Dragon Alliance Dark Storm : Dark Storm

by J. Michael Fluck

  “Thank you all for so warm a welcome, and thank you my friends for supporting this year’s Honors Day Games. As we have gathered to watch the amazing skill of our brave Alliance soldiers, our elf, dwarf, and halfling friends, and of course the magnanimous dragons of the Alliance, we thank all those who have served and are serving today for the cause of liberty and the great good that makes our republic the beacon of light that shines the way for all those who crave freedom. I pray for the souls of those who have given the final unequivocal gift of life in the defense of this nation and those who reside in it. This sacrifice is what binds us as a group with the common cause of honor, goodwill to all, and the strength to uphold these ideals, as those who fought on the far plains of Battle Point and on the seas defending against pirates recently did just that. We as a grateful nation will never forget those honored few and the veterans of all past conflicts defending the light of liberty against the shadows of tyranny. This blood, be it shed from man, elf, dwarf, or dragon was spilt fighting for their republic, their comrades, their families, and for each other; it is our most precious of all gifts. This gift is returned here, in your remembrance of them and the honor you give them and their loved ones this day. A greater gift cannot be given, and may the Creator bless them and welcome them home. Thank you,” Premier Reagresh finished the formal part of his speech.

  “Now, I have the honor to bestow a little precious metal on a few fast competitors of this very exciting dragon race. Will Colonel Therosvet, rider of the gold dragon Valianth please step forward,” he stated as Therosvet walked over from the seated gold dragon and up the podium where the premier placed a bronze triangular medal around his neck. The veteran dragonrider and Weirleader smiled, his thick, light-brown mustache curled up as he thanked the premier. After the clapping died down, Reagresh continued, “Now, I have the special privilege, for the first time in the history of the games, to present two first-place medals of the race, to two lovely lady dragonriders. Will Heathiret, rider of the copper dragon Caraeyeth of Eladran Weir, and Andrace, rider of the silver dragon Auroranth of the Capital Weir, please come forward,” he said. The crowds gave a standing ovation to the lady riders and continued until he had placed two identical gold triangular medals over the women’s necks.

  Mkel was clapping and very happy for them, for this was an excellent race, but he still felt a bit slighted by what had happened out there. For he knew Gallanth was the fastest dragon of all, save Lord Michenth himself.

  Worry not, my rider; this is all as it should be, Gallanth told him telepathically.

  He understood his dragon and was genuinely happy for the other riders but knew he had to do some soul-searching since he had a slight feeling of jealousy and anxiety over what had happened. After all, he was a gold dragonrider, a Weirleader, and was supposed to be above such petty feelings.

  My rider, remember, you are still human and still possess human frailties. This is not a bad thing, but something you must take note of, contemplate, and grow from. This is the lesson, my rider. We accomplished great things at these games, so you need not be troubled.

  Gallanth’s words always smoothed out his ruffled feathers, as did Jodem’s. Thank you, my dragon,” he replied with his directed thought.

  By this time, the crowds had finally stopped their applause, and Canjon thanked everyone for their attendance and wished them all well, concluding the games as the wizards and dragons began to fire brilliant prismatic spells and an assortment of breath weapons and fiery projectiles into the air as a final show.

  At the end of the brilliant and thunderous display of wizard-and dragon-derived explosions and flashes, Canjon announced the official closing of the games but stated that the celebration as well as an open tour of the weir would begin momentarily. After Mkel congratulated Andrace and Heathiret, he mounted Gallanth and they flew up to their alcove as the stands were emptying. They landed, and Jodem met him as soon as he dismounted from Gallanth’s back.

  “Good race, my boy, and you as well, Gallanth,” the wizard said with a smile.

  “We didn’t win or even place, but it was a good flight,” Mkel answered with an equally big smile.

