War of the Dragons - Chapter 10
They sat around the campfire, those in charge of the remaining five patrols. Only two were actual leaders, of the remaining three, one was a JOAT, another was an assault and the third was a tactician, Arcantos. The blue dragon was obviously tired, swaying slightly where he sat, and often having to dig his claws into the palm of his hand to stay awake. The medics said that he should be resting and let someone else take part in the meeting. With how important is was, and how essential Arcantos was for their escape, everyone knew that he could not miss it.Currently, they were waiting and watching. The remaining medics working and discussing the forms of eight dragons, covered in blankets and near a fire of their own. They had collapsed after they had chosen a campsite, either the energy of today's activities, or the wounds they had taken catching up to them... there was many wounded still that needed tending, and no one was left unmarked. They were the ones in the most critical state however.The medics had already been working over them for a full hour, so the group did not have to much longer to wait. Teprogia soon wandered other towards, pausing a small distance away as she looked round at the expectant, pensive faces and resisted the urge to sigh. "Two dragons put their bodies under too much strain during the crystal drain. With the pace set after we escaped, the simply couldn't survive. A third had wounds that needed more energy and earlier treatment. We have put them all to sleep. The others were in dangerous condition, but we managed to pull them back and their stable now."Arcantos closed his eyes at this, lowering his head and resting it on his knuckles. Another three lost by the pace set afterwards... it had been Ace's decision to
demand such a grueling pace for them all, but Arcantos had agreed to it. Knowing that they had to get out of Kasai's reach within the day, or their fighting would be for nought. But to hear that three who could've been saved weighed heavily on him.His thoughts were interrupted by a soft nuzzle to his neck, Arcantos jerk up to see Teprogia was now sitting next to him, sympathy and support in her eyes... through the dragon was concerned that he did not hear or notice her movements until she touched him. He really was tired if just closing his eyes for a few seconds could lull him so close to sleep..."So, that leaves us with 20 dragons, and a full quarter of our squad is going to be out of commission for the foreseeable future. Who knows how many of the rest will be in no condition to hunt or fight?" Ace observed, watching as the medics began to do their rounds amongst the rest, before turning his attention to the dragons around them. "We will just have to hope that Kasai had drawn the net in after capture us, and the pace we set put enough distance between us that they won't catch up. We won't be able to move quickly after today." "Yeah, the commanders need to know about this. We can't let those scum go unpunished." The assault growled, after the first muttering of agreements at Ace's statements had passed. "They imprisoned and tried to kill us for some stupid made up reason, so they deserve to be wiped out and their fortress burnt to the grounds!""If we tell the commanders what happened today, we will be playing right into Kasai' hands." Ace said sharply, even when louder murmurs of agreements came from the others. The squad fell silent at this, and whilst it was a meeting for the patrol leader, everyone was listening intently. "Think about it, as soon
as the news comes out, Tryndamous will come down hard on the fortress and slaughter them all.""Duh, that's why I want to tell them. They deserve it." The assault said with a loud dismissive snort, causing Ace to simply shake his head."You're not thinking ahead. How would the easterns react once the fortress and its regiment is destroyed?" The comment got a blank look from the assault, causing Ace to sigh in frustration. Luckily he didn't have to explain however, as the JOAT spoke up not longer after. "They would be enraged at it. They say that whilst the news of such a fortress actually being manned was alarming, to destroy it and slay its inhabitants without informing them about it is akin to a crime." Ace nodded in agreement, then tilted his head, silently asking for the dragoness to continue speaking. "And... Tryndamous would dismiss them... in fact, the council would likely agree with him on this matter... they would ignore any demands for compensation for their deaths... tensions are already high enough as it is... if this Kasai works up the anger of the easterness... events could easily lead to war.""Kasai would get punished through wouldn't he?" The second remaining leader questioned, seeing a flaw in this entire chain of logic. Only Arcantos shook his head, finally joining the conversation himself."If Tryndamous simply goes and razes the fortress? Our claims of Kasai being there, trying to get a payment of blood he had no right to get would
