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Due to their position in the mess tent, Arcantos knew that his patrol would be some of the last out. Because of this, he didn't try to leave right away like Sig and Caross did, joining the crush as dragon's flooded out of the entrance. Instead, he, Scorch, Frost and Teprogia waited the big rush out, as well as a few other dragons.

"Well, it seems that we are about to put your reasoning as to why the High General is here to the ultimate test Arcantos." Frost said, turning to the blue dragon, knowing what he meant, Arc simply nodded in agreement, hiding his fear of what might happen if he was wrong. Try as he might through, he couldn't hide this from his friend and Tep placed a reassuring paw on his leg.

Nothing more could be said or done, as the rush was already done, and the remains of the patrol rose from the benches in order to leave. Teprogia detaching herself from the others as soon as they were outside, as the females and males were segregated when it came to sleep areas.

Arcantos hurried back to his tent with a light jog, a run being too tiring as he figured it was likely that they would be going straight into evaluation by Tryndamous, which would be tiring and he decided it would be best to save his energy. It might make him one of the last to the parade grounds, but as long as he was in the time-limit he would be fine and with his easily put on armour that was a fully achievable task.

Slipping into his tent, he crouched down by the chest at the foot of his bed. With a pulling motion, a key was pulled out from under his pillow and to his hand, the cat on the bed make a noise of complaint as the breeze disturbed his sleep. With key in hand, Arcantos quickly unlocked and opened the chest, revealing the mix of metal and leather inside of it.

First to come out was a leather shirt, and was quickly slipped into. The firm material providing padding for the next piece of armour that came out of the chest, a metal breastplate. This took a bit longer to put on with its numerous straps that had to be pulled tight. Afterwards, a helmet was taken out of the chest and slid over his head and done up quickly.

Once the armour was donned and all buckled up, only two items were left in the chest. Arcantos picked up his chosen weaponry. Two blades, as long as his arms in length, with a guard over the grips and vicious spikes jutting out from the bottom. What set it apart from most however, was that it didn't end is a point like most swords, but instead curved round, creating a hook. Giving them their names, the twin hookswords.

This went behind him to his back, with a slight amount of concentration and discharge of power, they stuck to his breastplate with a small clink. Satisfied, Arcantos closed the chest and stood up. With a quick flick of his wrist, he sent the key spinning back under his pillow - help a bit by his powers - and left the tent.

Looking around quickly, Arcantos saw that there were other dragons making their way to the parade ground still, through the large majority of the camp had already gathered in place. Seeing no rush, Arc once more conserved his energy as walked to the grounds. Not exactly a leisurely stroll as that would get him in deep trouble in numerous ways, but not exactly rushing either. Walking at a quick but calm pace.

Soon enough, Arcantos arrived at the parade ground, and fell in with his patrol. The last member of the seven dragons that made up each patrol. Even Giratina had arrived before him and was in position, through she had a expression of mild distaste as to having to stand between Caross and Frost. Arcantos' position was on the end next to Sig and across from Tepgoria.

Once everyone had gathering together, the Sergeant did a quick sweep of everyone. The dragoness making a few minute adjustments here and there, to make sure everyone was in the best condition they could be, before reporting back to the command tent - obvious due it being about ten times higher than any other tent - It only took moments, for the commander of the division, the Second lieutenant, to emerge from the tent. The next dragon to come out stole everyone's attention through.

Tryndamous.

Arcantos felt his breath being stolen away in sheer shock. He knew that the earth dragon was large, even for a dragon having gone through their second growth stage to become what was known as a Draconem. The reason of the command tent's large size became apparent, as any smaller and he wouldn't be able to fit into it. Whilst a draconem was about the size of a room for a normal, Tryndamous was easily the size of an entire floor if he was lying on his side.

Not only that, but his armour made him appear even larger than he actually was. Arcantos reckoned that the metal plating alone was likely half a tail in thickness, and likely weighing as much as an entire tree. Yet the High General wore the full-plate armour, complete with chain-mail and leather armour underneath with ease. It fact, considering the scruff marks and scratches that Arcantos could see, it was likely he wore it all the time.

