by C A Ardron
‘It’s for killing people,’ Falcon hissed. ‘You’ve got no business using that!’
‘Later, children,’ Dove chided them.
Falcon let out a frustrated growl but let the boy be. She could make out the quietest of footsteps in the corridor. Nodding at Hawk, together they charged out of the kitchen, trusting Dove and Lynx to cover them.
As Hawk lunged with his sword Falcon caught sight of short blonde hair and a green anorak. With a sworn oath she lurched sideways into her partner, forcing him up against the wall and ruining his attack.
‘Light above,’ Leopard exclaimed. ‘It’s only me!’
‘Sorry,’ Falcon said, trying to catch her breath, ‘long morning.’
Leopard opened her mouth to retort, but her eyes fell on something behind Falcon. Falcon glanced back and smirked at Lynx a few feet down the corridor.
Leopard stepped by to get a better look at him. ‘Who’s this, then?’
Chapter Twenty-Six
Lion took another glance up at the building before him. The Dakkonin temple was more of a stone fortress - or tower might be a more correct description.
Lion didn’t like the weathered grey slabs or the old stone arch jutting out the front. The doors looked impassive and the steel sigil above the arch, a crimson dragon on a black, circular background, did nothing to lighten the structure’s ominous presence.
‘I don’t like this,’ Tiger muttered beside him.
Lion turned to face her. The shorter Feline stood out in her fiery light armour. The woman was vocal in her opinions but today Lion was glad to have her at his side.
She’d been raised in Predgariah just as he had, there was no one in his unit that knew Order protocol and procedures quite as well.
Lion edited that particular thought in his mind. Dove was just as knowledgeable, but a white warrior wouldn’t appear as impressive to the Dakkonin as someone wearing fire armour.
The woman looked about, the wind ruffling her long flaming ponytail. ‘Do you think Wolf’s made it to the Predgarian temple yet?’
‘Probably,’ Lion responded, ‘he wouldn’t waste time. I just wish I’d been able to send more to help Baboon out.’
Tiger made a face. ‘Yeah, this really caught us at a bad time. I wish Leopard was here, she’d be perfect for fighting a rogue. She’ll be really mad she missed all this.’
Lion nodded. ‘She’ll be back from leave at the end of the week. If I’d had more warning, I might’ve called her back early.’
‘Under the circumstances I doubt she would’ve minded.’
Lion glanced at the tower again, trying to ignore the urge to draw the broadsword off his back. The Dakkonin weren’t enemies but couldn’t shake his feeling of apprehension.
‘Finally,’ Tiger breathed.
Lion tore his eyes from the temple and smiled within his helmet when he saw the smaller but still heavily armoured, broad-shouldered green warrior striding towards them.
‘Sorry to keep you,’ Coyote apologised in his deep, serious voice.
‘Don’t be,’ Lion told him. ‘I know this is short notice and you were supposed to be off-duty.’
Coyote gave a slight shrug, shifting his shoulder plates. ‘I was trained as Dakkonin, Captain. No Dakkonin warrior ever truly considers themselves off-duty.’
Tiger snorted but didn’t comment.
‘What are we doing?’ Coyote asked. ‘I’ve heard there’s a rogue on the loose.’
‘Yes,’ Lion admitted, ‘but we’ve got a different job to do. Captain Baboon as asked me to go see the Dakkonin area commander, see if we can’t get some extra help.’
Coyote was silent a few moments. ‘May I speak frankly?’
‘Of course.’
‘You’re not going to be successful.’
Tiger snorted again. ‘Yeah, we know.’
‘I know what the answer’s likely to be, Coyote,’ Lion told him, ‘but we have to try. Anyway, it’s not our only reason for going. Baboon wants to know if the Dakkonin have any involvement in the Unician candidate’s disappearance.’
‘You think so little of the Dakkonin?’ Coyote asked, his tone disapproving.
‘I have nothing but respect for the Dakkonin,’ Lion disagreed. ‘But they were acting a bit odd in town yesterday.’
Coyote’s sigh whistled through his helmet. ‘I don’t know what might’ve gotten into them.’
‘I wanted you to come along to help smooth any discord during my time with the area commander. You know their ways far better than we do.’
