《HoH Specials collection》 Grevis Reminiscence
¡°20 years¡­ 20 years I trained. I worked so hard. I excelled at everything. Best student Baron ever trained. And this is where they put me,¡± Grevi complained as she labored over the stupid saw. It was hard, grueling work and somehow even more repetitive than endurance training. But orders were orders, so here she was outside the ruined keep that was slowly being restored to life beam by beam. One dragon trying to keep up with a 20-man work crew who had just gotten told by the Inquisition that getting done by winter was no longer good enough. No, they had to give up what equipment and man-hours they could to go help build stuff at Bizmati Keep. She had sorta liked the folk at that little mound of rocks. They certainly threw a fine party, complete with Jarix making a fool of himself. But having to work overtime just so they could get a stupid warehouse was pushing the goodwill at least a little in Grevi¡¯s mind. ¡°Atta girl. At this pace we¡¯ll be starting on planks for the 6th story tomorrow,¡± the amused voice of the stupid worker manning the saw called out. ¡°Not that those need any less cutting mind you.¡± ¡°I know¡­ They need more,¡± Grevi grumbled, rather short of breath as she hauled away on the rope that drove the saw via the big geared pulley. She glanced towards the sleeping spot that she and her crew had prepared. She could really use a lie down right now, even if it would make her look like Jarix, always lounging about, only doing what he had to. Her armor and combat harness were also laid out just in case they wanted it on in a hurry. She hadn¡¯t worn it in weeks, instead having been put in the crude working harness. It even smelled, probably after having been packed away wet. At least her armor kit would never be treated like that. Heracin and Felicia took good care of that. They had even found the time in between the work to polish the plate work. It shone in the sun, bright and alluring. The whole reason for her going down this path. To serve with honor and distinction. To make something of herself. And there it was, lying in the grass... while she sawed logs. ¡®Oh there better be something worthwhile at the end of all this,¡¯ she sighed, thinking back to a happier time. She liked the training, as grueling as it was unfair. But the competition, the meaning behind it all? She had loved it. Flying formations, going for speed and endurance, combat training both in the air and on the ground. She had never shied away from a wound or two. Her kind healed quick. And she knew she held the trump card on the ground. Her bite would kill anything. No matter its size, age, experience, or magic, her bite would put it down for good. And to get in close, she had her gas. Any crew would have to run or risk dying in seconds. Any dragon could not hope to remain there for long, coughing and sputtering all the while. Of course she had never used it in training, or at least not on anyone. But she loved to remember that she had the final ace on the ground. Sure, a blue could outfly her, and certainly outrange her. A red was likely to be larger and stronger, and its fire could give her a very bad day, but it wouldn¡¯t stop her in her tracks. A white needed time to freeze her in place. They were often most dangerous on the wing; a good hit to a wing and you were doomed. Then there were the blacks. Tiguan. Older than both her and Jarix. And too soft to match either. He was strong and his acid worried her most of all weapons she might face. But his range was little more than her own and she knew that. And they spent more time practicing killing blacks than anything else. Attack from above; let gravity pull the stream of acid down. Her crew carried Soda to neutralize any glancing hits, but a well-trained black, who knew what they were doing, was the most dangerous thing she could think of if they got their way in how they would fight. But she had trained for that¡­ extensively. __________________________________________________________________________________ ¡°Tiguan, it is no use pulling your punches before you are even halfway to hitting her,¡± Ylditz pleaded as the large black dragon got back up onto all fours with a pained grunt of effort. Grevi simply sat patiently and waited. She had done well. His defenses had been battered aside and she had knocked him over onto his side with ease despite being a ton short in weight against him. ¡°I know, but I don¡¯t want to hit her. Grevi is nice,¡± Tiguan protested, eliciting a sigh that was not without compassion from Ylditz. ¡°You think everyone here is nice. Do we really need to bring convicted criminals to the training fields just so you will take this seriously?¡± ¡°I would suggest turning up the heat, but I¡¯m afraid even that might not work,¡± Second Lieutenant Sisu added, Grevi¡¯s ranking officer. She was a strict woman and a focused one. ¡°That big old teddybear might just turn and run.¡± ¡°No, I am not a coward. I would simply refuse to fight back likewise,¡± Tiguan corrected, convincing as always. Grevi would absolutely have believed him, even if he had said it quivering with fear. The guy didn¡¯t talk much about his past, and he had definitely done his fair share of running. But a coward he was not. She would be more concerned with Jarix on that account. Or that fiery red Morina, although she would likely disobey orders to run headfirst into danger rather than away from it. ¡°No one is calling you a coward, big fella. But you have to actually try or you won¡¯t learn anything. Grevi is quite capable of defending herself,¡± Ylditz tried again, soft-spoken and kind as always. If Grevi had received the man she would have been furious with such babying. But for Tiguan it was needed. ¡°Could she wear her armor perhaps? Then I could try to strike her on that instead,¡± Tiguan tried hopefully, looking to Grevi¡¯s second lieutenant Sisu. ¡°Absolutely not, we are not risking damaging such a valuable set of equipment for mere sparring practice. Your wounds will be tended to and they will heal. I don¡¯t think a few thousand years of medical understanding are about to get uprooted today.¡° ¡°If it helps, I will not mind a scrape or two, but you will receive a few in exchange of course,¡± Grevi added, head held high and trying not to look smug. She was younger and smaller, yet she had the upper hand even without gas or venom against a black. If she could manage the same against Morina, she would be the finest close-quarters fighter in training. Then she just had to outsmart Jarix in the air and she could truly be the best student. ¡°Okay¡­ Promise not to be mad at me.¡± ¡°Of course. This is training,¡± Grevi replied tactfully, bowing her head slightly. ¡°Shall we try again? Properly this time.¡± Tiguan didn¡¯t respond instead just turning to face her once more. She had expected to see him rise up onto his hind legs, tail and wings steadying him, ready to slash and bite. But as she rose the black instead charged her headlong, seemingly uncaring as she instinctively brought her claws down on his back before he slammed into her chest, sending her over backward. Her claws barely dug in along Tiguans''s back as the ground dragged her down under him, the black carrying on past her. She tried to kick him in the stomach but missed, leg sprouting high into the air fruitlessly she just stared in sheer shock and surprise. There was nothing standard about this, this wasn¡¯t doctrine or what they had trained. As she finally turned her head to look after Tiguan, all she saw was an open maw. She froze as it delicately and very gently closed over her head, before very quickly pulling back, revealing the delicate blue skies to her once more. Tiguan took a step back, almost more of a hop, turning his side to her like he was expecting retaliation. She could even see him ready to lift his wing to cover his face just in case. Like a slave scared of the whip. ¡°There, I did it. Can we stop now?¡± Both Grevi and Sisu were silent, staring at the black dragon. Ylditz though was there to save them once more. ¡°Yes, I think so. Very well done. And you hardly put a scratch on her, though we might need to have those scratches on your back looked at.¡± Tiguan didn¡¯t respond, instead just staring at Grevi who was still laying on her back trying to figure out what just happened. He was always so sweet and gentle, a bit clumsy at times, but always careful in the extreme and apologetic when he did mess up. ¡°You aren¡¯t mad?¡± he questioned, doubt clear in his voice, as the two kept staring at each other. It took her a brief moment longer before she snapped out of it and shook her head. ¡°No, of course not, this is just training, I will have to be faster on my feet next time,¡± she tried, giving it her best to try and sound warm and happy like Ylditz did all the time, thinking that would help. Tiguan didn¡¯t look very convinced at all, taking another step back before glancing at Ylditz, who was already walking over. With a swift swing of his head and a turn about face the lieutenant was picked up and the black dragon jogged away like he had been defeated, leaving Grevi staring once more. ¡°I see someone forgot who here has actual fighting experience,¡± Colonel Victoria Hashaw spoke up, having approached unnoticed. The appearance of the colonel had both Grevi and Sisu wheeling about in an instant, Sisu snapping to attention while Grevi flung up dirt and grass to get back to a proper respectful sitting position. Her posture was perfect as she stared dead ahead, awaiting the advice of their chief instructor, though the moment was rather ruined when a tuft of grass landed on her snout and had to be shaken off. ¡°At ease you two,¡± Victoria relented, looking the two of them over, seeming unsure what to make of it all. ¡°Tiguan is no soldier, ma¡¯am. What are you referring to?¡± Sisu spoke up first, mirroring Grevi¡¯s sentiment. ¡°No, but he is a black dragon. Wherever he goes trouble follows. I will spare you the details and, frankly, they aren¡¯t for your ears, but know this: Tiguan earned his place here. Baron and I intend to train the best, we are no run of the mill instructors. You both know this. Any old black who wandered in looking for food and a roof would not be training with us. Sure we would find a use for them, but not here. Not this wing.¡± ¡°Tiguan has faced the odds many times before. He¡¯s either won or lived each time. In terms of experience you are a whole life behind. Best get to work.¡± __________________________________________________________________________________ Grevi groaned as she heaved, her long massive wings bending under the forces like bow limbs. They would hold, and she knew they would. There was nothing new about today. Everything by the book, trained, planned, and tested. She and Sisu had spent most of the evening and well into the night planning for today. Baron and Victoria would have them dueling one on one in the air, no weapons, no Jarix shouting ¡°Hit¡± whenever he managed to vaguely point at them. She had so hoped she would get to wipe that smug grin off his face, but instead she got Morina. The Red Firecracker. Strong as could be and set on a hair trigger between slow lazy sand potato and murderous berserker. ¡°Wait for it, she¡¯s not properly angry yet,¡± Sisu called out from the saddle at the base of Grevi¡¯s neck. They were flying full armor, full crew, and with simulated supplies today. There had to be at least a ton and a half on her right now, but the same was true for Morina. The difference was the red was a good 12 tons and didn¡¯t have the money to field proper armor. Sure she had been given more weight in the nets to make up for it, but Grevi doubted it was enough to level it out between them. Grevi didn¡¯t respond to her lieutenant. She didn¡¯t have to, simply waving acknowledgment with one ear and saving her breath as she kept steady. She trained harder than any of them. She would stand the test of endurance that was a prolonged turn fight far better. Morina had easily been baited into a turning fight, both dragons starting nearly opposite each other. Normally only a far superior flier would take such a fight, blues being famously good at it. Morina likely believed that Grevi¡¯s armor would make her easy to catch and while it was heavy, it was very well made. The plates were tempered steel, thinner than the lesser iron plates and the skins underneath were brown bear, thick and comfortable. All her harnessing was Tirox leather, triple stitched and with steel buckles rather than iron or brass. She could have wished for no greater gift - it had served her older sister well in her younger years, and now it would bring her victory at last. ¡°She¡¯s beating to catch. Just keep steady and let her gain. We need every beat we can get out of her,¡± Sisu called out, keeping an eye on their pursuer. ¡°She¡¯s got the scent now. She¡¯s looking properly furious. Do it.¡± Grevi knew her cue and didn¡¯t respond. She just tucked a wing and rolled over onto her back before pulling up sharply. The big heavy red followed, sweeping wide and ending up further behind and below. Grevi put some speed back on, flying level and sparing a quick glance behind her to check that Morina really was trying to catch them. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Of course she was, the red beating after them with wings pumping like mad and smoke pouring from her nostrils, a look that could kill on her face. ¡°Come back here, coward!¡± she roared out, wasting more precious breath as Grevi put on more speed looking to prolong the chase as much as possible. She was breathing steadily and efficiently. One breath per beat. She could go faster, but this was her most efficient fighting speed, a concept she doubted Morina had even grasped yet. She proceed to lead the red on a wild chase through the sky, using some of Jarix¡¯s tricks, even if she would never admit it openly. As the red tired it became easier and easier to evade her attempts to close the distance. Sisu and Grevi had some debate on when enough was enough before they finally went on the offensive. It had been a quick matter. Morina was fierce, but she wasn¡¯t stupid enough to not know when she had lost. She let Grevi set down on her back for a moment, as the green declared victory and let the red lose once more. Once back on the ground she had been expecting praise and congratulations. What she got was a ¡°Very good, though in the future wasting so much time does give the enemy plenty of opportunities to come up with a counter to your plan,¡± from Victoria, though Baron at least was looking at her approvingly. This clearly rubbed Morina the wrong way, which did sweeten the deal even more so. That evening she and her crew had celebrated, declaring ¡°Only Jarix left in the air now¡± as they toasted before turning in for the night. Grevi was relieved they hadn¡¯t gone on for long. Her chest was burning like fire the whole time and her wings felt heavy like lead, not that she dared show it. Her crew had done very well. Nothing had given way, fallen off, or come undone. Not one hindrance in the air, aside from the added weight which she simply had to deal with. Sisu had performed outstandingly, and the plan had been hers too to start with. She had already decided for herself that she would be asking to keep all three if at all possible. She needed them thanks to her armor after all. __________________________________________________________________________________ Her graduation ceremony had been a bittersweet day. Her mother and father had come to see her along with many of the people she knew from the orchard, but she also had to say goodbye. Jarix was going to the frontier at his father''s request of all things. Tiguan was to be a Liaison to the city guard at his own request, even if Grevi suspected it was Victoria and Ylditz¡¯s idea. Morina would be staying at the training fields. She hadn¡¯t cut it, and, sad as it was Grevi could see why. She was strong and brave, but reckless and stupid. Of course, it didn¡¯t help that she had gotten caught stealing food. But Grevi would have the strangest departure. She had been given leave as a reward due to finishing top of her class. She never did manage to beat Jarix in the air, the lazy bastard somehow managing to stay ahead of her rather than give her a nice static target to aim for. Tiguan had also managed to fend her off, though she was confident she could win in a no holds barred fight now. He had taught her many of his tricks, but never where he had learned them. She did not probe; it was not her place. She had simply learned and improved. So here she sat. The finest student of this year¡¯s graduates from the capital training ground. Not a lesser one like Cartehega or Bartelion. The capital. That made her the best of the crop this year for the whole kingdom. Precisely what she had been aiming for. Her request to keep her crew had also been granted, and they too had received leave. They had even been convinced to come back home with her, after a few days to say goodbye. They all three had their families in the capital, so it was only natural they would follow Grevi home. They had been able to see their families weekly for as long as they had been assigned to Grevi, after all. She had not. The look on her parents¡¯ faces as Victoria read aloud her accomplishments and let Grevi take her oath, it was nearly enough to break her stone-hard face. They looked so proud of her. She knew they feared for her safety just like they did with her sister. But she was the best. Whatever the world threw at her, she would deal with it. __________________________________________________________________________________ ¡°Come on, quit daydreaming. We have work to do,¡± the now more annoyed-sounding man on the saw shouted out. ¡°It can¡¯t be that damn hard to walk back and forth now, can it?!