Dragon Alliance Dark Storm: Dark Storm

By J. Michael Flück

The Dragon Alliance Republic, the beacon of light and hope of freedom for the world, is now being threatened by dark clouds on its horizon. In Dark Storm, the second book in the Dragon Alliance series, the dragons and sorcerers of the Morgathian Empire on the offensive.
Mkel and his might gold dragon, Gallanth the most powerful rider and dragon in the Alliance are faced with both formidable challenges from the evil chromatic dragons as well as difficult decisions that could cost their lives and those of their soldiers. They must also be on guard as their adversary, the evil arch dragon Tiamat and her Talon Covenant, starts to execute their diabolical plan.
Meanwhile, a large-scale battle erupts in the fire giant lands as their huge army tries to invade the eastern border of the Alliance. The dragon riders, targeted by a secret order of assassins, must prepare to fight the deadliest threat the Alliance has since the Great War.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 25, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483654133

J. Michael Flück

J. Michael Flück has been serving in the US Army for twenty-four years, and with the 56th Stryker Brigade in Iraq. He lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with his wife and four children. This is the second book in his Dragon Alliance series.

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Dragon Alliance:

Dark Storm

J. Michael Flück

Copyright © 2013 by J. Michael Flück.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 06/12/2013

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CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter  I: Dragon Council

Chapter  II: Honors Day Games

Chapter  III: Dragon Race

Chapter  IV: Senate Gathering

Chapter  V: Ripple Before The Storm

Chapter  VI: Fire’s March

Chapter  VII: Extinguishing Dark Flame

Chapter  VIII: Silent Daggers, Retribution, And Provocation

Chapter  IX: Dark Storm

Chapter  X: Birth Of Light

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Prologue

It has been said that God created the heavens and the earth in seven days. Given the billions of stars and planets in the universe, this amazing planet, with its beauty and intricacy, cannot be the only such creation. On that premise, who is to say that the almighty Creator did not have other experiments—other worlds with slightly different variables in the mix but centered on the same central theme: mankind’s gift of life and the freedom of choice to do good or evil? According to Scriptures, the angels in heaven fought a brutal war over this principle, resulting in the fall of Lucifer. But what if this conflict was brought to the material world and the angels and demons took the form of various species of dragons and other assorted creatures that fought each other for the power to guide the human race? This story also attests the theory of God’s constant counterbalance of the dark side of our choices with the infinite good we can also serve. All of this action and counteraction to prod us on our way slowly toward the shining city on the hill is the ultimate chess game with a move to correct every wrong decision made.

On this world, this parallel earth, after the Creator directed the arch dragon Michenth to lead the dragons in blood bonding with humankind to help guide and protect them, the dragon queen, Tiamat, led a rebellion against her mate and thus the first Great Dragon War initiated. The five species of metallic dragons stood with Michenth, and with the enhanced power they derived from being bonded to their riders, along with the dragonstones they gave their riders to empower various weapons and magic wizards’ staffs; they defeated Tiamat and the chromatic dragons. She and her minions were banished to the lands far in the east.

Two thousand years then passed as the dragons and riders settled into their mountain fortresses, or weirs, of the western lands, and protected each of their thirteen provinces.

Jealous and hateful of the metallic dragons and their bonding with the inferior species of man, Tiamat and her chromatic dragons formed the Morgathian Empire, a magitocracy, ruled by her, her five of the strongest chromatic dragons of each of the five species and a group of powerful sorcerers known as the Talon Covenant. Once she had gathered enough dragons, she led them and a vast army across the unsettled lands to attack the metallics and their riders and those that they protected. This was to end the Creator’s mistake of bestowing the lesser species of man the gift of freedom and free will, and not under the rule of the dragons, specifically the chromatic dragons.

An astute and selfless group of men and women, to be known as the Founding Council had drawn together all thirteen of the provinces of the west under a binding document, known as the Articles of the Alliance. Thus the Dragon Alliance Republic was formed by the race of men, with the guidance and blessing of Michenth and the metallic dragons. The Alliance, a free nation, which would now serve as a beacon of light and hope of freedom in a time of impending darkness. The elf and dwarf kingdoms, which had protected the forests and mountains joined forces with the Alliance. They then all faced the onslaught of the Morgathian Empire and Tiamat in the plains of the unsettled lands at the culminating battle of the second Great Dragon War.

During this titanic fight, Michenth defeated Tiamat in a horrific contest. The arch dragon was then severely wounded and was only saved by the gold dragon Gallanth and his rider, Jmes, of Draden Weir. However, Gallanth’s rider was also killed by a treacherous act of a dark elf or drow. The powerful gold dragon launched a lone assault against the Morgathian and drow elf capital cities, and thus helped turn the tide against the chromatics and their Morgathian puppets, ending the war. The hallowed grounds of this momentous fight became known as Battle Point, and the place where a large trade city under the protection of the Alliance was built.

Several years pass, and the gold dragon Gallanth was then bonded to his former rider’s son, Mkel. A naturally intended pair, they quickly became the most powerful dragon and rider in all the Alliance. They commanded Draden Weir, one of the thirteen mountain fortresses that defended the republic. Draden was situated on the eastern border of the Alliance astride the only break in the Gray Mountains that separated the republic from the unsettled lands and wild kingdoms of the Kaskar peoples. In the recent months dark forces had started to move as the Dragon Alliance Republic was slowly awakening to the dark storm on its horizon.

The Draden Weir leader and gold dragonrider Mkel had a vivid and frightening dragon-induced dream of the last horrendous war fought against the Morgathian Empire. His blood-bonded gold dragon, Gallanth had been having visions of both the past and a looming darkness that he perceived threatened the very existence of the Alliance, as gold dragons had a unique sense of foresight. Mkel and Gallanth knew they must ready their soldiers for the war to come, even after their recent victories over Morgathian forces and chromatic dragon squadrons at Battle Point. However, their enemies can be found not only among the ranks of the vengeful Morgathian Empire and their evil chromatic dragon allies, but also within the Alliance itself. A conglomeration of greedy, power-hungry senators, known as the Enlightened, is also conspiring for the downfall of the weirs and the republic. Amid this brewing trouble, Mkel and his dragon must lead their friends and the soldiers of their garrison through several pitched battles with the haunting memory of his father always in the shadows of his mind. The true question he has is, with the odds stacked against them, can his weir and the alliance itself survive?