Coyote nodded. ‘The area commander is the Avian warrior, Gyrfalcon, yes?’
‘That’s right.’
‘Then you should be fine. He’s not one of these younger hot-bloods that have been joining the Order lately. He was a warrior in his prime during the Cuhain Purge.’
Lion nodded, ‘I know he’s been around awhile. Well, let’s get on with this. The sooner we speak to him, the sooner we can head on over to our temple and help out.’
He strode down the paved path leading to the temple entrance, forcing himself not to look up at the intimidating fortress.
Lion stopped outside the dark wooden doors and glanced at the reinforced, steel bars across them.
‘Friendly place,’ Tiger commented.
Lion sighed, ‘try to keep the sarcasm to a minimum. You know how prickly they can be.’
Tiger grinned at Coyote as Lion took another step forward and rapped on the closest of the doors.
Lion noticed the round speaker to his right for the first time when it buzzed.
‘State your business.’
Lion sought around. Coyote pointed out the small mic to his left and the push button next to it.
Lion bent down a little to speak into the mic. ‘We’re a Predgarian delegation.’
‘No Predgarians today.’
Lion blinked as the speaker buzzed and cut off.
‘Light above,’ Coyote muttered. ‘Is this what it’s like being on the other end of it? Doesn’t feel particularly nice, does it?’
‘It gets annoying,’ Tiger agreed.
Lion rapped on the door again.
‘State your business.’
Lion noted the person on the other end used the exact bored tone of voice as the first time.
‘I’m Captain Golden Lion of the West Sector Predgarian unit.’
‘I told you, no Pred-’
‘I’ve been sent specifically to speak with your area commander.’
‘I don’t care who’ve you been sent to see. No Predgarians today.’
‘Did you want to repeat that to the Crystal Unicorn?’
Tiger chuckled behind him.
‘Is he with you?’ the warrior asked, sounding nervous.
‘Not yet.’
Coyote let out a low laugh as the doors clicked open, ‘a clever move, Captain. I don’t think even the Pharollin High Consul would turn you away if you began throwing the ambassador’s name around.’
Lion opened the heavy door and stepped through. He slowed his pace, noting the thick red carpet and a curving staircase on either side of the expansive room to the next level.
He gazed up, taking in the polished bronze statue of a lean woman in dragon armour.
‘Ashai Alawaie,’ Coyote murmured, ‘the founder of the Dakkonin Order.’
Lion gave a slight nod. He’d learnt about her in Predgariah. She’d been a fierce warrior, well-suited to the legendary dragon medallion which only the head of the Order had the right to wear.
‘She looked Oldeiran,’ Tiger noted.
‘Yes, she was,’ Coyote confirmed.
‘It’s funny,’ Tiger said, still studying the statue. ‘All the times she was mentioned in my lessons, no one ever said she was from Oldeiria.’
‘I’m not really surprised though,’ Lion added. ‘The tribal warriors of the Oldeiran jungles are still some of the best in the world.’
Turning his attention from the statue, Lion stepped up to the broad reception
desk at its base.
Lion noted the disagreeable warrior wore blue armour. He glanced at the medallion. Was that a weasel or some manner of rodent? He couldn’t tell.
‘Can you direct us to the area commander?’ Lion asked, keeping his tone polite.
The warrior frowned but the expression froze, and he pointed behind Lion. ‘Are you the Fire Tiger?’
‘Yeah,’ she replied.
‘Daughter of the Fire Eagle?’
Lion heard Tiger’s soft sigh and smiled. He wondered how often she got asked that.
‘Yeah.’
The Dakkonin warrior nodded and stood. ‘Follow me.’
As Lion strode after the man and up the set of stairs to the right, he heard Coyote laugh.
‘You know, I never made the connection until now.’
‘Let it go, will you?’ Tiger asked. ‘I’m not relying on my father’s name, I’m making my own way in the Order.’
‘Of course,’ Coyote replied. ‘Every member of your family has been the same.’
Lion kept his focus on the warrior in front of him, glancing every now and then at the closed doors he passed. He knew the Dakkonin temple housed at least the same amount of facilities as the Predgarian temple, but the layout was very different.
Finally, the Dakkonin stopped at the door at the very end of the corridor. He rapped on it and entered.