¡± ¡°Says the guy who¡¯s missing two fingers,¡± Grevi grumbled, turning around and starting to walk back again, the saw picking up anew. She hated that sound. For weeks it had been running back and forth, back and forth. Sawing, sawing, sawing. There was nothing to do here, nothing to learn, nothing to study, nothing to improve at. Just carry, haul, pull, and lift until she was so exhausted she would rather sleep than train. ¡®At least it was good exercise,¡¯ she grumbled reluctantly, thinking back to how much stronger Jarix had been at the festival as opposed to their graduation. She had honestly expected him to go lounge around at the frontier keep, eating on their bill and having his every need cared for by the dwellers. That was how it was supposed to be after all. She would of course have spent the time training and practicing, but she doubted Jarix would get much of that done save when Zarko managed to get him into their air. But she had been proven wrong. Which might be irritating her even more than the fact he had beaten her in a tug of war of all things. He had almost never beaten her on the ground before. And when he did, it had been pure luck. Nothing else. He had still gotten lucky this time that she wasn¡¯t ready for his trick. She would get him again next time¡­ Maybe she could even take on Tiguan if she put her back into it right now. He was probably busy playing hide and seek with the kids at that other keep. Deriver or something. ¡®Oh yeah, I¡¯ll show those two goons who¡¯s still best.¡¯ ¡°Whoa shit, hold on now, don¡¯t break it!¡± __________________________________________________________________________________ ¡°This is where you live?¡± Heracin had called out, the young man hanging over the side from the handles on the harness to get a better look. ¡°Look at all those trees! Are they all apples?¡± ¡°Mostly,¡± Grevi replied, sounding perhaps a little more cocky than she would have liked. Her parents¡¯ estate was vast, and they produced a lot of apples and some other fruits here. It was still the life of a farmer though. Toiling away in the fields, and they didn¡¯t have much in the way of hunting rights. So they spent a lot of money buying food from keeps and villages that hunted and ranched for meat. But the estate still looked impressive with its thousands of fruit trees. ¡°I always wanted to live in the countryside, not as cramped and stinky as the city is.¡± ¡°Oh please, your family owns a nice enough business, you only set foot in a slum if you wanted to,¡± Felicia interjected. The two crewmen often had some good-natured bickering going on. Grevi tended not to take part too much. That might come across as favoritism after all. And there had never been the need to intervene, so she tolerated it. ¡°Well yeah, I just wouldn¡¯t have minded some greenery outside my window that¡¯s all. Guessing you got plenty of nice views traveling with your dad, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Trust me, it was not worth suffering the lectures and stories¡­ Being a surveyor is not all it¡¯s cracked up to be. It¡¯s just constant politics and map work.¡± ¡°Chin up, it made you a fine enough navigator. One day you¡¯ll make lieutenant to a dragon I am sure.¡± Sisu added as she too watched the trees below, soon making out the farm itself. There were advantages to being this far in and near a city. Land and food might be expensive, but one needn''t hide behind stone walls every night. And certainly not once the four dragons that called the farm home were factored into any aspiring brigands¡¯ calculations. The farm buildings consisted of three large main houses. One for the workers who lived upon the premises year round. Three stories worth of bedrooms, kitchens, and halls, and at least three times as long as it was wide. Then there was the dragon hold, as they so often called it, a large squat single-story building with a high roof. One may even mistake it for a barn or warehouse from a distance. Inside were only six rooms in total. Her parents¡¯ room, the largest of them all, was placed up against one gable, and able to fit two adult dragons quite comfortably. Then there was a common area for them all to mingle and eat together when weather forced them under roof. Then followed 4 smaller rooms, Grevi¡¯s amongst them. They were still perfectly comfortable for her and her 2 other siblings. She had two younger brothers, twin brothers even. Not unheard of in dragons, but not exactly common either. The last building was the brewery. On its loft the harvest would be stored as it came in, ready to be fed down into the massive boiling vats and then bottled, ready to ferment. In autumn they would also sell the juice straight as it was. Getting a taste of the sweet liquid after every harvest was still one of Grevi¡¯s favorite times of the year¡­ Though it had now been at least five since last she been home for it, even if her father had brought some fresh juice for her last year. Grevi came in for a gentle landing, flanked by her parents on either side. Today she held the place of honor as she descended into the courtyard created by the three buildings laid out in a half circle. Everyone was out and waiting to greet her. Her two brothers, the servants, the farm hands, their contingent of guards of course out on display with armor polished and family standard held high. She felt pride swell in her chest as she looked around at them, her own armor glinting in the sun as she sat in front of them regally, head held high. She felt as much as heard her parents land to either side of her. Her father was the eldest, he would be the one to let them know how she had fared. The assembled crowd slowly quieted down, perhaps sensing that there was an announcement to be made. A few looked confused, perhaps believing she had somehow failed, which they evidently didn¡¯t believe possible. Her brothers were the last to quiet down as their father stepped forward, the two having taken turns to roar out in greeting. ¡°Everyone. Hear this. My daughter Grevi¡­ Has not only passed her exams at the training grounds of our capital, under the decorated veteran Baron and his Colonel Victoria Hashaw¡­ She finished top of her class, making her the finest student to graduate this year. Possibly even this decade. Baron himself made it plain she is one of the best he has ever seen¡­¡± If Grevi could look any prouder or happier she did not know it. Even if she did have to give her father a slight cockeyed glance for perhaps embellishing her achievements a little. Their dragonettes, though, erupted in cheers, and the look on her brothers¡¯ faces was worth it all. They were so proud of her too. She would fill the armor her sister had left empty. She would carry on the tradition. Their family had always had one of their number serve in the guard, now it was her turn. ¡°As such, celebrations are in order,¡± her father continued. ¡°Roll out the barrels and light the fires. Weather permitting, tonight will be a fine night.¡± __________________________________________________________________________________ There had been drink and food and games. To her surprise, her parents had even invited some old friends from the guard. Two had even served with her sister, though not on the fateful day. They had shared tales and legends as the drink flowed. Grevi was allowed to drink as much as she pleased for the first time she could remember in decades, yet she kept it light. Today was no day to make a fool of herself. The same could not be said for all, and her mother took to keeping good order, with a few of the farmhands being sent to bed against their wishes. ¡°What of your classmates, did they at least provide a decent challenge?¡± one of the veterans questioned as his mug was refilled. ¡°More than enough. I still have not bested Jarix in the skies, and Tiguan is fearsome on the ground. But Jarix cannot brawl to save his life. And Tiguan took poorly to aerial maneuvers. So I won out on the whole,¡± Grevi replied. ¡°Ahr it pays to be well-balanced. Else you risk finding your weaknesses exploited in the field. I haven¡¯t been keeping tabs on the current crop much. I take it Jarix is the young blue, Glira¡¯s son?¡± ¡°Indeed¡­ Though he has not inherited his mother¡¯s temper,¡± Grevi retorted, thinking back to her few encounters with the older blue. She struck her as lazy, much like Jarix. But she was bloodthirsty, almost like one would expect of a red. She could say many unkind things about Jarix, but bloodthirsty he was not. ¡°What of this Tiguan fellow? The red I heard about, I take it?¡± ¡°No, Tiguan is a black dragon,¡± Grevi corrected politely. ¡°Ahr, one figures the guard needs the numbers after all¡­ Is he a good egg at least? Of a fine line perhaps?¡± Grevi was silent for a moment as she pondered how to respond politely. The man didn¡¯t know after all. And it was a common sentiment. ¡°I do not believe I know of his line, but I can assure you he is a good egg¡­ If I could find any fault with him, it would be that he is too kind. A touch soft if you may.¡± ¡°Well ain¡¯t that an interesting one. One could hope he¡¯s been spared from the worst the world has to offer then. I¡¯m sure his parents are very proud of him too, having passed from such a prestigious teacher.¡± ¡°I am sure they are,¡± Grevi lied. She didn¡¯t know much about his parents; he never spoke on the subject. But she could work out well enough that he was likely not celebrating with them tonight¡­ In fact, after a few seconds of pondering she had to admit she had no idea what the black dragon was doing tonight. He was to report to the city guard in a day or two, so she wasn¡¯t really sure. Maybe that Hashaw lieutenant was treating him to something, perhaps they were back at the Hashaw mansion¡­ yeah, that was probably it. And she was betting Jarix was back at the trader¡¯s guild for some sort of party too. They had both earned it. Unlike Morina. Once the evening had started to quiet down Grevi had gotten up and excused herself. She had something she must do. Walking alone along the torchlit building of the dragon hold, she entered and made her way to the now empty room. A quick flick of a claw undid the latch and the large heavy oaken door swung open on creaky hinges. Walking inside, her claws clacked on the stone floor, cold as ice with this room no longer heated by the fires tended below. In front of her, glinting in the moonlight streaking from the open shutters, hung the armor her sister had worn the day she died. It was far larger than what Grevi herself was currently wearing. Her sister had just passed 18 tons when she had left for a routine patrol. Grevi crouched before the small shrine that had been built in front of the armor, staring at the painting of her lost sister at its center. They looked so much alike, so full of pride and happiness. Grevi¡¯s ear twitched at the sound of small clacking claws, a robed figure emerging from the shadows under the open shutters. ¡°Hello Rejar,¡± Grevi rumbled, having rather hoped to be alone for this. Though if anyone was to be here, their loremaster was as good as she could wish for. ¡°Greetings¡­ I knew you would come here,¡± the old man replied. He produced a small box from under his robes as he turned his back to her, walking to the shrine with a slow measured gait. ¡°Please, allow me.¡± A few flashes of sparks could be seen before a wick caught light. A soft orange glow radiated out from behind the man, spreading as one by one the candles on either side of the painting were lit, bathing her sister¡¯s armor in orange light from below. The vicious lines of the helmet cast long drawn-out shadows upon the wall and ceiling. ¡°I will ensure you are not disturbed now,¡± Rejar continued, blowing out the wick before turning to make good on his promise and walking out as quietly as one could manage. ¡°Thank you,¡± Grevi let out as he passed her by, before closing her eyes, crouching low before the shrine, and starting to pray. She prayed to Ishan to take care of her sister, and to take care of her if she should fall in her duty. She prayed to Tula for good fortune upon the battlefield, she prayed to Olek that her armor might protect her, and she prayed to Lotek for safe travels to come. ¡°Fear not, sister. I will carry on your spirit. The fight will not be in vain.¡± __________________________________________________________________________________ ¡°It damn well will if you don¡¯t quit daydreaming. Come on, quit just standing there. We have work to do.¡± Grevi just let out a long sigh as she got back to the endless walking. ¡®One day¡­ one day I¡¯ll get to prove my mettle¡­ It can¡¯t come soon enough.¡¯ __________________________________________________________________________________ A different take on a special chapter this one. And yes for the first time this is a cannon Speical chapter. I know I know, it''s probably heresy or something. But I didn''t see a chance for giving Grevi some screen time any time soon and she will be important eventually I feel so. Here we are. Also doesn''t hurt that in my eyes at least we really are lacking in seeing how the dragons live outside of being on deployment in the frontier and a bit from the capital. I hope you liked it. I sure loved writing it. But that will be all for today. 10 K words total should have to do it I think. Till next time. Take care Tiguans Playdate On a mild autumn day at Deriva Keep, someone was trying to make the most of the waning heat. Tiguan and the kids were out and about, playing hide and seek with only Lieutenant Yldtiz Hashaw to keep an eye on them all. Yesterday had been a hunting day, and Tiguan had, of course, been helping out as best he could. They had even managed to land a single panicked deer with the net. And with how far it was to the forests, he was invaluable for carrying home the kills. The lands around Deriva were all craggy cliffs, rocks, and boulders. Hard terrain to cover on foot, but Tiguan had promised not to cheat. Because it also made it quite hard for even the smallest pure white dragonettes to hide from the skies. The kids had been very excited that they would get to play around this far from the keep. They only got to do so when Tiguan could go with them these days. The sweet old lady Deriva got very worried normally. The wilds were dangerous, even the bare rocky kind. But Tiguan could make anything run for the hills, much as he often didn¡¯t want to. He had left his crew behind to help out as well, save for Ylditz. Karlch and Tonzei were not afraid to put in the work, but the two harness men were in all honestly not very good at hide and seek. They were much too serious. Ylditz had picked them personally back when the lieutenant was assigned to Tiguan. He had wanted someone he could rely on through thick and thin. Nothing fazed them, and nothing caused complaint. Tiguan had been happy they weren¡¯t scared of him at first. If they were he certainly couldn¡¯t tell. He had later learned they had both served with other blacks in the past. By the sounds if it a rather tough and grim old drake called Chrimra. They had lightened up a touch over the years, but they still made Tiguan feel like the young one at times. Ylditz was much nicer. He was smart and kind as well as brave. And had come to be Tiguan¡¯s dearest friend for many years. Much as he had liked his time with Ray, there was something about being able to be there for someone else. To help rather than make everything worse. So it was with a conflicted heart he looked back on his time at Deriva. Things had been very hard for them. They had suffered¡­ But it let him help. The attacks left several crippled and many dead. Huxley¡¯s broken back had him stuck in bed barely able to move for over a month, and he was still only just walking. That was only thanks to the healer Quin. She was quite good. She was old and experienced. Thanks to her saving Huxley the keep at least had three of their guards left. Luke and young Kalix made up the other two. Once there had been six. When hunting, there was only Rekui and Ethera left who could fly. They were fine huntresses, and Tiguan¡¯s crew had gotten some fine practice in with the crossbows helping them out. He didn¡¯t mind if they lost a bolt every now and again. They could buy more later. Nataki too would be back on the wing again soon. She was a silvered huntress together with Rekui. Rekui was of course soon going to be gilded, but Deriva wanted to wait until next year so they could have a proper celebration. He had to admit he had missed Ray though as he wandered between the rocks, carefully winding down narrow paths. She would have loved to be out playing hide and seek with them. He didn¡¯t need any help of course. He could both smell and hear the children, but he didn¡¯t need to find them yet. Ray would have given them a few more minutes, so he would too. He had found Trada and Leiknik already. Those two really hadn¡¯t done a very good job at hiding. He believed they would much rather help find the others. That had become commonplace now, the children wanted to be around him. He was ¡°Uncle Tiguan¡± or ¡°Tiggy,¡± and he couldn¡¯t help but smile from ear to ear every time he heard it. If Ray had just been here, it would have been perfect, and with all the gifts from the nice people over at Bizmati, they probably didn¡¯t even have to sleep through the winter if things went well. Sleeping could be dangerous after all. Especially for the young and the old. He had scratched off more heaven bark than they would ever need to get everyone through winter if they did need it, back when he was still scared if they would even make it through the winter. ¡°Where do you think they have gone? Did we go past them?