Tryndamous' size and armour made him extremely intimidating, yet even that wasn't the full picture. His expression was the final part that the blue dragon noticed, and it put a chill of fear down his spine. Arcantos could detect no compassion, no empathy... no goodness in that gave. All he saw, was desire... a hungry for power and strength. Even when he turned to address the Second Lieutenant - a veteran dragon that has served in the army for over thirty years - he didn't see a single ounce of respect.

Arcantos had a horrible realization as he starred at Tryndamous. Whilst he had already known that the giant dragon was likely not the best dragon to be a High General due to his soldier-like mentality. Arcantos now believed that Tryndamous was even worse than that, a general that card nothing of his soldiers. Seeing them as nothing but tools to be used in order to win battles. To secure power and glory for his kingdom.... and himself.

"Young Bloods." Tryndamous spoke, breaking Arcantos out of his almost hypnotic inspection. Whilst the blue dragon managed to stifle his reaction to start, Teprogia still shot him a quick look as the High General continued. "You have been training and learning as part of the army for one and a half years now. You have grown much since you initially joined as na誰ve youngsters will little knowledge of how to really fight. However, the time has come to see how far you have truly grown. I cannot test all of you, but I can test one member of each patrol, to form a patrol with me whilst I investigate the rumours of a group of brigands that are moving through a nearby area. To be select for this is an honour and responsibility, as you will be representing your squad and patrol on a whole. You best be ready for the hardest patrol you have ever been on."

Tryndamous fell silent after this, and a hush came over the crowd. Many dragons not even daring to move as they stared as the High General, their bodies and faces completely rigid as they thought to hide their emotions. Carefully, Arcantos looks at the other members of the patrol. Gauging their reactions to this announcement.

Frost was expressionless, a master of self-control meant that Arcantos could pick up another the ice dragon. Scorch was a close second, but the blue dragon noticed he had a thoughtful edge to his expression. Sig was rather obviously frightened at the thought of being chosen, whilst Giratina was... bored of all things. Caross was both excited and nervous, obviously desiring to be picked for the patrol, yet at the same time unsure if he could represent the patrol and squad well. Teprogia... Tep was looking at him, worry on her face, and Arcantos knew why... as she was recalling as much as he that incident one year back...

"Ace the darkness dragon. Leader of the fourth patrol, you shall be the leader of the patrol I will take with me. Fall out and assemble at the front of the parade grounds." Tryndamous let the silence go on long enough, and gruffly continued. In front of Arcantos, a black dragon at the head of his group stepped forwards before smartly turning to the right. Marching to the end of the gather of dragons, before turning and making his way to the front. Meanwhile, Tryndamous continued to call out the different dragons.

The second of the group came from the first. The patrol's sniper was the third patrol's, whilst the second let their sapper to the patrol. The sixth had to give up their medic, whilst the scout came from the fifth. Once the scout was called, Arcantos quickly began breathing heavily, trying to control himself as everyone knew there was only one position in a patrol left to fulfil, and only patrol left to give a person. Leaving the person to be called up revealing to the entire squad.

"And finally, the Tactician and secondary medic of the group, from the seventh patrol. Arcantos." Thus did the High General speak, and thus was it decided. Arcantos hardly recalled himself falling out and marching to the front. His body taking over and moving mechanically as his mind went into overdrive. Full of fear and exploding with scenarios of how it could all fall apart. All he did remember, was Teprogia's worried expression following him as he left, the earth dragoness not even trying to hide her emotions from Tryndamous.

Arcantos came to as he approached the group, and Ace leant forwards slightly, whispering to him as Arc passed in order to fall into position. "Relax, I'll cover you." A simple message, but it was enough for now. The knowledge that someone had noticed his fear and showed not disgust at a weakness, but support for a fellow dragon, strength him significant, and it was with a much clearer head that Arcantos listened to Tryndamous dismissing the rest of the squad, stating that the Aether Guard will be testing them in an hour during the change in shift for the watch.

Soon, all who where left was Tryndamous, the sergeant, the Second Lieutenant and the patrol. The High General turned to the two officers, and dismissed them with a nod, before turning to his new patrol. Not even taking a chance to observe their rigidly held postures, he gruffly ordered.

