Dakkonin's Grudge

by C A Ardron

  Falcon gaped. ‘What?’ she asked again. ‘No, it’s not like that! I was trying to save you, Emissaries are dangerous! One by themselves can be a match for five whole units.’

  ‘We’re medallion warriors,’ Lion told her. ‘Every single one of us has willingly put ourselves here, where any day could mean our last. By going off by yourself you tell everyone you don’t respect our skills, our experience, and that you think you’re above us.’

  Falcon shook her head wordlessly, her eyes growing wide. ‘No,’ she whispered, ‘that’s not what I…’ Her head sank and the only sound she could get out was a strangled choke.

  She stood to leave. Before she got to the door a strong grip caught her wrist and she gasped as she was pulled into Lion’s arms.

  Falcon sobbed into his chest as he held her. ‘I didn’t want you to die,’ she managed to get out.

  ‘I know,’ he whispered in her ear, ‘but that was the deal, remember? You join the Predgarians and we protect you. You’ve had so many close calls, Falcon,’ Lion added, stroking the back of her head. ‘That morning at your flat, Jackal’s attack on the youth six months ago, today at the warehouse – and I know you were ambushed by Sarpiens in Central. Every single time you were lucky – or blessed by the Light, I don’t know which. Each time the only reason you came back was because warriors happened to be close by. It’s not that we can’t protect you because we’re not good enough, it’s because you never allow us to be at your side when it matters.’

  Falcon drew back from him, trying to dry her eyes. ‘Jackal caught me today,’ she admitted, voice small. ‘I was too tired, I couldn’t do a thing. General Red Dragon saw me and chased him off.’

  Lion sighed. ‘You really are being watched over by the Light, Falcon. That’s surely too many times to be coincidence.’

  Falcon scowled up at him. ‘Don’t say that, you don’t know…the Light wasn’t there when they turned me into a Sarpien.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’

  Falcon shook her head. ‘It’s okay, I just don’t believe in the Light anymore, but don’t tell Wolf. I know he’d think less of me.’

  Lion smiled at her, ‘I’m sure he wouldn’t.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered. ‘I don’t think you’re below me. You, Dove, Tiger, every single one of you are amazing. You’re all so dedicated and you never give up. I’m the one who doesn’t belong here.’

  Lion shook his head. ‘You really don’t realise how remarkable you are, do you? You’re every bit as amazing, and you do belong here. You crossed the line today and put Hawk in even more danger than he already was – but before I even found out about that you risked your life by putting out that transmission. You saved countless lives today, Falcon.’

  Falcon lifted her head and her eyes widened at his warm smile.

  ‘Your knowledge made you spot something no one else did but telling us about it pinpointed your location to Jackal.’

  Falcon frowned at him, ‘aren’t you suspending me?’

  ‘Oh, I am,’ he replied with a grin, ‘but because of your actions I’m only suspending you for a month – not three.’

  Falcon winced a little. ‘That’s still quite a long time,’ she murmured.

  ‘Long enough to make you think twice before doing it again?’

  Falcon tried to manage a smile but just couldn’t. ‘I…I just didn’t want…’

  Lion placed his hands on her shoulders. ‘Falcon,’ he whispered. ‘Please, let me fight by your side.’

  Falcon drew a trembling breath and nodded once.

  ‘I need your medallion.’

  Falcon’s next drawn breath sounded more like a gasp. She clutched at the coin. ‘It’s all that’s kept me alive these last few months.’

  Lion nodded, ‘then it’ll be an excellent opportunity for you to start relying on us a bit more.’

  Falcon’s head lifted, and her teeth bared. ‘That was harsh,’ she accused.

  ‘I know,’ he agreed, voice quiet, ‘but I think you needed to hear it.’

  Her eyes sinking shut, trying to stop more tears coming, Falcon removed the silver coin and gave it to him.

  ‘Falcon,’ Lion spoke as she turned to leave.

  ‘Yes?’ she asked, wanting to be away from him now.

  ‘I will die if need be to protect you.’

  Falcon’s fingers convulsed on the door handle. ‘I don’t want you to.’

  ‘I know, but that’s not a decision you get to make.’

  Falcon took a shuddered breath and left.

  * * *

  Hawk stood outside Falcon’s closed door, going over what he wanted to say.