¡± Tiguan questioned, looking around confused. Two of the girls were right around the corner, so he came to a stop before looking back at his passengers. ¡°No, they could have made it further. I say we carry on the search pattern a bit further out then circle back towards the east. People trying to hide seek shadows. They will run away from the sun,¡± Ylditz spoke up with a proper answer, perhaps even true. That wasn¡¯t very important though. ¡°I think they went that way,¡± Tada declared, pointing across the small canyon, without any justification or reasoning. Tiguan knew the kid wanted him to jump across. There wasn¡¯t any harm in that. Of the children, only Olina wasn¡¯t old enough to fly yet, and she was with Gidea. She could carry the young one if needed. Though they had been told not to fly around without supervision. The direction would keep the girls behind the rock hidden, so Tiguan thought it was a brilliant idea. ¡°Let¡¯s go that way then!¡± Ylditz looked a little confused at a 6 year old¡¯s advice being chosen over his own, but he didn¡¯t complain. The kids let out a small cheer and he could hear the girls giggling, one perhaps even peeking around the rock to watch them change direction. With a single bounding leap, letting his wings just slow the descent so as not to jostle his passengers too much, Tiguan gracefully leapt across the small canyon. It was more of a glorified crack really, but to the children it was a canyon, so a canyon it was. Everything was smaller out here. The keep was small and squat, and there weren¡¯t even two dozen living in it, though once there had been more so. Ylditz had gotten his own room, which Tiguan had thanked them for profusely during the early days. He feared they had given his lieutenant a full room for himself because they were scared of what he would do if they didn¡¯t give his friend a nice place to stay. Karlch and Tonzei had gotten a room too. A little less nice, but it was theirs. Ylditz had tried to calm him down, saying it was quite normal to do so. Bizmati even had a room just for it, even if it was normally given to traveling traders and the like. Tiguan didn¡¯t buy it at first though. It was a nice room, and it even had a window. And lady Dervia hadn¡¯t complained when he had stood up against the keep to get a good look inside. Even if he had scratched the stone a little. Tiguan would never say it, but things at Deriva weren¡¯t so lovely. Not the people, mind you, but the place. It looked old and worn. He thought they had scraped together all their best things for that room just for Ylditz. Not that he didn¡¯t want the best for his lieutenant. They had been together ever since he joined the guard. He was kind, he was compassionate, but he would fiercely defend Tiguan, especially when he thought Tiguan could not hear. Ordering people to be nice to him, to show no fear. Tiguan had feared the same would happen here. Everyone is being told not to be scared of him. It had looked like it would go just like that in the early days. But it didn¡¯t last¡­ and he knew why. He had asked Ylditz. He hadn¡¯t wanted to ask, but he wanted to know, and Ylditz had reluctantly answered. ¡°They are too desperate not to trust you¡­ just be kind, they¡¯ll get it soon enough.¡± Tiguan had been quite sad to learn that was why, but Ylditz was rarely wrong about things. So he would do his best. Maybe he just needed to show them, too, that he was nice. ¡°Could you help carry this, please?¡± ¡°Would you perhaps be willing to help gather wood?¡± ¡°Could you help me wash the floors?¡± They were always so nice when asking, but it was just because they feared what would happen from making demands of a dragon of the royal guard. He didn¡¯t have to help them with anything. They were to provide for him. Such were the rules. Tiguan never liked those rules. They were for dragons like Morina. Lazy and arrogant. He was a dragon of 10 tons, he could do much more than lay about all day. So he never said no. He hauled buckets and firewood, water, and animals. Anything they needed, even if they often kept their distance while he worked. One day he had tried to help Gidea wash the floors in the greeting hall. That was where he slept, so a lot of the dirt and grime was his fault. And the girl had looked ready to drop, so tired was she. The poor thing had been working all day and was trudging around yawning. She had barely noticed when he crawled up closer. When she finally did it was with a start of fear as she nearly dropped the mop as she stared at him. Tiguan froze. He had gotten too close. That was his fault. But he just wanted to help. He very slowly and gingerly reached out a claw, picked up the bucket she had left a ways behind, and moved it up to put it next to her. ¡°Sorry¡­ here you go,¡± then he pulled back a little again. The girl had just looked between the bucket and him a few times before asking, ¡°Do you wanna hold the bucket?¡± ¡°If you want me to,¡± he had replied with a gentle nod. And so it had come to be that he would haul her bucket around for her. He remembered Rekui staring in disbelief when she got back from a trip to watch him holding a bucket of water for the young girl. He thought he was in trouble for a moment, putting it down and apologizing. She had asked him why he did that? It could just as well stand on the floor while she mopped. He had just answered that way she didn¡¯t have to move it. It seemed simple enough to him, and he couldn¡¯t hold a mop, much as he had tried before. Rekui hadn¡¯t quite seemed to know what to say to that, other than ¡°Carry on then¡± and walking off with a sort of half-vacant expression. Tiguan thought she had gone to talk with Ylditz after that because the children had been allowed to come out and run around while he was in the greeting hall. Under the watchful eye of old Uli. She was a strict old woman, Tiguan didn¡¯t really like her. She stared at him like she hated him, all day long. After that day Gidea had at least started to warm up just a little to the dragon, saying good morning and even helping Ylditz with cleaning him. Tiguan always wanted to shine as much as possible. The others called him vain, even Grevi and Jarix, but it was important. A shadow drake was often matte in color, and people didn¡¯t think so lowly of shiny things, even if it might be shiny coal in his case. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Then they had all been invited to the festival at Bizmati. Everyone was coming, even Huxley and Nataki. Lady Deriva had come out to him late one evening looking almost mournful. Tiguan was worried someone maybe didn¡¯t make it through the night, or perhaps someone had gotten hurt. But all she had wanted to ask was if he would carry those who could not fly, else they would have to be left behind. He had almost scared her as his smile grew. Of course he would. He could leave behind what scraps of armor he had easily enough, and his own crew could fly just fine. In the end, he had to admit it had been a hard flight with him carrying all the children and the old Lady, and with Uli only able to fly for some of the trip. But he had made it just fine, even if it hadn¡¯t been so fast. It had been worth it. Oh, how it had been worth it. The children had been scared for most of the trip, or at least wary. The adults too. Tiguan even saw some of them checking their feet and palms as they got off. He had seen it before¡­ But he hadn¡¯t cared. Jarix and Grevi were there, Baron too. And the children from Bizmati were so different. They ran out to greet him just like they had done the first time he had visited. Everyone just put it down to Tom somehow, though he didn''t understand how. Perhaps the human was used to people running when they saw him and had learned some sort of trick. He wouldn¡¯t pry, he was just happy he had used the trick to help him. And as the night went on, the Bizmati kids convinced the ones from Deriva to play along. Some of the adults hadn¡¯t been too happy, but after a talk with Ylditz as well as the old Lady Nunuk, they had let the children play. He didn¡¯t know what they had said, but he was very thankful. They had so much fun, even if the children had to go to bed early after all the cake. The flight back had been so different. Gone were the quiet murmurs and careful glances. Everyone was talking, and loudly. They had even slowed down a little to make it easier. It had almost been night when they made it home again, but Tiguan didn¡¯t care. He was used to flying at night. He even helped them all find their way home, since they hadn¡¯t left any lights on after all. After the festival Lady Deriva had let the kids play with Tiguan, not just run around while he was out. They played in the halls, they played around the keep, and often he took Uli and Ylditz with him so the children could be allowed to have some flight lessons. It was so much easier to do those when you had a dragon to start from, even if every now and again he needed to catch one after they made a mistake. As the days went on even Uli had started to soften. After a while, he realized she wasn¡¯t some evil woman, she just wouldn¡¯t let anything happen to the children, and she was scared of him too. But she had slowly learned that he was no different to her. Sometimes he even got to go out with the children alone now, though both the kids and the keep dwellers found more and more things for him to do now that they no longer feared asking, so he often didn¡¯t have the time anymore. He just kept saying yes, until he was helping with almost everything around the whole keep. Everything that he could at least. Just like Ray would. They even worked out how to make a makeshift mop for his tail so he could at least clean the halls he could reach. Eventually Ylditz had to step in and tell him no on a few things. Maybe it was for the best, but Tiguan still wasn¡¯t too happy about it. But still the more time went by, the more they started to smile when they saw him. They said good morning and asked him how he was doing. He started learning everyone''s names, not just the ones who needed to ask for help because they had to, or the bravest of them. ¡°I don¡¯t think they are over here either,¡± Tiguan let out as he walked down the side of the big crack. ¡°I don¡¯t see them anywhere.¡± ¡°I could fly up and look for them. They won¡¯t see me!¡± Trada said hopefully. ¡°No cheating,¡± Tiguan replied, looking back at the child. ¡°I am sure we will find them.¡± In truth he could smell no one was over here. They hadn¡¯t dared crossing the crack, but it was time he found someone, or the game might get boring. He sped up a little into a trot, glancing around, before he spotted a little head peeking out before swiftly going back below a rock on the other side. ¡°Ahr, I saw someone!¡± Trada called out pointing. ¡°Over there over there. Go get them!¡± ¡°Oh yeah?¡± Tiguan called back, turning towards the crack and jumping across once more before slowing right down and making sure to approach the rock very slowly. He could hear the snickering from behind the rock as well as a few muttered ¡°oh no¡¯s,¡± and as he stuck his head slowly over the rock to look down at Etar. ¡°Found you!¡± __________________________________________________________________________________ It had been a fun and relaxing day, playing out in the crags. Even with all the walking. His feet were all sore, but they would recover. The children had all been well tired out and a touch cold when they made it back. Uli thanked him for an easy evening on her part now. Sure enough they had all been fast asleep only a little after dinner. The very same evening they had held a meeting in the greeting hall so Tiguan could also take part. He had still been busy polishing off the leftovers. They were much tastier than the food cooked for him. Often that was little more than a deer on a spit or a large tasteless cauldron of stew. Nothing eaten at Deriva was extravagant, but at least the keep dweller¡¯s dinner sometimes had salt in it. They didn¡¯t have enough for him too with all the preparation they had to make. But they promised him that in the spring they would have plenty left over from all the barrels of meat they had preserved for winter. The meeting had been a happy one. Things were looking good. With all the hard work and decent weather they had made excellent progress. No small thanks to Tiguan, which Lady Deriva had been all too happy to point out. And unlike in the early days where the keep dwellers had cautiously thanked him or perhaps bowed, there were smiles all around and a little ale was even had. But it was all the gifts from Bizmati Keep which had made the difference between scraping by and having a pretty good winter. The lady even confirmed the children perhaps wouldn¡¯t need to be put to sleep at all. And if they were, it would only be to ride out a particularly bad storm. Though she was hoping they could do some maintenance upon the keep before the winter hit. It had fared poorly during the attack, and many doors and floors had only been patched. The lowest floor was still half burned out. At least they should plug the holes. Tiguan immediately promised to help. He would get them wood, and more firewood too, to keep warm. He would have to go to sleep since they couldn¡¯t feed him through winter no matter what. But he could make sure they would all be there when he woke up again. The promise of some livestock also had everyone excited. They had asked for rock goats. They were about the only thing that could find food and not fall to their deaths out here. They could produce milk and they didn¡¯t even taste terrible. They also wintered well and wouldn¡¯t need a warm barn around these parts. They had kept them before, but the darklings had made snacks of their whole herd. Likely to feed those vicious night terrors they had brought. Tiguan had also asked if maybe they could find the time to modify the well winch so he could help haul it up. It was a long way down to the bottom of the canyon Deriva Keep was built beside, and the only place they could find water was down at the bottom. Hauling up the big bucket took several minutes at least, even with the big winding drum. After some discussion, and Lady Deriva objecting that it was too much to ask for, Ylditz had even agreed to help design it. Tiguan knew the lieutenant was smart. His family had forced him to take classes on everything related to war, and siege engines were no exception. Secretly he was hoping Ylditz could help him find a ballista for the keep. He likely couldn¡¯t stay forever¡­ and at least it would help while he was away¡­ or maybe Tom could make something for them. There had been plenty of rumors during the festival of all the interesting things they were working on. After the meeting had been adjourned, Tiguan had made ready for bed. He was tired, and today he had to be up early to help the huntresses again. They had finished preserving all the meat from last time today. As the dragon slumbered, the wind gently blew around the exposed keep, the occasional howling was heard. He had grown used to it by now. It was nothing to be worried about, just the wind playing tricks. He had woken to a completely dark room, feeling something pat him on the leg. He blinked lazily, swinging his head around, trying to see what it might be. ¡°Tiggy¡­ I can¡¯t sleep.¡± It was Olina, the youngest of the children, no more than three years old. ¡°Ooh?¡± the dragon rumbled out as warmly and as kindly as he could manage. ¡°Uli didn¡¯t want to wake up¡­ could you tell me a story maybe? About when you were little too?¡± Tiguan stared at the child for a moment, thinking back¡­ Thunder, screaming, lightning, crying in alleyways, being paraded through the streets, chased through the forest. Dead people, dead monsters, dead friends¡­ The chains, the whips, the shouting. ¡°Fight! Fight you monster!¡± He felt his breathing grow faster as he stared¡­ he didn¡¯t even know what he was staring at. ¡°Are you okay?¡± the little girl asked, her tone so tender, so caring. She knew horror, she didn¡¯t need to know more. ¡°I am fine¡­ I think I can tell you a story¡­ have you heard about the deer in the woods?