Dragon Alliance Dark Storm : Dark Storm

by J. Michael Fluck

  “Please proceed, Rider of Michenth,” Gindren responded.

  “For a reminder to all the learned senators assembled here, Article One of the Alliance constitution, which gives the right of free speak to all citizens and civilians alike, also clearly states that the word of the metallic dragons holds the strength of law. Dragons do not and cannot lie. Two thousand years of history tells us this, unlike the many ‘enlightened’ assembled among you,” he stated as a murmur arose from the POE section of the senate, but he continued without regard to their muffled protest. “Challenging dragon law and word or leveling an unsubstantiated accusation is a direct interference with the matters of dragons and the basis for the Alliance itself. Those who do must be prepared to accept the consequences, and let me assure you that dragons and riders do not threaten, but promise, with the delivery of such justice being swift.”

  “In regard to the naming of our newest cousins, the avenger dragons, we, as the dragons of the Alliance, those who defend the weak and the innocent, reserve the right of vengeance on behalf of all of you. We and our riders have borne the brunt of battle these last few decades. If there is any question of this, I would be delighted to entertain it, personally,” Valianth added to the senior dragonrider’s comments.

  There was an uneasy moment of total silence in the Great Senate Hall until Senator Kushien stood back up and boldly, but rather stupidly, brought a point of contention. “I would question the validity of any word that does not come from this senate and especially not from an Enlightened perspective, for the true freedom of speak can only be attained through that prism,” he espoused.

  “That is a rather narrow view of freedom, Senator, and any thought and action that is that small or narrow is bound to be crushed under its own ignorant weight,” Colonel Therosvet responded angrily. One of the Enlightened senators next to Kushien almost grabbed him to pull him back down, knowing that he had crossed the line and was about to be expelled from the senate.

  “I will not sit down; these dragonriders are nothing more than dragon pets or puppets!” he yelled out.

  “Senator, somehow I sense a hint of jealousy. For some unknown reason, there has not been even a single POE or ‘Enlightened’ member selected as a dragonrider. Our being chosen is based on having a good, honorable soul; being trustworthy, courageous, caring, a true honest caring; and for loyalty, as well as just having faith. All of which are not Enlightened traits,” General Becknor replied with a smile that brought about more grumbling from the POE section of the Senate.

  “I agree with the Alliance’s senior dragonrider, too often in exchanges with the Enlightened, truth is the true victim. All the gold in the Alliance cannot buy a dragonstone. These are the things of honorable and dedicated souls, my good Enlightened Senator, and they are the ultimate check and balance on a government gone wrong. You and your ilk cast a shadow over the city of light that Draconia has become,” Senator Santoric replied.

  Senator Gindren began to pound his hammer hard to regain control of the gathering when Valianth spoke out in the typical loud and commanding voice of a gold dragon.

  “Senator Kushien, you, like us, can be summed up as a necessary evil; this, however, all depends on one’s relative point of view,” Valianth replied aiding Gindren in silencing the senate body.

  “Guards, I want Senator Kushien expelled from the hall for his scurrilous remarks,” Gindren demanded as six armor-clad Dragon Knights moved in and grabbed the vainly struggling senator and half-escorted, half-carried him out of the hall to a room in the periphery of the building.

  “Valianth, Gallanth, General Becknor, and all weir guests, I want to apologize on behalf of the senate for Kushien’s remarks. The dragons and the weirs in general represent the stability in our society. This fact cannot be denied no matter what illogical argument is presented.”

  “Senator Gindren, I must interject, we also have forgotten the contribution of our elven partners here in the Alliance, in just how their connection to our republic is overshadowed by the weirs and dragons,” Senator Terrjok vainly attempted to change the subject and drive a wedge between the strong ties of the elves as a separate kingdom and the weirs.

  “Senator, while the elves can create small magic feats, only through the dragons and dragon blood can true magic exist. To deny or dismiss this is foolish, bordering on the ignorant.” Eladra stood up, which immediately grabbed the attention of all in the hall. She stopped Terrjok’s move in its tracks.

  Jodem whispered into Mkel’s ear of Terrjok’s family’s history, “He is a senator from the Denar Province, who is heir to his wife’s family, which has an almost monopoly on the spice trade in the whole region. Many of these recipes were supposedly stolen from the halflings. A local Enlightened Party magistrate made his judgment in a court case in Terrjok’s favor. They have a strong tie with the Tekend family, who transports their products all over the Alliance coast and to ports overseas. The POE influence in the Truth Saying guilds has also led to a rise of patriotic orators, who attempt to counter the distortions that those guilds espouse.”

  “Thank you, Queen Eladra. Your comments are taken without question, as always. We will now call this to a vote to end the debate. The proposal before the senate is to request the weirs to place all revenues of the sale of the dragon-created comfort crystals and all others in the senate coffers for redistribution, even though this governing body does not have the authority to demand so. All in favor say, ‘Yea,’” and about one-third of the senate body cast their vote with their seeing crystals, while they in unison said, “Yea.”

  “All opposed,” and the remainder of the senate voted with two-thirds of the political body almost shouting, “Nay.”