  Dove had advised them all to leave Falcon be, wait until she’d had time to get used to the idea of being off work. Hawk didn’t agree. Falcon had been an enigma ever since she joined the unit, but this time Hawk thought he knew exactly what was going through her mind.

  Deciding to delay no longer, he rapped on the door. He held his breath, but after a few moments Hawk heard movement. Good, she wasn’t so upset she was going to ignore them.

  The door opened, and Hawk smiled down at the short woman. Her eyes looked a bit sore, as though she’d been crying.

  ‘Hey,’ he greeted. ‘Can we chat for a bit?’

  Falcon’s eyes dropped. ‘Maybe a bit later, Hawk. I don’t really feel like-’

  Hawk pushed forwards, forcing her to back away as he stepped into her room.

  With a weary sigh Falcon gave in and sat on her bed. Hawk closed the door behind him.

  He stepped across the small space and sat in the plain wooden chair at the bottom of her bed. Turning in the seat, he crossed his legs and regarded her.

  Falcon was still refusing to meet his gaze, staring at the dull, grey carpet instead.

  How did he begin? Hawk gave a slight shrug of the shoulders. With Falcon it was usually best to get straight to the point.

  ‘I wanted you to know I’m not mad,’ he told her. ‘I don’t blame you for your decision to go alone.’

  Falcon’s face finally lifted. ‘You don’t?’

  To Hawk, it seemed like she was genuinely surprised.

  ‘Course not.’ He paused again, thinking of the best way to word his feelings. ‘Lion and the others – they’re good people, you know? But they don’t always get it. Back when I lived in Joinstohm, I did things I don’t like talking about, things I’ve never admitted to the Preds.’

  Falcon’s eyebrows rose, and he raised his hands.

  ‘Nothing to do with Sarpiens, I’m no Lemur or Oryx.’

  Falcon smiled. ‘I know, Hawk, I can tell.’

  Hawk nodded, ‘well, good. It’s a hard life, trying to make ends meet in Joinstohm’s undercity, you know? So yeah, I was doin’ things I didn’t really want to – and workin’ with people I didn’t like too. Safe to say, I kept them an’ my family separate - often as I could, opposite sides of the city kinda separate.’

  Falcon nodded again.

  ‘Guess what I’m trying to say, Falcon, is that I get it. I know the people I’ve worked with aren’t anywhere near as bad as Black Emissaries, but it amounts to the same thing. You didn’t want to see us get hurt.’

  ‘You…don’t think I’m arrogant?’

  ‘What? Why would you think that?’

  Falcon shrugged.

  ‘Come on, Falcon, out with it – I’m baring my soul to you here.’

  A tiny smile tugged at her lips. ‘Lion said it made me look arrogant, not taking anyone along.’

  Hawk sighed. ‘I suppose it could look that way. Maybe him and Tiger even think that, I don’t know – but he was more likely just trying to make a point. We’re a team after all, we’re supposed to work together. Lion needs to drive that home. He’s done it to me in the past, and to Leopard. He doesn’t want us going off and getting ourselves killed.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Falcon murmured. ‘I’m not ignoring it, you know? I know these last couple of days I’ve…’ she sighed. ‘I know it would’ve been easier if I’d
had someone with me – and I can’t expect the Dakkonin to keep magically showing up to save my life.’

  Hawk smiled at her. ‘Sounds to me as if you already know what you need to do. You keep thinking that for when you get your wings back, okay? If you can do that, I think you’ll be fine – and I promise, while you’re doing that I’ll shape up.’

  Falcon frowned at him. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Well, I think I’ve made a mistake too. Back when you joined us, I was really happy I got to be your partner, but I guess I didn’t think things through. I’m not as fast as you, Falcon, and I’m nowhere near as good at fighting Sarpiens either. But I have to be, don’t I? Being partner to the Silver Falcon ain’t no walk in the park, especially if Sarpiens like Green Python are gonna start showin’ up.’

  ‘Hawk, I don’t think-’

  Hawk raised his hands again. ‘Hey, don’t worry. I know the difference between us, it shows in our armour. I just want you to know that while you take a break from all this, I’m gonna make sure I’m ready to be there for you next time, and not getting myself kidnapped.’