¡± __________________________________________________________________________________ The Battle for Furlong Keep It was a dark day at Furlong keep as Tora looked over maps of the island, trying to decide if it was best to fight from within the walls or in the open field. Both seemed like terrible ideas, and worst of all they had just received news from Fortress Dana. ¡°What do you mean ¡®We cannot expect them to lend aid?¡¯ Is that not their very purpose for existing?! What we have been paying our yearly tithes to expect!? For heaven¡¯s sake there are darklings in their midst! Tell that crawly little spineless whelp of a fortress commander that I expect him and his forces to depart immediately or my dying command shall be a bounty on his head, dead or alive as a traitor!¡± ¡°Uhm¡­ are you-¡± ¡°AT ONCE!¡± she snapped at the servant, who recoiled under her ire. ¡°Yes my lady, at once. Who shall we send?¡± ¡°My name is Tora. I am not your Lady yet. Should the gods see fit to let us survive this disaster then perhaps¡­ Send Ilaril¡­ With instructions not to return lest it is with a sizable force. If it cannot be managed, she is to go to Bartelion and stay there¡­ carry on the line.¡± ¡°But Tora¡­ She¡¯s 13!¡± Shiva protested. Shiva was Tora¡¯s sister and the keep¡¯s smith. They were the same age, but Tora had always been destined for the high chair. Groomed for years to lead. And so she would. It didn¡¯t help that Shiva was now missing much of a leg and had her wing in a splint. Tora had carried her much of the way home, an effort that had damn near killed them both. ¡°And unwounded!... Unlike you, Harkur, and Toliar. Jackalope and River are far too young to go. If our line is to carry on she shall have to show that we are worthy of it¡­ Make sure to impress upon her the seriousness of her mission. Give her what supplies can be spared and what equipment she wants, but she must travel light, do you understand?¡± ¡°Yes my Lady, I shall inform her at once,¡± the servant went, bowing and moving to leave. ¡°Yes¡­ and send a copy of the message to Fortress Dana to Baretelion at once as well.¡± The servant stopped, looking back at her with a hesitant expression. She was about to demand his reply when he spoke up meekly. ¡°We don¡¯t have any Bartelion birds left, we have sent them all.¡± ¡°No, not by bird, use the rings you halfwit!¡± Tora snapped again, feeling the end of her rope approaching. ¡°We sold the rings my lady...¡± ¡°Oh for crying out loud¡­¡± Tora broke out, head sinking as she felt Shiva¡¯s hand on her shoulder. ¡°Empty threats, is that what it has come to then? A Furlong unable to stand by their words¡­ Disgraceful.¡± They had been peering over maps for hours trying to deduce just what was to be done. They were coming, her scouts had done well. Rashan had made camp but an hour''s flight west on the island and showed no sign of knowing he had been discovered. ¡°Be off with you, send the threat. If anything, maybe we will get someone to arrest me for my insolence who can hold a blade. In fact, add that if they intend on arresting me they best bring an army.¡± ¡°Yes of course my- Tora,¡± the servant replied, finally running off to see her will carried out. ¡°What of Naxima? How far out is she?¡± Shiva questioned, simply and coldly. ¡°We don¡¯t know¡­ We do not even know if she accepted the contract. And we cannot afford to extend the offer to anyone else. No one believes we have the funds, so payment was needed in advance.¡± ¡°What if she simply took the money? We do not know her well.¡± ¡°Then we may curse her from the depths of hell or the reaches of heaven¡­ Wherever we may go.¡± Tora replied darkly. There was not much real hope to be had. Certainly not after the loss of Tarin and Kalbida. Tora cast her mind back to that dark day. They had done battle with Rashan and his band many times during the summer, both in defence of fellow keeps and during the attempted siege of Lochen keep. A siege which proved to be their undoing. Either it had been a trap or the gods had been against them that day. They believed Rashan had been driven off following injuries sustained at the battle of Yandar keep. A valiant defense that nevertheless ended with the keep but a smoldering ruin and what remained of the Yandars¡¯ fighting strength flying alongside the Furlongs¡¯ and the Travdas¡¯ to Lochen for revenge. They had laid siege, not willing to destroy another keep with the Yandar family now homeless. They would take it by force instead. They had the red dragon Tarin on their side, who had served alongside them for many years at Furlong keep. And despite the dragon suffering wounds in the previous battles, they were certain of victory. Camp had been made, and work commenced to whittle away at the defenses. Rocks were dropped on roofs, and doors were rammed through. It was slow work, but progress was steady. They would slaughter the traitors in their homes and take it for themselves so the Yandars could be repaid for what they had lost. But it was not to be. Rashan had returned during the dead of night on the third day. And in the darkness they had struck. Darklings and Lochen keep dwellers alike descended upon the siege camp, the sentries barely managing a warning of the impending disaster. In the chaos that followed Kalbida had fallen to some sneaky slimy traitorous bastard. THE Kalbida Furlong, slain by a knife in the night. The armor which might have saved her was locked away in a collection somewhere in the capital to help fund the fighting after the long years of struggle. It was a disgrace. A disgrace that left Tora in command. A position she had long envied and prayed to receive, but not like this. Not in the hour of disaster and shame. She had given the only order she could. Fall back to the keep. Fall back and regroup¡­ but not everyone. They could not outfly a dragon in the night. Rashan must not follow them to their halls. Tora did not know if her mother would have despised her or lauded her for what she asked next. But Tarin was to be commended. The dragon stood his ground and in his fury, wounded the traitor Rashan once more, this time grounding the traitor and setting Lochen keep ablaze, even if he paid the ultimate price. The inferno drew away the distraught dragonettes watching their home burn to the ground, and the darklings swarmed to protect their master. No chase was given as those left worthy of the white slipped away into the night, making for what keeps still stood. Soon they had all consolidated in Furlong keep. It was smaller and easier to defend, and most importantly built tougher than most. So here they stood. Those who remained, aiming to fight against the night, a battle they were bound to lose. They did not know how long they would have. Rashan would come for them, but the coward would not seek battle until he was healed and possibly reinforced even further. They were hoping for a month and they had nearly gotten it. The brazen arrogance of the traitor, that he did not believe aid would come to the Furlongs. And what infuriated Tora most of all was that he had been proven right¡­ no one had come. Nothing. They had sent for more mercenaries and most importantly a dragon able and willing to fight. They should have been here by now. The price had been steep but it was the last hope they could muster and the last coin in their coffers. They would not flee their home. The Saga of the Furlongs would not end with cowardice. They would do as their mother had taught them. They would fight to the last, and they would die well. And if necessary, alone. ¡°Open the armory, we have preparations to make.¡± __________________________________________________________________________________ ¡°A well fought battle, Lady Bizmati. Was this your first?¡± ¡°No Major, I have served on many occasions. But it was the first fight under banners for my son Fanto,¡± Nunuk replied to the major, glancing towards her son who was busy recounting the events of the battle, though it could hardly be called a battle. ¡°I see, I did not see him fight, did he acquit himself well?¡± ¡°Better than the opposition. What a farce this was.¡± ¡°Yes, quite,¡± the major replied, glancing about the surrendered garrison. Nunuk was not privy to how it had been uncovered that something was rotten at Fortress Dana, but they had nevertheless set out expecting a full-fledged siege against a royal guard fortress, a daunting challenge for any force. But upon their arrival, they were not met with much opposition at all, only confusion and hastily opened gates. It had taken some time to discover what had transpired. Orders changed or ignored, falsified information relayed, and reports hidden. Only one person had the authority to orchestrate such a thing, and he could not have been alone. They had found the fortress commander barricaded inside his offices. A quick council was held to determin what to do about him, ideally the traitor should be taken alive, for questioning. And so they elected to smoke them out. The last charge of the commander and his entourage had been the only true excitement of the day. Nunuk had fought alongside Fanto and Kokashi in the corridors. They had managed to capture a lieutenant who had sought to flee the scene, and only with a mild dismemberment. He would be fit for questioning even without an arm. ¡°I have been led to believe that you brought a mage, is this true?¡± ¡°Yes, my husband Apuma, not much of a fighter but capable nonetheless. He is the lore keeper of our keep.¡± ¡°Ahr, very good. Fetch him, would you? Who knows what magical secrets might be hidden in that office. We shall have to comb through it. Let me know if you find anything of interest.¡± ¡°Of course, major, right away. If there are any traps or hidden compartments we shall find them.¡± With a brisk nod she excused herself to go fetch her kin. She knew that bringing the old coot along was a clever idea. Even with the lack of battle to gain favor, there were often other ways to make oneself stand out when banners were called. She just hoped the major would be generous enough to make mention of her, and more importantly, the name Bizmati. ¡°Listen up you three, work to do. Apuma, we will need your spellbook. We are going through the office.¡± ¡°Oh right, of course sweetheart. Anything specific?¡± ¡°Not in the field, Apuma,¡± she replied, trying not to chuckle. ¡°Anything a traitor could think of. Traps, hidden compartments, messages and the like. Do your best.¡± ¡°Of course, anything for you sweety¡­ Oh I mean Nunuk¡­ Lady Bizmati?¡± the old man tried, clearly probing the waters of whatever she approved of. At that she could no longer help but let out the chuckle and shake her head. ¡°Just move your claws, come on now.¡± And so she led the way through the fortress courtyard towards the administration wing. As they walked she called over her shoulder. ¡°So Fanto, what do you think?¡± ¡°Honestly?... Bit disappointed, I mean all we did was tie up a fleeing coward,¡± the young man replied with a shrug. He had been hoping for more, she knew that. ¡°Yes, I suppose so. Then again one should hardly wish for blood. All in all I think this has gone as well as it could thus far. We did our job, and possibly we even acquitted ourselves well enough to to be credited for our part. And not a scratch to be seen on any of us.¡± ¡°Yes mum. Sorry.¡± ¡°Nothing to be sorry for. I know what you were wishing for. Plenty of dark skies around, you shall have it one day.¡± ¡°Could we make it after I have retired?¡± Kokashi questioned with mirth in his voice. ¡°Looking at our mothers I shall end up retiring after you, old man,¡± Fanto said with a snicker, giving the slightly older guard a soft punch to the pauldron. ¡°Old man, pah. I am the old man here, 65. Whatever I am doing out here is a mystery,¡± Apuma added heartily. ¡°Oh please, I am 78 you know, and I do not plan on putting down this blade till I make 100,¡± Nunuk added, shaking her head. ¡®65 old? Let me be free of such nonsense.¡¯ ¡°Oh I don¡¯t know mum, my back is starting to feel a little stiff you know? Maybe I¡¯ll call it at 30.¡± ¡°If so it will be under a different name than Bizmati,¡± Nunuk replied, feigning seriousness as she led them up the stairs. ¡°But until then, you shall continue to do me proud.¡± __________________________________________________________________________________ ¡°What is the plan then, Tora? He shall take a run on the keep if he is given one,¡± Chenglu questioned as the two of kept an eye on what equipment they had and who received what. ¡°Exactly. Lances, up high. Hide in the clouds and dive upon the red flare. With the master dead darklings become a far less dangerous threat,¡± Tora replied, the freshly appointed captain of the guard nodding his assent. ¡°All or nothing aye? I suppose there isn¡¯t much else to do.¡± ¡°Even if the keep is lost the battle is not yet over.¡± ¡°What if he does not appear today? He may be waiting for weather or scouts?¡± ¡°Or nightfall¡­ We cannot let him know we are above him. Give Tanaruk a flare and send him out to the northern treeline, once he sees Rashan approaching he shall signal and we make for the clouds. Anyone who can hold a lance must be on the roof from now on ready to fly. Have some hot soup brought up, it may be our last meal.¡± This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°Yes ma¡¯am. I shall see to it, but won¡¯t the flare give away that we know he is coming?¡± ¡°It will. But we have no alternative. See that it is done, hopefully he shall believe we intend to fight from within the walls.¡± ¡°Right away, I shall see you up top.¡± ¡°Indeed, I shall be but a moment,¡± she replied, glancing about the armory, wondering if there could be anything she might have missed. Some edge they could use. Her eyes landed on the small wooden crate, straw sticking out the sides of the lid reminding her of the contents, grabbing a satchel from the wall she opened the lid. ¡°Live with honor¡­ die with glory.¡± Tora and all who could still fly worth a damn had made it to the roof once their kit had been sorted. The servants had brought up the soup for them. It was not a filling meal, it felt wrong that this may be the last thing that was eaten before a final battle. But it was warm and they would need that part to stave off the night. She had made it very clear that alcohol would not be allowed tonight. They could drink if they survived, but various snacks and dried meats were brought up from the stores. They would not need it for winter after all. They had watched from the rooftops for hours and hours, and darkness was starting to fall. ¡®Come on you bastard, show yourself, do you need the night behind you as well? Damn darklings, this better make it into the history books,¡¯ she cursed to herself as she kept staring into the darkening night sky. The cloud cover was thick yet dry. Ideal for concealing high-flyers. She knew full well their chances were much lower at night against darklings. But it would seem Rashan wasn¡¯t overconfident enough to give them that advantage. Hopefully his thralls would find navigating the darkness difficult. One could only hope it would force them below the clouds to stay in formation and on course. ¡®If they don¡¯t the plan will not work. They may even slip past Tanaruk.¡¯ __________________________________________________________________________________ ¡°So what is this Furlong place?¡± Fanto questioned as they jogged to the northern hangar. They would investigate these strange reports. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but we best check up on all this. It sounds like a feud which has escalated to baseless accusations, but they are very serious accusations nonetheless,¡± Nunuk answered as she glanced around, trying to discern just who were being sent and how many. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be so sure, if my memory serves these Furlongs have fought well in many battles for the crown. They are, however, well known for being troublesome, you see. But I do not ever think I have heard of them using subterfuge or acting cowardly. In fact, I remember this one tale of a young huntress of theirs who once challenged a black dragon to single combat for insulting her fashion sense¡­ she didn¡¯t win, of course, but still.¡± ¡°I see. Well, I suppose we shall soon learn if these darklings are imaginary or not,¡± Fanto added, sounding just a touch excited. ¡°That we shall Fanto. That we shall. I believe we intend on flying through the night. We may then spend the morn either listening to their apologies or being celebrated for coming to their aid. Either way should be a fine day.¡± ¡°Quite the plan you got there mum. Sounds good.