Demonstration of Power
Sometimes a fool thinks they know how the world should be run. Don't suffer such fools.
"I have a question for you," asked Ux as we perched on the edge of the building. "Given all that has happened, all the pain and blood that has been had, why did you give it up? Why did you surrender?"
I perked an ear and looked over to her. I wasn't sure exactly what she was getting on about at the time so I took my time in studying Ux's expressions and posture. There was nothing to suggest that this was a trick question. In fact she seemed her ever confident self.
"I'm afraid you have me at a loss," I said before turning my attention back to the city below. It was dark in the sky, but the world below was filled with lights and the carrying on of modern life. Occasionally there'd be a moving silhouette blocking off some of the twinkling as a flier passed between me and the source of the light. It was a warm summer day, uncharacteristically warm in fact else I'd of likely been enjoying the movement of air around my body still.
"At several points you had the opportunity to change the world, or at least this part of it. And yet you never used the power you had acquired to do so for your own benefit, instead handing it off to others while retaining the minimal necessary to make sure the transition happened softly."
I nodded. "I don't see such a relinquishing of power as a surrender. I used to think you thought the same," I pointed out while returning my gaze to Ux.
"I suspect," said Ux. "That you would say this was a virtuous decision on your part. And yet, there is still blood and conflict."
I laughed. "And you think there wouldn't be such things if I was in charge? Don't be causing me to think my confidence in your reasoning abilities is misplaced."
This got Ux obviously flustered. She turned to me and scooted closer. "You may be my elder, but even I can see that all of them would be better off if you were running the show."
"I appreciate your vote of confidence," I said. "But I know that not to be true. And not just because of the failures of our kind, including my own, in the past to live up to the promise we offered. But even if it were a good idea, what right would I have to such absolute rulership?"
"The right bright by our strength, our intellect, our ability of course," said Ux confidently taking up a much more confident, if perhaps even haughty pose.
I have to admit I started laughing. This didn't go over well with Ux who demanded I stopped. Eventually I composed myself and smirked. "Dragons are only as strong as their ability to deploy that strength. We are only as able as we are able to learn. And we are only as intelligent as we are able to be wise. And wisdom has caused me to realize that no show of power is without consequence or unnecessary strife."
Ux backed off and crossed her arms. "So it is the idealism. No proof at all."
"Proof? Proof of one's strength doesn't come in force of arms. That's what I'm suggesting. Proof doesn't come in our ability to slay an enemy. Those are actions that are at times necessary, but hardly an aspect to be seen as worthy of leadership. The ability to be a good leader runs independent of any ability to harm another. Just as it runs independent of the ability to be self assertive or to calculate large numbers in one's head or to be able to write yourself good public policy. In times and places these things might see more value for the circumstances, but when one lacks a portion of the necessary skill set, a good leader is able to supplement their own abilities with those of others to make for a better leadership team. And if failing that, well, they know to move on. And Ux, I needed to move on."
Ux scoffed at my sentiment. "I have to disagree. There is always value in power." She sighed. "I must tell you then that you had been our first choice."
"Pardon?"
Ux nodded. "There's not a lot you can do to stop us. But we are seeking a change in leadership in this land."
This got me laughing again. Once Ux berated me once more, and I added a few more snickers, I asked, "You really think you can over turn the government of the Union?"
"Of course. And those backing it aren't just dragons you should know. Many still think back on your leadership fondly and are hoping for a return to such things. A renewal of our golden age."
I cocked my head to the side and then waved my hand at the glowing towers all around us. "You mean to say, you want to return to the golden age, before all of this existed? When our people were half starved and struggling to escape the horrors of a civil war? Before every one of our people had food and shelter? Were the sick were without adequate care? Where this very city was but a small village over yonder and otherwise a bloody battlefield? That so called golden age?"
"Its not about what we had at the time, but where we were going," she shot back.
I snorted. "Right... And this return to rapid growth and development will just happen again when your in charge?"
"If it has to be that," said Ux. "Again, I wish you'd had taken this opportunity to come to your senses."
I shook my head. "You were hatched after the civil war, so I know you don't understand what it was like. That it was not a problem of strength or demonstrations of power that was lacking before. And its also not the problem of this moment in time. But if you are intent on taking us back to some semblance of the old ways, then I think you would be a hypocrite to not allow me to invoke my right to challenge for leadership, both of your cabal of conspirators and for leadership of the Union. I mean, if you find this experiment in democracy as a pointless thing and are seeking a might makes right solution, then clearly this is the best way to make sure only the most powerful are in control."