"Follow me." Not bothering to fall out proper, Tryndamous just turned and started walking away. For a few startled seconds, the patrol just stood still, unsure what to do. Eventually, they simply broke ranks and followed, having to jog lightly to keep up with the Draconem's huge stride length. The fact that the High General didn't bother shortening his stride in the slightest silently chaffed on Arcantos, through he his it as they arrived at a collection of equipment.

"Here are your packs. You will find all the gear you need for a patrol. No tents as we'll be sleeping rough." With a small flick towards the packs, the patrol moved forwards to collect the bags. Quickly strapping them onto their sides and backs, before getting their new patrol mates to check the straps for damage and test how tight there were. Not wanting to lose any of the bags mid-flight.

Meanwhile, Tryndamous stepped slightly to the side and grabbed a bag about the size of all the bags and pouches that the patrol were strapped on. With a quick flick, it was on his back and he was finished with the straps before the patrol. This left him waiting for a good five minutes before the patrol was finished with all the checks.

"Too slow, you have to fast in case you need to leave in a hurry." He said gruffly before turning away, causing another flash of annoyance to Arcantos. They were always trained to take their time with carrying equipment and making sure nothing would come lose or fray during flight, as it was a dangerous risk hazard for any dragons that might be beneath and the equipment would be too damage to use afterwards.

Of course, this annoyance was eclipsed when Tryndamous spread his wings, and with a few powerful beats began to ascend into the air. The power limbs managed to take the large dragon and his heavy armour into the air, through the innate magic of dragons was what made this possible. The strong down-draft from the wings threw up large plumes of dust, leaving the patrol cough in an attempt to clear their lungs.

Hurriedly they spread out across the small clearing, giving each other enough room to take flight as well and not disturb one another as Tryndamous hovered above them waiting. Of course, with the dust cloud he put up, and then spreading out to give one another each room to take flight took time. So when they all managed to climb up and hover next to the High General, he criticized them for being slow once more, before taking off. The patrol watched him glumly, before their sapper - a fire dragoness by the name of Nova - commented. "Now I see why he said this is going to be the hardest patrol we've ever been on. He's an inconsiderate asshole." This got mumblings of agreement before the patrol followed after him.

They flew for a good long time. When they set out from the camp, the sun was around half-way down back towards the earth. Yet, they flew not just until the sun had set. But after the moon had risen up by around the same amount that the sun had dipped before they were allowed to land, the entire patrol exhausted.

Dragon's could fly for long distances by gliding and using air currents for lift, but they normally only flew for about three hours max because their wings would start cramping up. Tryndamous larger wings however meant that he could glide for much longer, and travel much further. Even when compared to the average draconem, and he cared little for the patrol. Forcing them to use their wings much more often in order to keep on a similar level to him.

When Nova had asked if they could ride in his tail-stream to reduce drag and make the flight easier for them, Tryndamous spent a good half an hour ripping the poor dragoness to shreds verbally. Insulting her endurance and worth as a soldier, saying that asking for an easier ride showed her weak mentality and that she had learned nothing the silent determination of a true soldier. Nova, a rather tough and no-nonsense dragoness was nearly reduced by tears by this tirade.

Even hours later after they had landed, she was visibly shaken and had to be comforted by Ace in order to fully calm down. Through she still quickly refuted the hug offered to her, and from the patrol leader's reaction, he didn't exactly want to go through with the hug himself and was only offering because it seemed to be the right thing to do.

Tryndamous kept adding to the list of reasons why he was an a-hole as the time continued. When they settled down, he currently ordered them to make camp, and refused to help out. The High General used his earth powers to create himself a stone hut to sleep in, but the draconem didn't make even offer to make one for the rest of the patrol. Despite the army having taught them that it was an earth dragon's duty to ensure the patrol had shelter when they settled down to camp.

Nova soon had a fire burning in the clearing in the middle, and the patrol curled around it. Keeping a safe distance from it as they tried to warm their scales and relax. Glad to finally be allowed to take their heavy armour off. After Nova got ripped into for asking to use Tryndamous' tail-stream, they quickly agreed not to ask anything that would make their tasks easier, fearful that he might just turn them around and end back to camp. Which would spell failure not just on themselves, but their patrols and the entire squad. Failing to fulfil your 3 year time in the army was basic a death sentence, so they just had to live with it... though they didn't have to be silent about it.