  “The proposal is defeated.” As he said that, there arose a low grumbling from the Enlightened senators.

  “The next point of order before the senate is the discussion on a change to the individual rights clauses in the First and Second Articles of the Alliance founding document, regarding the owning of weapons, the right of franchise, and the address of the military’s budget,” Gindren announced to keep the gathering moving.

  “Yes, Senator Gindren, we as the Enlightened Party wish to address the concerns of a group of civilians and several citizens regarding their objections to intimidation by those in our republic who exercise these so-called rights of arms. As a measure to achieve a more common safety climate, it would be wise to place a disarmament policy among the general public, thus making our cities and countryside a safer and more secure environment. The question is why a citizen or civilian, in our so-called protected republic, needs a sword or bow? Is this not what the Alliance Army and Navy and the weirs are supposed to do? Our fine police forces provide this environment for all, therefore making it unnecessary for our people to be armed or need to be able to protect themselves,” Senator Tekend spoke up with his thick Ferranor regional accent, which seemed to make his very broad reddish face and wavy gray hair more insulting.

  Mkel and Jodem whispered of the well-known fact that the Enlightened Party in general was against the use of arms by the public and wanted to eliminate private ownership of weapons. This was their attempt to make them easier to control and unable to resist a stronger central government, again under the guise of safety for the general population, and to make fundamental changes to the Articles of the Alliance easier as set by this precedence.

  “Senator, it is clearly stated in the Second Article that the right of all, and I repeat all, citizens and civilians, to possess and maintain any and all types of weaponry they choose for both their personal security and to aid in the defense of the Alliance, if so called upon, cannot be questioned, unless that right has been abused by that person. To answer the argument of the Enlightened senators, you can’t have it both ways. You say you support the republic governmental system of the Alliance, which means fair representation in majority vote rule, while still protecting the right
s and voice of the minority opinion, but the minority can’t trump the rights of the majority. A small part of the population that is intimidated by those dedicated citizens and civilians who possess weapons as their right for recreation or self-defense, shall not impede on the rights of the majority,” Senator Zelmellor stated.

  “Our First Premier and Founding Council Member Warrenton even stated, ‘A free people ought to be armed.’ This is now even truer than it was in those days,” Senator Zelmellor stood up and continued with his Atlean plains drawl and his tall, venerable appearance. In spite of his seasoned age, he still commanded a great deal of respect and charisma. A true patriot, he was a staunch defender of the military and strict about the adherence to the articles, especially the Second Article.

  “If you read the article with a more intellectual perspective, Senator, you will conclude that it was meant to create a training pool for either the Alliance Army or to defend against the weir’s forces, if necessary. But we know we can trust our weirs and the dragons now can’t we? This is no longer needed as a measure of protection for the republic, it is no longer necessary,” Tekend arrogantly responded.

  “Senator Gindren, may I, as a Wizards’ Council of Thirteen Member, be allowed to address the senate on this issue?” Jodem stood up and spoke, leaning on his wizard’s staff, the dragonstone glowing blue.

  “Master Wizard Jodem, please speak. Your wisdom and sound advice are well known to the senate body,” Gindren replied.

  “Senator Gindren, I protest the allowance of a non-elected wizard to speak before the legislative body,” Tekend objected.

  “Then, Senator, you have not truly studied the Articles of the Alliance. In Article One, it allows dragons to speak. It also mentions the voice of the Wizards Thirteen; now please sit down,” Gindren shut Tekend down.

  “Thank you, Senator Gindren. I would like to sum up this argument regarding the Enlightened Party’s movement to ban the possession of weapons to the general public. First, I want the senate to acknowledge that all weapons, swords, crossbows, and such, are inventions of someone,” Jodem said, at which the majority of senators nodded. “Now take the invention of the wheel. Someone had to be the first to make one.” Again, nods all around. “Now, try to un-invent the wheel.” Looks of puzzlement and smiles swept through the senate. “The Second Article is clear in its intention, a free and just republic should not be afraid of an armed, responsible citizenry. And as I speak for Draden Weir, I have confidence in all the weirs that we will not permit those in our provinces to be disarmed,” he finished to the applause of the majority of the senate.

  Several Enlightened senators stood to address the issue, but Senator Gindren pounded his hammer to order silence and call the issue to a vote. The measure received nowhere near the two-thirds majority needed to even initiate the amendment process and was defeated.

  After the vote, Senator Tekend stood up again with a point of order. “As I see the senate is in the mood for a lack of foresight, I must address this growing issue of the portion of Article One of the Articles of the Alliance regarding the Right of Open Speak and Thought, in the Clause of the Right of Franchise to citizens only and not civilians. This arcane concept must be changed. Civilians must be given the rights to vote and to hold political office. These times require an equal voice for all, not just our privileged veterans. Additionally, these barbarically harsh penalties for slight misunderstandings in the reporting practices of the Truth Saying guilds must also be changed, as well as this practice of public punishment or death for voting fraud.”