  “This is what brings your senses together. I know what Valianth did to you, and I know it bothers you, but you seem to be dealing with it as I have taught you. That is what makes me proud. The old gold dragon was trying to teach you something. Not the best method, but he means well nonetheless. He just wants to let you and Gallanth know that you can’t win everything, and sometimes events take over our ability to truly affect them without asking for the strength in others. Many a gold and silver dragon have become too reliant on their immense power, believing they are almost omnipotent, and while not prideful on the part of the dragon, or usually the rider, it can be detrimental when all is dark and even their light cannot chase the shadows away. Yes, Gallanth is the fastest dragon ever known, except for Lord Michenth, but even with all this and your great power and strength; you cannot accomplish everything by yourselves. You will come to understand this more and more; have faith,” the wizard explained and then looked up to Gallanth.

  “Yes, my portly wizard friend, you are correct, and I know my elder’s lesson. He was a little too enthusiastic about applying it, but I understand,” Gallanth answered as he turned around and lay down, stretching his wings out before he folded them.

  “We did very well in these games, as we did out in Battle Point. I have faith in Gallanth, in my weir, and in myself, but I…” Mkel stammered a little, the words choking up in him as he flashed a thought of his father in his mind.

  “Say no more, and savor that thought for a while. There will be time later. Now it is time to celebrate. I have food coming for all, and it is after the noon hour, so ale is appropriate. The celebration will be grand tonight, with the weir full of music and spirits. You know how they like to throw these parties here at the Capital, nothing small. Well, that is timing,” he said as the kitchen halflings had just wheeled in the food and drink. “Thank you, my friends,” he said as he tossed them a drachmere each, which they happily took. They all began to eat and drink beside Gallanth, who joined in on the conversation for the rest of the afternoon.

  Valianth and Colonel Therosvet flew around the mountain to the main entrance rather than go through one of the many alcoves to the weir grounds and their landing. The veteran rider and his dragon just wanted a lazy flight after the fast pace of the race. The capital gold dragon announced his entrance with a mighty roar as he entered the immense weir opening. He flew straight to the mouth of his and Michenth’s chamber, where he hastily back-winged and walked directly up to the arch dragon. While he was resting, the mithril dragon was still awake and awaiting his second in command. Colonel Therosvet quickly dismounted, and both he and his dragon bowed to Michenth and General Becknor.

  “A good race, Valianth, Colonel,” Michenth said to them; his tone had a more commanding base to it, meaning he wanted to get a point across. “I am pleased to see that Caraeyeth and Auroranth flew well. Their skills will be of great value, especially with the conflicts likely to come. That copper is determined and talented, as is her rider. I would like to see them assigned to Draden Weir as a wing second to Silvanth, especially now that she has mated and will not be able to support Gallanth as readily,” the mithril dragon stated.

  “That is the reason why we are here, Lord Michenth, sir. We wanted to ensure that Gallanth and his young rider would be inclined to ask for additional help and reinforcement. This is more important now than ever with what has happened out in the unsettled lands,” Therosvet stated.

  “Yes, my lord Michenth, that would be a prudent decision by the Draden Weir leader and Gallanth. They were successful at Battle Point, but we feel this was only an incursion, a diversionary attack, if you would label it as anything. It was our decision to send Strikenth and Talonth to help them, not theirs. Young Gallanth needed to be reminded that even gold drago
ns need help,” Valianth added to his rider’s comment.

  “Yes, but your aerial duel during the race was a little, let’s say, overzealous,” General Becknor injected.

  “I would agree with my rider. Gallanth and especially Captain Mkel do tend to take on too much on their own. They fight with an ever-present ghost over their shoulders. I believe it is from a sense of duty and responsibility, with a fear of not living up to Jmes’s memory and not wanting that same fate to befall anyone else’s children or dragon. Those are hard feelings to overcome, but I believe they will eventually. This is the emotional transfer we dragons get from our bonding with our riders. Remember, we still don’t know how Gallanth survived that day he attacked Aserghul, but it undoubtedly helped tip the scales of that hellish battle. Unfortunately, a heavy price was paid,” Michenth added.

  “Yes, their feelings on this, is one of the many things that has made them so strong and effective. While we must steer them and guide them, we also must not stifle that drive and that dedication. Do you understand what I mean?” General Becknor added to his dragon’s comment.

