The most insufferable pair was Shorty and his teal female, who was small for even a female elder and had a whit like her human and constantly used her tail to swat backsides.
In the knight’s mind his powerful dragon said “You have no need to hate yourself, Fredrick Two-legs. You wish to protect your mates and offspring. Understand I do this fear of losing new life and love. Be thankful they decide to act our support. They want your hatchlings, my mates said so earlier in privacy. They cannot not go into battle without at least offering support. This battle will require all bodies, pregnant or not. Timing is unfortunate, but cannot be changed.”
Fredrick sighed and stopped to concentrate so they could properly communicate. “It is against my nature to see women in danger, especially when I find out I’m to be a father three times the night before we leave. I hate being forced to let them come. Hey are stubborn and know how to make me see their way! Even if I’m already powerless to stop them. Will your four mates keep an eye on them?”
“Rest assured the moment we depart this island they will never leave my mates’ sight, not even to release bodily fluids. We are the aggressors. Our mates will support us. Unless overwhelmed and unable to escape will they enter the fray. We are well trained, Fredrick Two-legs.”
“That we are, My Friend.” Fredrick said aloud and came forward to pat his scaly partner’s snout. Thick black smoke similar to hickory bathed him from a nostril. “Men, are you ready as well?”
“I’m ready to end this conflict once and for all.” Bryan said in his usual deep voice that was felt as well as heard. He scratched his short beard and suddenly leapt a little over twenty feet in the air to expertly land on his huge aquamarine female dragon who had a gentle ferocity about her along with two massive war-hammers hooked to her armored ribs, just beneath her wings.
Bern, Luke, Shorty, Gregory and the newest addition to their force Eoin, who carried the giant battleaxe once used by the Bandit Lord, all climbed atop their partners. Fredrick was the last and all of them took to the sky and headed to the main beach where everyone gathered.
In the past two months the tribe had spread further apart than they ever had before, most moving to the much larger island and lived inside with their partners. With magic everyone didn’t feel so far apart and it actually held more benefits than problems, mainly able to talk without concentrating. Friendships grew. But for the past sixty three days since royalty left from their weddings, a daily routine of combat simulations sharpened how any sudden fights would be fought. Often there were injuries till each fighter came to understand how dragons fought and could be exploited. It was a hard two months of trial and error, but out of the entire tribe, Fredrick and his men proved themselves the most adept in aerial combat among all men of the tribe.
The huge beach slipped past as Fredrick skillfully walked his way to his seat. He smirked as he once scoffed about the rubber glued into the bottom’s of his steel boots till they saved him from constant slipping and hearing Shorty laugh as he actually cracked his tailbone when finding out just how much of a difference is made. He took a seat and checked the closed compartment to find fresh water and dry rations, enough for a good month if needed. The other had his spare canisters, all caps still sealed.
The formation followed Fredrick and started gliding toward the mangrove bridge. His dragon gave a signal and broke off to turn towards the smaller island’s beach. The rest gathered where near three hundred other dragons stood out on the ocean. There was a slight vibration that told Fredrick they landed, but he didn’t get up out of the seat. He had nothing to say at the moment.
But he did look as Poly carefully lifted Tohka on her back with Meeka. Tohka’s pregnancy had just started to reveal itself in a small bump. Fredrick smiled as he remembered the fights Tohka had with Cage and Brooke on her staying home. Meeka though had Tohka’s side. He never got to hear how the fight ended, but seeing Tohka climbing up meant she had gotten her way. Brooke stood on Ulon’s brow, still glaring at her women as if they were traitors.
Fredrick sat forward and watched as Cage was giving a fatherly hug to both Rena and her now steady lover. They both hugged and both cried on him.
