War of the Dragons - Chapter 8
The week passed slowly for the patrol. They weren't kept inside of the wagon all the time, as whoever the dragons were unethical they weren't. They were prisoners still, but treated well despite that. They were provided with ample water and their food fare was actually more than stale bread and thin soup. It wasn't would anyone would call good even by military standards, but it was still satisfactory and none of them could ask for more in good grace.Not only that, but they were allowed to stretch their legs, as well as take care of any... business, three times a day. Once in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening, during the times the meals were being cooked. That being said, their wings and cuffs were still kept on tight and regularly checked before and after each of these sessions. Plus, they weren't allowed to sleep outside even chained to the wagon or something. Instead, they had to sleep in the locked wagon every night. Whilst it didn't smell too bad as dragons don't sweat, it was still very annoying and uncomfortable for those involved.One would think that the times outside would allow the patrol to get a judge on the numbers of their captors, and who exactly they were. Yet this was denied as well, the dragons wore dark cloth. Obscuring their forms and making it impossible to make out any details at all. Plus, they only had three guards, as the rest of the captors never revealed themselves, they stayed behind the wagon cooking, cloth being pulled out to obscure the patrol's view of how many left there might be.The monotony of the journey was interrupted after the week however, when wagon came to a stop only two hours after the lunch break. The patrol shared glances at this, knowing that they normally wouldn't stop
for another four hours, and wondered what was going on. It could mean that they've arrived at their destination, or that there had been an interruption to their captors. Through they had no way of knowing what was going on outside of the wagon.The next information they got, was when there was a series of clinks, similar to their chains. Only they were much deeper and flatter sounds and came from above them. Leaving the patrol staring up at the roof, wondering what was going on. Through after the sounds went away, they had to turn to one another once more, all of them wondering what was going on..."Hey nerd, you got any ideas as to what's going on in that big head of yours?" Caross was of course the first to break the silence. But the method he did so was surprising, actually asking Arcantos for his thoughts on the matter. Indeed, Arcantos was so surprised to be addressed by Caross, that all he could do at first was blink at him dumbly. At least until Caross snapped. "Well?""Oh! R-right." Arcantos said, jolting in surprise and struggling to recover himself, to unscramble his thoughts. Glancing back at roof, Arcantos stalled for time though his normal technique, thinking outloud. "Well, the sounds that came from above us sounded like chains, through likely bigger than ours if they differences were to go by." As usual, inspiration struck and Arcantos lowered his gaze back to Caross, now able to actual give a suggestion."I think the chains are being used to anchor us down. Either because there is a big storm coming and they're preparing to live it out. Or we've been moved onto a raft to navigate a river. Whenever or not that be across it, or using it speed our journey by moving up or down it, isn't something I can answer."The patrol was silent for a few moments, digesting Arcantos' suggestion and mulling it over. After only a short while however, Caross shook his head, stating. "That's a good reason, but if it was the case, why didn't we hear the metal being connected elsewhere, or even the thump of the chains against the wood of the wagon?""I hadn't thought of that." Arcantos had to admit, rather annoyed at himself for overlooking the details like that, let only that Caross of all dragons managed to point them out. Not only that, but before he had time to proper reflect on this and change his theory accordingly, he was backstabbed by Teprogia herself when she spoke up."There still likely chains, and taking those two factors into account. We can come up with the theory that these chains are already attached on the other ends, and whatever their attached to is something above us and not below or even to the side.""If it is something above us, that would most likely mean we are going to get airlifted." Scorch noted at Teprogia's words. Arcantos now pouted and having withdrawn from the conversation in order to sulk. "But that's impossible, gryphon's are far too temperamental to have them even a few days away from established stables, and no other flight-animals have more grunt power than us."Despite, or most likely in spite of Scorch's words, the wagon suddenly lurched. The unprepared dragons tumbled to the floor as the wagon continued to move around them, through even as they all struggled to sit
back up, they got a feeling of being light-weighted, of no longer being on solid ground. Caross of course, was the first one to comment."So, being air-lifted is impossible is it Scorch?" The pink dragon shot Caross a glare for the snarky comment, before shaking his head in disbelief, saying."It shouldn't be possible, there's no town big enough within the area we could have travelled in the week we've been in the wagon. If it was a week flying, there's plenty of choices, but flying is over ten times faster than any wagon. So that's pretty much a given." Scorch paused to ponder this quandary for a few moments, before turning to the sulking bipedal. "Arc, do easterners have any different fliers or gryphon breeds that are less temperamental than ours?"Arcantos considered the question for a few monsters, going through his knowledge of eastern culture in order to come up with an answer. "Well, traditionally they have anzû, not gryphon's. Through anzû and gryphons do belong to the same family and can create hybrids. Anzû are more even tempered, but don't have the same muscular power as gryphons. A wagon like this wouldn't be able to be carried by a team of anzu, the amount that would be needed to carry a wagon such as this would be awkward and inefficient. No, more likely than not they're using gryphons.""It still doesn't add up however, where could they get the gryphons from unless their more even tempered than usual? There's no towns close enough, we're in the middle of nowhere." Scorch insisted, growing a little frustrated at how they were