Ux's reaction to my invocation involved a lot more colorful language than I was expecting. The argument went on for some time after that with me asserting the challenge and pointing out that if she had any number of her elders involved that they may leave her side if she refused to let me compete to be their leader. She even offered to just let me have the position, but I laughed at such a suggestion. After all, if this was the path she and her followers wanted, then they would need to live up to it.
The arrangements had taken some doing, but there I was in the arena, dressed in relatively light armor and holding my particular weapon of choice for the first contest. The unusual device, a particular model of mechanical sword, sported the usual parallel blades, collection of knobs, cranks, and levers around and in the hilt, and had its springs at full tension. Opposite me wearing but a lose robe was Ux. She had opted for the more traditional weapon of our people, a long blade. The long blade was lighter than it looked. The purpose of it was not to provide crushing blows, but to stab and slice while being light enough to take into the air without difficulty. Clearly Ux was looking for an air born fight.
Ux twirled her weapon around in the air as the crowd cheered on. The premiss of this was that it was an exhibition show. No one knew the true meaning of the fight except us and those in on Ux's conspiracy. And so the cheers about the show they were getting did not reflect the seriousness of Ux's threat.
I on the other hand was motionless except for my breathing, and the slow beating of my heart. There were a few cheers for me perhaps, but my mind was elsewhere.
This initial fight would crown the champion. Then the loser would select one from the crowd to take on the winner. And then a well known fighter would enter the arena for the next match, a man named Eyfa. If a final fight was needed, as it was a two out of three contest as was written in the old rules after all, and expressed in the schedule for the show, the champion would pick the last from the crowd.
But these facts were not on my mind either at the time.
Ux showed off a few more spins and slices through the air before the announcer came back on.
"Ready? Begin!"
I changed my pose and raised the mechanical sword into the air. Ux pointed her blade towards me and began to close. I remained where I was. For I now moved with but a singular purpose. The fight was, as was the tradition in the old rules, to first blood, or surrender. Any knick would mean were were out and had lost the match. Of course if that first blood is looking to be the blood coming from one's throat, surrender is the preferable option.
Ux swung her blade towards me. I stepped out of the way easily enough. But as light as it was, the quick follow up came as expected. And yet it only took a slight bit of movement to make sure my arms and wings were not in the blades way. Another swing and another, and I continued to move out of the way. But each time I could feel the air moving around her blade as it came close to slicing into my scales.
It continued on like this. Occasionally I had to hop or even to a back flip to get out of the way. it wasn't until maybe the fifth minute of this that I felt my arm move, seemingly on its own, to meet the swing of her sword. The first clank caught her off guard and so there was no follow up.
"You should surrender," I pointed out.
Her response was a renewed assault. Slices towards my belly, chest, head, arms, legs, tail, wings, horns. All missed with a couple being stopped by the imposing of my own weapon.
"You really should surrender," I added. "Plus you're losing the crowd."
Ux's swings grew faster and more frantic. The pace of the clangs picked up as she began to catch on to the groove of my dancing. And it even began to look like to those watching that I was actually striking back at times. Finally I realized something. Ux's sword came at me, moving to the gap between the blades of my weapon. I let it slide right on in and then activate the mechanism. The blades slapped together and grabbed her weapon.
"You knew I'd refuse you, but you were urged to ask anyway," I pointed out. She snorted back and tried to pull her weapon free. "And you almost had leadership of this little play. Glad I opted to take it from you."
She pulled again and her blade slid out from the grasp of my weapon. She took a few steps back. "You are a fool!"
Ux took to the air with a few good flaps, flying around the arena before diving towards me, blade pointed towards my chest. For a moment it didn't look like I was going to move at all. Even I didn't think I was going to. But once more my arm reacted, the necessity of action driving it, and my weapon moved to intercept. But instead of simply block or deflecting the thrust, my weapon twisted and moved in just such a way as to apply a great deal of torque to Ux's sword. Enough to pull it from her grasp and fling it through the air towards the edge of the arena as she tumbled onto the ground, attempting to spring up again into a stand. Moments later my weapon was at her throat.
"Surrender. I don't wish to hurt you," I said calmly.
She took a few deep breaths and looked into my cold eyes. "They were right, you are the one we need," she said, or more grunted out. "I surrender."
I let her drop to her knees to complete the surrender. I pulled my weapon from her and gave her a bow. The crowd went wild.