Around them were all the Utala children. Among the few adults was Zanza breastfeeding her newborn son beside Lanna who had gone into labor early around the same time as she nursed Eoin’s daughter. Fredrick shook his head as he clearly remembered both birthings. Neither woman so much as screamed as magic was used to safely deliver the babies and heal the mothers in only twenty beautiful minutes. Right after the first feedings both women underwent bonding with dragons as aside from both being mothers again, they were known to be exceptional warriors. Both women were even more striking, but although both looked younger they still produced the needed milk for their children. But they weren’t alone, in the two months of training, five new children had been born. Zanza and Lanna were hastily talking to a small group of ten women who would not be going with them. These women would watch the tribe’s children, all under Rena’s direction.
Behind the tangle of children knelt Sean who was surrounded by all the griffins. Some even went so far as to lounge lazily on his curved horns. Cage walked up to Daku who sat proud and spoke a few words before hugging. It seemed almost like a goodbye, but Fredrick knew otherwise. Cage then spoke with his gigantic son who nodded and puffed his chest and blew some smoke from his nose. “I promise, Dad.”
Cage was dressed in his usual green robe, with Ghost Bane’s hilt peeked over his shoulder. He approached two large black bags and bent down. As he did Fredrick got up when he noticed something off. The knight left his helmet on the seat but hopped in a single leap down to the beach for a closer look. “Alley youp!” he huffed as he threw both heavy bags over each shoulder and turned his attention. “Hey, Fredrick. What can I do for you?”
“Your hands. Let me see them.”
“Sure thing.” He maintained balance and stuck an arm out. Ever since Fredrick had known him, Cage always had black arms with an engraved skull on the backside of his hand with octagonal diamonds for eyes. But now they looked like a regular tan man’s hands. Clear fingernails were healthy and curved with just the right amount of white over the pads to scratch an itch. No longer was there a skull or gems, but as he felt he could feel the slight diamonds just beneath the skin. Fredrick stepped back and looked down to see Cage was also barefoot looking with calluses of a man. The knight’s jaw dropped. “Nice huh?” Cage couldn’t hide his grin. “I got tired of having black arms and feet and managed to return the natural pigment of my skin to override the dragon scale byproduct, but still retain the durability. And my black diamonds are now truly buried beneath my skin. The skull engraving was sweet-looking and all, but I’m not obsessed with skulls like Ceembura is. I really pissed him off when he found out what I did. My girls find it less disconcerting and normal, me looking like I naturally did. You like?”
“I’m guess I’m not used to you looking like a normal man. Is that strange?”
“Definitely, but hey, look who you’re talking to. I’m as strange as they come.”
“I’ve never heard a truer statement… so what are in the bags?”
“Unh uh. Nice try. Not gonna happen.”
“Can’t blame a man’s curiosity.” Fredrick shrugged, his armor clicking.
“You know what they say don’t you about curiosity right?”
“No. What?”
“Curiosity killed the cat.”
Fredrick had to stop and think on that for a rather long moment. “You know, you’re right. I once saw a cat teasing a viper. The snake won.”
“Exactly. And I’m one snake not to piss off.”
“Don’t I and everyone on Raliea know it. Nevertheless, want some help carrying the bags?”
“Nah, I’m good.” Cage turned a bit. “Zanza, Lanna! You two dry yet?”
Both women flipped him off, one gesture he taught them which the entire tribe adopted with glee from his world, but the warriors kissed
their babies and passed them over to older children with promises to be back by nightfall and lifted their spears while created colorful boards to zip off to their partner.
By the time Fredrick turned around he found Cage flying up to land on Ulon since Daku would not leave his flock without an emergency. “Keep Dad out of too much trouble, Fredrick.”
He turned again and smiled “You have my word, Priestess. If I can keep the empire’s hounds off his heels even for a moment I’ll not hesitate…”
“Unless many more will die if there is a choice.” Rena said directly. “I love my dad, but if you had to chose between saving him or two innocents, let him die. This is our way, even if it sours your stomach. If you can find a way to save all three, you’ll be added to the tribe’s stories.” She smiled despite the tears. “And do not worry, I can watch my people while everyone is off warring.”
