Elder didn’t retreat as I approached her but her posture did alter subtly to put her on a battle ready footing. I could also see members of her retinue cracking their power into being as a readied glow of magical power crawled upon each of them. I knew that Mark and the others would be doing the same in response.

  This really had the potential to fall apart fast.

  The Messenger had obviously reached the same conclusion I had and was the one to break the silence.

  “THERE WILL NOT BE BLOODSHED IN THIS CITADEL. THERE WILL BE DISCUSSION AND ACTION SHOULD THERE NEED BE BUT IT WILL HAPPEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CODES OF WHO WE ALL ARE.”

  She had the same massive boom to her voice but I could barely make it out above the fury in me. I’d watched as different members of the group who had been connected to me had been killed for doing nothing other than follow the rules laid down by those above them. All I’d done was to try and follow those rules as best I could without giving
myself over to the seemingly ritual suicide the group as a whole seemed to lean towards.

  I would not have someone pass the blame for an event onto me just because I was potentially the easiest target. Blasting plumes of smoke from my nostrils and fixing The Elder with as strong a version of her own withering gaze, I made my response. Through an effort of will I tried my best to keep my voice both loud enough for all to hear but also quiet enough to get my feeling of violence across.

  “I am not responsible for the demise of the Guardians during the fighting. I have not been conspiring with the enemy and have not been giving away what we need to be doing.” I looked slowly around the ring of thrones and fixed each of the Guardians who were looking at me with my own force of will.

  “I have been fighting alongside so many of the people I now stand amongst and have done so without giving death to any of them. The Hive have shown that they can adapt to what we have been doing, that’s all. They worked out our systems. We as a group have been doing the same thing for so long that everyone knows exactly what’s coming. If you keep doing the same thing, the opposition will know where you’re going at every point of your defence.”

  There seemed to be a few nods of understanding but not many. Maybe the sporting analogy was a little too far.

  “I’ve watched as there have been deaths from so many of our number, not just the Guardians. I’ve stood as part of the Awakenings of each new Dragon as they were called and have been involved in their training but I will not be held responsible for every loss this group suffers just because I’m the new kid on the block.”

  I huffed a little roar onto the last syllable by way of emphasis and judging by the reactions from around the ring, it did have some effect. If that was a good effect was still to be seen. I also kept the fact that I wasn’t choosing myself to be involved in the conflicts each time quiet. I may have been present at each of the battles but I had been chosen to fight rather than just turning up. Blamed for someone else’s mistake again.