¡± __________________________________________________________________________________ As the night wore on the sounds of snores had started to echo from the cold windy rooftop. The fires were tended for warmth, but the post could not be abandoned, not on Tora¡¯s watch. But as the hours wore on she too had succumbed to sleep. It was no kind sleep. Tormented with visions, of battles fought, and battles to come. Rashan the red prominent throughout. There could be no mistake. The dragon was coming. And by the gods they would give him a fine welcome. Tora could almost feel a smile forming on her face as she thought of the look of horror on that wyrm''s face. If this was the end, she would be taking that overgrown waste of scales with her. And she had just the tool for the job, her mother¡¯s lance and her satchel. Her reverie was broken by shouts and a pair of hands shaking her awake, coming to in confusion she glanced around as Captain Chenglu shouted at her. ¡°He is here! Quickly, quickly!¡± She scrambled to her feet peering into the darkness. To the north a bright red light was glowing in the night sky, and in front of it a black silhouette was getting nearer. ¡°He has made it past the treeline, there is still time. Douse the fires!¡± Chenglu commanded as Tora got to her senses. The dragonettes on the roof were already jumping off the sides into the air and beating skywards. Tora grabbed her lance and scrambled for the edge, checking her satchel one last time before she leaped into the fray. ¡®All still there. Very good.¡¯ Glancing to Chenglu, he too had three flares strapped across his chest. If darklings could go blind, they would find out tonight. They had all headed for the clouds as quickly as they could, and with mighty beats of effort Tora pushed herself into the lead of the formation. She was an excellent flier. As a gilded huntress and first in line to the Lady, nothing less was acceptable. Once at the head she bellowed back. ¡°Form on leader,¡± the order echoed back through the climbing rabble. They did not have time for their original plan. There would be no proper formations or waves of attack. Looking down at her army, the far off red flare made it all but glow in the night even this far away. ¡®Why did we not have some dim ones?¡¯ she cursed, knowing full well it was a blessing that they even had flares that worked. A gratuitous luxury in these times. In the end, it would not matter. They all knew their mission; kill the dragon, then retreat to the keep for now. It must be done, element of surprise or not. As they climbed she anxiously watched the dragon as it carried on towards the keep, flying straight towards the hilltop. He was perfectly open. ¡®You think you will get your one run at us. I say different,¡¯ Tora cursed to herself, heart pounding as she leveled out the formation, pushing on forwards into a perfect position for a diving attack. They had no more time for altitude, they would not reach the clouds. It would not matter. Letting silence reign for but a moment, she drew her breath and shrieked as she rolled over onto her back, lance couched as she pulled up into her dive, the others following the sounds and acting in kind. She knew the maneuver by feel, she let herself plummet, wings tucked as she gained speed, streaking silently through the night. A dozen fliers behind her coming down as a cloud rather than a line and one target in front of her. ¡®Come on you stupid girl. Hit. Hit the bastard!¡¯ Rashan flew onwards, either unbothered or unaware of the dragonettes hurtling towards him. Something was off, he was no idiot. He knew they saw him coming, he had to know they would not let him reach the keep. Perhaps he thought them a beaten force? They had fled their last battle without any true opposition. Behind her flares were fired to either flank, lighting up the dark silhouette bright as day, the massive beast of 40 tonnes at least, did nothing. Then without a sound the dragon simply vanished, as if nothing had ever been there. Only the ground beyond. ¡®Did he turn invisible?!¡¯ Then Tora¡¯s heart sank at the sound of the massive, familiar roar. Behind them. __________________________________________________________________________________ The final number setting out from fortress Dana had come to a mere 3 dragons, two young greens and a middling red at the lead. Less than Nunuk would have liked to see considering the reports from the island, but still a force which should see off a darkling raiding force with little trouble. They were traveling with one of the greens, a charming young lad by the name of Quera. He was a keep-dweller himself from further in near the city, so they had plenty to talk about to while away the hours. Nunuk had taken a few stints flying by herself of course, it would not do to have Apuma give up the comfortable spot after all. He would need to stay on his wings in case battle was joined after all so the dragon may do his job. As morning broke, the light shining from the horizon behind them lit up the majestic flying island ahead of them. It was far above them too however, its craggy grey underside clearly visible in the morning sun, dew making it glint and shine back at them. There was some cursing as all realized the long climb needed to match heights. But the ocean below was an excellent motivator, and it was an awe-inspiring sight. Two hours of steady advance and climb later, the winds carried them over the edge of the island as if to welcome them to the green paradise contrasting against the receding blue hell behind them. Landmarks were found and maps were studied as they turned for the nearest keep on the island, which just so happened to be this troublesome Furlong place. It would be interesting to hear what they had to say for themselves to be sure. As hills and trees slid away beneath them, Nunuk took the time to appreciate the landscape. It wasn¡¯t every day you got to see a new island, and it was always said that every last one was truly unique. This far north, there were even a few needle trees to be seen here and there, something they would never find at home. ¡°Smoke ahead!¡± Quera called out. Looking ahead the dragon was indeed right. They must have found their target. A very successful journey all things considered. ¡°There is an awful lot of it isn¡¯t there?¡± Attention sharpened, looking at the rising column of smoke in the distance. On closer inspection, it seemed to be much further away than might first have been guessed. Which would make it a truly calamitous amount of smoke. ¡°The Furlongs aren¡¯t miners or something like that, right Apuma!?¡± Fanto shouted, flying in close to the green dragon. ¡°No no, warriors and hunters, I am certain of it!¡± ¡°Quera, what speed you can manage,¡± Nunuk decreed, putting on her helmet. She had no command over the dragon, but it had been very clear she knew more about the matter of war than he did. And he obeyed well enough. His surely already tired wings redoubled their efforts towards the pillar of smoke. Any keep-dweller knew what those often meant. __________________________________________________________________________________ ¡°The fire is burning down through the stories. We do not have long here,¡± Shiva noted with resignation. It was over. She was only walking with the help of a crutch. Tora and nearly all those still able had been lost to the deception. Rashan had gotten his reinforcements. Or perhaps they had been here all along. A witch. Maybe even more than one. It was the only explanation for the illusion spell. It also meant that their friends, her very own sister, would likely soon be coming back to fight them. And darklings remembered their past. Tora knew their tactics, she knew the corridors. All the hiding holes and secret traps. It was over. ¡°We cannot leave either, we would be cut down as deer at a hunt!¡± Naran broke out, evidently holding back tears as he clutched their young boy in his arms. Jacky was clinging to Shiva¡¯s remaining leg in terror. ¡°Then what do you prefer, young man? Wait till the flames reach the basement, or follow my mother¡¯s teachings one last time?¡± ¡°The flames¡­ they cannot bring back a pile of ash. I will wait for the flames,¡± he responded after but a moment¡¯s thought, clutching their boy even tighter. Shiva could feel Jacky tighten her grip as well, though she didn¡¯t make a sound. ¡°Very well, then we wait. I doubt Rashan will let us all be lost to the flames anyway,¡± she sighed, looking to the door leading to the outside. They had a pair of such doors, one right after the other. thick oak with metal bracings. They would hold for some time should someone attempt to get inside. And they still had the vats of oil above ready to pour onto anyone attempting the door. Of course, Tora knew that. ¡°No! I will not sit here and wait for them to come for us.¡± ¡°Naran¡­¡± Shiva wanted to object, but what was there to object to? If he wanted to die on his own terms, she couldn¡¯t blame him. ¡°Right. I will stay at the door. If I am lucky they will be dumb enough to try it. Darklings don¡¯t come back from the dead.¡± ¡°No don-¡± ¡°You go. I am not moving.¡± It was evident he wanted to object, to plead with her to not be stupid, but he didn¡¯t. Instead, he turned to the rest of those huddling away from the smoke. ¡°If we stay the smoke will take us, the fire may never reach us. We only have one chance to not be turned! To make it to the gates¡­ please. We have to go up.¡± Shiva turned to look at everyone here. Servants, mothers, fathers, children. All either too wounded, too young, or too old to fight. He was right. She was the last living Furlong now able to hold a blade, and the others could not fight, there was no point in staying. ¡°He is right! Outside you will get the blade, here you will choke to death. Run into the flames. Keep a knife with you to cut it short. You will suffer less.¡± There were tears in her eyes as she laid it bare for them all. No one moved, some stared at her or Naran, others huddled closer to each other. She couldn¡¯t bear to look at them. The people she was responsible for, and what she had to ask of them. They wouldn¡¯t go by themselves though. ¡°I order you! I-I I order you to do it. Go into the fire. It is the only chance left!¡± she shouted at them as the tears won out. Naran looking back at her, clutching Toril, their boy, their sweet baby boy. ¡°I ORDER YOU TO GO. NOW! I will cut down any who delay. There is nothing for you here!¡± On her crutch she hobbled over to the battle axe she had once swung with grace, picking it up and letting the crutch fall away as dragonettes started to get up, fear and horror in their eyes. ¡°In the name of the great god Tula. I swear it.¡± Jacky pushed her head into her leg as she to started to sob. ¡°I won¡¯t leave you, I won¡¯t leave you! I won¡¯t! I won¡¯t! I won¡¯t!¡± People started to get up, the sound of crying and sobbing filling the room as one by one they made for the stairs. Naran crouched down in front of Jacky as Shiva stood firm. What else could she do? The tears were rolling down her face as she stared down friends and even family as they glanced back at her, filing out. Some gave her a nod of recognition, a final goodbye, others refused to even look at her. ¡°Heeey. Jacky. Come now, Mum has to do this. And we have to do something else. Okay?¡± ¡°I WON¡¯T LEAVE HER!¡± Jacky screamed out the top of her lungs, refusing to let go, claws digging into her mother''s leg. ¡°I WILL NEVER LEAVE HER!¡± ¡°Listen now,¡± Naran went, Shiva¡¯s husband, the man she had loved for over 30 years. ¡°I WON¡¯T! WHY WON¡¯T YOU GET IT!¡± ¡°Jacky list-¡± ¡°It is okay,¡± Shiva forced out through gritted teeth. ¡°She can stay.¡± ¡°Are yo-¡± ¡°She can stay,¡± Shiva repeated, looking down at her crouching husband. ¡°Go. We will be fine.¡± He rose back up to his feet before giving her a nuzzle, his one free hand wrapping around the back of her head to hold her close one last time. ¡°I love you.¡± ¡°I love you too.¡± __________________________________________________________________________________ ¡°Interceptors coming up! Darklings, lancers with them!¡± Nunuk called out from her perch at the dragon''s neck, peering down at the developing battle. ¡°He is running!¡± They were bringing their whole formation down on the back of the red dragon. They had caught him sitting pretty outside the keep, likely waiting for his minions to do his job for him. A red dragon next to a burning keep with darklings flying around could mean only one thing. And as they dived it became blindingly obvious just how real the Furlongs¡¯ pleas had been. The red was a venerable beast, and who knew what tricks he may possess, allied with the dark as he was. They would take no chances with him. ¡°Slow down, Quera! We shall clear the way. Do not show quarter!¡± Nunuk shouted out, her final words of advice as she disembarked to join the diving dragonettes heading for the deck. They had the element of surprise, the darklings taking off from the field in front of the keep rising to meet them. Glancing behind her, she saw Fanto and Kokashi forming a V behind her. She smiled back at them. She knew Fanto had dreamed of this. He loved all her stories from when she was younger. Finally, he would have his own. She just hoped it was not too late for the Furlongs and whoever else had sought refuge in the blazing keep. ¡®Here we go then.¡¯ She drew her blade and calmed her mind. Few expected a talon blade as it phased through their parry, especially in a split-second flyby. And her armor would see her through this day, like it had done so many times before. A moment of stillness, of howling wind, then the pass. They picked their targets, she spied the glint of a golden crown and maneuvered to take them on. That one might be dangerous, best she handle them. She juked to the side of the darkling, it was a beast of a woman who came by in a flash carrying a lance, a poor choice of weapon for fighting a dragonette. She was easily a head taller than Nunuk, if not two. But her bulk made her slow and her weapon even more so. Nunuk dragged her blade along the darkling¡¯s flank, drawing blood and eliciting a scream from the monster as it tried to pull away from the lady. Nunuk smiled, looking back ahead to check for more targets. Then there was an explosion, she snapped her head around to look behind her, seeing only Kokashi, staring in horror at the puff of smoke and crackle of lightning where Fanto had been but a moment before. ¡°FANTO!¡± __________________________________________________________________________________ Shiva sat on the bench she had dragged over in front of the door, head in her hands crying. Jacky trying her best to console her, blessed be her heart. The screams from above, the horror, then the silence. And now the smoke was growing thicker. Soon it would be too much to bear. She would have to use the fire bomb she had left. Jacky didn¡¯t need to know. She had faced enough horror for a lifetime tonight. Her ear twitched, was it a trick? Or had someone landed outside the doors? She snapped her head around to look at the sturdy oak and steel. Tears receding, grip on her axe tightening. ¡°What is it mum?¡± Jacky questioned, looking up, scared to the bone. Shiva listened intently, both ears front. There was someone out there. ¡°We are not alone.¡± With a grunt of effort she rose to her feet, rolling her shoulders one last time as she leaned on the axe, glancing to the rope which would see the intruder bathed in burning oil. All she need to do was cut it. She had to wait. She needed to get as many as possible. Then a series of knocks. Shiva stiffened, staring at the door. Then a shout muted and muffled by the stone and wood. ¡°Anyone in there! I am Lady Bizmati, open at once!¡± ¡°NEVER! WE KNOW YOUR TRICKS!¡± Shiva roared back in defiance, Jacky hiding behind her. ¡°There are no tricks! Are there any more of those bastards in there! I wanna kill them myself!¡± ¡°All you will find here is Furlong steel!¡± Shiva retorted, not backing down, instead moving closer to the rope and readying her axe. ¡°THEY KILLED MY SON! I WANT EVERY LAST ONE LEFT, AND I WANT THEM NOW!¡± came the screaming reply. She sounded manic. A mother in grief. A sound Shiva knew all too well. She didn¡¯t want to believe. She couldn¡¯t believe. That would mean that. That they didn¡¯t. The screams, the flames. Her baby boy. She had told them. Ordered them to do it. It could not be. ¡°OPEN THIS DOOR AT ONCE OR I SHALL GAS YOU ALL OUT!¡± Shiva hobbled over to the lever, and with a pull the stones swung free and the heavy doors parted open. She prayed it was a trick. That she would see a witch, or some other foul creature. As light peered into the smoky room she stood and watched in horror. ¡°About time where are-¡± Out of the smoke came a small-ish woman. Wearing fine shining armor. Covered in blood, and bits of black. Fire and fury in her eyes. And Shiva dropped the axe. ¡°No¡­¡± Fourth Anniversary Special