“If you were any other child in the entire kingdoms I would not believe a word, but you must do me a favor.” Rena tilted her head with a child’s innocence. “Keep making my princess happy. I’ve never seen her smile before you got your claws in her.”
“Claws? But I use my fingers, Fredrick.” He laughed deeply at her incomprehension. “Oh! Now I got it. Yes, I will keep my sister-mate very happy, just as she makes me. Bye bye!” Rena waved as she walked back to the children and threw an arm around the princess as she made dancing lights for the much smaller children who liked pretty colors. The princess had completely changed in the two months since her family left, especially after three separate punishments Rena inflicted till she learned her place among the tribe. Ever since, she has taken well to finding friends and experiencing the passions of young love.
Something strange caught his eye, something that wasn’t supposed to be there. Up by the main road stood two wooden sculptures of griffins crouched in front of stone men. The details, even from afar were almost lifelike. Noticing them beneath the shade of the trees had Fredrick looking around and made him realize that the tree homes also had sculptures, but despite their beauty he got the impression of complete lethality. Being a captain and guard of more than one royal who had to be escorted to Twilight, he had been privy to some magical information. That, and hearing of Cage’s exploits in The Deep was all too easy to figure out that those were enchanted weapons known as Golems. Fredrick also knew deep down the truest warrior who had the island named after him had made a small army of them with the expressed purpose of making sure that just because every warrior was leaving, those left behind would be well protected. Fredrick was overly impressed so much thought had been put into leaving.
Fredrick, with great relief, jumped back into his seat as his partner finished speaking with Xamii and Moril. The human Rex’s gold bracelets glowed and all dragons out over the water silenced and lifted their heads to look at her as she said “Warriors of my tribe. Our first destination is to the Fire Mountains. Rex Nattan has said the attacks have just eased for the moment. Teleport now to the designated area. Hurry immediately!”
Fredrick suddenly was enveloped in blackness and one moment he was beneath a warm sun cooled by a sweet and salty fresh ocean breeze and with a ‘pop’ it was replaced with a downpour with lightning striking all around. The abrupt change was stunning to the mind, that and over a thousand Fire Mountain giant reptilian soldiers verifying identity of each who appeared. It took seconds, but by then he and everyone not able to quickly create a barrier got drenched. He was just thankful he no longer had to worry about scrubbing his armor and chainmail so it didn’t rust. All his metal was remade into stainless steel, a remarkable metal he loved. It no longer required overwhelming attention to prevent rust. A simple dry cloth was all that as required.
They were all rushed inside the colony’s defenses and led straight into a gigantic cave entrance. Fredrick yelped as a sudden blast of hot air rushed through him, which suddenly left him dry. He realized his partner kindly dried both of them so they didn’t trek water down the warm and welcoming tunnels, despite the pungent smell of sulfur. Fredrick kindly said “Thank you for that.”
“Most welcome you are.” Rumbled the reply.
“Remind me why we had to come here again?”
In the privacy of his mind his partner said “A simple stopover before we slay. Business Cage Two-legs has to complete with the Rex’s and your Two-leg kings. Fresh information must be obtained on patrols so we know where to inflict the greatest damage. We do not wish to fly in enemy territory where danger is densest. Remain close, we might be required to fight in Rex Nattan’s ranks when our enemy learns a meeting will soon take place here. Many will attack in the attempt to break through and destroy so many important to the alliance.”
“How again would they know of today if magic has made it impossible to be seen by sight mirror or seeker thread? Spies on our end have been nearly completely rooted out.”
“Infallible magic is not, especially in war when a single instance can determine victory or defeat. Minds work fast in times such as these. Not like in peace. Look to Cage Two-legs far ahead of us. He has designed magic revolutionary to even the most ancient ones. Some spells cannot be duplicated, but his interesting thoughts have changed this war to not be over already. True, many two-legs died on that day weeks prior, but since, war has been pulled to more magical weapons since our enemy two-legs cannot compare to our own. No mortal man can defend against your own power and they know it. Until something dramatic occurs, the stalemate between the two powers will remain. We have neither gained or lost territory since.”