  Falcon grinned. ‘Well, not getting caught would be helpful,’ she admitted, ‘but I need to keep in shape too. So…why don’t we try to cover our mistakes together?’

  Hawk shared her grin. ‘I’m glad to hear you say that. Let’s aim to be the best partners out there, ey?’

  Chapter Forty

  ‘I want Martial Eagle taken out.’

  Gyrfalcon paused his report and from his office chair looked across the desk at his general. He glanced beyond Dragon to Silver Sparrowhawk and Silver Condor, on sentry duty by the door and then to Silver Locust, who was stood to one side, trying to be unobtrusive.

  ‘Taken out, Sir?’

  Dragon seemed to realise his poor choice of words and grimaced. ‘Not like that, Gyrfalcon. I want him taken out of the Predgarian Order.’

  ‘Oh,’ Gyrfalcon said with some relief. ‘He’s been effective in his position, Sir. Eagle has managed to stop the Predgarians interfering in our business on multiple occasions now.’

  ‘I’m sure he has, but Golden Lion knows he’s really one of ours now. It’ll only be so long before the captain finds some way to prove it if we leave him there. Anyway, Martial Eagle is a colourless warrior – one of the best fighters in Steiron according to my reports. He shouldn’t be trapped behind a desk. Get him to file a transfer to us and I’ll take him on the Hunshenocha, see just how good he is.’

  Gyrfalcon nodded.

  ‘As for you,’ Dragon said, turning to regard Locust. ‘I can’t have you stay in this city, not after everything that’s happened. You may have had reason, but you still broke the rules of conduct.’

  Gyrfalcon’s eyebrows lifted. In his opinion that was a bit of an understatement.

  ‘I understand,’ Silver Locust replied. ‘I knew the consequences when I left my unit. I will take whatever reprimand you deem necessary.’

  Dragon snorted. ‘You’re not getting a reprimand. How many medallions do you think those two Unicians have sent off to the Emissaries?’ He sighed, ‘I dread to think, and you’ve been treated badly because of it. You were demoted at the time, I remember taking you out of Golden Wolf’s unit and assigning you to Siftine. Despite that, you rose back up to become West Sector’s captain. There’s no keeping you down, Locust. You’ve truly impressed me.’

  Locust smiled. ‘Thank you, Sir.’

  ‘I’m not demoting you as such, but I suppose you might consider it one, depends on your point of view. I’m leaving the West Sector unit in the care of Grey Eagle. He won’t be happy with it, but he’s quite possibly the best Dakkonin in Steiron.

  The hunting commanders have been complaining that I’ve been keeping Silver Condor to myself, so I’m letting him leave my side for better things. You’ll be taking his place as my personal guard. You’re not an Avian but you do have wings, so you should be able to keep up with me on the battlefield.’

  Locust bowed her head. ‘It will be an honour to fight with you, General.’

  ‘I’m glad you think so. You won’t be there for ever, but for now it’ll get you away from here. It’ll give you time for people to forget what’s happened and allow me to see how good you are. If you continue to impress me, I’ll make sure you end up in a place worthy of your skills.’

  Locust nodded but cut off her reply as the phone began to ring.

  ‘Yes?’ Gyrfalcon spoke into it. ‘Grey Eagle, I’m glad you rang, I’ve got good news. You’ve just been promoted to captain.’ Gyrfalcon grinned when his old friend groaned.

  The smile slid from his face as Eagle told him the reason for ringing.

  ‘All right, I’ll inform the general.’

  Dragon’s left eyebrow arched.

  Gyrfalcon placed the phone back down on his desk. ‘During the battle the warrior, Red Fox, assigned to West Sector, took down a rogue medallion user with the help of another, a Predgarian called Red Lynx. Grey Eagle has just informed me that Red Fox swears on oath he took no part in that battle.’

  Dragon’s eyes narrowed.

  ‘There was a similar occurrence yesterday,’ Gyrfalcon added. ‘The rogue attacked the market in West Sector. I was there along with some others, including Grey Eagle. We aided the Silver Falcon in driving him back. Later, I asked Eagle to come see me. I wanted to know his thoughts on Falcon, she seemed competent to me and I’d heard good things about her.

  Eagle swore he was in North that entire morning.’

  ‘A shapeshifter,’ Locust muttered.

  ‘Shall I get the warriors from the Hunshenocha?’ Silver Condor asked.