‘Sir, forgive the intrusion, but there are some Predgarians here to see you - Captain Golden Lion of West Sector.’
There was a moment’s pause and Lion thought he heard a sigh.
‘All right, send him in.’
The Dakkonin stepped back and gestured for Lion to enter.
Stepping forward, Lion glanced about the large room. Commander Gyrfalcon was looking a little underdressed in his plain vest and baggy nomad trousers. Good civilian fighting clothes though, maybe that was the point.
The Avian was everything Lion had heard. Though his face was lined, his hair silvery-grey, his eyes were sharp, and his stance told Lion the man was still very able to fight.
Lion was glad his face was hidden by his golden helm, because he couldn’t help his stare when his eyes fell upon Martial Eagle. What was happening here?
He heard the clunk of the door closing behind and he glanced backwards to make sure Coyote and Tiger were still with him.
‘Captain Golden Lion,’ Gyrfalcon greeted, leaning back against his desk. ‘An unexpected surprise, what can I do for you?’
Lion dragged his gaze from Martial Eagle. This was very suspicious, but it probably wasn’t a good idea to say it.
‘Commander,’ Lion responded. ‘I’ve been asked to come see you by Captain Golden Baboon. Are you aware of the rampaging rogue in this Sector?’
‘Yes, of course,’ Gyrfalcon replied, folding his arms. ‘I imagine the Council will be quite upset at the repair costs.’
Lion paused, was that humour? Did he think this was funny? ‘The rogue has fused with the medallion; a lot of people are in danger. I’ve been sent to request aid.’
Gyrfalcon showed mild surprise, ‘really? I was under the impression the Unicians were dealing with the problem.’
‘They were, an issue has arisen which has taken greater priority for them.’
Gyrfalcon’s eyebrow arched, ‘indeed?’
Lion struggled over how much to say, but he’d been sent here to gather information as well.
‘A Unician candidate has disappeared from the Predgarian temple. The Unicians believe she may have been kidnapped.’
‘Shocking,’ Gyrfalcon noted.
‘Perhaps she ran away,’ Martial Eagle put in.
Lion tried to calm himself. ‘The candidate was under personal tutorship of White Chaffinch,’ Lion replied, ‘a member of the royal bloodline. I doubt she ran away.’
Martial Eagle stepped towards him. ‘Until she is found you don’t know either way. Since I’m here I’ll take over this inquiry for you. You should return to Captain Baboon, no doubt he could use your assistance.’
‘I’m afraid I can’t do that, Commander. There’s been some speculation at the temple regarding your disappearance as well. Until it’s cleared up I can’t take any orders from you.’
‘What?’ Eagle hissed.
Gyrfalcon chuckled deep in his throat. ‘I see how it is. You didn’t come here because of the rogue attack at all, did you, Captain?’
Lion paused, deciding how to reply. The commander didn’t seem offended at the prospect though. ‘Your actions yesterday were somewhat suspect,’ he admitted.
‘I am your commander,’ Eagle sputtered.
‘Enough, Eagle,’ Gyrfalcon told him. ‘I’ve heard about Golden Lion’s recent exploits. I’m sure it wouldn’t have been long before some other rumour or evidence led him back here.’ Gyrfalcon pushed off the desk, standing to his full height. ‘You’re correct in your suspicions of course, Captain,’ he gestured with a hand to Martial Eagle. ‘I ordered Eagle to bring Jenna to me. By the time anyone finds out, she will have accepted her offer of Dakkonin membership and no one will be able to do anything about it.’
Lion’s eyes narrowed on the two commanders.
‘Commander!’ Martial Eagle objected.
‘Oh come now, your time within the Predgarians was over. Even if I hadn’t said anything, I’m sure the esteemed captain would’ve put two and two together.’
‘I should’ve known,’ Tiger growled. ‘No wonder you kept giving the units misleading information. You were keeping us out the way so the Dakkonin could complete their missions without any interference.’
‘This is wrong,’ Lion told them. ‘Hand the girl over to us, Gyrfalcon. It’s over, we know your plan now.’
Gyrfalcon smiled and leaned back on the desk again. ‘Yes, you know, I won’t deny that, but you’re also within the Dakkonin temple. I’m afraid I’m going to have to insist you stay with us awhile.’