"Man, who knew that the big dude was going to be such a jerk?" The scout of the group, surprisingly an air dragon, who went by the name of Sonitus said as they warmed themselves on the fire and cooked their evening meal. There was mumblings of agreement from the others as Sonitus continued. "He was always low-ranked before reaching his rank and was a mere soldier for ages. Its rather confusing that he's not sympathetic towards us."

"That's easy to explain." Ace said coolly, turning his dark blue gaze to the earth draconem as he lay curled up in his stone hut. The patrol leader waited a few moments for everyone's attention to turn to him before he replied. "Tryndamous has no empathy for other dragons at all. All he's every cared about is himself and only himself."

"Bold claim there Ace, care to back it up?" Nova challenged rather quickly. Startling Arcantos who has been surprised that Ace was echoing his early judgement of the High General. "You know what I say, gotta back up your claims with evidence." Ace considered the red dragoness for a few moments, before turning their air dragon.

"Sonitus can you cloak up in one of your sound bubbles? Not one for total silence, but only to mute our voices. If we are going to have this discussion, I believe that letting Tryndamous overhearing our dislike for him and reasoning for it won't exactly make us appeal for him."

Sontius was visibly surprised by this, through Arcantos reckoned it was more due to Ace knowing about his sound bubbles than addressing him, the knowledge that Sontius could create bubbles of sound was news to Arc and from the looks of it, the rest of the patrol. The wind dragon recovered and gave a hesitant nod, before closing his eyes. A few moments passed in nervous anticipation before he opened his eyes and nodded at Ace.

"All done boss. He can still hear that we're talking, but not matter how loud we get, he'll never be able to hear what we're saying. Hell, you could probably shatter a shock-wave crystal in here and he wouldn't notice." Ace nodded, before drawing in a deep breath. Aware of everyone's eyes on him, awaiting for his answer. Releasing the air, he committed himself, speaking four words that would change everyone's life forever.

"Tryndamous killed my parents." The patrol was shocked and surprised at this, several of them making exclamations of confusion or impossibility. But none of them reacted as explosively as Nova did, her eyes widened up as she leapt to her paws. The fire flaring up dangerously and making everyone shy away as she spoke.

"IT WAS HIM?!" Nova shouted at Ace, her full attention and near-furry directed at the black dragon. "He killed your parents? Why are you saying that now? Hell, why didn't you bring it up when he was in the town? We would of brought justice down on his head for that! Just because he's the High General, doesn't mean he can do what he want and get away with it!"

"Yes he can." Ace said coldly, cutting right through the dragoness' ranting and even make her take step back at the sheer ice of Ace's voice. "If I came forward and claimed that Tryndamous had killed by parents after he and his Aether Guard searched for me for many more hours than my friends and family did, people would likely be disbelieving. Besides, whose word would be trusted more? The respected High General, leader of our military forces and the strongest fighter of the country. Or a little kid who had a reputation of troublemaking and had just gone through the traumatic lose of his parents?"

No one answered this question. No one had to, it was an obvious question that didn't need an answer. After a few moments of floundering, Nova quickly recovered her fire and shot back, stating. "I would of believed you! My parents would of believed you! And my parents are some of the most trusted individuals in the town. They certainly would have been listened to!"

"Yes, your parents would of believed me" Ace agreed with a nod, making Nova smirk and open her mouth to reply, but the darkness dragon continued on still, not allowing the dragoness time to speak. "But tell me truly. Do you think our town, in the midst of its near worship of the High General, would for any one second believe that he would be capable of such a horrible crime? Sure, the clear-headed amongst us sure would, but the large majority of the town? They would likely exile us simply for speaking against him." Nova was once more let floundering at this, unable to think of an argument, even as she desperately scrabbled for one. After a full minute had passed, Arcantos quietly spoke up.

"I think you need to tell us the full story Arc. Not just to enlighten us to what Nova obviously knows, but to tell her how everything played out." Nova shot Arcantos a glare for his words, but after looking back at Ace, reluctantly sat down. Giving her silent agreement to the idea, hungry to finally find out what had happened to her friend all those years ago. Ace looked around the patrol before sighing, shifting he made himself more comfortable before starting.

