“They are the only successfully created dragon species to date,” he said. “This was finally achieved by the top wizards of the Alliance Wizard’s Council, along with several of the most talented elven magic users, by taking some of Michenth’s blood and that of all other metallic dragon types, with a great deal of other materials. The Avenger dragons are bred to bridge the gap from the more powerful but slower breeding metallic dragons and the faster reproducing chromatics. The successful breeding experiment resulted in these magnificent creatures that are born to battle evil and are masters of the close fight. They have been raised to serve with the highest paladin order of the dragon knights as powerful steeds and defenders of the capital.
“While they cannot cast spells as true dragons can,” he continued, “they still have some magical abilities. The magic shield they emanate can defend from as much spell damage as a silver dragon’s, and they can also project their shield to protect others up to their line of sight. Their sonic force breath weapon has devastating effects on those that it hits.
“Avenger dragons are born for close combat,” Jodem continued. “They can enter into a battle fury once per day; that gives them the strength of a gold dragon for up to half an hour. Normally they possess between silver and red dragon strength, but during this fury, they not only gain in strength but speed and extraordinary evasion and parrying ability. This also allows them to attack very fast with their bite, tail strike, and claw attacks. This ability will make them deadly in close combat. An Avenger dragon will make even a red dragon think twice about engaging them in close quarters.
“The Avengers are also bred to be an extraordinarily tough species of dragon and can shrug off enormous amounts of damage,” he said, “being able to completely heal themselves twice per day or spread that healing ability to others. They are immune to death magic of all kinds. The dragon knights are currently training these dragons to wear barding armor made specifically for them. It is mithril lined and extremely strong, giving them an almost impenetrable armor when worn. It does hamper their aerial maneuverability when utilized, which puts them in the flying class of the chromatics. With this armor, speed and agility are wisely traded in when necessary.
“Overall,” Jodem concluded, “while they are new to the Alliance and the world in general, the Avenger dragons with their knight counterparts will make a significant impact in future battles. In a larger sense, they are probably the equal to a bronze dragon in a close engagement due to their great strength, speed, and ferocity, as well as their incredibly strong defensive ability. However, their lack of spell casting or general magic ability does not make them as powerful in all other areas, and so far their inability to teleport also limits their deployment. This is why they are to be paired with a powerful dragon knight, or wizard, for their magic ability will make up for the Avenger dragon’s limitations.”
“So they are meant to serve the dragon knights?” Mkel asked.
“Yes, but also as a mount for a wizard or anyone else deemed worthy. They also seem to only have a limited life span, roughly mirroring a land dragon, which is about that of an average man,” the wizard answered.
“Does that mean they can’t soul bond?” Mkel asked.
“They are not truly blood bonded with their rider. It is more like the link between a paladin and his dedicated mount, but slightly stronger,” Jodem explained.
“Interesting. I am anxious to see them when we go to the capital,” Mkel said.
“Please keep this to yourself, for news about them is not official, and the POEs are raising a ruckus lately about the Alliance military expenditures. It is best to keep them a secret as long as possible,” Jodem explained.
“Won’t it be difficult to hide dragons of that size? And as for the POEs, what a waste of human effort. Do they realize that the shortened name of their movement is the Draconic word for ‘weak, traitorous fool,’ the worst curse in dragon language. ‘People of the Enlightened’: hah, nothing more than stealers of air,” Mkel said sarcastically.
“The very nature of their philosophy would tend to support that statement,” Jodem replied with a smile as he chuckled at Mkel’s comment.
“I don’t understand how the senators from those areas actually listen to those of that ideology. Most can’t even vote because they did not serve,” Mkel said.
“You must remember that most of those affiliated senators are former arbitrators from both the army and navy, but mostly the navy. Their views are usually of a more arrogant nature, since they command more power or authority through magistrate law trials and the courts than from the common man. They view the law as a higher ideal or almost as divine, even if it is the citizens of the Alliance who they are supposed to represent, as both arbitrators and senators. This is the unfortunate price that we pay for having a nation based on laws, the dark side of the order we enjoy as part of our society. Those who espouse the antimilitary, antidragon views that can’t vote, still donate gold and silver to those senators to fund their elections, and they are gaining strength in the major cities. This is especially true along the coasts in the northwest, and they are gaining converts as they promise more and more entitlements to certain civilians, but especially veterans,” Jodem indicated.
“Yes but those laws were derived from the Founding Council of not only humans, but dragons, dwarves, and elves,” Mkel said, “who always have more sense than our supposedly learned arbitrators. It was the dragons who united this country two hundred years ago. It was they and the elves who helped forge the alliances we share today, that we depend upon for our very survival as a nation.
“It was the dragons who gave up their freedom at the will of the Creator to soul mate with human riders,” Mkel continued, “thus forever tying their fate with ours. They do not need us but we surely need and benefit from them, “a deterrent not only to the chromatic dragons, but to all the forces of Morgathia and the rest of the evil that exists in this world. They must have saved literally millions of Alliance lives, and now they are the target of scorn and ridicule by a group of cowards. These so-called Enlightened thumb their noses at the very instruments of their prosperity and defense, and then insult them by demands to spend less on the military than they already do. We are only at a fifth of the strength that served during the Great War. They seem to actually hate some of the very laws they are sworn to uphold as well as those that protect their very freedom, attempting to twist the law to promote their own self-serving purposes,” Mkel said in disgust as he felt his anger grow.