simply be dismissed. Even if they were believed however, Kasai is prepared for it. Ty has not made any announcements on the attack, or having claimed Q? bèi from it. So, if they were to announce that they had been engaged for some time, then Kasai would have full right to claim Q? bèi.""Is this Ty the lord that was supposedly attacked by Trydanmous? The one who Kasai claims managed to survive due to her guards? That you said were defended by two western dragons against the high General?" The assault questioned now, obviously having a hard time believing what was said... and from the looks of the others, they were skeptical about it as well."Yes." Ace said, Nova standing up and moving to join the group as she had overheard the conversation. "Those two dragons were myself and Arcantos. Well, more like I just stood in front of him as Arcantos completely demolished him. Not only did Arcantos hit a power-surge in order to deflect his lazy attack, but verbally Tryndamous was easily beaten. Even when the lord turned out to be a Courtesan, Arcantos easily showed to us that she was a Lord, and Tryndamous had to back off." "Okay, that is complete bull." The assault said with a dismissive snort, shaking his head as he said. "You mean to tell me that Arc here, who goes out of his way to avoid talking to many others at once. Stood up against the High General himself? That is just impossible.""Yeah, just as impossible as Arcantos stepping up with no hesitation to become the leader of the squad when going up against a regiment of eastern dragons." Caross snarked, not moving from where he was positioned next to another fire. "And just as impossible as Arcantos managing to lead over fifteen of us into synching with a giant weather dream of draining its energy
completely. Oh wait just a moment, both of those things happened today! What a shock! Perhaps this other event is also likely to have happened.""Excuse me for being skeptical." The assault growled, obviously not one of a fair temper if Caross's comments got him so anger quickly. "I mean look at him! He's practically squirming in place, wishing he could turn invisible now that everyone's eyes on him." Arcantos froze completely still at this, aware that now everyone was studying him intently... and that the assault had managed to hit the nail on the head." 'Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome it'." Ace quoted, momentarily taking attention away from Arcantos had he spoke, through the bipedal dragon was rather aware of the eyes still focused on his frame. "I'm pretty sure we've that a million times over, but it doesn't make it any less true. Is Arcantos afraid of being a leader, afraid of being focus of attention? Yes, especially when he doesn't have things like survival to worry about. Does that mean he is incapable of being a leader, or the focus of attention? No, it does not.""Alright, there is no evidence to go against what you are saying, and we have three dragons all agreeing with the story. Plus, there is no reason to believe that any of you are lying, let alone all three of you. So, your word will be accepted." The other leader now, silencing the assault before could speak. The large dragon glared at him, but did not continue.. through he muttered sullenly under his breath as the leader continued. "I think we all need to know what this... Chi Bay, actually is in order to have the full picture.""Q? bèi is their word for sevenfold in their language." Ace spoke up, surprising Arcantos as the bipedal dragon had
been mentally steeling himself in order to speak... luckily he now had a cat in his lap to pet and calm himself. "It reflects their belief, that in order for a wrongdoer to be forgiven for their sins, they must pay back all those that their sins have hurt, seven times the damage done. For example, a thief who stole one pound of grain, would have to pay back seven pounds of gain, OR work for the one that he stole from without pay until he has helped them produce enough money equal to seven pounds of grain.""But how does one payback murder? That's the issue after all." The JOAT spoke up, to which Ace nodded. A glance sent in Arcantos' direction had him straighten his back and take a deep breath. Ace might of done some studying into Q? bèi, but Arc was still the eastern culture specialized of the squad. "It is an issue that has plagued the eastern dragons as well. Currently, the official ruling is that if you kill someone, you must fulfil any and all outstanding obligations seven times over. For example, if they had been contracted to work for a guild for say 10 years, you must work for them for 70 years. If they were 1000 gold pieces in debt, than they had to pay back 7000 gold pieces in debt.""But unofficially, dragons don't often follow through with that ruling, did they?" The leader asked quietly when Arcantos paused to take a breath, getting a nod from him before Arc continued."Exactly. In the old days, if you took the life of someone. Then by Q? bèi, your life, as well as the life of six others were forfeit. Normally, they chose their next of kin, but for soldiers the other members of their patrol or squad are then selected.""And this 'Ty' had seven of these 'life-sworn' guards that were slain by Tryndamous I'm guessing, hence why that lord Kasai sought our deaths. But you say that she already claimed Chi Bay? How did she do that, swearing the patrol at the time into her servitude for life?""That is where her mercy comes in." Ace spoke up, allowing Arcantos to relax and half focus of the purring gray lump of fur in his lap. "Whilst she did mention that it would of been the normal payment, she would only ask for seven years serving as her guards, and then she might be willing to let us go. Even then she didn't demand it straight away, but was content to wait until we had finished our training, and gave us an additional year after that.""So why wouldn't she tell the other lords about it, so Kasai can't go ahead and try to claim it himself?""Because Kasai himself." Arcantos answered, with Teprogia settled next to his side, a cat on his lap and no one questioning him, the bipedal dragon was finding strength to take part of the conversation without too much build up. "To be known as an western lover, as surely would happen if an announcement is made, is dangerous alone thanks to his reach and power. However, Kasai is infatuated with Ty... if he learned that Ty actually had great respect for us... well, a clean, quick death would be a fate she would beg for.""And what, she's too cowardly to take a risk?" The assault spoke up, his speech punctuated with a disdainful huff. Arcantos was starting to get annoying with all this snorting and huffing.. "Bah, typical eastern.