  “I do, sir, and I would never take away what they accomplished and what they are capable of. All will be needed with the storm that is to come, with enemies both abroad and within our own borders. These conflicts will test us all, and especially those of Draden Weir. We just wanted to make sure that their habit of strict self-reliance was more thought out,” Colonel Therosvet explained.

  “Yes, together, they are a powerful combination. Mkel’s emotions add to his dragon’s power immensely, and that is even discounting his dragonstone weapons, especially his skill with his crossbow. My rider and I know your power of foresight, and you, like us, sense they are to play a large role in events to come. We just want to give them every chance to be able to shore up their weaknesses, for if we don’t, the Morgathians and the chromatics will. And we can’t afford to lose a single gold dragon, not until our numbers are replenished,” Valianth added.

  “Again, we understand, my young friend. We will guide them and all our brothers and sisters on this perilous and uncertain path that lies ahead. But we must exercise caution as well. Thank you for your efforts, but now I must rest, for I should make an appearance at tonight’s dance and celebration. With recent events, I need to instill a confidence in both our own and the citizens of the republic as well,” Michenth added as he put his head down.

  “By your leave, Lord Michenth, General Becknor,” Colonel Therosvet and Valianth bowed a salute to their leaders, Therosvet putting his fist over his heart, and turned around to walk back out to their landing to get ready for the end-of-the-games celebration in the weir.

  The Capital Weir was abuzz all afternoon in preparation for the celebration and dance. The weir’s families, hired help, and the halflings were scrambling about putting up decorations and preparing the food for all the weir personnel, guests, and their mounts. A steady rise in the din of the gathering workers and guests was slowly building off the interior walls of the mountain. An almost electric feeling was in the air in anticipation of the evening’s festivities. The weir’s minstrels and bards were practicing as were their elven counterparts.

  “Well, Gentlemen, I believe it is time to help these Capital Weir feather wings lighten their stores of ale,” Mkel said to his companions as he walked out of his room and onto the landing. His entire Draden Weir group was there except Crystinj. “Where is our young lady shooter?” he asked.

  “Ah, you know of your kind’s females, always trying to look more to the eye than they really are. Not dwarf women, up front and rough, that’s a woman for you!” Ordin scowled.

  Mkel laughed for he knew his dwarf friend was hungry and wanted ale, and lots of it.

  “I’m here, my grumpy little friend,” the young woman said as she walked briskly from the hallway smiling at the dwarf, her blue eyes accented by her medium-brown hair.

  “Well, then I suggest we take the walk down,” Mkel said as he moved toward the long winding steps to the ground floor of the weir.

  “Why don’t we take the lift?” Jodem suggested.

  “I need the walk, my wizard friend, as do we all, and it is only several dozen flights of steps down,” he replied with a wink to Toderan at the portly wizard’s disdain for exercise.

  “I will meet you at the dance; I want to converse with Talonth, my rider,” Gallanth said.

  “We’ll see you there, Gallanth,” Mkel answered, as they all followed him down the long sections of carved-stone steps that led down the two hundred feet to the weir floor. After a long descent down the winding stairs, during which they laughed and joked—Jodem and Ordin complaining about how the dwarves had invented the water counter lifts that allowed the inhabitants to be lifted or lowered from all the dozens of levels of the immense hollowed-out mountain—they stepped out onto the weir grounds.

  The celebration had basically already begun, in spite of it not supposed to be officially starting until the supper hour. Many of the weirs’ competitors and well over half of the Capital Weir inhabitants were on the grounds, and several were heavily engaged in drinking and conversation. The weir minstrels and their elf and halfling counterparts were setting up for the night’s entertainment. The Draden Weir group walked over to the gathering. Mkel could see that his friend Bkert, the Atlean Weirleader, was already well on his way to being drunk. Mkel thought to himself, this is a good time to approach him about a favor.

  “Bkert, you sea dragon, I see you’re already having fun with the ale!” Mkel called out to him.