“That is the very reason you might be asked to speak in front of the senate, for your father’s sacrifice and unfortunate fate, along with your experience with so many veterans of that conflict and your endeavors to help them. You will need to be heard by those senators who are now indecisive,” Jodem said.
“I thought dragonriders were not allowed to be political,” Mkel said.
“They are not, except for Becknor, but you could give a nonpartisan speech that addresses veteran issues. Everyone knows of the sacrifice your father made to save Michenth,” Jodem explained.
“I understand, but with the growing threats in the east, and the rising Morgathian encroachment, I just don’t know how these, again, ‘learned’ men can come to those conclusions to cut the military budget, to cut veteran retirement pay, and to ask dragons to donate their blood for the heating, cooling, and lighting crystals, rather than sell them to supplement our beleaguered budget,” Mkel replied.
“The one thing you must do is to keep your emotions separate,” Jodem counseled. “By the nature of you being a gold dragonrider, you will be seen as not being objective. I know you loved and still love your father. This can come out in your speech, but it cannot come out as anger toward those who you feel dishonors his and the military’s sacrifices.”
“I understand, but it is hard to suppress my hatred toward their ideals and their actions. For it is one thing for
those who have not served to espouse their ignorant views and another to have served and then turn on your brethren for nothing more than political expediency. This is nothing short of betrayal,” Mkel said.
“We will work on your speech after you get your draft finalized, so it is ready in case you are called. As far as the Avenger dragons, you must not forget the other products of our tinkering with the Creator’s work. The horned drakes and the dragon horses are also magnificent, though not as spectacular as a new dragon species. The dragon knights, or mithril paladins as they are now sometimes called, will make an excellent strike force and goodwill ambassadors with a strong arm. They will also take the responsibility of guarding Michenth and the capital from Valianth and Gallanth’s brother Falcanth and the Capital Wing as a whole to allow them more flexibility. They will have three components: a wing of Avenger dragons, a wing of dragon horse-mounted knights, and a ground troop of knights on the horned drakes,” explained the wizard.
“That will be interesting to see,” Mkel thought out loud.
“Yes, and it will give us another, very reinforced dragon wing with which to deal with the increasing Morgathian activity as well as the trouble brewing in the Shidan region and the Southern Ontaror kingdoms. Right now the Alliance and our metallic dragons are stretched very thin. We only have maybe ten young dragons that will be ready to join the adults on the line, and of them there is only one silver dragon, and three bronze dragons, with the rest copper and brass. However, there is a trend of increased mating among the metallics lately, almost as if some part of them knows that their numbers must increase,” Jodem explained.
“Do the Avenger dragons mature faster than the metallic dragons?” Mkel asked.
“Yes, they reach maturity in roughly a year,” Jodem answered.
“That’s a good thing. I just wonder how they will fair against a blue or even a red dragon,” Mkel said inquisitively.
“I have faith they will do very well against them. I wonder if the Morgathians are attempting similar experiments,” Jodem added.
“I guess we will find out more information when we get to Battle Point. Will we be visiting any of the Northern Ontaror kingdoms?” Mkel asked.
“I don’t think we will have time, but it will depend on what General Daddonan has to say. How is Markthrea shooting for you? I saw you basically hit your mark during the practice, but then you were not under pressure,” Jodem said with a grin. Jodem and Mkel were always in friendly competition with each other, for the portly wizard was an excellent marksman with his staff/crossbow combination, which is a deadly weapon especially when used in conjunction with his incredible magic ability.
“You don’t worry about that. We’ll see about my ability when we shoot next time; Markthrea is doing just fine. How is Ordin progressing with the new mithril tips?” Mkel replied.
“They will be making more tips when they get this latest weapon finished and use the shards and leftovers. There will likely be enough for at least a dozen each for us and for Dekeen,” Jodem said.
“Excellent, the mithril-tipped bolts always fly just a little straighter,” Mkel said with a smile.
“Yes but you still need to have a smooth, reactionless follow through, for without good body and mind mechanics and the synchronizing of trigger control and proper breathing, having a mithril bolt tip or steel will not make a difference,” Jodem said with a little more seriousness. “Your accuracy saves lives and means less injury for Gallanth,”
“You know I hit over ninety-nine out of a hundred targets that I aim at, and with the power of Markthrea’s energized bolts, I have a lot of confidence in my ability. Not overconfidence, but confidence,” he replied.
“Yes, but you do have problems with your release at times, especially when you think of your father. Remember he was not a missile soldier and did not shoot regularly. There is no shadow you live under, and you have nothing to prove but to yourself. Not to me, not to Gallanth, and not to your men other than that you care for them and their well-being,” Jodem added sternly, for he was not only Mkel’s friend but his shooting mentor as well.
“I know that up here,” Mkel said as he pointed to his head, “but I have to incorporate it more completely down here,” as he then pointed to his heart.