‘You wouldn’t dare,’ Tiger breathed.
‘Sir,’ Martial Eagle spoke. ‘You can’t, if Predgariah-’ he cut off when Gyrfalcon raised a hand.
‘This would not be my first choice,’ Gyrfalcon apologised, ‘but my orders concerning the Unician candidate come directly from the general and honestly, Captain Golden Lion, I’m more scared of him than I am of you.’
Lion shook his head, this was all on the orders of the Dakkonin general? What were the Dakkonin thinking? Why would they even want a Unician candidate?
His head shot around as the door opened and six armoured Dakkonin warriors entered the room, weapons drawn.
Lion grunted. Gyrfalcon had kept him talking on purpose to give his warriors time to get here.
‘So how are we going to do this, Lion?’ Gyrfalcon asked with a pleasant smile. ‘Will you allow us to detain you for a few hours or are you going to mess up my office first?’
Lion’s teeth clenched. There was nothing he could do, there were too many. Even if they could beat eight warriors, they’d have to contend with the other Dakkonin in the temple as well.
‘You’ve pushed too far, Commander,’ Lion told him, trying to contain the anger in his voice. ‘Predgariah will not stand for this.’
Lion’s shoulders tensed at Gyrfalcon’s thin answering smile. It didn’t touch his eyes at all.
‘Then we’ll have to make sure they don’t hear about it, won’t we? Now, I’m going to need your medallions and radios.’
Again, Lion was glad his helmet hid his expressions, was the man mad? They were Predgarians!
‘You cannot be serious,’ Coyote finally spoke.
‘It would be much harder for us to make you stay put if we let you keep them,’ Gyrfalcon pointed out.
‘It violates the second rule of the primary Predgarian protocols,’ Lion replied. He wasn’t sure how he was managing to sound so calm.
‘Ah yes, the three P’s. That has to be one of the most annoying things any Order of Light has ever come up with. It’s almost as annoying as the Pharollin’s declaration of confidentiality.
It’s an easy choice, Lion, you either give us the medallions for safekeeping or we take them from you by force.’
Lion sighed. There was nothing he could do, they were beaten. He looked over his shoulder at Tiger.
She nodded right away. ‘We had no choice and were compelled, I’ll vouch for the breach of protocol.’
Lion glanced at Coyote and he nodded too. Lion clutched his medallion and deactivated. The golden light left him without his armour, and he couldn’t help feeling naked in his plain white t-shirt and faded jeans. He took the coin from about his neck and tried not to grimace when a Dakkonin snatched it out of his hand. Another Dakkonin removed the radio from his belt.
He saw Gyrfalcon’s sharp eyes roving across his changed appearance.
‘The rumours were correct then,’ the commander noted. ‘You really are quite young for a captain, Lion.’ His eyes grew troubled, ‘I’m very sorry. I hate to do this to someone so early in their career.’
Lion tried to stop his eyebrows rising. Just what did Gyrfalcon mean by that?
The commander grunted, his eyes widening on something past Lion.
‘Puma?’ he exclaimed.
‘It’s Coyote now, Gyrfalcon,’ the Canine told him, handing his medallion to a nearby Dakkonin.
‘I thought you’d retired?’
‘I resigned.’
‘You were deliberately misleading!’
‘Not really. You know how hard it is for Dakkonin warriors to properly retire. It’s easier to just say resign until we know for sure.’
‘You could’ve come back to us,’ Gyrfalcon pointed out.
‘After Stradgorl? Not likely.’
Gyrfalcon winced, and Lion wondered what they were referring to. Had something bad happened to Coyote down south?
‘Quite the entourage you have with you, Lion,’ Gyrfalcon noted. ‘You didn’t fancy bringing the Silver Falcon with you?’
Lion stared into Gyrfalcon’s eyes, trying to hide his rising tension. ‘She was otherwise occupied.’
‘Indeed? With Sarpiens by any chance?’
Lion’s jaw clenched, and he remembered Falcon had mentioned she’d met Gyrfalcon in town yesterday. Light, if she’d caught his attention…
Gyrfalcon made a vague waving gesture with his hand. ‘Take them away,’ he ordered.