No courage or discipline and runs from the slightest sign of trouble. She's not worthy of any effort, let alone respect.""Say that again, I will be forced to destroy you in a battle." Ace's icy tones quickly silenced everyone, as the assault turned his gaze to the darkness dragon. Through he found it hard meet those two dark pits. "Ty stood firm and with no fear against Tryndamous whilst he threatened to destroy her, and she stood firm against us when explaining the full ramifications of Q? bèi. She never flinched, or showed worry. She is worthy of our respect."Arcantos was very aware that the situation was growing tenser by the second. The assault staring down Ace, his own stubborn pride refusing to let him look away and lose. Whilst Ace sat calmly and looked back, not going to back down and let such an idiot get one up on him. So Arcantos coughed, trying to get their attention as he said. "Yes well, its not exactly a 'risk', but a 'guaranteed result' if Kasai finds out.""Why? Isn't this Ty a lord, compared to Kasai's minor lord status? She has much more influence and thus, power and safety than him, correct? The JOAT's questioned to Arc's relief, further distraction from the staredown was always good. Even if the two involved were stubbornly persisting with it."Normally yes, that would be the situation... but Kasai showed quite clearly that its not the case. Specifically, the fact that he has shinobi working for him... not just a single shinobi either, but a full patrol at least, even though they're not meant to work for lords at all. With how he also managed to have a full Regiment inside the fortress, but there hasn't been any word about there being a reduction in eastern guards anywhere... he might not have the same land or political clout as a
lord, but his military might is even higher.""Wait shinobi aren't meant to work of the lords?" The leader questioned now, though she spoke before the JOAT could, to the dragoness's look of annoyance. "If they don't work for the lords, who are they meant to work for? There's no one else they could work for.""That's the point. The shinobi aren't meant to work for anyone, they work within themselves to ensure that the lords do their jobs correctly. During war, they work with the generals, but apart from that, they keep to themselves. Between the lords, the Ti?npíng huì and the shinobi... everyone is kept clean, as each group as two other groups scrutinizing them." The leader blinked at this, letting out a small 'huh' of surprise as she considered this new. The JOAT took the opportunity of her silence in order to ask as question herself. "How would you know if there's been any reduction in the guards amongst the eastern dragons? You're not an eastern dragon, and you don't exactly have access to any news source coming out from the east... and even then, they would hide information like that.""I am friends with someone who is quite vested in the east, and influential enough to get eastern newspapers delivered to him without being changed." Arcantos explained, hoping that no one would inquire further into it, as he really didn't want to explain... "Besides, as a minor lord Kasai is only meant to have access to a Company. To take from others a full six hundred and twenty five soldiers.. or even just five hundred to reinforce his company, even we would of heard about that from the news if he had moved his own guards or taken large portions of guards from other companies and regiments. " Nova, getting quite annoyed at how Ace was still trying to stare down the assault, snapped her claws in between, producing a bright flash. This of course made the two dragons flinch at the sudden attack on their eyes, effectively ending their stare off. Ace shot the fire dragoness a quick glare for her interference, before turning his attention back to the conversation at hand."The thing is. There's one hundred and twenty five companies in their entire army. With how they have a reserve army as well, that's a total of two-hundred and fifty companies. If Kasis pulls two or three from each companies for one reason or another, he can easily get himself a full regiment, with hardly any noticeable effects to the other regiments.""Why does this even all matter?" The assault growled, fed up with all this talk with big words and
making him look like an idiot. He just had difficulty with long words, and wasn't the quickest thinker. It didn't make him stupid! "What does it matter if a war breaks out? Our army is bigger and more well-trained than easterners. Not to mention we have two active armies, with three in reserve and can draft another two if really need be. If they go to war with us, we'll crush them instantly. Only reason we haven't done so already is because we don't fight pointless wars.""Ketsueki no yoru." Ace said, drawing blank looks from the squad... all but Arcantos, who knew exactly what he meant. "The night of blood. If we go to war, the shinobi will be the first of the easterns to strike... and they will do it by targeting our chain of command. The High General with live, but all forty nine Division commanders, and all those of higher ranks will be assassinated. If the war starts because the fortress is destroyed, they'll likely go after the rest of the council as well." "And the council has done a lot of effort in limited Tryndamous' power because of his bloodthirsty nature..." The JOAT said, a horrible realization coming to her, as she spoke. "Which means that those to replace the commanders, and maybe even the council members, will be his supporters..." The dragoness began to tremble, as the full weight became clear... yet she managed to choke out. "If Tryndamous knows... he would be able to perform a perfect coup. The shinobi did all the work for him."-This, more than anything made the squad fall silent. Not even the sounds of their breath could be heard as deadly seriousness of the situation came before them. Despite many having strong respect for Tryndamous still... to have him perform a coup, to have him be in total control of the western nation...