"It happened around 14 years ago, and I was officially seven years old at the time. The High General was doing the tour that he has to do every seven years, and our town was on the route that he had chosen. They treated it like a damn festival, parties and costumes and food. An entire damn parade being put on for his honour. I had pranked the headmistress of my school before hand and I was grounded for the festival. Little did I know is that it likely saved my life."

"I tried to stay awake until I when I knew the festival was going to end at midnight, but I must of gone fallen asleep. Because when I awoke, the moon was halfway down the horizon, but it gave me enough light to see what was outside when I peeked outside. There, standing on our porch and knocking on the door was the High General himself, Tryndamous. My parents woke up at the knocking and soon greeted him, with the High General requesting for them to come out so he could talk to them, to which they agreed, and allowing me to hear the entire conversation. It was after then that things went down hill, extremely fast."

"Tryndamous focused entirely on her mother, complimenting her and calling her the most alluring dragoness in the town. Which flustered her, even making her blush. Something that I had never seen from her before, and I think my dad was surprised to see it as well. Probably made him a little short tempered when Tryndamous quite bluntly stated that he wanted to fuck my mother."

"As I said, I was seven. I had no idea what that meant, and I was confused at how they reacted. Mother was flustered more so than ever, seeing it as a compliment but something she had to turn down. My dad however got angry, saying that he had no right of saying such things. That sex can only be shared between mates, and that if he was here only to rutt his mate, then the High General could kindly leave."

"Tryndamous reply was simple yet effective. He blasted my father right through the house with the quickest earth-shot that I had ever seen. Whilst my mother looked round in shock at the hole that had just been made, he stood up to his full height and told her to bend over and raise her tail like a good little dragoness. Knowing that she couldn't fight him, my mum tried to run, tried to get to me and get away, but Tryndamous was too quick and strong. Easily grabbing her and forcing her to the ground before forcing himself onto her."

"I had no idea what was happening, and no understanding of it either, yet I couldn't tear myself away. Transfixed by the sight in front of me. I watched as Tryndamous completely ravaged my mother. He was at her for hours, by the time he was done, she was completely covered in his seed, had passed out several times, and the moon was about an hour away from setting."

"But he wasn't done there... oh no. Whilst my mum lay on the ground, silent dry sobbing to herself. He turned his attention to his house. Knowing that it had evidence that he had been here - after all, who else could blast a dragon clean through the house in a single earth shot? - he charged up a full-powered earth shot to completely demolish it. Making it look like bandits had visited the house instead of just one dragon, because who would believe the High General had not just killed a dragon, but raped his mate and destroyed their house?"

"I was lucky to survive. I managed to create a barrier around myself when I realized what was happening, but I was still knocked out by the attack and buried in rubble. By the time I came to, and managed to dig myself out of the rubble, the sun was high in the horizon. I'm sure my mother thought I was dead. Because I soon found her, curled up next to my dad with a red slash across her neck... and dried blood on her tail-blade."

"I fled after that. Whilst young, I was well-read, and I knew. Just knew that if I was found whilst Tryndamous was still around, he would silence me. Most likely by having me meet an unfortunate accident. Evading the hunt of the Aether Guard was nearly impossible... but I knew the terrain, and they didn't... so I pulled it off. I didn't eat for days, and my drinks were few and far between, but I survived and evaded them until I managed to hurry myself to the one location I knew where they would never find me. Me and Nova's hideout. A little location that my mum and dad shared with us when we were young and told no one else about."

"Nova found me of course, I don't know what made her check the hideout, but she did and found me. I was awake at the time, and managed to get her to swear for silence. With her smuggling me food to the hideout, I was able to survive until Tryndamous and the Aether Guard left. Although I still waited for a solid month afterwards before I allowed myself to be found... I never really left the hideout and quickly turned it into my new home. After Tryndamous came, it was only thing I had left of my parents..."

Silence descended onto the camp-fire at this. The entire patrol forgetting to breath at this story. The raw emotion that Ace displayed as he spoke was too real for them to ever accuse him for lying, and from Nova's expression, it matched up perfectly with her knowledge of the events... the patrol shocked at the evils that Ace witness at such a young age, and its perpetrator was only a few tail-lengths away from them....