The combined Dragon and Wizards’ Councils, comprised of the lead dragon and rider from each weir along with their senior wizard, were called to the Capital Weir in the Alliance capital city of Draconia for a historic combined meeting. This unprecented event was a reaction to the recent deadly battle in the unsettled lands far to the east of the Alliance border outside the free Alliance city of Battle Point. The city was erected near the sight of the final and massive battle that ended the last Great Dragon War, and represents the order that the Alliance brings to the chaos of the unsettled lands. This major incursion by the Morgathian Talon sorcerer Ashram and his army and squadrons of chromatic dragons was but the first step in the evil empire’s plan to again attempt to destroy the Alliance.

The attack was thwarted by the Battle Point legion with the aid of Mkel, Gallanth and the powerful members of their weir council, along with help from two silver dragons and riders. But as the first shadow cast from an approaching storm this was only the beginning. While the Honor’s Day games, an annual event of a series of military athletic contests of various types to celebrate the sacrifice of the veterans and the freedom of the Alliance itself, were to take place after the Dragon Council meeting with Mkel and several of his friends and soldiers competing, his mind was focused on the fight to come. He hoped this combined meeting of all of the weirs and the wizards council of thirteen would shed some light onto the events of recent, or at least allow them to formulate a plan both against the Morgathians and the rising internal threat from the Enlightened as these treacherous politicians and their self righteous movement attempted to subvert the Alliance from within.

In spite of all the tribulation, Mkel was glad to see many of this friends and fellow Weirleaders and dragons. Lord Michenth, the arch dragon and father to all dragonkind with his rider general Becknor, was now calling the meeting to order.

CHAPTER  I

Dragon Council

The Dragon Alliance Republic, the beacon of light and hope of freedom for the world, was now being threatened by dark clouds on its horizon. The battles to the east of the Alliance frontier city of Battle Point were the beginning of the threat to the republic and the dragons and men and women who defended it. This tribulation had extended to the oceans, with the increasing pirate wars on all free shipping as well as the fighting under the sea. The Alliance military and all the weirs under the direction of the Dragon Council now had to face the dark forces of the Morgathian Empire and a gathering evil coming in many forms. The internal threat of saboteurs and traitors from the Enlightened political party now reached to the very top levels of power of the Alliance Senate. They were conspiring with the very enemies of the republic, driven by their jealousy and hatred of the dragons and their riders and the freedom they represented. In this era of uncertainty, enemies were rising all around while the ranks of allies grew thin.

The commanders of the hollowed mountain dragon fortress called Draden Weir, Captain Mkel and Gallanth, the lead rider and his powerful gold dragon, along with their friends, had endured two successive ferocious battles that tested their mettle to the limit. Their fortress guarded the easternmost border of the republic and the only break in the Gray Mountains. Beyond this were the unsettled lands where the separate Alliance city of Battle Point sat as a symbol of hope and stability in an unstable part of the world. Heavy fighting in the last few months had kept the soldiers and warriors of Draden Weir busy. However, in spite of their two victories east of Battle Point and their rescue of the captured Alliance legionnaires, Mkel and Gallanth knew that luck had been with them. Gallanth was one of the most powerful dragons in the world, but even with his rider Mkel’s dragonstone-empowered crossbow and sword, they had barely defeated the squadrons of evil chromatic dragons and the vast army group of the Morgathian Talon sorcerer Ashram.

Ashram, the overlord of the northwestern province of the Morgathian Empire, which lay many miles to the east of the unsettled lands, had led a third of his total army and a squadron of his chromatic dragons to the vicinity of Battle Point. The sorcerer also enlisted a clan of brutish common giants as his reinforcing element. He hoped to draw the Battle Point legion out and into an ambush, with the promise of any spoils from the region or the outlying towns offered as a reward to his new allies.

As directed by the evil arch dragon queen Tiamat, the Morgathian prefect Stalenjh planned this attack, which was to begin to piecemeal the more powerful Alliance military and the metallic dragons. However, the skillful maneuvering, leadership, and power of the Battle Point legion, Mkel and Gallanth, their powerful weir council friends, and two silver dragons and riders were able to turn the tide and crush the Morgathian incursion. Ashram had managed a narrow escape from Mkel and Gallanth by sacrificing part of his life force through his dark crystal staff, barely teleporting back to his home castle in time.

Before the counterstrike against the Morgathian incursion, Captain Mkel’s ranger platoon leader, Lieutenant Lupek, and his elf companion had conducted a reconnaissance of a gathering fire giant army that could threaten the eastern border of the Alliance. Mkel and Gallanth knew that all the coastal weirs were occupied with pirate incursions and roving Morgathian warships. The powerful Capital Wing from the republic’s principal city of Draconia was also busy conducting a diplomatic mission in the desert kingdom of Shidan. This meant that his friends and his soldiers, along with Eladran Weir, had to stand alone against this onslaught. Shadow was now gathering from all sides, but Draden Weir still had a few friends left.

After returning to Draden Weir from the battles in the unsettled lands, Mkel was happy to receive a visit from his ally and friend Lawrent. He and his men had sailed up the Severic River to conduct their semiannual visit for trade, training, and merriment. The tall barbarian was Draden Weir’s partner from the Alliance allied island kingdom of Freiland that lay a thousand miles to the west of the Alliance’s west coast. Mkel always looked forward to his visits with his vivacious and loud friend, but especially now with the trouble brewing in the east. The trade had always been good with the Freilanders as well, but it was a two-edged sword with the raiders being sometimes overly rambunctious. The trading did go well, and friendships were renewed. However, Lawrent told Mkel and Jodem, the wise Draden Weir wizard, of the increasing numbers of pirate ships attacking the sea lanes and the undersea war between the mermen and the vicious saragwin.