getting no closer to answers. Arcantos meanwhile had fully engaged himself back into the conversation, and after a few moments pondering the issue himself came up with a solution."If I recall the map correctly, weren't we pretty close to the mountains? The Awth Highlands if I recall correctly." Scorch narrowed his eyes at this, not entirely sure what Arcantos was getting at, but slowly nodded that he was right. Arc smiled in satisfaction as he went on to put forwards his theory. "One of the greatest locations tied to the shinobi is a mountain fortress that was hidden for years until infighting revealed it to the world. With this is mind, it would do me no surprise that the shinobi have managed to establish a fortress within the Awth Highlands." "Okay, that is the biggest amount of bull I've heard all week." Caross cut in with a derisive snort. "A fortress? An entire damned fortress, that we don't know about? Now you're stretching the shinobi's abilities well too far. There is no way they would of been able to make a fortress so deep in our territory without us knowing about them." "That much I can agree with you Caross." Arcantos said, surprising not just the orange dragon but the entire patrol with how easily he gave in, but the bipedal wasn't done talking yet. "However, I would like to point out that Arthurian ruled the world for a solid fifty years, and this territory was firmly under eastern rule when Sun Wukong was their king. That gives the shiboni ample time to construct a hidden mountain fortress within the Awth Highlands without it being in Western territory, amongst other places." Before any more conversation could be carried out however, the wagon was suddenly jolted and the feeling of lightness was gone... the patrol exchanged glances. They had
returned back to the ground. They waited in tense anticipation was there was muffled clinks coming from above once more, before the door opened, revealing a slit of day-light.Before this could be reacted to however, darkness billowed into the wagon. Cries of shock and surprise came from the patrol as their sight was so suddenly cut off, not even able to make out the shape of their claws when they looked down at them. They did not have time to properly recover from the shock however, because someone spoke from the entrance."Do not resist otherwise we will knock you out." The voice was distorted, echoing around them and making it impossible to pin-point. Arcantos quickly put it down as an intimidation tactic to set the patrol on edge as well as keep them from being able to identify the speaker if they heard the voice later. Through Arcantos had to wonder what they meant by do not resist.This was answered when a cloth was placed against his eyes. Arcantos originally jerked back in surprise, startled by the sudden feeling. However, when the dragon tried again, Arc kept still, allowing the blindfold to be placed securely around him. Once that was done, the bipedal heard the locks anchoring him to the wagon begin undone and he was coaxed upwards.Arcantos could do more than blindly follow as he was lead out from the wagon and onto the stony floor. Through Arc was quick to realize it was not made of stone. He wasn't sure what it was, but it set him on edge, off balance and making it hard to think. This would not just making it harder for dragons to escape, but also to invade as it was likely that the guards and even gryphons who lived here had acclimated to its effect and would be able to operate without any disruptions to their ability at all.Because of the lighting energy that had been building up in his hands, Arcantos was not able to focus much on the direction in which they were travelling, through he was aware that there was a lot of twists and turns. Arcantos wasn't even sure how long he had been travelling for, before he was stopped. After a few short moments, Arcantos came aware that the disorienting effect emitting from the floor had vanished. Before he could ponder much longer on this, he was distracted by his blindfold being removed, and the harsh glare of light filling his eyes once more. By the time he blinked to adjust them, something clanged firmly before him, followed by a distinctive click.Turning around, the bipedal dragon spied the strong bars that indicated his place in a cell. Across from him was Scorch however, informing him that he wasn't alone. Stepping forwards to the bars, Arcantos saw other cells to the left and right of him, as well as two more flanking his patrol leader. At the end of the small hallway was a final cell in which Arcantos could spy Sig within. Seven cells for seven dragons."They must not fear the possibility of escape for us if they have no problem in keeping us together despite knowing that we form a patrol." Frost spoke, the ice dragon situated to the left of Scorch as the patrol came forwards to the bars in order to see and converse with one another. All except Giratina that was, the dark dragoness never caring for anyone that was not herself."That's because we don't have any chance at all." Caross