"You're telling us because we can't do anything about it..." Arcantos breathed softly, unaware of the patrol's eyes on him, focused sorely on Ace as he levelled his cool gaze on the blue dragon. "We can't fight Tryndamous, as he would kill us all and fail the squad. Whilst it won't be enough to squad it completely, the discipline enforced on us by the army will ensure we can keep our fear and hatred of Tryndamous down to a level were he won't suspect us... and its not just to prove that he has no empathy, but a warning to us. That Tryndamous is willing and able to do anything he desires, and that daring to cross him could end with us dead."

Ace looked at Arcantos for a few moments longer, before dipping his head in a curt nod of agreement. The patrol went silent at this, thinking through the implication of Arcantos statement, of Ace's decision... and the trust he carried about them for sharing such heavy and dark information with them, knowing that one slip up could lead to the death of them all...

"Your playing with fire here Ace." Sontius said with a small shake of his head after he had thought things through. "I mean yeah, we're disciplined. We are all much more controlled and orderly than before we joined the army. But dude, your asking us to keep the information that the High General is a rapist and murderer to ourselves whilst we are doing a freaking patrol with him. What makes you think we can all do that?"

"Simple, because out of each member of the patrol, Tryndamous chose the ones that have the biggest reasons to keep themselves disciplined." Ace said, his gaze sweeping over the patrol before turning to Sonitus. "We are all the most unconventional of the army. Our attitudes, our thought process and perceptions are all different from the norm, and it shows in how we primarily manifest our powers."

"Like how Sonitus can create bubbles of sound?" Nova injected, glancing from her close friend to the air dragon and back again. Getting a curt nod from Ace in response to the query, making her continue and freely state. "And how instead of big balls of fire, I'm more comfortable with condensed lances of white fire?" Again Ace nodded at this, stating.

"And how I can use my powers over darkness to track the position of all living creatures around me. Every single one of uses our elements in a way that is different from the norm... and the army hates it. Speaking from experience, but the army quickly battered down mine and Nova's usage of our elements, telling us that they were 'incorrect', 'wrong' or even 'useless'. We've always lagged behind the others in elemental ability in the tests and training, and I'm certain its because the army refuses to accept change from the norm."

The patrol shared looks at this announcement, knowing full well that Ace spoke the truth. Whilst they didn't come forwards and shared how they could use the elements in a unconventional way, it was obvious to all of them that everyone in the patrol did, and it was likely they all had suffered the same treatment of Ace and Nova. Having their normal way of manifesting their elements practically beaten out of them. Ace allowed this knowledge to sink in for a good few minutes before he spoke up once more, his voice low and with a tinge of sadness as he spoke.

"That's why I trust you, all of you. You already know what its like to keep something hidden from others. To keep your natural instincts under tight control and do exactly what your told to do when your told to do it. To be a good little soldier and not question your CO. That's what the army teaches us to do, and we are likely the best in the patrol to be able to do so. Not only that, but I believe that Tryndamous chose us BECAUSE he knows we are naturally unconventional. He's testing who he believes are the biggest troublemakers of the squads. In his mind, we are the lowest standard of the squad, and likely amongst young-bloods as a whole."

Silence fell onto the camp-site for another time, as the dragon's pondered all that had been said so far. Nova inspecting Ace, wonder and worry in her gaze as she tried to calculate how open her old friend was now. Ace himself looked deep into his flames, sharing a secret so tightly locked away for so long more than likely took a lot of him. Arcantos was looking up in the air, admiring the stars as they began to come out, and wondering what their future could be. Eventually, Sontius' features hardened and he stood up. Grabbing the attention of the patrol and snapping them out of their thoughts.

"Then its decided. We stand together." The air dragon said firmly as he held his paw out. Through he didn't over it to anyone in particular. But held it out over the flames. The patrol considered him for a few moments before Nova climbed to her feet, and placed her own paw over his. Ace glanced at the fire dragoness, before getting up and following suit. One after one, the rest of the patrol followed suit, until only Arcantos was left. Arc looked round at the others, studying each dragon and face in kind... until eventually he too came to his feet, placing his hand over the pile of paws that hovered above the flickering fire.

"Together." Arcantos said quietly and firmly, looking at the joining in the centre of the circle, measuring the weight of the oath and commitment being stated by everyone, the bound that would bind them together... permanently.

"Together." Everyone echo'd, sealing them forever more.