These vicious amphibian humanoid creatures resemble a cross between a man, fish, frog and lizard. They are green to greenish black in coloration often with black or dark stripes. Their scaly skin, webbed clawed fingers and toes, a webbed tail, toothy mouths with shark like teeth make them look like the sea devils to which their name means in elvish. Lawrent also told them of the escalating civil war between the tribes of the large Canaris Twins mini continent, suggesting that it smelled of Morgathian provocation.

Shadow was on the rise as the ruling magitocracy of the Morgathian Empire, the Talon Covenant, had been summoned by their evil arch dragon ruler Tiamat to her huge fortress overlooking the sprawling but oppressed Morgathian capital city of Aserghul. The five-headed dragon queen and her Usurper Five, the most powerful of each of the five species of chromatic dragons, called all of the empire’s provincial overlords in for the gathering. These Talon sorcerers with their lead dragons and chief death knights were among the most feared force of evil and destruction known to the world. It took the combined might of the Alliance and all of the metallic dragons and their riders to defeat them and their armies at the last battle of the Great Dragon War, at what was now the site of the city of Battle Point. The prefect of the Talon Covenant, Stalenjh, was Tiamat’s direct voice to both the covenant and the empire itself, because of her injuries from the Great Dragon War, inflicted by her former mate, Michenth, the arch dragon of the Alliance.

After an internal squabble between a provincial death knight and Uthrex, the red dragon of Tiamat’s court, the arch dragon queen had killed her detractor. She then demanded the plan to move against the Alliance on the fringes of their lands and their allies be implemented immediately. The Covenant’s concern over the Morgathian defeat at Handsdown and the larger battle afterward, where the Talon sorcerer Ashram’s army and two squadrons of chromatics were destroyed, was cautiously brought to her attention. The dragon queen forcefully dismissed this notion as she commandingly dictated her multipronged plot. She focused on the metallic dragonriders of the Alliance as the main target of her vengeful plan, being the architect of the pending destruction.

To address the dark storm on the horizon, the Alliance Dragon Council, which included the lead dragon and rider of each weir, had been called together to bring light to this gathering shadow. Unfortunately, the Battle of Handsdown had proved to create more questions than answers. The dark elf priestess that Mkel and Gallanth had captured told of an ominous plan being unfolded against the Alliance. However, as Mkel’s weir wizard Jodem was interrogating her, she was mysteriously killed by a Black Scarab Shidanese assassin. Her information had seemed to be of more value than her life, which for a powerful female drow cleric was unusual. The Enlightened’s involvement with this unsavory event seemed too connected to be coincidental and was wrapped in intrigue and treachery.

The pending Honors Day Games, one of the largest sports competitions and the traditional celebration of the veterans, alive and dead, who sacrificed for the freedom of the Alliance were just days away. A series of competitions based on military skills, from jousting by horse, from the air, with sword and other weapons tournaments to archery and heavy long-range weapons matches—both traditional and dragonstone empowered—the popular dragon strike match, the dragon race, the dragon ground thunder game, and several Alliance armed forces displays and demonstration were all scheduled for the entertainment of the Alliance citizenry and to honor the veterans. A hopeful distraction from the events of late, it was a time of celebration and thanks for what the Alliance stood for: freedom and honor.

As Mkel and most of his weir council had arrived at the Capital Weir in Draconia with Lawrent in preparation for both the Dragon Council meeting and for the Honors Day Games, he was able to see some of his fellow Weirleaders and friends he had not seen in some time. A large meal was put on by the Capital Weir for the other twelve Weirleaders and their dragons and friends, which turned into a festive reunion. However, business was at hand, and General Becknor, rider of the Michenth, called for the Dragon Council to convene.

Mkel, the councils are forming, Gallanth said to Mkel, his booming voice heard clearly over the dinner conversations. Mkel looked over to Jodem, who was already getting up from the table, as did Dekeen and Ordin. Senior Sergeant, we must go, Mkel said to Toderan.

Sir, I thought the council meeting was only for dragonriders and wizards, Toderan said quizzically.

All the weirs’ leaders are to attend, so why would I exclude my senior soldier and taskmaster? Mkel said with a smile.

Toderan immediately got up and started to walk toward Gallanth. The men of Draden Weir and the regiment cheered when one of the weir soldiers stood with his tankard raised and shouted, Long live Gallanth!

As they echoed the cheer and raised their tankards, Gallanth responded by saying, You should do yourselves more favor, but I and my rider are honored, and bowed his immense head.

They all walked across the great expanse of the Capital Weir grounds toward Michenth’s chamber. All the Capital dragons were already assembled in the massive hall, and the weir dragons were now gathering. Mkel yelled over to Lordan, who walked over to greet him with Talonth right behind. The riders and dragons greeted each other, both still bearing a few scars from their battle at Handsdown that had not completely healed yet.

Remember this occasion, my young friend, for there hasn’t been a combined council of the dragons, wizards, elves, dwarves, and men since the Great War. These are difficult days ahead, but also momentous ones, for trying times bring out the best in men and dragons, he said with his usual friendly smile as he looked up to Gallanth and Talonth.

I have to agree with you, sir. Although it is for dire concerns, this gathering is still really impressive. Queen Eladra and King Denaris! Mkel caught sight of the elven king and queen as they entered from the other side of hall. Even from that distance, Eladra’s presence was unmistakable. Her iridescent violet and turquoise eyes were mesmerizing. Both her and her husband’s presence commanded as much attention as a dragon’s.

Even she has trepidation regarding the host of recent events and the confusing signs she has been seeing through her foresight, Jodem said, openly speaking his thoughts.

Much is happening, and our enemies are everywhere, foreign and domestic, Dekeen explained.

Gallanth entered the conversation as they walked into the great arch dragon’s hall and moved to their place on the opposite side of the large amphitheater gathering area in front of Michenth’s chambers. We must all have faith, my friends. That and love of country and the Creator will bind us and keep us strong. All the weir dragons quickly settled into place in the circle of thirteen, with Gallanth sitting opposite of Michenth, and Talonth and Trikenth on each side of the gold dragon.

