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Chapter 4

The ride to the outer gates would have been peaceful if not for the looming cloud of concern weighing upon Arcturus' brow. He held tight to the dragon below him, moving as the scaled creature rose and fell with the nightly currents. It was second nature to him now, done almost out of instinct. If he closed his eyes, he could even swear he could feel the sensations of his leathery wings, or the sting of icy daggers upon those crimson scales. His troubled eyes went to sea of black that was the coming clouds, twisting and winding across the sky, determined to swallow the stars above. His breath was crisp, sensing snow might be coming at morning's first light.

How in these quiet moments he wished for the aura of a crackling fire, to feel it's touch upon his cheek. Perhaps a friend by his side to share the passing time, gaze out to the winking stars above. For a moment his mind did slip to ages back to days along the Dragon Neck mountains. Where one could gaze out to nature's wonderous bounty, the sound of birds singing through the trees. But with a shift of Veledar's wings he was snapped back to a world of icy teeth and dread. Duty never slept, he supposed that times such as these could wait until the danger in which they found themselves had passed.

Out across the winter struck countryside, his eyes could hardly make out the various blots of black and grey that were supposed to be the trees. He longed for the dragon's senses as he squinted his gaze, only able to clearly make out the western gate. The one where they'd been stopped the first time, run once by the elven commander Soliana, who turned out to be an ally to Nigel the Lich. Hopefully this new commander would be more friendly." He gripped tight Veledar's saddle, not exactly thrilled to wind up at rifle point once again.

"Hard to believe that such a small thing could hold back the undead." Veledar said along the wind, his voice still hinting of his frustration with the guardians. "I'd hate to give the credit to the guardians, but I suppose there are things that even they can do right."

"You heard Merlia last we were here, the stones are strong. Above the walls are enchanted with seals against their kind. Just like that of the city proper, they are no stranger to the shambling and twisted horrors that lurk through the night."

"And thankfully for me those _things_burn just as easily with fire. One just wonders if they are dead, why not hike the mountains and avoid it all together?"

He smirked, eying the shadowy peaks tipped with snow. "Hard to traverse such a path when a dragon can manipulate the weather and the ground beneath your feet. I'd like to see them try, only to wind up buried in both snow and gravel."

"I can see how that would be annoying." Hissed the dragon, "But they deserve all the snow the world can muster thrown at them." He peered back to eye the dozens of pegasus riders on their flanks, a row of stoicism against the winds. "Its like they don't trust us to get there."

"They're just doing their jobs." Replied Arcturus, taking a curious glance. None had spoken since they'd begun their flight, which honestly, he'd been thankful for. He was in no mood for their biting tongues or backward compliments.

"They could be doing it with more welcoming attitudes. They wonder why no outsiders would visit."

He thought back to how his people had treated both Rothdell and Drenedar, forcing their light upon their borders. Misery, death, conflict had been the birth of such things. His reply came reserved, "They have a lot to justify such a disposition. Lets just try to keep a level head, it's strange they only wanted us and not the others."

"You'd think they'd wish to speak with her majesty and her gryphon cohort. Though I understand the desire to gaze and talk to a dragon, especially one rare among these parts."

"You insisted on coming, or are we rewriting history already?"

The dragon huffed, "I'd like to think about they simply forgot. I can understand, there are undead about. I will forgive their commander for his lack of memory and grace him with my presence anyway. That's how gracious I can be."

"How noble of you."

"Indeed, it is my Umraadi. Perhaps it's deserving of a massage of the entirety of my scales? One preferably done before a raging fire, on top of dozens of soft things befitting of my stature."

"One thing at a time, then we can dream of comforts and whatever that lewd mind of yours is concocting."

"Whomever said anything about lewd behavior?" Chuckled Veledar with a salacious glint in his eye, "Oh how your mind works my lovely paladin, one wonders how you ever lived such a life before meeting myself!'

It wasn't long before they swung around the grandiose walls, lined with braziers to burn away the nightly chill. The courtyard was packed with supplies of various sorts, weapons, food, clothing, armor, everything that a garrison would need to last out the armies beyond their lands. As Veledar swept around he spied the stables, where direwolves rested upon beds of hay, dreaming about eating and racing along the snow. The keep stood over the network of walls and corridors, it's visage of that of a towering lord. Cannons adorned it's crown, blackened steel loaded for any attack that might be set against it.

Below this the guards patrolled the walls of stone, clad in chain and armed with sword and rifles. Their faces were reddened by the winds, some clinging to fires to help fight back the chill. Each wore fatigue upon them like another bit of their uniform, springing into alert at the first sign of Veledar's wings. As calls went out across the complex, they were instantly shouted down at the arrival of the flock of pegasus upon his flank.