The challenger Ux picked for me was quite able, if slow. The bear had opted for a large steel mace. A real nasty looking thing. And a bit to large for me to deflect without damaging my weapon. Of course I didn't need to as my movements alone kept me safe. After we had given the audience a good show, I decided to make a move. All it took was a quick scratch down the ursine's exposed back for me to claim my second victory, and the first of the main event. It took him a few moments to realize I had even sunk my claw in deep enough to draw blood. He wasn't too happy but accepted his defeat.
Up next was Eyfa of course. A towering wolf who entered the arena wearing thick armor. And yet he moved like he wasn't wearing anything at all. I couldn't help but feel a bit of amusement by the challenge.
I motioned for my assistant to come. He asked me what I needed and I told him I was looking for a weapon change. I looked at the battle axe that Eyfa had over his shoulder and I said, "What he's got."
"You sure?"
"Yeah," I said. "Gotta give the audience a good show, don't I?"
"Your funeral."
Soon my mechanical weapon was back in the rack just off the arena and was holding a weapon a size too big for me. Eyfa came closer and did the expected posing and yelling to the crowd. All very theatric. Usually his fights were foregone conclusions given the nature of entertainment, but I knew he was a capable contestant when it was an open match. This weapon though, this axe, was heavier than I had thought it would be and I was having obvious trouble keeping it up in the air.
Eyfa turned to me as the announcer got on with the finals of the introductions and simply pointed his weapon at me. I could see his eyes, but not much else of what he was like under that armor.
"Dragon, I know you have a reputation as a mighty warrior. Don't let me down," he said in his gravely voice.
"Ready? Begin!" shouted the announcer.
Unlike the previous fights I began to move as my opponent did. Stepping to the side as Eyfa began to circle. I didn't have the focus I had before naturally, but that didn't mean I was without my natural ability.
The first strike from Eyfa came sooner and faster than I was expected. A lunge with a side swipe. Being a good foot taller than myself his reach was plenty wide and he could strike at me from beyond my reach. I moved myself to the far side of my axe as his came at me. The force was enough to cause me to be forced back. With only enough time to regain my footing Eyfa was swinging again. Another near miss that sent me stumbling back.
His onslaught continued like this. And soon I was realizing he was pushing me towards to edge of the arena. And I let him do so. Each of his strikes ended in a loud clang of metal on metal as the edge of his axe struck the long handle of mine just shy of my fingers. And there was often gasps from the audience. Then there was one more good swing from him before I was pinned against the wall. But I couldn't give up that easily. I hopped back moments before his swing, avoiding his attack. But in doing so had to abandon my axe. I leapt towards the wall and sprung off of it. A flap of my wings later and I was over top his head. I reached for his helmet and latched on. Planting my feet on his upper back I began to pull.
But he had been smart enough to have a solid strap. That helmet wasn't going anywhere. I continued to pull as I mulled over trying to poke him in the eye. But my thinking time let him drop his own axe and reach up towards me. He grabbed my arms and tore me from his head. In his annoyance he began to spin. And then he let go, sending me off along the wall. I bounced off of it and rolled along the ground before springing up.
Eyfa grabbed his weapon and turned towards me again. He took a few steps and then stopped. The giant wolf then laughed.
"I win!" he announced as he put his axe over his shoulder once more with one hand and pointed towards me with his free hand.
I then realized that the impact with the wall or perhaps the rolling on the ground had done something. And that something was scrape my elbow. I lifted my arm to look at my scales there as the pain began to sing. There was a slight spot of deep red blood. I huffed and nodded.
"You have indeed caused me to bleed. The match is over," I said.
I glanced to the audience where I knew Ux had taken up a spot to watch. I could see her fuming. I smirked.
Eyfa approached me with his free hand extended. I turned my attention back to him and offered my hand. As he took mine in his, he said, "Good match. And here I was worried you'd be tricky."
"Not when it comes to a worthy opponent," I said loudly. "You fought well. Maybe we'll meet again?"
"It would be an honor," said Eyfa before heading towards the exit.
The next voice I could make out clearly over all the cheering was the announcer. "It is now time to select the final opponent. Who shall it be?"
I had defeated the choice of Ux and of the people. It was my turn to select. I stepped out into the middle of the arena and began to survey the crowd. There were many capable people in the crowd. After all, blood sports, even mild ones, tended to attract those most interested in throwing punches themselves. But yet, I did not see a single face that could match my speed, or if they could, could match my strength, or if they could match both of those, seemed to have any ability to match my skill. I have to admit that in that moment I was tempted to pick one of those fools and show them the might of my kind. To end the fight in a single blow.