The weir lead dragons arranged themselves in the circle, with their position in relation to Michenth mirroring their weir’s geographic relation to the Capital Weir and Draconia on a map of the republic. Valianth and Falcanth were to either side of Michenth, with the remainder of the Capital dragons in an outer ring behind them. The mithril dragon took the final few steps to his position, his wounds from the Great War and the dark crystal weapons still clearly painful to him, as evidenced by his severe limp. Those wounds were healing slowly and were still present even thirty years later. What evil power they must have had to cause the mightiest dragon in the world such injury, in spite of his tremendous healing powers.

Mkel, Dekeen, Ordin, and Toderan sat in front of Gallanth while Jodem moved to the center of the amphitheater area to a huge, expertly carved crystalline table for the thirteen high council wizards; three senior generals and admirals; King Denaris and Queen Eladra; and King Drekar of Minara, the dwarf capital city in the Ferranor Mountains. His long gray beard was tied neatly with a gold cross hammer broach that hung well below his waist. Ordin was distantly related to the dwarven royal family, but it went back several generations—several hundred years.

King Drekar walked over to Mkel and his comrades. Greetings, mighty Gallanth, Rider Mkel, and Draden Weir comrades, he said as he gave a slight bow to Gallanth and grasped Mkel’s hand. Ordin, my dwarven kin from the east, I heard you had a great fight at Battle Point, and you felled many giants.

Yes, Lord Drekar. We sent a whole tribe back to the underworld, with a little help from Gallanth, Ordin answered with a smile.

It has been since the Great War that I have crushed a giant. I envy you and your hammer, my brother, Drekar reminisced.

If I could slay half as many giants as you, my king, I would be honored, Ordin replied.

Don’t be an understating elf; I heard you personally slew several of the foul brutes.

Ordin fought well. We could not have been successful without him and Donnac. He and my inner weir council stood alone against a whole giant clan until Gallanth and I could get back to them, Mkel explained.

Ordin has always and continues to be an integral part of our weir. King Drekar, his strength and fortitude are a rock from which we anchor, Gallanth said in compliment to Ordin.

Mkel had been brought up on stories of the Great War. Ordin himself told Mkel of a battle that King Drekar was a veteran of, where he had led a small contingent of dwarves from his main army and was ambushed by a clan of not less than thirty fire giants with a company or more of orcs. The dwarven king personally slew twelve giants that day with his powerful pure mithril ax hammer, which was powered by a large diamond dragonstone given to him by Michenth. They survived the ambush, but over half the dwarves were slain and Drekar was wounded. He was carried off of the battlefield by his personal guards back to his main army, leaving in his wake thirty broken and sliced giants—and fire giants at that!

"I have faith in you all, for I feel that conviction will be tested soon. We must be seated now, as business is at hand, but I will have ales with you all later. Raproch, my friends, the dwarven king said as he raised his dragonstone ax hammer; he complimented them with the dwarven word meaning honored and respected comrade or warrior."

All nodded an acknowledgement, even Gallanth. Mkel noticed the carved inscription on the hammer and blade of his weapon. It read in dwarf language, "Saeud Slamalous. He whispered to Ordin, asking what that meant, to which Ordin replied, The Hammer of the Creator."

Friends, may we have our places, for we have much to discuss. Michenth’s booming voice echoed in the amphitheater. Mkel noticed he could modify his voice slightly, for it had an almost inner echo or reverberation to it now, as opposed to when they had talked to him earlier. It was as if the very quality or sound of the dragon’s voice crackled with power. The attendees, dragon and humanoid, quickly took their seats or places. I would like to welcome everyone to this special combined council of my dragon kin, our esteemed wizards, and our elven, dwarven, and human allies and friends. My rider will list the imperatives of the agenda we must address.

We have much to be accomplished, so we will address the simpler matters first. Before that, let us stand and give our honor pledge.

All the dragonriders stood, drew their dragonstone weapons in a salute, and began to recite the pledge in unison; the dragonstones glowed brightly. Mkel decided to draw Kershan, so as not to overly advertise Markthrea and his role in the games. We, as dragonriders and soldiers of the republic, do pledge our lives to the Articles of the Alliance, with the light and truth for which they stand, and our honor and courage to defend her with the strength of the Creator. With that, they placed their weapons of power on the stone tables in front of them.

General Frankrest, we will start with the update on the Alliance Army. How is the restructuring going? General Becknor asked.

General Becknor, we have started to realign forces in the Third Capital Legion to reflect the basic structure of the Draden Strike Legion. As soon as we have completed their conversion, we will start with the Fourth. This will allow our legions to be more self-sufficient and increase their lethality and mobility with a combined arms structure. It will temporarily disrupt the aerial legion due to our dishing out of two of their battalions, but it will be brought back up to strength as soon as possible. We are also looking forward to the fielding of the new repeating crossbows and the floating wagons. This will greatly increase our mobility and firepower as well, the senior general explained.

Excellent, sir. I know we will get a more detailed report after you’ve met with your staff and legion commanders tomorrow. General Daddonan, as you know, has requested dragons to be permanently stationed in Battle Point, especially after the fight that they had recently. I want to formally congratulate Gallanth, Talonth, Strikenth, and their riders, as well as all the soldiers of the Battle Point legion and of Keystone Weir for a job well done, Becknor stated. Gallanth and the two senior silver dragons nodded in acknowledgment.

General, as you and the senior officers know we have been successful in our secret breeding of the avenger dragons on the prison island. We have this to offer Battle Point. We will send a mated pair of avengers to be permanently stationed there with a pair of brass and copper dragons to teach, guide, and employ them. They have the strength of a silver dragon, but can go into a fury to be stronger than a red for short periods. While they do not have the ability to use magic or create spells, their breath weapon is a deadly beam of disruptive force, and their courage is insurmountable. That will give the good general six dragons to call upon in case the Morgathians decide to get adventurous again and to reinforce his legion. The Capital Wing and Gallanth apparently will also always be willing to reinforce them in case of a large-scale attack like we saw last week. We will also be sending a similar draconic force to the Adasam fortress in Ian to counter the increased frequency of chromatics seen there and continue to breed more here. There is also a plan to send a young bronze dragon to Freiland as soon as he is ready. General Daddonan will have to prepare a temporary weir area for the dragons and provide food and logistics of course, Becknor stated.