A section of the courtyard was cleared enough for them to land, even for Veledar's wingspan. Men and woman shieled their eyes as he descended, kicking up loose snow in his wake. There they spied a broken sections of stone and rubble, remains of when Shandalar the elven wizard had created a wall in their first encounter with the frustrating elven commander.

"Quite the jumpy bunch, aren't they?" Veledar mused the moment his paws settled on the cold stone, pinning his wings behind him. "Do I look like one of their undead monsters sent to attack them?"

"To be fair, a red dragon _does_lead them." Arcturus replied, unhooking himself and sliding off the dragon's side.

"I don't look like him do I?" Veledar turned with a slight huff, "Or do humans think all dragons look the same?"

"Only the smallest of resemblances." Arcturus assured him as the sapphire guardians dismounted and prepared to take them to commander Gray.

"Lets just hope this one isn't as friendly with undead as the last."

"Just think of it this way, if they are just as traitorous, you can burn them." Arcturus replied.

Veledar grinned, "I hadn't thought of that. That would be fun!" He shifted his size and marched alongside the knight as they left the cold, crisp air for the realms of better comfort.

At the sign of a smaller than dragon door, Veledar was convinced reluctantly to shift his size. After all, they did not need him knocking over everything as he squeezed and crawled throughout the keep's inner network of corridors. So it was he assumed the size of a wolf, striding with confidence by Arcturus' side. He seemed to glow with a regal nature, trying to compensate for his lack of stature.

"What can you tell me about this commander Gray anyway?" Arcturus asked as they passed into the tight corridors of the keep. He noted they had lanterns every few feet, their brightness enhanced to no doubt beat back the shadow creatures that the undead employed.

The lead guardian that brought them slightly turned as he guided them, "Old Gray fought your people years back, when they started pushing through the Plains of the Sword. Earned many honors making sure every inch of land was paid for in blood." He let the statement settle, a grim smirk about him, "You could say he has no love or patience for the schemes of Lumarians."

"Then it makes it ever more curious that we were summoned. If he holds such contempt for my people, why even bother granting us audience?"

"Perhaps he heard about your heroic deeds to rescue an innocent dragon."

"Please, you're anything but innocent."

"Innocent of the crimes...Well, some of the ones ranted at me. But that doesn't change, perhaps he's realized that you're one of the good Lumarians."

"And what of Nivra, Voidwing and Krotos?"

"More exceptions." Replied the dragon with a snort, "Not really anyway." But his head shifted to the guards, "But more importantly this commander Gray, he has clearly seen the light in _Arcturus'_good nature, but what of dragons?" I'll assume he's dying to speak with a red dragon in these parts?"

The men shrugged, gob smacked by such a strange question. "Neat I suppose? Never thought about asking him."

"See Arcturus? The commander isn't _completely_mad."

"Yea, because what his opinion on dragons is what concerns me." Replied Arcturus sarcastically. Lumara had lots of crimes to answer for, especially those done to the Drenedar people. This event with the undead was merely the tip of the ice-burg. There were hundreds of excuses one might give to get a little payback at a knight of his nation, even if he'd turned his back on them as of late.

"Im glad we are both of the same mind." Rumbled the dragon, a confident stride in his paws. "I only hope that whatever he wants you for is done swift, I never cared for these lengthy conversations."

The guards leading them pressed forward, opening what was a weathered door. There were hardly markings upon it, save for a crimson amulet of the sun wrapped in brass chains, signifying a once old crusade in Fureen's name. "Got Arcturus for you sir." Their leader announced, "And apologies sir, the beast insisted upon his invitation."

The heavy door creaked open, revealing the tightly packed chambers within. Maps and charts were spread across thick oak tables, stained with years of ale and wear. A globe was pressed into one corner of the globe, draped with a fur line cloak. There were thick banners from the rafters of blue, white and gold, each bearing the royal symbol of the rampart pegasus. Weapon racks were tucked into corners, lined with sharpened weapons that gleamed of magical might. Veledar looked upon these with envious eyes, wishing to add them to his collections.

But the commander stood, hovering over one of his many maps, eating away at a dish of veggies and rice. He was a wolven of adequate size, standing only slightly taller than Arcturus. His greyed muzzle was slathered with sauce, some dribbling down his chin. His onyx fur was lined with silver, his lupine eyes spoke that of a man with numerous battles under his belt. At their entry he shoved down his dish, dusting off the thick cloak of furs he wrapped himself in. Wiping his snout with a handkerchief his hardened gaze fell to Arcturus and Veledar.