it would be anarchy."Always assume and prepare for the worst case scenario." Ace was the first to break the silence after a full minute of nothing but crackling fire filling the air. "The leaders, tacticians and Jack of all Trades are all taught this and we pass it on to the other members of our squads. I need not tell you all what would happen if mister 'Might makes Right' would take control. We cannot let anyone learn of what has happened here today, otherwise ruin will come to the world.""If we are to assume the worse, then we are to assume that Tryndamous would learn of it regardless of our efforts, and destroy the fortress, leading to the coup." The leader said softly, her gaze directed down to the ground... her courage having been drained away by the darkness foreseen ahead. "What's the point in telling a lie? Tryndamous wants this war, he always has. Kasai obviously wants this war as well. With their power and influence, there is nothing we can do to stop them.""Correct. But we can delay them." Arcantos spoke bluntly, in a way glad of how the situation had developed, as now he could speak with absolutely no fear. "We're just youngbloods. The fact we managed to escape Kasai is remarkable itself. Trying to halt both his plans and Tryndamous is something we cannot do. We are weak and small and stand no chance against them. Which means we need aid, we need allies. Getting allies and aid requires time, and the longer we delay this war, the more time we had in order to gather together a power that can face against them.""And how do we do that? None of us are from the upper class, heck, they have their own much more cushy 3-year training regime than us working and middle class kids. To them, we're basically peasants, the likelihood of any of us
having a friend in high places is slim to none." "Hence why we have to start from scratch." Arc said, brushing over the JOAT's complainants at the task set before them. "It won't be easy. Might even be impossible. To not try would label us as cowards, and unless we try we cannot know if we cannot perform the task. As it is, the situation as a whole does present us with the way, or dragon to start with. The Duke of Kuvine.""The Duke of Kuvine... he was the dragon that Ty was talking with in her role as an ambassador of the east." Ace recalled, rapidly able to piece together what Arcantos was talking about. "She mentioned that she trusted her judgement, and that he was a very astute dragon. If we are to trust Ty and her judgement, then getting the Duke of our naval capital would be a tremendous start.""Kuvine? That's the city that our young-blood Division is based in isn't it?" The leader said, her head coming up, a light presented for them and she was eagerly reaching for it. "If we return to camp like this, with a report that the others have been slain, that's where we will be taken in order to fill in the details. But how are we meant to get word to him, let alone sway him to our side?""One step at time. Contacting the Duke and trying to have him on our side would be pointless if we don't create a story for the army as to why we came together and lost so many." Ace cut in, not wanting the conversation to cycle back down after Arcantos had managed to do such a job at getting it upswinging once more. "Why lie? Tell them that we were captured and taken to a fortress hidden in the mountains. Tell them how we managed to escape, and had to drain a storm crystal in order to do so. Simply change the easterns to bandits, and say that storm crystal was shattered by us in order to kill the and destroy the fortress."Ace had to stare at the assault silently for a few moments, surprised that the aggressive and ill-tempered dragon had managed to come up with such a simple yet genius plan. Indeed, both the leader and JOAT, alongside Nova and Teprogia were similarly surprised. Arcantos however, looked around at the remnants of the squad before shaking his head."Not drain, we would of been able to save many more dragons if that was how the events went. Not to mention being able to synch with a crystal isn't something we should be able to do. Instead, we managed to capture the crystal before they could break it, and redirected its power against the castle. But many of us were lost defending our position in order to set the plan in motion.""Works for me." The assault said with a shrug of his wings. Trying not to look too smug about having surprised everyone with his idea... and failing quite spectacularly at it. Arcantos let that pass however as he looked around the entire squad. Searching for anyone that disagreed with the idea, that felt like it had issues or flaws that could give them away... but no one spoke."Alright, lets get some sleep. We've got a long few days ahead of us in order to get back." Arcantos said, finazelling the discussion and the plan. He
paused again, waiting for any complaints or comments. When none came, he stood up and nodded farewell to the de-facto leaders of the squad, and left the campfire. Slipping into one of the hastily constructed shelters the squad had put together.Before the bipedal dragon slipped over to sleep, he heard a dragon padding into the shelter as well, before making their way over to him. Settling down next to Arcantos and snuggling against them, putting a fore-arm over his body... and Arcantos smiled softly, simply happy to have Teprogia sleeping against him... despite all the bloodshed and death, his best friend was alive. That was the thought that Arcantos carried with him as he slipped into the realm of dreams.