I’m pretty sure he has already made arrangements to receive a small number of dragons. I know that will make him very happy, and we thank you as well for the development and near future fielding of the new crossbows and the floating wagons. This will make our twenty legions and your twelve legions much more formidable, General Frankrest answered. The senior general of the Alliance was actually a very modest man of slight build. His razor-sharp mind and quiet confidence more than made up for his slight appearance, but in his youth, as a company commander, he and his dragonstone broadsword had dealt many a killing blow to an orc or Morgathian foe. The three mithril triangles on his right collar and the gold dragon embossment on his left made him stand out as the commanding general of the Alliance Army, or the senior commander of the twenty non-weir-aligned active ground legions, twelve reserve legions, and the aerial legion. Each legion had over six thousand soldiers of various types, with all of them stationed throughout the Alliance and three having permanent barracks at Draconia. Coupled with the supporting forces and training forts, the combined Alliance army was a force with which to be reckoned.

Becknor, who also wore the three mithril triangles, but a mithril embossment of Michenth on his collars, was the overall commander of the thirteen weirs, all the dragons, and their twelve legions. The weir legions basically reflected the composition of the non-weir legions but had a greater degree of variation.

Admiral Zewal, what is your report and the status of our fine navy? Becknor asked the senior admiral.

"General, we are currently heavily tasked, as you know. The continued undeclared war on the high seas against our merchant ships is tasking out our warships at an alarming rate. This you know from our constant requests for assistance and for flights from the coastal weirs. You have our thanks to your bronze dragons and their subordinates for their strength and responsiveness. The war between the saragwin and the mermen is escalating. The sea elves have been slowly dragged into the conflict, as King Denaris and Queen Eladra can likely attest. This and the increased incidents of independent pirates under the Blood Wolf colors, as well as Morgathian and Shidanese warship attacks have been keeping us very busy.

We are working with the elves and sea elves to get a defense pact signed between us and the mermen, but they are fiercely independent and do not like to admit they need help. While they are killing the saragwin on a three-to-one basis, they are outnumbered five to one and are losing territory. This is why small saragwin raiding parties are slipping through us and the sea elves and are attacking our shipping and some isolated coastal areas. Our allies, the Freiland raiders, have also been doing their best to dent the current level of attacks, but they are getting hard pressed as well. The problem is that once the pirates see the blue trinity symbols of our sails, they flee and actually will scuttle their ships if they think they will be captured, the admiral stated as he looked back to Lawrent with an uncustomary half smile.

"Our ships are out at sea for six months and are sailing more than they are at port. We have been slowly replacing older ships with the new capital-sized galleys and faster warships but at a slower-than-expected rate. There has also been a greatly increased number of Morgathian and other merchant ships going to and from the northern Canaris Twin Island. We think that they are shipping large numbers of those huge long-necked lizards and dark crystals back to the empire, which we surmise they need to feed the growing number of chromatics and for weaponry.

On a good note, we have not lost a single ship in battle since the Great War but have had several damaged in fights with the increased number of the gigantic squid like kraken that are working with the saragwin. The only thing we need from the weirs and the Wizards’ Council is more trained wizards assigned to our ships and greater dragon coverage. Right now, all galleys have wizards, but less than half of our warships and a third of the support vessels do. There is also an interesting project the naval engineers have been working with. An inventive lumber guildsman stumbled onto a concoction of ice mixed with sawdust, wood pulp, and a couple of other ingredients that when frozen turns into a material that is stronger than dwarven concrete and stays in this state even without the aid of a cooling crystal for days. Here let me demonstrate, the admiral stated as he pulled out a piece the size of a brick from a satchel beside his chair.

Master Dwarf, Ordin, if you would please bring yourself and your powerful hammer over here, he asked the Draden Weir dwarf. Puzzled, Ordin rose and strode over to the stone table that the admiral and the senior general were sitting at. Please take this ordinary hammer first, and take a swing at this special ice block, he requested. Ordin took the standard-make dwarf steel war hammer.

It will be smashed to bits, the dwarf warned.

Please give it a try, the admiral replied.

If you insist, Fleet master, he said as he raised the weapon and deftly struck the block. The blow barely made a mark on the yellowish ice. A normal piece of concrete would have been cracked or broken to bits by that strike. Ordin looked puzzled.

Ordin, please try with your hammer now, the admiral said.

It could crush this table, Admiral, Ordin said with concern.

Trust me, Master Dwarf, he replied.

Ordin pulled Donnac from his belt as Admiral Zewal and the general backed away from the table. Ordin shook his head and raised the powerful hammer. He hit the block with a clap of thunder that echoed throughout the huge hall. The block, while dented, only had a small crack in it. Ordin’s face was awash in disbelief.

This material is made of dragon bone! he yelled.

No, my stout fellow, it is called pykrete, and it almost has the strength of dragon bone. General Becknor, we have outfitted two warships with pykrete rams. Please observe this so equipped warship slice through the hulk of an old derelict, he explained as his dragonstone sword projected an image of a warship with the ivory-speckled ram mounted on the front of the vessel. The warship was at full sail and being rowed at ramming speed when it hit the old merchant ship that was roughly the same size. The ice-tipped vessel sliced the merchant ship in two, almost without losing speed. All present began to comment on the strength of the new material.

The pykrete material is maintained by cooling crystals, of course, but only one-third the number is needed to keep it frozen than would be required if it were pure ice. We are also in the process of building three huge galleys with pykrete hulls. Because of the strength of the material, a vessel made of it could be a very large ship, two to three times the size of even our capital galleys. An Invincible class ship would be almost unsinkable—immune to ice attacks, highly resistant to lightning and acid breath weapons—and we have even found it resistant to fire-based attacks. Once damaged, it can be repaired easily and will be propelled by a series of heating and lighting crystals that can force water to move through pipes in a chamber located in front of the rudder, propelling it along almost as fast as a clipper for short sprints. It has, however, needed a large number of cooling crystals to keep the hull frozen. I know you all are already producing them as fast as you can to meet demand, but we will need more. This vessel will be almost immune to attacks by kraken and would be the center of our fleet. It will not only be large enough to allow a perch or hold for a small dragon squadron but will also lessen the need for dragon escorts and thus ease the pressure on the weirs, Admiral Zewal stated.