On a windswept day long, long ago. Before, the skies would know the gilded heraldry of the royal guard, the Authority of the crown, the prying of the inquisition, or even the blight of the darkling. A bitter war was fought, the first war in the heavens. The first war of heaven and hell. __________________________________________________________________________________ ¡°How long ¡¯til arrival?¡± Captain Kalsteri asked over his shoulder towards the young runner who had been bringing them updates from Colonel Tajhin and his command staff. The young lad held a polished gold timepiece, likely a magical one. He came from money after all. ¡°15 minutes left. Reported speed 45 minutes ago was 85 knots at a range of 110 kilometers.¡± ¡°We should be seeing them any minute then. Right lads and ladies, you all ready?¡± the captain called out, turning back from his little peephole through their cover. He and his squad were laying in ambush, waiting for a convoy of those damn Thatchi. It was supposedly returning from Lavernor, the fellow city-state to their east, loaded down with spoils of war. Supplies, gold, and of course slaves. The plan was a simple one: ambush the convoy as it passed under the island of Nisandel. The fish always stuck under islands. The damn things were born in the shade and would rather stay there. Sadly for Kalsteri and his fellow dragons and dragonettes alike, those damn Thatchi didn¡¯t seem content with whatever foul creatures they could find in the depths of hell, and so they went hunting the noble skies for all that they could find. They had been fighting for years now. Cities burned to ash, islands wiped of life, and fortresses cracked like tasty nuts. But they had learned. The steel monsters of the Thatchi were not invincible, nor were they untamable. Their home, the citystate of Nisandel, had an ace up their sleeve: a captured vessel of Thatchi design. The frigate Kunanu as they had renamed her. And they had squads of soldiers such as his own. The boarding squad as they had come to be known. Trained and equipped to open those steel monsters to the world and ruin the delicate machinery which made them tick. ¡°We uncorking then, boss?¡± Corporal Klar questioned, holding the precious bottle at the ready. ¡°No, you leave that stuff for a touchdown on deck, you hear me? And you pray you have a stronger throat than most,¡± Kalsteri answered in no uncertain manner. The potion of white fire breathing was yet another weapon developed for fighting the Thatchi. The effect was undeniable, but there were risks inherent in pushing the limits of magic. He himself knew them well. His armor may well survive any punishment, but he would not. Impact mitigation, adamantium outer skin, strength enhancements, frost powder cooling. Even the air he breathed could be filtered to fight in toxic gas, and the power of the forests flowed through his very veins, his own magics boosted far beyond anything he could ever train to achieve. His whole squad was equipped in a similar fashion. The expense was exorbitant. Mithril plating, adamantine weaponry, firebombs, potions. Corporals Ulrik and Nakanien wore lacewing armor and carried Thatchi-designed weaponry, stolen and modified following years of war. They could kill from a distance without ever being seen. Today they would serve as lookouts, never landing, only watching and talking with Kalsteri and the rest of the squad through their helmets. They were well-trained, some of them were even experienced. Today was the day they proved their mettle. ¡°We¡¯re good, boss. We¡¯ve been waiting for hours already, just say the word.¡± ¡°Very well. Ready at a moment''s notice, we may not spot the enemy from here,¡± Kalsteri ordered as he went back to peeking out his little slit. His and 6 other boarding squads were all hiding spread along the island, a wing of dragons as well as their lone frigate lying in wait on the upper side of the island. If the Thatchi decided to pass above them, they would be completely exposed, but all they had to do was stick to their habits, the arrogant bastards. Thinking they could conquer the sky with nothing but steam and metal. They would show them. Oooh, how they would show them. The wait only grew worse and worse as the runner called out, 10 minutes¡­ 5 minutes¡­ 0¡­ plus 5. They waited, reciting prayers to the gods above for strength and protection. The plan would work, of course it would work. The Thatchi never deviated from their set course. They were unrelenting in their advance. As they all waited for the plus 10 call out, Klar spoke up again. ¡°Sir, have you tried calling to hear if anyone topside has seen something?¡± It was Kalsteri who had the only line that could talk outside of their unit. ¡°No, they would inform us if they had,¡± he replied simply. Of course they would. If that had happened, they would be screaming for whatever reinforcements they could muster immediately. Then he heard a crackle in his ear. ¡°Target sighted bearing 076.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve got them,¡± the captain called out as he drew a sharp breath. ¡°Final checks.¡± Behind him bottles were uncorked and downed, all save the volatile concoction Klar and Gerlin were carrying. Potions of enhanced strength. Kalsteri himself opened the top half of his helmet just enough that he could slip in the single white and glittery pill. Its contents were too much of an expense to suffer for even a unit such as his. This was a personal expense. Powdered unicorn horn. His eyes narrowed as he felt his heart start to race. The rest of his squad would have to make do with sugars and potions, but he would have pure power coursing through him. ¡°Remove safeties.¡± The clicks of metal rang out as everyone pulled the safety pins on the bombs strapped to their hips and chest rigs. They would serve double duty today, both as an initial salvo to hopefully clear the enemy decks and as ballast to quicken their dives. Everyone sat tense as he watched their targets finally come into view, his helmet crackling again. ¡°Wait¡­ wait¡­ we want to come down on top of them. Course is looking good.¡± ¡®Accurate to a fault,¡¯ Kalsteri mused to himself as finally the order came. ¡°CHARGE!¡± He stepped forward, a hand placed against the top of their hide as he flung it open and threw himself head first out over the edge and into the vertical dive, wings hammering for the first few seconds to get up to speed. Behind him, his squad scrambled to follow. It was now or never. They had to beat the guns to make deckfall. On the vessels below, alarms and horns soon started blaring, those sickening creatures scrambling around on decks to ready their light guns. The convoy numbered 18 ships in total, but only 4 escorts. Those were their targets. Board and incapacitate, allowing the dragons and Kunanu to deal with the freighters and slave ships. 4 targets, and only 8 boarding squads, backed up by regular units armed with anything from lances to bows and arrows to stolen Thatchi weapons. He had seen one crazed noble this morning sporting nothing but a dagger and a bomb the size of his torso, clearly of Thatchi make. The only other formations present anyone expected great things from were the paladins of Tula and Kalador. Their targets: the slave ships. Kalsteri had fought alongside paladins before. They would fight to the death, every last one of them, and imbued with the power of the gods themselves they were fierce. Once he had seen one eat through solid steel and walk through scalding steam as if it were nothing. Such blessings were only for those of the cloth. But still, Kalsteri muttered his prayers as they dived. To Tula, to Kalador, to Norik, and to Ishan. Below he was certain the Thatchi were doing the same, beseeching their dark gods for aid. It should not be scoffed at, since they received their boons as often as did the people of the skies. Many a blade had been pushed aside by a heartfelt prayer. Many an enchantment rendered useless. As the batteries opened up and time began to slow, his magic kicked in. He prayed to Oleg that his divine artifice may not smite him or fail him this day. It was all or nothing, no retreat, no surrender. Into the skies, to victory or die. The hail of bullets screamed skywards, several impacting the island behind and above them. The Thatchi didn¡¯t have the range yet, and with enough speed they would never get it. Twin-linked pintle guns spit hundreds of rounds per minute as the dragonettes ducked and dived through the hail of fire. Behind him he heard hits made, but one did not look back. Only forward, trying to predict the next bit of clear airspace. With time creeping on at a snail''s pace, he could see the projectiles coming in, one by one. Dancing around them as he led the way, diving faster and faster. Columns of black smoke and fire spewed from the stacks as the vessels ordered every revolution they could and started to dive away from the threat. Normally trying to out dive a steel coffin built for the oceans below was a fool''s errand. But today they knew better. The transports, they had captured some of them far up north. And the news was honey to their ears. The artificers of the fortress city of Elthlon had divined that their boilers could not survive such a maneuver. Kalsteri did not know why; what he knew was that the escorts could not abandon their charges, they would not. Hence the dives would be mild, simply for show. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. They carried on their harrowing dive, getting closer and closer as Kalsteri¡¯s helmet blared again and again, reports of casualties rolling in. He paid them no mind and pushed forwards. ¡°RELEASE!¡± he roared out with the channel open as he ripped the leather cord holding the rack of bomblets strewn across his chest. The 4 oblong finned devices fell away as he flared his wings just enough to open the range that he would not blow himself to pieces. Behind him the others all did similarly, and below the Thatchi faced a choice. Stay and take advantage of the vulnerable dragonettes, or flee in the hopes of surviving the incoming barrage. Most fled. As the guns fell silent, bombs rained down. And with flashes of heat the bomblets impacted and detonated. He watched the fireballs grow like angry spots on the ship, shrapnel clearing the decks of any who had stood their ground. With practiced precision, he alighted upon the deck, limbs sluggish as they strained to keep up with his slowed perception of time. Around him more came down. Not all, but enough. There was enough of them here to do their job. Drawing his sword, he led the way, rehearsing in his head, ¡®Hideki class light cruiser. Enter behind the second funnel. Down 2 levels, turn right, forward 4 doors, and take 5th on your right.¡¯ He knew these vessels. They had practiced with mockups and models many times before. Above, Ulrik and Nakanien started to circle the ruined decks, their armor blending into the skies above and making hitting them in the chaos a near impossible task. Yet they drew fire and attention. Charging across the deck to the door, shield held in front of him, he watched a Thatchi infantryman standing upon deck, his side bespeckled with green blood and in his hands a rifle powered by the signature bulky backpack. He braced as the enemy soldier fired the solid lead round. It sailed through the air slow enough that he could track it. Pinching his eyes shut, it impacted the enchanted shield and he could feel the breath leave him for a moment as his limbs grew heavier. Above him, Ulrik fired and he did not miss either, the captain watching as the Thatchi¡¯s chest was ripped apart in slow motion. The fish people never wore armor, only those hideous black shiny suits. A mistake they would pay dearly for. They reached the door, a solid steel bulkhead closed and latched from the inside. It refused to budge as Kalsteri tried and failed to turn the handle ¡°Klar!¡± he called out, taking a step back. The young corporal ran up beside him holding the glowing bottle of yellow and white as Tilur and Rentan took up stations either side of the door. Only now did he notice that the man was missing an arm and part of his tail, though he seemed to not even notice. ¡®By the power of the brewmasters,¡¯ Kalsteri thought to himself as the young man downed his second sizable potion of the day. To do so was by no means advised, but neither was charging through hails of fire designed to bring you down. The young man stomached the potion and they could feel as well as see the heat radiating off him as he opened his maw and spit white-hot fire at the locked and barred door. The metal melted away in mere moments under the onslaught. And with the spray the young man screamed as the smell of burning flesh filled the air. Kalsteri''s shoulders drooped, another faulty bottle. The fire carried on erupting, burning and cooking the young man alive in his armor. The mithril glowed bright as fire started licking out of every chink and hole, his eyes popping like grapes and leaving nothing but empty holes as he fell to his knees. The armor, now his coffin, held him up like an empty husk. They spared but a moment to stare. Someone uttered a prayer over the shared channel before Kalsteri ordered, ¡°Grenade.¡± Tilur answered by quickly leaning around the hole and tossing in a breaching bomb. The potent mixture of flash, well-aged blitz, and other magical concoctions was designed to kill, maim, and disorient. With a flash of heat and a crack of thunder the corridor was lit up for Kalsteri to see, and the otherworldly screams of Thatchi spurred him on. ¡°Advance!¡± he ordered, pushing the young man''s corpse aside as he entered through the hole, molten metal dripping onto his armor as he went inside. The stairwell was filled with smoke and dark as pitch. He reached for his helmet and soon everything was bright once more, and the air he breathed was clean and crisp. There were Thatchi lying on the floor, some coughing for air, others moving to brandish weapons. Time slowed once more as he rushed forward, the blade flashing straight through parries and carving heads from torsos in perfect strike after perfect strike. Diving down he rushed through the disoriented defenders. Behind him he heard armored footsteps descend and what survivors he had missed met their end. From the bottom of the stairs two more Thatchi barged in, raising weapons and fired in a rush. one was caught on the shield, the other hit Kalsteri in the shoulder. He grunted in pain as the enchantments flared. The armor didn¡¯t hold. He felt his right arm grow limp, bone cracking in his shoulder. No retreat, no surrender. He charged the two abyssal creatures, bashing one aside with his shield as he threw himself at the one who had hit his target, jaws open. The Thatchi screamed, holding up his arms to defend himself, but the puny creature was no match for him. He carried the blessing of the gods, the very power of the land was flowing through his veins, and his armor granted strength most could only dream of. He bit down on the screaming creature of darkness, death, and conquest, clamping down until it went limp under him. The rest of his squad rushed by him as he moved to pin down the other creature of the deep, looking to get a second bite. As he lifted back his shield to get at the disgusting creature, green blood already burning in his throat, the smaller fishlike amphibian creature didn¡¯t meet him with fear or a useless attempt to surrender. Its face was stern. Determined. And in its hand was a far smaller weapon. Kalsteri had seen one before, it was a pistol¡­ as only his soul would know. __________________________________________________________________________________ ¡°Move it move it move it! 5th door on the right!¡± Tilur called out to the others. He did not know how many remained, but if they succeeded their deaths would not be in vain. The escorts had to be destroyed, else their torpedoes and heavy guns would decimate the wings of dragons and their own captured vessel. They did not have the manpower to capture this cruiser, but maybe they had enough to put it down for good. ¡°Here it is!¡± Gerlin called out, the powerfully built male kicking in a bulkhead door after opening the dogs. ¡®We are still ahead of them, perfect,¡¯ Tilur thought to himself as they charged inside. It was a slaughter. Unprepared engineers and stokers picking up what tools they had to try and defend themselves, no soldiers to be seen. Behind them, Jako closed the door, remaining behind to bar it shut. He would buy them time. Gerlin and Tilur advanced deeper into the halls of machinery, cutting down everyone they saw as they went. Their target was further back, the central lift chamber and the precious vials within. Hundreds of dead dragonettes condensed down to nothing but blue sludge. Tilur would see the vials returned home for safekeeping, if they were all that made it out of this accursed vessel. Without them, the ship was doomed to fall out of the sky. Sadly the Thatchi knew well enough to not risk such vessels over land often where they could be salvaged for use against them, as they had the Kunanu. The vials were the reason the Thatchi were here. To harvest fuel for the precious flying contraptions that let them leave the depths of hell where they belonged. Soon enough they laid eyes on the unholy contraption. A maze of pipes, valves, and gauges, steam hissing as the pipes shook and creaked under the immense pressures being harnessed to keep the steel behemoth aloft. ¡°You wanna do the honors?¡± Tilur questioned as they both beheld the lift chamber. ¡°No, go ahead, and let¡¯s be out of here. We still got a shot at making it back out.