spoke with a snort, always one to respond and argue with Frost, even in such a dangerous situation as this. "Inanite alloy restraints in order to restrict our elemental use, the bars are composite, so manipulating them would be impossible. I wouldn't be surprised if the stone around us is composite as well, just to be on the safe side. Even if we did get out of the jails, we wouldn't be able to find our way out with that damn floor. How they managed to get air-gems to replicate the effects of a Thunderwolves disruptive aura but keep it weak enough so that they can become accustomed to it is beyond me.""Is that what it was? Are you sure?" Sig spoke, questioning Caross' claim, one that had surprised even Arcantos, making the scholoric dragon frown and ponder what the fire dragon said. "I've never heard of anyone ever being able to replicate the disruptive aura themselves. It always affected them as well, so it never did anything. To be able to get air-gems to have such an effect, they would need to be able to wield it with incredible finesse.""It the only thing it could be." Caross said, a slight growl of annoyance in his voice for being so questioned. Still, he took a deep breath to calm himself, not seeing need to anger a non-Frost patrol mate. Once done, he swiftly continued. "Plus, these are shinobi remember? Legendary, near-mythical dragons of stealth and espionage? Who knows what they have learned to do, which the world has not been allowed to learn? Not to mention that they are eastern dragons, who have a greater natural affinity to air than we do. The eastern nation knowing how to perform it and not letting us know is a very real possibility."Sig looked at Caross for a few moments, before turning to Arcantos, waiting to see if the bipedal dragon had any interjections or objections to make. But after mulling it over whilst
they talked, half-listening in on the conversation, Arcantos had to summarized that Caross was more than likely right. The disorientation they felt had come from a minor Thunderwolf aura, a very disturbing revelation. "There is also the fact that we have not seen how deep we might be into the mountains." Arcantos said, knowing that his lack of commentary on Caross' claim would solidify it, and wasted no more time on it himself. "Travelling through mountains is risky, even with proper gear and following a route. Trying to simply fly out of here without knowing where exactly we are could easily end with our death.""Its riskier than you realize." Tepgroia said, Arcantos relieved that the soft voice of his childhood friend came directly next to him, on his right. That placed Giratina on Scorch's right, across from Caross. "There's a small window at the back of my cell, and I looked through it to see if there was any clues that might help us if we do find an opportunity to escape. All I could see was a sheer drop right outside, followed by another mountain a good fifty meters away. Most worrying however was a tower situated on the mountain that's top was surrounded by a swirl of ice and wind. If they have one weather tower, they more than likely had more to completely cover the fortress.""They have a weather tower as well?!" Caross exclaimed loudly, moving back from his bars as he spoke. Most likely moving to the back of his cell as well. A few seconds later, an explosion of expletives came from his cell. The fire dragon still swearing as he returned to the front to talk. "She's right, I can clearly see a weather tower. I bet this place is fully capable of taking the outlash if the tower storm gem gets cracked. So not only do we have to content to the ice-storm they have surrounding this place, but if they get really desperate they can just smash a gem and make it impossible to go anywhere for several hours." "Then escape is too risky a venture to take." Scorch said, his tone remaining calm despite the frightening situation they were in. Arcantos himself could feel his limbs trembling when the weight of their capture came crashing down on him. The bipedal dragon not even trusting himself to speak, and admiring Scorch's tenacity. Seeing why the pink dragon was the leader of the patrol as he continued. "At least in this location, the task of surviving is much simpler and should be possible to accomplish. Our disappearance has likely been noticed by now, so we must wait until we are transferred away from here to seek a chance to escape. Until then, we should attempt to find out why we have been captured."There was a murmur of agreement from the patrol, through they could do little for that task now. The conversation fading off as the dragons moved back into the cells in order to make themselves comfortable on the cots they had. Arcantos was half glad for the silence, as it meant he had plenty of time to focus on his tail-element usage, and further weaken his handcuffs... as well as calm himself down. The bipedal dragon knew that it would help no one if he would start panicking now, so he closed his eyes, breathing in deeply, before letting it out slowly. 'In.... two... three... four... out... two... three... four... in... two... three... four...' Arcantos chanted softly to himself focusing on his slow, steady breathing. The rhythmically, almost meditative motion allowing the dragon's body to relax and his mind to be put at ease. After a minute of this chant, Arcantos turned his attention to his bonds, knowing the importance of weakening them as much as possible... the time to break them would come soon.* * * * * * *Another two days passed for the patrol, a mixture of tension and boredom having the days drag on slowly. Sleep could only be used so much to pass the time, as would conversation. Even Caross and Frost's arguments, without the intervention of Scorch, could only do so much. Arcantos managed to pass the time reasonable with his focus on breaking his bonds, alongside creating ideas for his stories and several meditative techniques, but even then the two days passed slowly.Finally, a little while after the sun had passed its zenith, a patrol of guards arrived at the jail cells. Or at least that's what Arcantos assumed from what he heard, until darkness billowed into jail as a whole, blocking of their sight. The bipedal dragon just sighed and stood up, waiting patiently for the blindfold to be placed over his eyes once more and to be escorted away.It wasn't long until Arcantos felt the effects of the disortainting floor once again. Now that Caross had brought the possibly up, Arcantos was quick to acknowledge that is was similar to that of a Thunderwolf' disruptive aura. Of course, this was bad, as it meant that there was a possibility of this place of their imprisonment held a dragon that had the ability to create a disrupting aura themselves... and that would make escape even more difficult if it came to it.Arcantos loss sense of time and direction thanks to the disorientation, unknowing of how long he walked or in what directions he had been taken.