Admiral, we thank you for your perseverance with this project, and we are making all attempts to increase the number of both dragonstone weapons and wizards trained by the council to the navy. As for this revolutionary concept that you are attempting to bring to fruition, I am personally very impressed and interested. I am fully in favor of the navy constructing the pykrete ships. Colonel Therosvet, please call for a vote of the Dragon Council to supply the necessary cooling, heating, and lighting crystals for this project, Becknor stated.

Yes, sir, to all the weirs: all in favor of supplying Admiral Zewal’s request say, ‘Yea,’ he said.

An almost unanimous yases, draconic for yes, or affirmative, was echoed by the Weirleaders and their dragons.

All opposed? he asked.

One nineyak was given by Selenth, who was notorious for his hatred of anything from or of the sea, a true terrestrial copper dragon.

Vote passed. All weirs that produce the cooling crystals and stones will start to send whatever they can spare to the Ice Bay fleet base, Therosvet decreed.

Thank you for your efforts, Admiral. This does lead me into our next point of discussion, which is the events of late: the attack at Battle Point and the gathering armies in the Smoking Mountains. As of right now, the estimated force that attacked us in the Handsdown area was two chromatic wings, at least two Morgathian divisions reinforced by a battalion of the evil dark elves or the drow, two giant clans, and a host of other assorted evil forces. We defeated them by skill, proper timing with precise application of strength, surprise, and basic luck. The rangers from both Draden and Eladran Weirs have also been tracking and observing the gathering armies in the westernmost fire-giant kingdom off our southeastern border. They could have a substantial invasion force on our border within a short time, Becknor explained.

We also know that Michenth, our gold dragons, and Eladra have been experiencing a great deal of consternation, for their powers of foresight seem to indicate some sort of looming threat, but they cannot verify it. This was also made more confusing by the drow priestess who was captured by Gallanth and Mkel and then killed by a Shidanese Black Scarab assassin, Therosvet added.

Queen Eladra stood up and began to speak. Immediately, all attention was diverted to the statuesque elven queen, her shimmering blond and silver hair flowing over her light-green robes and dress that seemed to accent her slight figure. This is true; I did sense that something was to happen at Handsdown. That is why I asked the wizard Jodem to visit the Battle Point area with Gallanth and Captain Mkel. They arrived just in time to help save the village and many lives. I also had a vision of the Smoking Mountains and the gathering evil there. Now, as of late, a growing threat from the sea, a dark storm rising from the west, is present in my mind. The drow priestess fought Jodem’s control with all her will so as not to divulge that secret and more. Still, he did get vital information from her regarding the new evil breed of creatures the Morgathians have and the advent of the chromatics melding their black hearts with dark crystal and Tiamat’s blood to make them even more powerful. Now is the time for preparation and subtle but forceful action. The Alliance must prepare for what may come, and the dragonriders must take caution, for I feel they might be in danger, she carefully explained her thoughts and concerns.

Yes, my wife’s visions are telling, but unfortunately, not as clear as we would like; as are the visions and dreams that the gold dragons have been experiencing lately. We are striving to hasten the treaty with the sea elves and the mermen, for our water-breathing kin feel this war will soon go badly. What does not make sense is that both pirates and saragwin try to avoid the Alliance warships. There are still fights, but they tend to disengage when your ships appear. I know the Freiland raider ships have been in heavy engagements, and the saragwin have no hesitation in attacking them, but then that is like grasping a spine fish, the elven king said with a side glance to Lawrent and the Freiland ambassador.

We will let the council know when we have more positive news regarding this situation. The elves will also continue to support the training of the new wizards and the creation of dragonstone weapons, as well as the supplying of dramites and aloras salve healing components, especially with a major conflict on the horizon. I would advise caution, for my elegant wife is seldom wrong in her visions, regardless of how your political winds shift, he warned the council. The elves, as always, will support the Alliance, both in commerce and in war, he finished.

Thank you, King Denaris; the relationship we continue to have with the elves has been our blessing. King Drekar, what do the dwarves say? Becknor asked.

"My good dragonrider, the dwarves are well and busy. Mining in the Ferranor Mountains is yielding steady deposits of iron and several veins of gold, silver, and copper. We haven’t been finding as many precious gems, both the ones for fuel for the dragons and the pure ones for dragonstones as we would like, but Talinor is still our biggest gem producer, and Draden for mithril. We are also aiding your smith guilds as well as your stone and construction guilds for block and cement. Your demand for these goods has risen to new heights.

As for this pending war, the dwarves are ready to muster at least five legions within days and another five a few weeks afterward. We envy our cousin Ordin and his fight with the giants last week and look forward to battle. Speaking of combat, I will personally be at your senate gathering that is to convene soon. The cowardly Enlightened have gone too far! Drekar exclaimed with irritation. This arbitrator battle we are fighting with the Tekend Clan and the nature purists over the Shadow Mountain is causing words of reprisal among my kin. I will do my best to keep them under control, but your justice system is very slow and often not balanced.

King Drekar, as always, the Alliance and the dragons appreciate the support from our dwarf allies, and we will stand with you and your people in the legal confrontation with this misguided section of our population. With that reminder, we will address the issues of this territorial dispute and of the gathering dark forces in the Fire Mountains. Captain Mkel, how is Keystone Weir and Draden prepared? the dragonrider general asked.