¡± Gerlin replied, busy looking for any threat, still breathing. ¡°If you say so,¡± Tilur replied, less than certain. He would try to the last, but he was far from convinced he would ever see the sky again. Taking a moment to decipher the strange text written on the various valves and levers, he heard Gerlin turn and brandish his shield as a Thatchi engineer screamed out and charged at them. Tilur whipped his head around to witness the strange creature wielding nothing but a large wrench get run through with a longsword, a gurgling cough the last it ever spoke. ¡°Get on with it would you, they ain¡¯t gonna give up.¡± ¡°Right right. Uhm¡­ this one,¡± Tilur went, finally finding the right lever. ¡°Emergency pressure release.¡± Heaving on it, there was a deafening hiss of steam as they were both engulfed by the cold cloud, ice forming on their visors as the trio of gauges front and center fell to zero. The familiar feeling of weightlessness befell them as the vessel started dropping from the sky. Further down the hallway, a sundering explosion rang out, echoing through the machinery spaces again and again. ¡°They are through the door! Quickly!¡± Gerlin called out as Tilur dropped one of the racks of capsules out. The chamber held 12 of them in 2 banks of 6, each hooked up to the mess of pipes individually. Grabbing the first one, he pulled with all his might as the cold burned through his gauntleted hand, but it refused to budge. ¡°They won¡¯t come out! Ahrg! They''re frozen in place!¡± He bashed at it with his sword-hilt to no effect. The capsules were frozen solid into their mountings. ¡°What do we- ¡°Move!¡± Gerlin called out as Tilur turned to look, horrified to see his fellow soldier had uncorked his bottle of white fire as well. Behind him, four Thatchi were crawling along the wall, brandishing steam rifles. They dared not shoot out of fear of hitting their precious machine but they would be upon them in moments. Tilur froze, staring. They had to get the capsules. It was hundreds of souls, maybe thousands. They couldn¡¯t abandon them. As he stared, Gerlin did not hesitate a moment longer and drank his bottle, the Thatchi lunging at him as he did. They did their best to pin him to the ground, but he was stronger than they. His armor protected him from their stabbing blades, and the fire erupted from his maw. The white hot sparkling fire engulfed Tilur as well as the accursed machinery. Even his enchanted armor was no match for a fire which could melt stone. Tilur clawed at his face as the lens in his visor cracked and the metal plates fused to his body, burning him alive. The Thatchi desperately tried to close Gerlin''s mouth, their hands burning away as they tried. Then there was a sudden explosion as something burst. The monumental pressure of the cold steam was unleashed, erasing all life within the compartment in mere moments. __________________________________________________________________________________ ¡°Colonel Tajhin, the cruiser is sinking to the waves. The fighting aboard the remaining destroyer is reported as very fierce. It will likely not be able to take action.¡± ¡°Very well, notify Admiral Hideki. Kunanu is cleared to advance. Eliminate the destroyer, force the surrender of the transports. Dragon wings to seize the slave ships just as planned.¡± ¡°Yes, sir,¡± the orderly answered, running off to send the message to the admiral leading the second phase of the attack. ¡°A damn shame about those escorts. What we couldn¡¯t do with a few of those,¡± one of the lieutenants said wistfully as the red pieces were removed from the board. ¡°Right you are,¡± the general replied coldly. ¡°A terrible waste of both their strength and ours." ¡°Are you not worried they will learn from this defeat, General?¡± ¡°I am counting on it.¡± ¡°What in the gods'' names do you mean?... my apologies,¡± the young lieutenant burst out, quickly catching himself as he realized what he just did. Tajhin didn¡¯t even know how old the officer was, maybe 16 at most. It was to be expected. ¡°We need ships and we cannot build anything that can fight for the sky as they can. Thus we must take it instead. Hopefully, they will not let us dive upon them like this again. Send word to headquarters back in the city. Squads 3 thought 11 lost in action, performance acceptable, request replacements right away.¡± ¡°Of course, colonel, right away.¡± Honey Hunter All winter they had been freezing to the bone. Alaya had barely scraped through it. It took till summer until she shook her sickness. It wasn¡¯t as if they could ever afford to have a healer to care for them. Staying warm would always be cheaper and they couldn¡¯t even afford that. But this year would be different. Or so they had thought, spirits high as spring broke. And here they were. In the middle of summer and hardly a handful of coppers to their name. The same old jobs paying less than nothing, rent and even the cheapest of foods still eating through what little they did earn. They could not eat any cheaper. They were barely getting the meat you absolutely needed as it was. Eating only bread and porridge would see them just as sick as freezing in winter. Maybe they could find some cheap heaven oak bark and a kind healer to help put them to sleep. It was a nice thought, but about as likely as the king himself deciding you were his long lost cousin and in need of a castle. ¡®And what are the chances of that?¡¯ he sighed as he stared at the only decent luck he¡¯d seen in a month. A half full bottle of some sort of distilled alcohol. He wanted to take it to a tavern to enjoy but they would never let him keep it. So he had found a shielded corner and he just enjoyed the cheap and rough bottle of clear liquid. Maybe it was a cleaning liquid instead. He wouldn¡¯t be able to tell the difference. ¡®I just have to make some more money¡­ but how?¡¯ The jobs he had been able to find had been completely terrible. For years he had been able to make a little sweeping and cleaning the streets. Sometimes he got to collect ash and take it away but that was only when Talor was too sick to walk the rounds. ¡®There must be something else¡­ something harder¡­ less safe.¡¯ If it was easy it would be taken already. The city was drowning in able hands with nothing to do. He couldn¡¯t leave for a keep either and they would never take in his family as well. They would be more of a burden than he could ever carry for such a place. And it was not as if they would be struggling for candidates. ¡®Must make money, not any good at fighting, don¡¯t have any fancy equipment like those lazy rich pricks¡­ that leaves shitty work and dangerous work. And even the shitty work is gone¡­ ¡®Something dangerous then. Can¡¯t be a guard, or an escort¡­ Ain¡¯t no way I¡¯m turning mercenary, and I cannot go away for too long. I have to be back for winter with the money¡­ honey. I¡¯ll go get honey.¡¯ It even rimed with honey, it had to pay well. And who cares if you don¡¯t survive? He¡¯d just freeze to death in winter anyway. ¡®How do you even become a honey hunter?¡¯ he asked himself, glancing down at the bottle. He could have sworn that was a lot more full just a moment ago. No matter, he had a plan. It was going to work. And they would be able to eat a nice big tirox steak before turning in for the winter with the heating on and someone to stoke the fireplace. Yyeah. This was a great idea, he fucking had this. Let¡¯s go. ¡°You hey, Hi oh¡­ you there! Yes look at me, thank you. Where do you become a honey harvester?¡± ¡°Uhm¡­ are you quite sure?¡± ¡°Yes! Do I look like I haven¡¯t been thinking! I wanna go make money, lots and lots of money.¡± ¡°Yeah right¡­ well why don¡¯t you go check the landing fields. The season should be starting around now, I think. Surely someone wants an extra hand. ¡°Thank you stranger. I will go there. Thank you¡­ thank you,¡± Hano said to himself as he went off with a bottle to his name and a dream. He was going to be rich, or he was going to die trying, or whatever. - ¡°Really now? You wanna sign up for what exactly?¡± ¡°Whatever you need- hick- I don¡¯t give a fuck. As long as it pays.¡± ¡°And you can¡­ hold a spear?¡± ¡°Never had a spear. I can hold a stick just fine.¡± ¡°And are you drunk often?¡± ¡°Nope, first time in years. Can¡¯t afford to get drunk.¡± ¡°Your wings? Do they work?¡± ¡°Just fine. I¡¯ll get where you need me to go. I used to sweep the streets, you know.¡± ¡°Street sweeper. I see¡­¡± The woman at the little impromptu sign-up desk looked him up and down. ¡°Well why don¡¯t you just sign right here?¡± A piece of paper was slid forward a quill at the ready. This couldn¡¯t be easier. ¡°Right yes, one moment.¡± He grasped the feather, tip already wet. He did drip a bit on the strange parchment. He wasn¡¯t actually sure he¡¯d ever had to sign anything before. People just always put a scribble at the bottom of the page, that didn¡¯t seem hard. As gently as he could he put the tip to the page¡­ then did a wild flurry. He might have done a bit too much. If in doubt, fake confidence. ¡°There, when do we leave?¡± ¡°Tomorrow,¡± the woman replied, taking the page and having a look, furrowing her brow a little. ¡°Radi¡­ Radishkey?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°What is your name?¡± ¡°Oh Hano, hello,¡± he replied, sticking his hand out to shake. How rude of him. She took it gingerly and shook it looking up at him glancing at the page a few times before putting it down. ¡°Riiight¡­ Welcome aboard, Hano. I¡¯m sure we will make great use of you.¡± - ¡®Fuuuuuuuck¡­ oooh you done it this time Hano. Stupid fucking bottle, this was all its fault.¡¯ He didn¡¯t know where they were going, he didn¡¯t know what he was supposed to do when they got there. He¡¯d never even talked with someone who did this for a living before. He was going to die. He was absolutely going to die. But he¡¯d signed a contract to work the whole expedition and he would never in his wildest dreams be able to afford breaking it. He¡¯d fallen asleep against a tree on the landing field in his drunken stupor, and when he woke back up they were already going aloft. Two red dragons laden down with equipment and crew. He didn¡¯t know what half of it was and he had absolutely no clue who anyone was. The woman he signed with was nowhere to be found either. He hadn¡¯t even flown with a dragon for at least a decade. He had never been this far away from the city at all. It was all just¡­ a bit much. He had felt a knot of despair forming in his stomach as the edge of the island hovered into view. and the knot turned to terror as they did not stop. They were leaving the island. Where were they going? Then the dragons tilted into a shallow dive and Hano wanted to scream his lungs out. ¡®I am going to die. If I don¡¯t, my mum is going to kill me. I didn¡¯t even say goodbye. I¡­ shit¡­ they don¡¯t know where I am! They are gonna think I got stabbed in the back alley, aren¡¯t they? I¡¯m a really shit husband, aren¡¯t I? Why am I this stupid?!¡± - ¡°So take this. When we tell you to, you walk that way with us until we find the hive. When we do we will split out, then sit and wait for the signal, then run at it as fast as you can. Do not under any circumstance use your wings. Don¡¯t flap them, don¡¯t shuffle them, don¡¯t- just don¡¯t, okay?¡± the older gruff looking dragonette said to him. The man spoke with authority and that would do for Hano. ¡°O-okay,¡± he replied along with a quick nod, gingerly taking the odd-looking serrated spear. ¡°Cut off as much yellow sticky stuff as you can into that sack you got and run back as fast as you fucking can. Don¡¯t try to fly. I know it will be tempting but they can hear the wings. Just run until you are back here. Too slow, we leave you. Get stung, you''re dead. You get paid by the kilo. Gonna need at least half a kilo to cover your expenses.¡± ¡°Expenses?¡± Hano replied, bewildered. The man tilted his head a little as he looked at the rookie. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be joking, what did you just sign up completely drunk or what?¡± ¡°Y-yes.¡± ¡°Fucking hell¡­ right, you¡¯ve been flown here by dragon. They¡¯ve fed you, given you a place to sleep, all that right?¡± ¡°Y-yeah.¡± ¡°They didn¡¯t do that for free, they take the first half kilo you get, and half of everything after it. Gotta make sure you aren¡¯t a loss if you come back empty handed, you know? I take it you can¡¯t pay for that, can you?¡± ¡°I- I no.¡± Hano did not remember anything about that being on the contract. ¡°Well best get some then, else you wind up in debtors prison. Good luck. You¡¯re gonna need it I think.¡± ¡°Thanks¡­¡± Hano replied, an emptiness welling up inside him. He looked to the stick with the blade on the end. He supposed it was the closest thing to a proper spear he would ever hold. It wasn¡¯t even his. If he dropped it they would take it out of his pay they said. ¡°Oh and one trick. Have a little when you are in there. Just a little. It¡¯ll help you get back out ass un-punctured,¡± the older soldier added. ¡°But¡­ it¡¯s as expensive as silver isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Sure, probably the only chance you¡¯ll ever get to have some. So do it. At least you¡¯ll die having tried.¡± ¡°Right¡­ thanks. So uhm¡­ what¡¯s the signal?¡± ¡°Just¡­ just wait for us to start running man, okay. We¡¯re gonna smoke them out.¡± ¡°Smoke them out?¡± ¡°Smoke, big fires¡­ bugs don¡¯t like smoke, it makes them run away.¡± ¡°It does?¡± ¡°Dude¡­ The fuck are you doing here?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Right¡­ well okay then. So here''s what the plan is. That way around 2 kilometers, there is a biiig beehive we found from the skies. We¡¯ve been here many times before.¡± ¡°So you just go here and farm for honey?¡± ¡°Hunt, we are honey hunters, we hunt, okay? I¡¯m trying to be nice here. ¡± ¡°Sorry. So we smoke them out?¡± ¡°Yes, the others are building big fires. When the wind is right, the dragons will light the fires, maybe a bit of the forest too, and once the hives have been smoked out nicely we run in, grab whatever we can carry and run out.¡± ¡°I see. That sounds pretty straightforward,¡± Hano tried in false confidence, wishing for all the world it would just have been so complicated that he wouldn¡¯t understand. Maybe they would have let him stay back here then. ¡°Swordfighting is easy too, just stab the bastard. They won¡¯t stay away forever and as you run you might run right into them. Now there are two kinds of bees you need to care about. There¡¯s the worker bees. Small, fairly harmless. Just leave them alone and you will be fine. And warrior bees. Now, warriors are about this big,¡± the random man said, gesturing with his arms for something roughly the size of a 5 year old. ¡°They will kill you, don¡¯t bother trying to drop the honey, they will kill you anyway. Just run, as fast as you can. Maybe try to fend them off if you can, but more will be coming. If you stop, they will swarm you and that¡¯s that then. Killing one or two will only make them mad. Do it if you really have to, but if you do¡­ Well you¡¯ll earn a lot of new friends back here. Cause all them bees are gonna be coming for you now. So the others might make it away.¡± ¡°O-okay. T-thank you.¡± That sounded a lot like the sort of thing they would not have told him if they wanted him to die here. ¡®That¡¯s positive, good even, very good. They think you have a chance.¡¯ ¡°Once you make it back to the dragons try not to run through the fire, okay? Run around it. The honey is flammable and you¡¯ll probably have it all over yourself. It¡¯s a shitty way to die.¡± ¡°I know how fire works,¡± Hano tried, accompanied by a weak laugh. It didn¡¯t really work ¡°Could have fooled me lil shit. But yes, if you make it back to the dragons, stand your ground and fight. We stay for as long as we can, and when everyone is back or the hive sends a swarm we run like hell. The dragons are faster than the bees. So just hang on and don¡¯t fall off. okay?¡± Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡°Okay¡­ I think.¡± ¡°Kalador bless you. You¡¯re gonna fucking need it.¡± - ¡°Okay, so far so good. Just keep calm. One step at a time, don¡¯t make a noise. They are going to kill you,¡± Hano muttered to himself as he slowly stalked through the underbrush on foot. Thick, acrid smoke hung in the air from the fires behind them, the wind carrying the precious smoke onwards towards the hive. ¡°Shut up rookie.¡± ¡°Sorry.¡± The guy who had tried to shush him shot him a glare which Hano took to mean that the only reason he didn¡¯t get stabbed was the amount of noise he might make. ¡®It¡¯s okay. Don¡¯t die, Alaya will forgive you¡­ in a couple years. At least you¡¯ll live that long¡­ Paid by the kilo. Honey was worth its weight in silver¡­ What was it the contract said? Half if I can get a few kilos, that would have to be hundreds of silver¡­ How many silver in a kilo again? Maybe it would be thousands of silver? ¡®That would be enough to get us through this winter. Many more too if we''re careful. That would be amazing. We could get a healer for Alaya. Maybe I could even bribe someone to give me a proper job. Either way, we need the money. I¡¯m here now, just get a few kilos. Come on Hano you can do this.¡¯ Then a twig snapped over to his right, and he swung around the bladed spear leveled at the noise as his heart skipped a beat and he held his breath. Then he saw another dragonette stand up again brushing herself off and carrying on deeper indwards. Hano¡¯s knees went soft and he nearly fell where he stood. ¡®No I can¡¯t, I can¡¯t do any of this, I just wanna go back to collecting trash.