“I know that your father’s death still affects you greatly. He was a good man, but duty and responsibility to the Weir, the families, your men, and Gallanth must be your top priorities. So far you have been able to use your grief and emotion in constructive ways, as strength of your fortitude, but it could easily consume you if you are not careful and Gallanth does not watch closely enough,” Jodem said to him with all sincerity.
“Gallanth is overprotective, so I’m not too worried,” Mkel replied with a smile, which hid the watering of his eyes.
“Yes, your forty-five-yard-long gold dragon big brother does watch out for you in so many ways,” Jodem teased, with a large grin. “On another note, I think that Sergeant Gresh and platoon senior sergeant Macdolan wish to speak to you before dinner about Lieutenant Howrek.”
“What is the issue?” Mkel asked.
“I don’t know, but it is something to do with the exercise,” Jodem added.
“I better go down to the meeting room and read the reports that were submitted. Thanks again for everything; I will see you at dinner. Oh, Dekeen and Beckann are coming and they are bringing their best elf musician to accompany Tegent,” Mkel said as he shook Jodem’s hand and began to walk out toward Gallanth’s landing.
“That will be interesting. I greatly look forward to it. See you then,” Jodem finished.
Mkel walked out of the wizard’s laboratory, passed Gallanth’s huge sleeping frame, and made his way down the winding side stairs to the Weir’s main floor and walked across the wide landing to the head council room.
He walked into the large room and found the written reports from his junior officers regarding the drill. Just as Jodem said, there was a special note from Sergeant Macdolan in the drawer as to keep a sense of privacy. Macdolan was an excellent leader with a good sense of proportionality. While he cared a great deal about his men and was a very tenacious fighter in his own right, he could be cantankerous and occasionally mildly self-serving.
The note addressed his concerns regarding Lieutenant Howrek’s performance as of late, even questioning his mental state. Macdolan stated that he almost panicked during the exercise when his platoon was tasked to simulate the break in the line for the elven infantry to reinforce. He had to grab Howrek and physically restrain him from running out in front of the whole line when the elves showed up. He expressed great concerns about Howrek leading the platoon into battle if and when the next major engagement came.
There had not been a major fight for a long time, mostly skirmishes of a company or less of orcs, along with a couple of moderately powerful evil creatures that Gallanth and the mixed Weir company handled with relative ease. This was changing now with the news that Lupek and the rangers brought back, and the chance of a serious fight was growing more likely. Mkel knew he would have to address these concerns and counsel the lieutenant tonight after the celebration dinner. No sense in ruining a man’s dinner, he thought to himself.
Mkel then quickly read through the other assessments from his junior officers from all platoons and sections. Even Ordin wrote a few sentences, which was almost unheard of. The elves and dwarves, while they fought for Mkel, Gallanth, and the Weir, did not truly answer to him. It was a friendly agreement mostly based on the respect for him and especially Gallanth. Dwarves were not known for taking the time for such “frivolous” matters. If it didn’t have to do with mining, fighting, eating, or drinking, they usually did not care, preferring to just go back underground to deal with their business affairs, mining, and metal work.
Mkel guessed that Ordin and his clan were hungry for a fight with the giants, for those two races wer
e mortal enemies. In spite of their rumblings and often sour attitudes, a stronger ally in battle you would be hard-pressed to find. This was especially true in a close fight, where they tended to specialize. The elves were almost always on target in any regard, so they did not have much need to critique unless it was of others, save dragons, for which they had great respect. They function and move as one in battle, being slightly telepathic with one another. This ability made their formations and maneuver seemingly flawless. Alone, elves were deadly with a bow or blade; in unison in an infantry line, their swords swung with an almost dazzling synchronized grace.
Mkel made a couple of specific comments regarding the few weak points for the garrison on his report but did not include any direct issues regarding Lieutenant Howrek. It is better to clean out one’s own house before asking for help, Mkel thought to himself. He was always very accurate with the assessments of the garrison’s performance, not berating, but also not aggrandizing their performance or capabilities. He knew their strengths and limitations as well as he knew his own.
When he was done with his report, he called the sergeant on duty for a messenger rider to take the scroll to the regiment’s headquarters so Colonel Wierangan could review it. He could have called him directly with his crystal, but this was not an urgent matter, plus Wierangan preferred to read paper rather than view images on a crystal. The messenger arrived in a short time. He was one of the younger hippogriff riders, probably fifteen or sixteen, the son of a soldier who had been killed in battle.
“Sir, Machuen reporting. What is your order?” the young boy asked.
“Just take this to the regiment’s headquarters and drop it off for Colonel Wierangan. There is no hurry but for you to get back for the evening meal,” Mkel said to the lad with a smile. Mkel was friendlier than most Alliance officers, who tended to be much more serious, or at least take themselves too seriously. People respect genuine leaders, not bombastic know-it-alls, Mkel thought to himself. Maybe this part of his personality or leadership style was due to him being a dragonrider, for Colonel Lordan had a similar style. It could also be in part to his father’s death when he was at an impressionable age, for life was too short and precious to be boorish and irritable.
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