But then I found my opponent. I locked my eyes on her. And I could feel her growing nervous. I pointed towards her and then to my approaching assistant a few instructions to ready the next match. Soon my opponent was being moved from the stands. My assistant returned to my side to tell me that my opponent was uninterested in fighting and had selected no weapons. I then pointed for my assistant to remove the battle axe from the arena as I too would be without weapon. I then began to remove the bulkier pieces of my armor, few as they were, and toss them aside, leaving me light but still nominally modest.
And my opponent was pushed into the arena. Unlike Eyfa, she was shorter than me. Much shorter. She cautiously stepped forward, fidgeting meekly. Her tail was curled up around her side and the tip was quivering over her stomach. The young feline looked up at me with worry.
"Mister," she said when she was close enough for me to hear. "I... don't want to do this."
"Its fine," I said. "This will be over quickly. I just want to end the show in style."
She looked around at the crowd nervously. And then back to me. She nodded cautiously.
"Don't worry, I don't plan to hurt you," I pointed out, speaking so that my words would not carry far beyond my final opponent's ears. I looked to Ux, and then spoke as loud as I could. "I just wanted to face the full representation of what the Union has to offer as far as opponents."
Ux, looking at the situation skeptically, seemed to perhaps hear some of what I had said. She then looked a bit more at ease.
The announcer began to rev up the crowd. The crowd was a bit less enthusiastic about this match though as it was clearly not going to be nearly as entertaining of a match up as the previous ones had been. Eventually, as it had three times before, the announcer got to business.
"Ready? Begin!"
I took a few steps forward. The girl took a few steps back. I paused. I motioned for her to come closer. After a few moments she did. And we began to talk.
I don't feel right telling you what we spoke about exactly. As it was a private conversation. But the crowd began to get more restless the longer we exchanged words. There were a few boos before someone got it in their head that they should shut up so maybe they could listen in. Perhaps some of them got my final words to my opponent.
"They seem to be trying to listen in. Its perhaps time to begin."
"Ok mister," she said. Then with a smile she took up a fighting stance. The kind of stance only someone under ten thinks is effective in the least.
I nodded and mirrored her stance. And then I dropped to my knees.
"I surrender," I said at just the right moment so that many could hear.
The crowd exploded. Some cheered, some booed. Some expressed confusion. My opponent gave me a little bow and then ran up and gave me a hug. I told her that she could go back to her parents and that she could tell all her friends that she beat me fair and square. She was off and I stood again. Amongst the diverse calls I strolled confidently out of the arena.
"You bastard," growled Ux as I buttoned up my vest. "You threw that match. Hell, you kind of threw the one before it too!"
I snorted. "If that's what you think, then you are indeed dumb."
She raised a paw to smack at me. And I let her do it. I continued to button up my vest.
"You insult me," she growled. "You insult all the work we've done. Now almost everyone is having second thoughts. You... I should slay you."
"How? You've already proven yourself weaker than me. And I am clearly weaker than the best this land has to offer."
She spat at me. "By your choice. By your decision! Not your strength."
I then turned to Ux, finally making eye contact. "Yes. By your own reasoning, only the strongest should lead. And if I am that strongest, as I am clearly more so than you, then what I say goes. And what I say is that we leave the world to them. They have shown their strength to me. Its not my fault that you can't see how I evaluate their power."
"I don't think you are evaluating their power," said Ux as she turned her back to me. "You are simply surrendering yours. And by extension mine."
I nodded. "It can be both perhaps." I turned back to the mirror to make sure my outfit was fitted right. "But perhaps I shouldn't bother to explain it to you. You wouldn't listen anyway. You may be but a young sixty, but I can hope that as your years stretch onto eternity that you come to understand the flaw in your thinking."
"We'll see," said Ux. "This isn't over you know."
"I know. It never is with those who think force is the only answer to everything. Its perhaps the only answer to you though. Despite... despite my best efforts to provide alternatives. Now if you excuse me, I must run."
I began to make my exist. But I paused behind Ux for a brief moment. "Consider this whole bit of pageantry with the contest as a... demonstration of power from me to you. If you persist to threaten this nation with your desire for absolute rule, I will do everything necessary to thwart your plans. And now you know for a fact that you can not harm me. Remember that before you try again."