¡¯ He could feel tears welling up, he couldn¡¯t cry either. The others would shut him up for good. Lips and hands quivering, he turned back ahead and carried on. Slow and steady, as quiet as he could. The smoke was stinging his eyes and he could not see more than a few dozen meters at most, even this far from the fire. Then he heard it. The Buzzing. It was deep and steady, menacing and alien yet¡­ it didn¡¯t sound angry or panicked. At least not yet. He had heard plenty of flies and other insects flying around in his time. The flies were unbearable on a hot summer''s day when you were shoveling shit. But those were a nuisance, these¡­ This buzzing. He could feel it just as much as he heard it. They kept on advancing, the buzzing growing louder, and much too quickly. As it did he could start making out all the different pitches. It wasn¡¯t a bee at all. It was hundreds, maybe thousands. Soon the one who had shushed him earlier set down into a crouch and stopped. Hano did as well, he didn¡¯t want to get even one step closer. ¡®I need to run into that? I- no, no way I can¡¯t do that. One sting is it, there are soo many.¡¯ They all simply sat and waited. He knew any moment the signal would come, whatever it was. He would just start running when the others did. As he waited he could hear the buzzing climb up into the sky. Looking up he even saw a few silhouettes above the tree cover, yellow and black banded monsters gliding unnaturally along on those strange vibrating wings. ¡®They are leaving. The smoke is driving them away. It¡¯s working,¡¯ he thought to himself, happy for the first time. Maybe it would all be fine. It wasn¡¯t that many bees, but surely most of them flew away from the fire rather than towards it. He would just stick close, do what the others did. He would be fine, it would all be just fine. Then he tensed, the hunter in front of him was holding his palm up, signaling to hold. He hadn¡¯t done that before. Were they about to start running? But the buzzing hadn¡¯t stopped? Then he dropped his hand, rose to his feet and started moving, not at a sprint but a low jog, moving as quietly as he could. Hano stood frozen for but a moment, watching in shock. ¡®But- they aren¡¯t gone yet,¡¯ he thought to himself before he thought back to his 5 minutes of training. ¡°If you¡¯re late we¡¯re going without you.¡± ¡°Shit!¡± he cursed under his breath, getting up and starting to run after the other hunter. Surely he knew what he was doing. The crunch crunch crunch as he trampled though the foliage betrayed that he himself did not. The hunter in front of him coming to a stop and turning around, leveling his spear at Hano. He didn¡¯t say anything, but his expression spoke volumes. ¡°I-¡± The man raised his spear as if to throw, clearly taking aim. Hano ducked his head trying to keep tears back, nodded and turned left a bit, towards where he had been told to go as they spread out. ¡®I-if he thinks I will get him killed what are my chances?¡¯ he all but sniveled as the seasoned hunter once more started stalking forwards at pace. If Hano ran back now he was going to be made a slave for gods knew how long. He had no idea how much he would owe if he didn¡¯t bring back at least half a kilo. ¡®I¡¯m better off dead then. They would all be gone by the time I get back out.¡¯ He tried to steel himself, but there was no point. With water welling in his eyes he set forth. He just ran. He was already behind and he had no idea how to move silently in the forest. So he just ran forwards, hoping the hive would at least be big and obvious. And it most certainly was. It was further away than he had thought, the buzzing growing ever louder. He couldn¡¯t just hear it now; he could feel it. His breath was already growing ragged. He was a street sweeper, not some racer. But there it was, towering up nearly as high as the beechtrees around him was a wall of brown and paper. Not a bee in sight, but he could hear them, feel them. Looking side to side the squat bulbous structure spread through the forest to either side as far as he could see through the brush. It had to be at least the size of the warden''s office further up the street. Unsure what to do he looked for any of the other hunters. Maybe a dozen meters to his right he saw one, busy with the blade on his spear, cutting a hole in the wall? Like he was sawing through a plank or something. Hano looked down at his spear then to the papery mass in front of him. He couldn¡¯t see any other path in, so through it was. He stepped forwards the last handful of paces. The entire hive was vibrating, the buzzing hum shutting out all else. Almost instinctively he laid a hand on the wall. It was soft and dry, just like a scrap of parchment. Pushing slightly, it gave, seeming almost flimsy. Looking down at his spear, he now knew what those barbs were far. They weren¡¯t barbs at all; it was a saw blade. Taking a step back and waiting for but a moment to say a prayer to Kalador for protection, he plunged the spear in and started sawing frantically. ¡®Be quick. Don¡¯t be greedy. Just be quick,¡¯ he repeated to himself. As he worked away the blade made quick work of whatever it was that made up the hive, and before long he had managed to make two vertical cuts and one across the top. Sticking the blade in from the side he pried, and the whole slab started to budge. With a crunch and crackle like dry autumn leaves it came free and fell to the ground. It was at least as thick as his waist, even if that was not saying much. Seemingly made out of hundreds of layers of parchment in strange looking patterns. Ppeering inside he froze. There it was. Sticky yellow stuff. He couldn¡¯t believe his eyes. Strange winding plates of, whatever it might be¡­ crawling with dozens if not hundreds of smaller bees, maybe the size of his hand or so. ¡®Workers,¡¯ he gulped, heart racing in his chest. ¡®It¡¯s okay, if you don¡¯t hurt them, they won¡¯t hurt you¡­ but I have to cut up their home.¡¯ Taking another half step back, reaching out the spear as far as he could manage holding it by the very end of the haft, he started trying to slowly ease away at a slab of the yellow stuff. Worker bees were still crawling all over it. It was slow and methodical work, but eeeever so slowly he managed to cut almost all the way across a slab, just a bit more and it should fall to the ground. ¡®Just a little bit more.¡¯ His heart was in his throat, attention set on the worker bees who did not yet see to mind much, though some of them were crawling all over the bit of wall he had cut away. ¡®I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to. Last bit,¡¯ With a quick movement he sliced through the last bit and the comb came free, tumbling down the others. Hano winced as he saw workers take flight to get clear, others were squashed when finally it reached the ground. He stood absolutely still, expecting his life to be over right then and there¡­ but nothing happened. The workers went about their crawling around seemingly unbothered. ¡®That¡­ okay.¡¯ Hano took his spear and as gently as he possibly could scraped the few workers left on the piece off. A few even clung to the metal as he tried to get them to let go inside the hive once more. They seemed so¡­ docile, and certainly not smart. With the comb cleared he flipped it over onto the grass away from the section of wall he had cut out removing yet more workers. It was a good size piece. He had no idea what it might weigh but it was quite a bit he thought. More than enough to not go to prison. As he leant down to pick it up, he heard a new sound. He had almost grown accustomed to the constant buzzing. Loud enough, he didn¡¯t even think he could shout over it. But this was different, the crunching of paper, the gnashing of jaws, the occasional spurts of a bassy buzz far far closer. Coming from inside. Something was coming, something big. ¡®Fuck!¡¯ He had what he needed, he was out of there. Kneeling down he scrambled to get the yellow stuff into his satchel. It was soft and sticky, honey leaking out of it as he grabbed it. The buzzing from inside grew louder, now the sound of jaws chewing through the soft sticky wax sending a shiver down Hano¡¯s spine as he slung the bag over his shoulder. He rose to his feet, watching in sheer horror as a bug-like head stuck its way out of the hole he had just carved. It didn¡¯t fit, it bumped against the sides of his hole, head turning as its massive jaws began chewing away to make room. It had no pupils or even proper eyes. Just two big black voids of nothingness. Death had come for him.Scrambling to his feet he had no thoughts other than just, ¡®Run.¡¯ Run as far and as fast as he possibly could. Sprinting across the open ground in a mad dash the world seemed to stand still as he willed himself to go faster. Trees and bushes raced past him in a blur, the buzzing growing and growing and growing. Louder and louder. All he could hear, his heartbeat and the buzzing of wings. He let his tears flow freely, it did not matter now. He was dead. One sting was all it would take. He just kept running as fast as he could. Soon his legs were burning like fire, lungs heaving for breath. He could not go on like this. But he remembered the advice of the older hunter earlier. ¡®Have some yourself.¡¯ Like a child he stuck his whole hand in his mouth trying to suck and lick it clean. He tasted blood too, but he did not care. The sweet taste unlike anything he had ever tried. So luxurious. Maybe the last good memory he would ever have. He finally spared a glance behind him, nothing but trees and bushes. Then. The warrior bee barreled through the branches, pushing them aside as if they were nothing. It was coming straight for him. Only the hand in his mouth kept him from screaming as he tried to run faster, not taking his eyes off it. It was futile, the warrior was barreling towards him like an unstoppable force. Taking the hand from his mouth he turned around bracing the speer, sharp end pointed at the beast. He could hardly see for tears at this point as he just prayed. The warrior flared revealing the stinger protruding from its abdomen. It was the length of Hano¡¯s forearm and he just shut his eyes. And with a mighty crash, the bee collided with the spear, the dumb insect not having sensed the danger as it impaled itself through the gut. They were both knocked to the ground, Hano screaming out, certain this was the end. But the stinger missed. Feeling no jolt of pain, Hano opened his eyes to the terrifying sight of the bee''s mandibles gnashing at him mere inches away from his face. He screamed anew, trying to push away from the bee as it tried to grab him with its six thin flailing limbs. One of them caught on his pants and he was wrenched to the side with the strength of a dragon. Hano managed to dig in his feet and kicked off with all the strength he could muster, the cloth ripping apart at the patches as he was freed. The satchel still over his shoulder, he ran once more. As fast as his legs could carry him. They would all be coming for him now, he had killed a warrior. His only chance was the dragons and their fire. He had to make it back, he had to. To his left he saw another hunter also running like the wind, sack over his shoulder laden with many times more honey than Hano had managed, spear still in hand. Hano did not care if they wanted to leave him. He wasn¡¯t going to let them, so he followed the other hunter. He had to know the way back. To Hano all this forest just looked the same. Together they ran and ran, the smoke getting thicker and thicker as behind him he could hear the whole hive come alive. Even so far away he could hear the angry buzzing. Far, far more terrifying than the drone from before. ¡®You can make it, just keep running, it¡¯s okay.¡¯ The burning in his legs was all but gone, he could breathe properly. ¡®It¡¯s working!¡¯ He ran and he ran but even honey did not last forever. Soon he could feel the burning return, his breathing growing ragged. ¡®Just a bit further, just a bit further.¡¯ He made it through the forest''s edge into the vast clearing they had used to prepare. The tall bonfires all but burnt down to the ground, thick white smoke still pouring from them, the two red dragons standing vigil eyes trained up on the skies. Hano spared a look behind him, panic setting in once more. Thousands of black dots were climbing into the skies, some close enough to see the yellow bands. He was by no means safe yet. ¡°MOVE ROOKIE!¡± he heard a dragon call out in front of him. Turning to look he saw an angry-looking red, head pulled back ready to spew fire looking right at him. ¡®The choke points!¡¯ He turned left as hard as he could, the dragon letting loose a torrent of flame but a moment later. The heat burned against his back as he made for the relative safety of the dragons and their crew. Other hunters were already there and more were coming running back one by one, ladened with honey. Hano stopped and stared at the skies, not sure how they were ever to escape so many. Looking around it seemed his concerns were shared. ¡°Fuck me, that¡¯s a lot of them.¡± ¡°It was a damn big hive.¡± ¡°Do we just leave the rest while we can?¡± ¡°It¡¯s only a few who ain¡¯t back yet.¡± ¡°Did someone kill a warrior or something?¡± Hano did not say anything. He had done everything he could, it wasn¡¯t his fault they hadn¡¯t taught him any better, or allowed him to come at all. ¡®I just wanna go home now, please.¡¯ ¡°We are getting surrounded. All aboard, we are leaving!¡± The woman who had made him sign called out, already atop one of the dragons¡¯ backs. Hano scrambled for the nearest one, clambering up the netting onto its side, hooping an arm in tight. He wasn¡¯t going to fall off. The dragon was breathing fire in a steady stream, setting the whole clearing alight, adding to the smoke and fire. Rising into the skies. But it was blowing towards the hive. The opposite direction of where they needed to go. ¡°Wait! Wait you fucking bastards!¡± It came from yet another hunter who was running back just as the red dragon Hano was desperately clutching turned away, tensing up before springing into a gallop. A few short bounds and they were airborne, wings beating away unlike what Hano had ever heard before from a dragon of this size. It almost sounded like the beat of a dragonette as they pulled away low and fast, just over the treetops. The trailing hunter took to the skies herself, trying to catch up. Beating for all she was worth, she managed to cling to the dragon¡¯s tail as it accelerated away. ¡°You fucking bastards! Torto is still back there!¡± ¡°And there he shall remain,¡± Tte dragon answered coldly. Hano watched the anger drain from the woman¡¯s face, replaced with apprehension as she turned to look over her shoulder. Back in the clearing a pair of white dots could be seen emerging from the treeline, possibly waving at them. The skies filled with dots above them as the bees closed in. Hano just stared, not sure what to think. He had made it¡­ by the tip of his tail, he had made it¡­ Some of the others had not. - ¡°So 40 silver for the lost spear, 100 silver in expenses, that leaves you with¡­ 43 silver to your name. Not bad for a first attempt.r¡± The man in front of him had been paid over 200 silver! ¡°T-thanks,¡± Hano replied solemnly as he received the pouch. It was more money than he had ever made before¡­ Yet it felt like so little, so very little indeed. ¡°Oh I¡¯m sorry, would you rather have some of it in gold? That would not be a problem.¡± ¡°No-no it¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll just take this.¡± 4 gold 3 silver¡­ more money than he¡¯d made this year so far¡­ less than a good job paid a month. But it had taken him less than a week. He could see why someone would do this and if he had gotten more... Looking up at the sun and feeling it baking against his skin he knew. He would never do it again. He would find a better job. Something that could pay for food and a place that didn¡¯t leak when it rained, and fuel to keep it warm in winter. He was still alive, through nothing but luck alone. If he could survive that, he could become a store clerk. Maybe a cook somewhere, or even a servant. He wouldn¡¯t mind that at all. Anything but honey hunting. He would hug his wife tighter than ever before. After he had stopped apologizing of course¡­ but for now, he needed a beer. - The tale of Hano, the veteran honey hunter¡¯s first hunt, as recounted by his comrades, acquaintances and family. Put to page by Sir Jiovani Gerelsino. He would go on to take part in 12 more expeditions before his luck finally ran dry, being eaten alive by a warrior bee 6 years later. The end. ¡°... My that was a rather grim one wasn¡¯t it, best keep that one for the older children,¡± Apuma grumbled, paging through to the next story in his new tome containing tales from the land and cities by Jiovani Gerelsino. ¡°Mighty bleak business, that honey stuff. Much rather be a beet farmer. Yes, quite¡­ Though I suppose it would not make for much of a story. Even with Tom involved.¡±