"Of course, he did." Growled commander Gray, "It would appear as though Arcturus shares such blatant disregard for our requests as his queen. Here I was to believe that a knight of his caliber would be more respectful-"

"He did not defy your request." Veledar growled, placing a paw to his chest. "It was I, for I care not for your customs or little demands."

"I see the tales spoke incorrectly of your dragon's size. Pity, I don't think one of this stature could aid us."

"I grow much larger. If you care not for your room, I can show you." Hissed the dragon, fluffing his wings in a threatening display. "You shall not corner my Umraadi and ambush him in such a manner. Least not without having to cross paths with me."

Arcturus cleared his throat and apologized for their rudeness, before Veledar went about starting another fight between himself and someone that'd shown them disrespect. "What he means to say is that he's quite protective of me, comes with the package of working a dragon I'm afraid. Surely you would understand that with Storm and-" He bit his lips as all in attendance scowled, reminded how they had a hand in the grand dragon's demise.

"Dragon, the thought that we might _murder_him in cold blood is insulting. If you were a man, I'd be challenging you right now to a duel." Gray snarled, eyes like a blade. "We are men of respect and renown within the Ruby Guardians, the highest knights within the realm." He opened his cloak to reveal their vest, one of the brightest reds interwoven with sections of gold.

"And I'm saying I've seen your ilk try and murder us before." Veledar pressed forward despite his small stature, snapping his teeth, "And I won't let that happen again."

As tensions flared and hands wavered over weapons, Arcturus had to bring this back from the brink. A tender hand upon Veledar soothed his blood, enough so that he retreated behind him, coiling around his back. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, there would be no fires lit this day within this room. The commander however looked unphased, almost proud that he'd won this little exchange, getting underneath the dragon's scales. He was playing a dangerous game is so.

"Regardless of your apology, this matter looks poorly upon you Arcturus." Gray coughed. "I should turn you away-"

"Are you not going to speak to us because of a matter of decorum?" Arcturus replied firmly, "We were led to believe the matter was urgent."

"Urgent enough to interrupt our dinner." Veledar added, fluffing his wings, "Of which I expect to be compensated for."

"Compensated?" Gray asked, "You'll be lucky if I don't throw you and your rider in chains this evening with what we found."

"I'd like to see you try." Scoffed Veledar, "I'm sure you dream of lofty goals of chaining up a dragon for your sick fetishes you wish to play out, but better men than you have tried, and failed."

At such a remark, the other guards could no longer bite their tongues. The one that led them there shouted out, "Show some respect for commander Gray dragon. He who slew the whispering menace, the one who held the line against count Veren and his skittering hordes of ratmen. He's a Champion to the people and beloved by all."

"That will be all." Chuckled commander Gray, as the dragon flared his nostrils, silently staring at him for even _daring_to have a title longer than his. "I brought you both here on serious matters, one that could not wait for morning light." He trundled about his room, cracking open a box of cigars and offering one to each of them.

"Don't mind if I do." Veledar took one into his maw, starting to chew.

"That's not-" The wolven went to protest, but the dragon had already swallowed the offering.

"Thank you, it was an interesting flavor."

The wolf recoiled from this strangeness with a chuckle. "Who am I to question such a dragon custom? Though I suggest next time savoring something this exquisite." He lit his cigar, taking a long, exaggerated drag as if to show him how it was done. "Now why Arcturus, would your people send an airship to attack us? Especially with the undead on our ruddy doorstep?"

This again? It was hard to not hide his displeasure and annoyance as such an accusation. How many times had they heard that since their arrival, then again when Nivra had departed for her sea adventure. "Commander Gray, your people sling this accusation at us time and again. How many times must we answer that we have no nefarious purpose? Crimson here and I were training under the dragon Fremra, staying with her as guests within her keep!"

"And your queen? What of her?" Mused the wolven, rounding the room and approaching a navy stitched blind, "Do you know of each mechanization that slithers through her head? Every sinister plot that she shares not with you? Was she not an apprentice of that nefarious lich? Was not her father upholding that dreadful horror that was them turning honest to stars people into mana stones?"

Ice flickered across his heart, reminded of the last moment of his friend Gus, pained and bleeding as he twisted and transformed into a blood red crystal. His hand clenched, "I doubt she has any foul schemes within her, she's been working within the halls upon spells and traps for your defense. Why not march down right now and question her and Florimel? I'm sure both would love to answer these questions!"