As it was, the dragon reached his destination and was forced into a kneeling position. There was a brief pause of silence, Arcantos feeling his uncertainty and fear grow. Then without warning the blindfold was wiped off.Light flooded into his eyes, making Arcantos wince in pain and close them, trying to buy time for them to adjust. But exclamations of shock, anger and fear quickly changed his plans. Looking round behind him, Arcantos was filled with dread. His patrol... Scorch's patrol... they weren't the only prisoners that had been taken. Behind him, in rows of seven, was the entirety of their squad. Only the actual members of the army, the sergeant and the second lieutenant were not present."Bow before a Lord of the East, the Duke of Arechi." A firm voice rang out from the front, and Arcantos had to turn his attention forwards, the the eastern dragon standing before the patrol. Battle-scarred and larger than them all, and clad in shining armour. From the bulky build and green mane that could be seen, Arcantos guessed that he was an earth dragon.Even as Arcantos reluctantly bowed, having no desires to antagonize his captors, the words were said began to sink in... and as a different dragon strode forwards, the bipedal lost his breath. Terror's cold grip digging into his heart as he started upwards and the blazing red and orange eastern dragon that looked over them all with an expression of extreme distaste, bordering on hatred... and Arcantos knew he more than likely felt the latter towards them.Kasai, a minor lord of the east... but his power and reach was far beyond the others of his rank. He might not have the resources of a full lord, but even the high lords acknowledged his influence. Not only that, but Kasai was infamous amongst the citizens of the
east for two reasons. First, he was a fire dragon... an element, that alongside darkness, were looked down upon by the east for their strong ties to western dragons. Earth was accepted as part of the world, but fire and darkness were thought of as elements of the west, and elements of destruction. Whilst they were no longer outright hatred as before, it was more difficult if you had one of those elements... and it was more than likely why Kasai had not climbed up to a rank of a Lord.Secondly - and Arcantos believed to partially be because of the first - Kasai hated western dragons with a burning passion. His lands were often called the 'legacy lands' due to how little western influence could be seen there. Plus, whilst Kasai could not make any legal moves to keep any western dragons out of his lands, there was rumors that he employed a patrol of rouge shinobi to make it so... and after quite a lot of western dragons were found dead or simply vanished, most took the hint and moved out. Save a stubborn, tough few.'Kasai is the one in charge here, a fortress like this would not be simply given over or revealed to a minor lord. But for him to know, and to bring what is likely an entire regiment of soldiers here without anyone knowing... either his rouge shinobi's have very strong influence within the shinobi still... or they aren't rogue are all... this... this is not good... not good at all... we need to get out of here or he's going to kill us all...' After examining the dragons before him, Kasai gave a dismissive sniff before turn away, towards a dragon by his side... Arcantos nearly jumping out of his skin as the action drew his attention to the shinobi standing by his side. How long had he been standing there without notice? "Are you sure these are all of the dragons of the squad? Surely there are more to be spent. To even dare to attack one of our lords, should be worth the lives of these barbarians let alone the death of five loyal life-sworn guards ."The bipedal dragon stiffened as he heard what Kasai had to say, his mind kicking into overdrive at the information that Kasai let slip. 'He's talking about the attack of Typhose... a month is enough time for a report to get back to him, then for him to arrange this kidnapping. But how did he... no, that's not the question. The real question is how does Typhose know? From how friendly and trusting of us she became, that is a no... so he's acting behind her back on her behalf? No, a pitiful excuse, he just using it to shed western blood and say he had ample reason to do so... Tryndamous would not care, as the real soldiers aren't here, just young-bloods.'"Yes milord, this is the forty-nine dragons that make up the squad that Tryndamous returned to in order to report the mission success. I understand your desire for more blood, and I believe that only a companies worth of dragons should be worth those slain. However, this squad alone is those we can slay and state to be Q? bèi. Take heart milord, that this is just the first step in our plan, and much more western blood shall be shed before it is done""Your advice is as valuable as alway Tryn. Whilst I would take pleasure in seeing these so many more barbarians dead for daring to endanger my beloved, the big picture is much more important. Seeing that come to fruition would be all the more satisfying to see, thank you for reminding me off that.""I live only to serve milord." The shinobi said, bowing to Kasai as Arcantos released from the implications of the information the two of them let slip... how arrogant they must be to believe that no one understood them in order to speak so freely. 