  Dragon raised a finger, ‘not yet. Gyrfalcon, at any point did this apparent shapeshifter use the Power?’

  Gyrfalcon frowned as he thought back. A slow smile began to creep across his face. ‘Not at the market, or if he did, I didn’t see it. He did today though, both the warriors put on quite the fire show.’

  Dragon chuckled. ‘So, Red’s in town, is he? And impersonating my warriors? I’ll have to have words with him about that. We agreed he wasn’t going to do that anymore.’

  ‘How are you going to find him?’ Condor asked. ‘I hear he’s almost impossible to track.’

  ‘I’m sure we’ll cross paths at some point,’ Dragon replied. ‘As long as our shapeshifting troublemaker is only showing up to lend a hand every now and then, I don’t really see the need to go chasing after him. I need to head back to Draconia, Gyrfalcon, but keep me posted. The Bloodrunner made a serious play here in Central today. If the Sarpiens are getting bolder I want to know about it.’

  Gyrfalcon nodded. ‘I’ll keep you up to date.’

  * * *

  The Green Swallow knocked lightly on the door in front of her. Her eyes closed, waiting for a response from the other side. Hidden in the palm of her hand was a single, sparkling grey stone. It would be all she needed for what had to be done.

  Having no reply, Swallow checked her appearance quickly, running her hand over a single crease in her grey trousers and adjusting the sleeves of her white blouse.

  Satisfied, Swallow brushed a single brown lock of her shoulder-length straight hair from her eyes and knocked a second time.

  She heard movement in the eerily blue lit stone passage but didn’t look around. Her most recent aura sweep had told her of everyone in the vicinity.

  ‘Come,’ Tigermoth’s voice finally came.

  Swallow pushed open the door, her eyes sweeping the room before coming to rest on her general.

  As was customary for the silver Insecta, the pale blonde woman wore clothes that highlighted her slim figure and breasts. Swallow wondered how often Tigermoth actually thought about her job.

  Swallow had been here six months now, and any shred of respect had dissipated, fallen into shambles, quite like their attack in West earlier that day.

  ‘What do you want?’ Tigermoth asked, her tone caustic. The woman wasn’t even looking at her, instead studying the jagged scar across her c
heek, given her by the Silver Falcon’s ice attack.

  ‘There is talk among the Sarpiens,’ Swallow began.

  Tigermoth snorted, ‘that isn’t news. Unless you’ve got something important, I wish to be alone.’

  ‘The Red Jackal attacked Central Sector today.’

  Tigermoth finally took her attention from her mediocre injury. ‘What? Do you know what his intentions were?’

  ‘Yes. He went to call out the Predgarians specifically – so he could attack them.’

  Tigermoth’s mouth worked, she seemed speechless.

  Swallow was glad. As usual, Jackal’s plans and achievements far outshone Tigermoth’s. It hadn’t used to matter, Jackal’s sclithe, Trine, was far bigger and more influential, after all.

  Today had gone badly though and Tigermoth had called off an attack they could’ve won.

  ‘What are the Sarpiens saying?’

  Swallow met the general’s pale eyes. ‘That the Red Jackal’s ambition and flare outshines yours. That where Jackal attacked and demanded attention from Predgarian and Dakkonin alike Tigermoth retreated because she began to bleed.’

  Tigermoth’s teeth clenched, her eyes flashing with hate. ‘And what does the Green Swallow think?’

  Swallow’s mouth twitched in the slightest smile. ‘Forgive me, but I don’t share my opinions with the dead.’

  As Tigermoth’s eyes widened in surprise, Swallow revealed the stone in her hand. Dropping her gaze, she let Tigermoth take it in.

  Swallow didn’t look at Tigermoth again until she’d dropped her hand, taking the stone from her line of vision.

  Smiling at Tigermoth’s frozen frame, every inch of her immobile, even her tongue, Swallow stepped up to her and began to circle behind.

  ‘Basilisk stone,’ Swallow murmured to her victim. ‘Ancient Oldeiran magic, not too dissimilar to how the Unicians forge medallions. It’s entirely possible we may have stumbled upon the making of medallions ourselves even had the Asterions not gifted us the knowledge.

  I will rise to greatness, Tigermoth, and a little blood spilt across my face will not halt my inevitable victory over this world.’