  The tall, lanky dragonrider turned slowly to face Mkel and smiled his big, wide, toothy grin that accented his boyish demeanor.

  “Mkel, welcome, and congratulations for you and Gallanth on the games,” he said as he took Mkel up for a hug.

  “Bkert, my friend, you and Rapierth did fairly well at the undersea strike race,” Mkel answered.

  “My dragon and I just like to swim. What can I say? Here, have an ale. You are way behind,” the bronze rider replied as he took a mug of ale from a nearby tray.

  “Well, I do have to catch up, my brother,” Mkel said as he took a long draft from the tankard. The sweet, wheat-heavy beer tasted good, even though he had just barely come down from the effects of drinking for several hours in the earlier afternoon. “My friend, I have a favor to ask you before we get too down the road of having fun. I heard you have a brass egg ready to hatch, and it’s a female. I would like to send you one of my soldiers who I think is dragonrider quality,” he explained.

  “Well, sure, send her to Atlean in a week or so; the egg is getting ready to hatch. We always welcome fresh talent, especially beautiful talent,” he emphasized with a wider smile.

  “I’ll have Gallanth talk to Rapierth about it for coordination, my friend.” Mkel smiled with his reply, for he liked the quick answer he had received.

  “I have already asked Rapierth, my rider; he will let me know when the hatchling is ready. We will get your apprentice to their weir,” Gallanth answered his question, as the dragons had all gathered in the back of the grounds to eat and converse, with several swimming in the center of the large weir lake to the southern end of the grounds.

  “I have faith, my friend,” Mkel answered telepathically.

  Mkel waved for his friends to come over and join him in ale with the other dragonriders; Jodem, Toderan, and Ordin grabbed ales and drank especially heartily.

  The Capital Weir minstrels started to play a lively tune just then, as Gallanth called to Mkel again. “My rider, I have a surprise for you,” he said to him.

  “What, my friend?” he answered, as he turned around to see his wife and son walking toward them. Silvanth moved off to stand beside Gallanth.

  “My love! Michen, my boy!” he said as he bent down to scoop the little boy up as he ran to him. Annan was dressed in a silky, flowing, but revealing light-blue dre
ss that accentuated her thin but curvy figure. Her long brown hair with its golden streaks flowed over her shoulders, and her slender, slightly tanned legs moved with grace as she walked. Her large, opulent eyes stared at him, and she looked stunning. “Gallanth, why didn’t you tell me they were coming?” he asked his dragon out loud.

  I wanted it to be surprise for you, as I also told the watchtower guards and the land dragons on duty, not to announce Silvanth’s arrival, he answered telepathically from across the weir grounds as Silvanth walked up to him and they bowed to each other, touching their eye crest horns as a dragon gesture of affection.

  “I told Silvanth to tell your dragon I wanted to surprise you, my love, and Michen wanted to see his father,” his wife almost answered her husband’s mental conversation with Gallanth.

  “Well, I’m very glad to see you both. It has been a good week but a long one,” he answered and hugged her with Michen in his arms and gave her a kiss. “Now that you are here, let’s enjoy ourselves. The food is excellent, as is the ale.”

  “Yes, the ale is particularly good, and there is more over there by that large roasted steer. Come, little dragonrider hatchling, come with Uncle Ordin, and we and your pretty little nanny will get something to eat,” the brawny dwarf’s smile came clearly through his gruff brown beard, as Janta giggled at the rare dwarf compliment.

  “Ooordin,” the little blond boy said as Mkel handed his son over to the waiting arms of the dwarf, who threw him into the air and caught him deftly, but very gently—not much to catch a toddler compared to a thunder hammer.

  “Let’s all go,” Jodem ushered the group to the food tables. After they ate, the bands began to play catchy dance tunes and sing-along songs. Mkel was always pleased to see his wife dance; her slender body could move like flowing water. The night went on with festivities and good cheer, in spite of Mkel’s slight anxiety over the senate gathering and his testimony. Jodem’s and Gallanth’s plan to get him to relax worked perfectly.