'B-beloved? Typhose is Kasai's beloved? Typhose loves... him?! ... ... ... No, no that's not right. She showed too much interest in western culture, and even when angry treated us with respect despite our lowly position. Not to mention she knew our language almost as if she was a born westerner. So its a one-sided affair... at least for now. How long would it take not just for our disappearances to be noticed by our forces, but brought to the attention of the Eastern Lords? If Kasai is able to become betrothed to Ty in that time, no lord would argue his right to call for the Q? bèi... but the council would never stand for that.""Captain, I would like you to translate my words please." Kasai said, turning to the earth dragon
that had waited patiently as the two discussed. The captain bowed in response, and turned to face the captured squad, translating what Kasai said. "I will keep this short so that you uncivilized barbarians can understand. A month ago, your divine Tryndamous attacked one of the Lord of the Easts on her way back from a diplomatic visit along with members of your squad. Through the brave sacrifices of her loyal life-sworn guard, she survived. Whilst she recovers from the trauma of the ordeal, I have stepped forwards in order to carry out Q? bèi, the repayment for the attack and the death of her guards. A payment that is your lives." In all of his arrogance, Kasai turned away and strode of even before the captain had finished translating. Because of this, he did not see the black dragon that rose up from the ranks of the squad even as their discipline broke and exclaims of shock, fear and anger escaped from them."And what gives you the right to claim the payment of sevenfold?" Ace's voice cut through the noise of the of the squad, the movements of the eastern guards around them as they prepared to follow out their orders and stopped Kasai in his tracks. The fire dragon turned back in puzzlement as the captain replied."The Duke of Arechi has every right to claim Q? bèi, on what grounds do you even believe that he does not?""The fact that the Lord that was attacked has already claimed the Q? bèi payment. For she saw with her own eyes two western dragons standing before Tryndamous himself, defying him in order to save her life after the monster had claimed her guards. Because of this, we were granted mercy and she
chose to take the Q? bèi in a different form."The captain actually hesitated at this, surprised at Ace's clear and firm reply. Kasai saw this and frowned, turning around fully to address him. "Why have you not yet followed out my orders Captain? The squallings of a ant should simply be ignored, there is no reason why his words should of made you hesitate. You shall be punished for your lack of discipline, and every second you tarry will increase the severity of your punishment.""He claims that the Lord has already claimed the payment of Q? bèi milord." Arcantos had to briefly admire the captain at this time, despite Kasai's promise and his own desire to avoid further punishment, the captain still spoke, reluctantly yes, but speak he did. "And no western dragon can stand so firmly on a thunder-floor and lie at the same time. Your shinobi will be able to agree with me on that.""She had not claimed it." Kasai dismissed instantly, rolling his eyes at the words of the captain. "I know my beloved very well, and she is a master actress. She would have beguiled them into believing they are under no risk in order to secure they aid in protecting her. Now that she is safe, it is my duty to step forwards and claim Q? bèi . Blood, must be pay with blood after all.""Understood my lord." The captain turned back forwards, and with a nod, the soldiers moved forwards once more... but then another voice spoke out, halting them all in their tracks in surprise."No." Both the captain and the shinobi were shocked and surprised when Arcantos spoke in clear, fluent eastern. The bipedal dragon having his cold gaze leveled at Karasi as he whirled around to demand who dared defy his orders. "Q? bèi is about redemption, not vengeance. This is not about her, it is simply an excuse for your own selfish bloodlust. Well I say this Kasai. You will not claim us, our blood will not be claimed by the likes of you, and your plan will not succeed."As Kasai started at Arcantos in a mixture of shock and anger, struggling to come to terms at how a barbarian could be so defiant, let alone have the audacity to sully their language with his filthy tongue, Arcantos took advantage of the
opportunity presented to them. "Ace, cover!" The black dragon didn't even react in surprise, simply smirking as dark spikes erupted from his hands, destroying the Inanite handcuffs. Before the guards could react, before the captain could bark out a warning or the shinobi strike, Ace allowed his elemental energy to surge to his fore-paws and unleashed a wave of solid darkness across the squad.