“Cut the chatter!” Cage manipulated his voice for the two of them specifically. “You both know better than to speak in tunnels. Voices carry and just because Gralla hadn’t found a way to duplicate my means to make spies of her people doesn’t mean squat if Shakka’s spell casters found out how. Remember, one of Hessan’s spies was discovered and is dead because of a minor slipup. If his corpse revealed how I tampered and they figured out another method will be bad. Keep your mouth shut and eyes peeled till we are under Nattan’s most powerful spells to weed out spies. Remember, not every dragon has bonded. If just one turns out to be a spy, you can fuck up my plans so shut it!”
The anger of those words sent a chill down Fredrick’s back and his partner vibrated at the rebuke, but not in anger, in fear since the warlock had a well deserved reputation for backing his words.
From then on, much of the walking behind Xamii and Moril was done in silence, except for those who made idle chatter to ease the thick silence. In fifteen minutes they came upon another spacious meeting area. As soon as they passed a golden sparkling rain of magic over the opening’s entrance without triggering potent binding spells, Fredrick was glad he stayed seated for he would have stumbled when Cage stood right in front of him grinning. “What did I do now?”
“You did great.” came the highly unexpected response while his partner continued to keep going so those following could fit.
“I… I don’t understand.” Fredrick said as he naturally scanned for extra threats in the huge room where a city could fit with room to spare. In it laid over a hundred of Rex Nattan’s most powerful soldiers before an upraised dais where the five giant dragon leaders lay, necks arched to observe those entering. Great fountains of water were colored with special lights that gave a cherry feel to the room. At one section of wall were doors that likely led to simple bedrooms. Humans only. Down the center of the room was a wide table filled with food for all the human guests where mostly knights and their wives waited patiently for guests to arrive.
Suddenly all sound vanished between them. “Fredrick, something doesn’t feel right. Sorry for scaring the crap out of you, but I had to make it seem real.”
Fredrick went back to the first part, his expression shifting from concern to a calm serious. “What was that about something not feeling right?”
“When I was up with Brooke on Ulon, I saw some kind of shadow move oddly before we entered the mountain. I got suspicious as it didn’t shrink as woul
d normally happen when lightning struck, lighting up the area as it poured. And as you were talking I watched as it suddenly blended with your large friend here’s shadow. His natural coloring and size hid it too well. I sensed it separate before we got in here and it get discovered from those sparks, but I had to make it seem this meeting is a hell of a lot more important than it is. The odd part was, I couldn’t detect the tingle of magic. Whatever the thing was, gave me the creeps. Link with your pal and tell him what I told you, but no other. Watch for shadows, especially oddly moving ones.”
“But this must be spread if we are safe. More eyes alert will have greater advantage as well as reacting should an alarm be raised.”
“This isn’t a discussion.” Cage lowered his voice. “This will stick between the three of us. I’m going to get answers my way, but for all we know, shadows are already in here. If only I saw it, something must be up. Ulon didn’t react and he was on his guard with hundreds of spells the moment we all arrived here. If there are shadows here, we don’t want to arouse their suspicion before I can figure out how to overcome what I don’t yet know.”
“You have my word then.” Cage nodded and flew off, lowering the silencing spell and returning to Brooke’s side as she made sure her breasts were comfortable in the leather strap.
Fredrick’s dragon twisted his supple neck around so they could look at one another. A grunt later had both coldly scanning every shadow for anything suspicious. His men, noticing the change after Cage left were about to inquire as to what was wrong, but were given the signal to relax and that all was well.
Empress's Endgame (Book 5 and final of the Death Incanate Saga) Page 38