"If I wanted to be lied or schemed at, I'd summon the politicians sure." Gray shook his head, clicking his tongue. "You and I are men of action, the ones that say what they mean. I figured if there was anyone within your roster of Lumarians that I could speak with, it would be you. I'd hoped that honor had survived within your heart, even if you once worked for our enemy." He tapped at Arcturus' chest, peeling back the curtains and gesturing to the countryside. "And I speak not of phantom suggestions. I of course speak of recent events. Now tell me, what does that look like?"

He squinted, peering to the blackened countryside. It was hard to make out anything from this distance, nothing more than a convoluted mass of half shapes. Even the dragon was reduced to grumbling, not wanting to admit he hadn't seen a thing. "A dark countryside?" Arcturus finally admitted.

"Really?" Gray grinned, guiding him to a tiny blot of light, one that flickered at the base of a sea of what he figured were trees. "Right there, hard to see now, but in the light, was an airship right and true. Was flying the right flag and everything."

He paused, what was an airship doing way out here? "That can't be right, they'd have been torn from the sky!"

"That they were. Crashed into at least a dozen pieces. The undead were swarming all over it with their flying beasties, ragged shambles of things. Upon the ground there were runners and shadow things, not to mention the tide of muscle the bastards have employed. Ripped into the hull, tragedy to be sure, no one deserves to be torn to pieces...Not even Lumarians."

Arcturus head was spinning. They were far from Lumarian lands, even the towns that his people were actively helping. What was a lone ship doing all out this way on it's lonesome? Possibly lending aid? Deserters? Good souls that decided to abandon their posts and try to help the Drenedarians? "And you didn't do a thing to save them?" He growled, "How could you call yourself noble as you watched them die?"

"You become great by learning when to make a move Arcturus, and when not to." Replied Gray, "Those men and gryphs were dead the moment they touched the ground, and I'd not trade Drenedarian lives for those that stole our people's lands from them."

"Did any gryphons scatter as it crashed?" Arcturus shook his head to the window, lingering upon that flickering blot, "Maybe there's a chance survivors could be found."

"Not that we could see when it did. Least they went down with the ship, fighting by the side of their fellow soldiers. More than you can say about most."

He turned away bitterly, "Was this why you brought us here? Just to speculate on their arrival, justify why you left them to die?"

"My conscious is ever clean boy." Grunted Gray, "They'd have seen us coming earlier, prepared for whatever rescue we'd have even attempted. We may never know what they'd wanted, but that doesn't have to be the end of them. I had another idea on how they could help us."

"And what idea would that be?" Mused Veledar, gently stroking the globe, "It sounds as though the ship is scrapped and the Lumarians dead."

Gray sighed, brushing his brow, "I was ordered to undertake an expedition to the crashed vessel. Investigate why-

"But you said it wasn't worth rescuing the Lumarian-" Veledar began, but was cut off.

"They want the weapons." Stated Arcturus sternly, "A treasure trove to your people, more valuable than the lives of those that possessed them."

"Precisely." Said Gray, "It's not like they'll be needing them. Why not use them to help defend the city against those that slew them?"

"You are aware how those things are made." His arms crossed, "You just mentioned the creation of the stones."

"And does that mean we should let their sacrifice go to waste?" He strolled to Arcturus side, a predatory gleam in his eyes, "Their deaths don't have to be in vain. They could have delivered to us the means of our salvation."

"It just makes us complicit to murder." Growled Arcturus, clenching his fists, "I swore to never use them again."

"And we're not asking you to use them. Just to make sure than those innocent within the walls are better defended. Even you must agree the energy crossbows would be far superior to our black powder rifles."

It was true, but the fact did little to quell the paladin's unease. Those mana stones were dark magic, used to make lives better yes, but at a terrible cost. Continued reliance on them merely reinforced their continued use. His eyes shifted to Veledar, whose own mother had been tortured, her spirit bound to such a stone. The dragon's sapphire pools churned with as much conflict as the paladin's own. "Even still, Lumara soldiers pledge to never let those weapons fall into anyone but our hands."

"The same people you went back on when it came to your dragon." Gray gestured, grinning at how Arcturus flushed, "What is another breaking of that to make sure the innocent are protected? We can't very well have the undead get to use them against us." He swung and arm around the knight's shoulder, holding him close. "Think of it not as giving the weapons to use, imagine it as lending. What we're doing is a _noble_thing. After the undead are taken care of, you can destroy them for all we care."