Sir, so as not to rehash our earlier conversation and the battle at Handsdown, I’ll address these matters succinctly. While I can’t totally answer for Colonel Wierangan and the regiment, I am almost certain they are battle ready, for they have been working well with the weir. As for my garrison, Dekeen’s elves, and Ordin’s dwarves, they are all angry at me for them missing the fight in Battle Point. We have our rangers patrolling in the Gray Mountains to keep their eyes on the fire giants and just conducted a successful full-scale exercise with the Draden Regiment. Our heating and cooling crystal production level is good, and we just created one dragonstone weapon for a Battle Point officer and one wizard staff for our Freiland partners. The after-battle report has been disseminated through my seeing crystal for all to view. A word of caution to all, the enhanced or demon chromatic dragons are much more powerful than their standard kin, but still not to our strength, Mkel answered.

Excellent, Captain. Colonel Lordan, how says Eladran Weir? Becknor asked.

General, Eladran always stands ready. Our rangers and centaur scouts have been working with Captain Mkel’s rangers and elves in establishing a reconnaissance screen along the Gray and Fire Mountains.

Eladran Weir was unique among the Weirs in that its organic garrison or legion was all cavalry based, and they also had a battalion of heavily armed but highly mobile centaurs. This legion that Colonel Lordan put together comprised one battalion of heavy paladins and one battalion of medium cavalry, who could fight dismounted as well as mounted. They wore banded or scale armor and employed spears rather than the long lances and other weapons carried by the standard Alliance infantry. The third battalion was a light cavalry configuration, which was basically mounted archer troops, who were trained to fight and fire from horseback—a trick Colonel Lordan had learned from his time in Battle Point before he became a dragonrider; he had drawn experience from the northern horse clans in the unsettled lands. It was a new experiment in the Alliance to have horse-mounted archers. Their fourth battalion was composed of centaurs who resided in the forest outside of the weir. They did have quarters within the fortress and stayed there on occasion though. This unique battalion had two companies of heavy centaurs with breastplate armor, shields, lances, and hand and a half swords. The other two companies were armed with heavy composite bows with extreme range and almost the same accuracy as elves and heavy two-handed swords or huge spiked clubs for close combat. He also had a land dragon battalion, light catapult battalion, sapper battalion, and support battalion. His centaurs had a treaty with elf chieftain, Haldrin’s clan in Lucian Forest.

Our centaurs have an axe to grind with the fire giants, who drove them out of their lands just to the east of the southern Gray Mountains and killed many of their kin. Talonth, Fieranth, and Killenth, along with our copper and brass dragons, are also all on top wing and ready for whatever the Morgathians and giants throw at us, but we are getting a little thin from covering both the Alliance’s southeastern corner and eastern border, Lordan said.

We’ll start to make plans to get a legion over to help you secure the eastern border, Colonel, General Frankrest offered.

Thank you, General; it would be much appreciated, Lordan replied.

General Becknor spoke up. That is a good place to start. With the cooperation of the army, we will increase our presence on the eastern and southeastern border, especially with any spill-over of the increasing conflict with the Shidanese into our neighbor, the Ismer Emirates. To remind all, we are giving a makeshift metallic dragon wing to Battle Point, which will not only increase their strength in the remote city but also provide them better reconnaissance and oversight. In regard to the growing conflict at sea, we are sending a young but fearless bronze dragon to Freiland—Turanth. While he and his rider are relatively inexperienced, they are eager, intelligent, and ready to prove themselves. The dragons we are sending to Ian will also help us control that area and provide a direct connection back here to monitor the Shidanese. With the Morgathians remaining ‘officially’ quiet, I fear they are in a planning stage of something. Unfortunately, the Enlightened senators are keeping our hands tied with their petty squabbling in the senate, Becknor said in summary.

As for the war on and under the seas, we will continue to support all Alliance naval forces. The Dragon Council will not tolerate the loss of a single Alliance warship at the hands of those sea devils or the pirates. We will also speed up the production and delivery of the repeating crossbows and the levitating crystals to the weirs and then the Alliance Army, Becknor explained.

Are there any comments on this plan? Further details will be worked out in subsequent meetings with the individual weirs and Alliance legion commands, Michenth added.

All in attendance, including the metallic dragons, nodded in agreement.

We must next address the issues that we think the Enlightened senators will attempt to push us on before hearing from the rest of the weirs. First is their proposal to cut veteran benefits and to squash Captain Mkel’s initiative to aid mind-scarred veterans and their widows and children. Mkel, I assume you have prepared your statements in case you are called to testify before the senate? Becknor asked.

Yes sir, Jodem and I have reviewed and rehearsed my speech, and I am ready if called upon to defend my position, Mkel answered.

We have faith in you, my son, but never underestimate your opponents. The Enlightened senators’ tongues can strike like a wyvern’s tail stinger and deliver just as deadly a venom, Michenth stated.

Yes, I understand, Lord Michenth. I will do my best, he answered.

He is ready, my lord, Gallanth addressed the arch dragon.

I know; he rides a good dragon, Michenth answered Gallanth with an almost discernible smile on his immense jaws.

You will not be alone, young rider. We also have senators on our side as well, Becknor added. They might also attempt to make something of your fight at Handsdown. We heard rumors of this. Again, we are prepared, but that will be Michenth’s and Gallanth’s job, as well as our arbitrators. Do not worry.

The Enlightened Party officials will likely propose arms restrictions on the civilian and citizen population and for the weirs to give the heating, cooling, and lighting crystals for free. In their arrogance, they will likely call for the elves to donate the ingredients for the aloras salve and the dramites. They might also push for civilian voting privileges. While some of these are strictly issues for the senators to deal with, we will be dragged into the fray no matter what, Becknor explained.

As far as the issue of disarming the people, sir, this is a direct violation of the Second Article of the Alliance. The weirs do not condone this and will never enforce or allow this to happen in our jurisdictions, Therosvet spoke up forcefully. His voice carried substantial authority as the capital Weirleader. While he answered to General Becknor, he still controlled the immense fortress just like all the other Weirleaders controlled theirs.

That sentiment is mirrored among the dragons as well, Valianth echoed his rider’s address.