  “This suggestion bears the true absurdity of the Enlightened Party. It is common knowledge that any freedom or right without a corresponding sense of responsibility is doomed for failure. The reward of being able to actively take part in your government’s actions or being able to influence government actions or even becoming an elected leader in the Alliance can only be bestowed upon those who would give some measure of sacrifice to that body. While service either in the military or the nonmilitary support corps doesn’t give an individual a greater power of wisdom, it does, in a majority of instances, attract those who can see outside themselves to a greater idea that is the Dragon Alliance Republic. It’s ridiculous, Senator, for a nation as great as ours, or any free kingdom, to take a course radically different than what those who defend it think. Freedom without responsibility is like trying to collect water in sand; it slips away, leaving nothing but dry, barren waste. No nation or kingdom can survive if this basic principle is not adhered to. The character of the nation and that of those who defend it must be in sync, or else our very will, our spirit, will fall,” Senator Zelmellor eloquently stated.

  Again, everyone knew why the Enlightened were pursuing this measure; so they could increase their power, for their popularity was much greater among civilians than citizens. This was not by an overabundant number, however, for most civilians understood the limited role of the government and especially the weirs. This move had also grew only a couple of years after the election of Premier Reagresh. The Enlightened Party and the Enlightened-influenced Truth Saying Guilds, and many of their truth seekers and writer controllers had been jailed or sentenced to several lashes for lying or misleading stories in the common seeing crystal information reports and print and had been looking for more lenient standards. These actions carried a severe penalty in the Alliance, for it was an insult to freedom and truth, this false reporting by truth seekers, and it was considered an abuse of the tremendous responsibility and power in the ability of these guilds to influence the political process.

  “We will quickly settle this matter with a call for a vote,” Gindren announced after a pound of his hammer. He announced the proposal as a measure to amend the Articles of the Alliance to allow the civilian vote. Not a single non-Enlightened senator voted for the measure, which did not even come up with a third of the votes needed to propose a change, not to mention an actual change vote itself.

  “The last measure under this section of the agenda is the taxation issues for the general population in relation to the military budget. Since Senator Kushien was the major proponent of this initiative, who among his peers will speak his reasons or rationale?” Gindren asked.

  “Yes, Senator Gindren, I will address his initiative,” Senator Turbic stood up raising his hand, a half-crooked smile on his face. “Simply put, many of us feel that in light of the lack of a true threat to the Alliance that the army and navy’s budget should be cut back. This will allow broader domestic expenditures to be planned. If this is found to be disagreeable, then a possible tax raise should be considered. The military has been getting a sizable increase in treasury flows as of the last several years under Premier Reagresh, and with these self-incited brush battles in the unsettled lands, and our over aggression at sea, maybe a more constrained budget would force our senior officers to be more prudent and less prone to fight unnecessarily,” he stated smarmily.

  “Thank you, Senator, for your stepping in and making Senator Kushien’s proposal so eloquent. I will now hear from an opposition voice,” Gindren stated.

  “Senator Gindren, I will voice opposition,” Senator Orhanch stood up. His stately mannerisms reflected his gentlemanly demeanor, as did the well-maintained dress robes he wore. “To reflect the point of order that our esteemed Enlightened senator so skillfully narrated, we must put current events and the recent past to light. First is the status of our republic. We are living in an unprecedented time of prosperity. The Alliance farmers with the aid of our halfling guests are producing far more food than we can consume. Our guilds are thriving, and trade is well, in spite of the troubles in the sea lanes. While there will always be those who simply do not want to take responsibility for themselves, if someone wants work, then they can have work. No one in the breadth of the republic has to go hungry with the charity of the Triad and Trinity Alliance Churches, and the generosity of the weirs.

  “So the quest
ion is why a tax increase is needed. The heavier we would tax beyond our 10 percent individual tax and 12 percent guild or business tax, the less wealth there would be in circulation, which creates more wealth unto itself. Private citizens and civilians can produce far more wealth than the central or provincial governments could ever hope to. Simply, the more gold and silver they have, the more wealth they can create, which benefits us all in the long run.

  “In regard to the revenue that the weirs generate, this keeps our citizens and civilians from paying for almost half of the Alliance military and aids in filling the coffers of the republic from the mineral wealth that the weirs donate to our treasury. Our friends, the elves and dwarves, also prosper from the goods and services they provide for us, and again, this is to our benefit, for they buy goods from us. A cut to the military’s budget would stymie any advances they have made in trying to catch up from the many years of neglect under Premier Bilenton. With the aggression demonstrated from many directions as of late, the budget increases have come none too soon. To say you support our soldiers and sailors, but not the battles that are thrust upon them, is akin to supporting the players of the hand-and-foot game but hating the game itself for being too rough, or brutal, and unthinkably barbaric. Then you would take the funding away from them so they could not play effectively, but their game still benefits you from the sale of spectator tickets, just as the Alliance benefits from the freedom the military provides.

  “This is at best naive ignorance, likely plain arrogant stupidity, or at worse an unpatriotic disdain or disgust for the dragons and military and their efforts to maintain security and promote freedom for us and all others. You are shameful, and to quote the arch dragon Michenth at our Founding Senate gathering, ‘Freedom is the freedom to fall or fail; for without failure, there is no learning for success, but we must always protect the innocent.’ Thank you,” he finished with a round of applause from the majority of the senate and protests from the Enlightened.