Shaking his head, he tore himself away. The decision gnawing away at him. Could these weapons be trusted with the guardians? Smoke curled around Gray's pointed ears as he awaited the decision, a confident smirk about him. He knew he had Arcturus by the short hairs. Those weapons could help save lives. He sighed, searching Veledar's snout. "What about it? Sound interesting?"

"Interesting? God no." Replied the dragon with a blunt huff. "But if it means much to you, then I would be amiss to let you go alone. Though should it be too dangerous, don't be surprised to find yourself carried like a package."

He scoffed, "Such an undignified way?"

"You leave me no choice. If it's that dangerous, I don't image there will be time for landing and waiting for your metal ass to mount me."

"So, it sounds like you're accepting!" Gray cheered, taking another drag of his cigar, "Good show, knew that you'd accept it." He ordered the three other guards into action, to round up a handful of volunteers, "By the stars we'll take those weapons out from those bastards fingers!"

"I thought you hated Lumarians?" Veledar asked, his head tilting as the commander wheeled around to behold them with a grin.

"Bah, course I do. But even if that be so, both of you appear to be men...And dragons of honor. Sure, our trip might have been successful, but with an experienced soldier like Arcturus and a grand beast such as yourself?" The old wolven chuckled, "Nothing is going to stop you."

"You flatter me wolf." Rumbled the dragon, raising his head with fluttering frills, "I suppose your judgement in character is great. Perhaps you are befitting of all those titles."

"And what about the others?" Arcturus was already asking as the commander insisted, they had all the equipment they needed right here. "And our gear?" He pat his cloaked shoulder, "Without armor or weapons, I'm rather exposed."

"While that sounds exquisite for me. I don't wish my Umraadi thrust into by any spear or tiny rock. What? Arcturus, human skin is quite fragile! I've heard you get things called splonters?"

"Splinters." He scowled.

Gray clicked his tongue, explaining they wanted this to be kept silent. The queen and the others were not to know. "Besides." He gestured to the door, "Every moment we waste is another minute we give to the undead and their allies. I'd already told them to prepare for you, you just need to gear up and head out."

The dragon and the knight exchanged a look, nodding silently to one another. They had each other, anyone else was a bonus. "Although Commander." Arcturus said with a stern tone, "If there is a conflict with carrying weapons or survivors, I'm prioritizing the living."

** * * * * * * * * * **

Arcturus and Veledar left the room, the sound of their steps echoing down the hall. Gray dusted off his cigar, eying the black landscape beyond. At his command, a trio of Ruby guardians slipped inside his quarters. Each one was an example of what a knight should be, well maintained, armed, eyes that had seen many battles and filled with noble intent. The wolf sighed as they asked him of Arcturus' character.

"Men, you're my best and most trusted. Some of you might have met Arcturus Lund tonight, he's polite, charming, willing to go out and do the hard jobs. See, problem with men like that, especially when he has friends in power, is they can change the status quo. Get to positions that they should have no right to. Can you imagine such Lumarian perversion spreading through our people? Our children looking up to the symbol of our would be conquerors?" He took a drag from his cigar, scowling at the globe. "With his friends he could move wherever in our ranks, all on the behest of a princess that ran away like a coward. This man could infect out way of life, upset the balance of power. You don't want that, I don't want that. Thankfully when you have rot, you burn it out. Men like that can be solved like any other, and despite what fancy magic they have, he's still just that. A mortal man."

The men nodded, understanding what was to be done. That sort of thing needed to be buried, ideally six feet under. One of them shifted uncomfortably, asking the obvious question. "If he has favor of the queen, how are we to be sure she won't come after us. Come asking questions."

"That will be quite tricky. Have to make it look like an accident. Like the fool went gallivanting off to rescue folks and the unfortunate happened. Afterall, all these undead running about? Not unheard of for a blade to go where it isn't supposed to." The wolf snorted, "Do it when the dragon's not looking. Direct his fury against the undead. Nothing better than a rampaging dragon. If they want to be heroes, let them die as such. That way they get what they want, things stay the same."

The knights exchanged solemn looks with one another, sizing themselves up for what needed to be done. In silence they retreated, minding their weapons, and filed out one after the other. The commander returned to his view, lightning another cigar. Tonight, was going to be grand, they'd have scores of weapons to use against the dead and they'd be rid of another Lumarian monster. True Arcturus and his ilk played the role of innocence well, hiding their malice with heroic deeds and words. He'd seen such actions before, been sold on Lumarian lies. Their paladins often did before seducing towns to be nothing but subservient of their new masters. He took a labored sigh; in a few hours their perversion would be gone. He'd sleep easy knowing their schemes were being put to the sword. When this was over, Lumara would never be welcome in Struport again.