That is understood. Are all the weirs in agreement? Becknor asked the council. All Weirleaders and dragons acknowledged with a resounding yes. Excellent, now as for the weirs donating the dragon-enhanced crystals and stones that we produce, we already give one in ten of these commodities to the Alliance Trinity Church for charity; it is their job to disseminate them. They do not even discriminate as to who is a believer or not. That is not our or their nature. Again, the answer to the Enlightened will be no. The modest amount we charge for these stones and crystals, along with our own mineral wealth and the treasure taken from the chromatics is our major source of income that keeps us apart from the funding the senate supplies the Alliance Army and Navy. Their shortsightedness would lead to more taxation to support the forces assigned to the weirs; we know an increase in taxes is of no issue to them and would also allow them more say in weir and dragon affairs. The answer again for this will be no, the First Article of the Alliance specifically addresses weir autonomy, after citizen rights and responsibilities, Becknor explained.

They also have no say in elvish matters. We are a separate kingdom within the Alliance; this is absolute, Denaris spoke up.

Or the Dwarves. POE jackals, Drekar echoed.

We thank you, friends. As far as them wanting to give voting rights to nonveterans, sir, that should be a senate debate, unless we or our dragons are asked to render a judgment after the Grand Arbitrators Council rules, if it ever gets to that point, Therosvet stated.

I agree, my friend, but you should be ready to give our official response on the issue if asked; Michenth, I am sure of your voice on this, Becknor answered.

Freedom without responsibility is akin to building a fortress on a bed of clay, Michenth firmly answered.

Yes, sir, Valianth and I will also prepare a statement, he responded while writing a note on a piece of parchment.

Thank you, Colonel. Master Apex Wizard Hestal, what say our esteemed magic users? the apex wizard of the Wizards’ Council and perhaps the most powerful wizard in the Alliance stood up. Hestal was a unique wizard in that he was built more like a wiry fighter than a typical magic user. He, like Jodem, did not sport the traditional long beard of Alliance wizards. When the last apex wizard passed away, both he and Jodem were considered for the position, but Jodem took himself out of the running, mostly to stay at Draden and look after Mkel and Gallanth after Jmes was killed. He also didn’t want all the headaches of being there at the Capital Weir and the politics associated with the position. Hestal was an extremely intelligent man and was on par with Jodem as far as being a formidable wizard. He personally sent over a wing of chromatics to their demise during the Great War. His medium-length gray hair was well kept and accentuated his sharp but noble face. He stood just over six feet tall and was well muscled for his age. His wizard’s staff was of a simple nature, being made of solid elm wood with mithril wire wrapped around the top half and securing the large diamond dragonstone at its head.

Thank you, General Becknor. Michenth, Dragons and Riders of the Alliance, Friends and Comrades, I want to first give thanks for this momentous gathering of all the forces of light in the Alliance. This unprecedented meeting can only spell good tidings for our efforts to preserve our precious freedoms and the Alliance itself. The Wizards’ Council has been busy both overseeing the training of our young apprentices and performing missions ourselves in support of the weirs’ forces and Alliance military. The information that Jodem extracted from the drow witch has been perplexing and has kept us contemplating these puzzling issues. It is also apparent that the Talon Covenant has been experimenting with dragon blood and dark crystals. This was demonstrated by the appearance of these demon and berserker dragons and two new evil draconic species, the talon dragons and those man/dragons or dragon spawn as they called themselves, the master wizard explained as he raised his staff, which projected images of the battle at Handsdown and the talon dragons that Gallanth had slain.

"While the gold dragon Gallanth and Captain Mkel felled them rather handily, they seem to have the potential to breed even faster than the chromatics, so the advent of our avenger dragons will come none too soon. The dragon-spawn, as they call themselves, half-man, half-chromatic dragon creatures, did prove effective as a quick but strong striking force. We don’t know how many of these they have, but likely they are working on many. Their attempt to counter our land dragons with these snake-like dragons, or behir creatures likely did prove a disappointment to them. Battle Point’s land dragons defeated them easily even with more than a three-to-one ratio on their side. While still dangerous, they were no match for us.

What is more disturbing is the appearance of this demon and berserker class of chromatic dragon. Again Gallanth, Talonth, and Strikenth slew both of the demon types and the berserker dragons; however, their increased power and strength was duly noted. Their breath weapons also have considerably more destructive power. We also learned that only one out of ten chromatics that undergo the ritual to become a demon dragon survive it. So we are reasonably sure that neither the Covenant nor Tiamat would risk that many chromatics to attempt this. We also learned that Tiamat is gaining her strength back, as evidenced by the increase in dark-crystal weapons empowered by her blood, and is directing the Talon Covenant as well as the Usurper Five chromatic dragons. He continued to project scenes from the battle. As we have seen, a demon red was slain by one of our gold dragons and would have been handled by a silver if it was alone. This is the worst they can field, so while formidable, they are not insurmountable. These are unfortunate developments but are likely not the only experimental creatures they have concocted, Hestal explained.

We do also want to thank Queen Eladra, for our combined powers of foresight were what prompted sending Gallanth, Mkel, and Jodem to Battle Point just in time. This as well as keeping a silver dragon here at the Capital Weir in reserve and the coordination with Talonth and Colonel Lordan served us well. This preventative action saved hundreds if not thousands of Alliance lives and proved a deadly blow for the warlock Ashram’s army and two chromatic dragon wings, he commented as Eladra smiled in acknowledgement. We also have several apprentice wizards soon ready for service and are preparing a dozen more dragonstone crystals to bond with twelve new wizards within a week or two.

Thank you, Master Wizard Hestal; I know if you or your fellow magic users gain any new insight, you will share it with us, as we will with you. Becknor said.

Colonel Lordan, we will start the report from the weirs with you.

Thank you, sir, Michenth; Eladran Weir, as I stated earlier, is doing well. Both our silver mine and our production of the cooling and lighting crystals are meeting quotas, but I know demand is rising. I also know we will be able to make levitation crystals as soon as we are instructed. The issue of the patrols along our borders has been answered by General Frankrest, so we look forward to receiving those forces and will make preparations for their arrival. We are coordinating with Keystone Weir for both scout missions and if we have to combine forces to counter the fire giant threat. That is all we request and have to report at the present, sir, Lordan quickly stated.

"Colonel, in the interim, until the legion arrives, we can possibly help you on